Chapter 14
After the brutal elimination of Haru, Ranzo and Sukome retreated to the safehouse. Lady Cold awaited them, a sharp, satisfied glint in her eyes. The atmosphere was thick with the scent of a successful hunt.
"Welcome back," Lady Cold said, a thin smile playing on her lips. "The news of Aroon's youngest son's death has spread through the city like a wildfire. You've certainly stirred the hornet's nest."
Ranzo offered a dark, predatory smirk. "Mission one is complete, Lady Cold. Now, it's time to turn our attention to the factory."
"Before you move on, you both need to see this," Lady Cold said, gesturing toward the television.
On the screen, Aroon appeared, his eyes bloodshot and brimming with tears that soon turned into a terrifying rage. He addressed the world with a voice that shook the foundations of the underground. "I will not let my son's sacrifice be in vain! Whoever did this, I will hunt you down from the very depths of hell. I will make an example out of you so that no one ever dares to look at our family with anything but fear again!"
Lady Cold clicked the TV off, her gaze returning to Ranzo. "More than half the legal system in this city dances to the tune of these mafia families. This means the challenges ahead will be ten times harder. Are you truly prepared for the storm that's coming, Ranzo?"
Ranzo didn't flinch. His eyes burned with an unyielding fire. "The harder the challenge, the sweeter the victory. If the law is under their thumb, then I will simply dismantle the law. And it starts tonight, when I tear that factory apart right in front of their eyes."
Watching his unwavering resolve, Sukome felt a flutter in her heart. She looked away, a faint blush creeping onto her cheeks. Oh, Master Ace... I wish I could be yours forever. I will do whatever it takes to find a place in your heart.
"Lady Cold," Ranzo continued, breaking Sukome's train of thought. "Is the secondary team ready with the explosives?"
Lady Cold pointed toward a heavy steel door leading to the secret room. "Three devices are primed and ready. But where exactly do you plan on planting them?"
Ranzo grinned. "I call them The Joker's Deadly Bombs. Three will be enough to bring that four-story structure to the ground. We'll plant them at the base of the foundation. Once they blow, the entire facility will collapse like a house of cards."
"Perfect," Lady Cold remarked. "I expected nothing less."
"And what about the transport?" Ranzo asked. "Has Sanko prepared the decoy truck that handles the factory supplies?"
Just then, Sanko burst into the room, grinning ear to ear. He rushed toward Ranzo, pulling him into a tight embrace. "You did it, Ranzo! You actually took down Haru! You're my hero, man!"
Sukome's eyes narrowed. In a flash, she grabbed Sanko by the shoulders and yanked him away from Ranzo with such force that he went stumbling back and fell to the floor.
"Ouch!" Sanko cried out. "What was that for, Sukome?"
"Stop clinging to Master Ace," she replied with a cold, haughty attitude, her nose in the air.
Ranzo sighed, extending a hand to Sanko. "Here, take my hand. Get up."
Sanko took Ranzo's hand with a grateful smile, sticking his tongue out at Sukome. "Thanks, Ranzo. You're the best."
Sukome felt a sharp pang of jealousy, but she bit her lip and kept her emotions in check. Ranzo turned to her, his expression serious. "Sukome, don't do that again. We are a team, and there's no room for fighting within the team."
Sukome lowered her head, accepting his word without hesitation.
"Sanko, is everything ready?" Ranzo asked.
"Ready and waiting for your command," Sanko replied confidently.
Suddenly, Ranzo's phone buzzed. It was a text from Marine: Where are you, Ranzo? I'm home alone. Mom and Dad went to offer their condolences for Aroon's son. It's just me and Grandma. Please come home soon, I'm getting scared.
Ranzo didn't reply, but he turned to Lady Cold. "It's 4:30 PM. I want everything staged by 9:30 PM. We strike at exactly 10:00 PM."
"Go home," Lady Cold said with a knowing nod. "I'll make sure everything is in place."
Ranzo left immediately, sprinting toward the manor. When he arrived, he found Marine and his grandmother sitting in the lounge, chatting quietly. Seeing him, Marine jumped up and ran toward him, stopping just inches away, looking deep into his eyes.
Ranzo felt a sudden awkwardness and looked up at the ceiling. "You don't look scared to me," he stammered. "Why did you call me back so urgently?"
Marine gave him a playful, mischievous smile. "Why are you avoiding my gaze? Look at me, Ranzo. Look me in the eye."
Accepting the challenge, Ranzo lowered his gaze, his eyes locking onto hers with an intense, deep focus.
"Let's see who blinks first," Marine challenged.
"Fine," Ranzo replied with his signature attitude. "Prepare to lose."
Five minutes passed. They stood frozen, locked in an unyielding stare-down. Their grandmother finally spoke up, annoyed. "What is wrong with you two? Why have you been standing there like statues for so long?"
Neither of them answered. Ten minutes in, the competition was still fierce. Suddenly, the world began to spin for Marine. Dizziness washed over her, and she began to lose her balance. Before she could fall, Ranzo's hand shot out, catching her firmly by the waist.
He leaned in close, his face inches from hers. "I win, Marine," he whispered with a smirk. "You lost."
For the rest of the evening, Ranzo stayed by her side. They played video games, laughed, and he did everything in his power to keep her happy and distracted.
But as the clock ticked toward the hour of destruction, a different kind of fire began to burn in his eyes. The time for games was over. Could Ranzo and his team pull off this mission under the suffocating security of the police and the mafia?