("Ahem... Kairen, I'm thirsty," I said, pointedly interrupting Kristel's fluttering eyelashes. "Let's go get some drinks."
"Let's go," Kail agreed, his relief almost palpable.
"Ms. Kristel, we should be going now," I added, giving her a sharp, thin smile.
"Sure," Kristel replied, her voice dripping with fake sweetness.
As soon as we were out of earshot, I leaned in. "I didn't think she would be his sister. That changes things."
"Me too, but that's not the priority," Kail whispered. "Where did Chris go?"
"He headed toward the elevator. We have to follow him!"
"You go," I said, scanning the room for any other threats. "I'll stay here and cover the exit. Be careful!"
The 5th Floor
Kail slipped out of the elevator and saw Chris walking down a long, plush hallway. He ducked behind a marble pillar just as Chris stopped in front of a heavy mahogany door.
"Sir Chris," a waiter said, bowing slightly. "He is waiting for you inside."
"Good." Chris disappeared into the room.
Kail moved like a ghost, catching the door before the latch clicked. He held it open just a fraction, his ear pressed to the gap.
"Have you missed her?" Chris's voice asked from inside.
"Yes..." a familiar, raspy voice replied. "That was unexpected! She really is the daughter of a General—stronger than the reports said."
Kail's heart skipped a beat. That voice... it's the same one. He shifted his position, peering through the crack. It was Gilbert.
"There was a guy with her," Gilbert continued, his arm in a sling. "He was no amateur. He took down my team in seconds."
"Well, you failed, and now you're injured," Chris snapped. "We missed the girl. 'HE' will be furious."
"But we still have the Professor," Gilbert countered. "We'll transport him to the Dragon K5 facility the day after tomorrow."
The Professor! Kail thought. He shifted to get a better look, but his shoe scuffed the floor.
"Hey! Who's there?!" a bodyguard shouted from the hallway behind him.
Damn! Kail realized he was pinned. He spun around as two bodyguards lunged at him. In two swift, brutal movements, he neutralized them both, but the noise was unavoidable.
"What's happening out there?" Chris shouted, bursting out of the room.
He looked down at his unconscious guards and then at the retreating figure near the elevator. "Someone was listening! Catch him! Bring him to me alive—now!"
Kail made it back to the lobby, trying to look casual despite the adrenaline. He was heading for the exit when a hand caught his sleeve.
"Mr. Kairen! I was looking for you!" Kristel stood there, her eyes welling with tears. "I need to talk to you."
"Ms. Kristel, this is not a good time," Kail said, his eyes darting toward the elevators. "Stella is waiting for me."
"Please!" she sobbed. "I... I think I fell in love with you at first sight. Please, accept my feelings!"
Kail froze. Is she serious right now? "I'm... I'm sorry. I have Stella. I can't."
I was watching from behind a nearby wall, ready to intervene if Chris's men appeared. She's fast! I need to break this up before it gets weird.
"Kairen!" I called out, stepping into the light. "There you are! I've been looking everywhere... Oh? Ms. Kristel? Why are you crying?"
Kristel flushed red, wiped her eyes, and glared at me. "Nothing! I have to go!" She turned and ran off.
"Thanks for the save," Kail muttered.
"Don't mention it. You owe me one."
Instead of heading back to the base, Kail drove to a tactical apartment across from the casino.
"You could tell me when plans change," I grumbled, taking off my heels.
"The Professor is still in the city," Kail said, his face grim. "They're moving him to Dragon K5 the day after tomorrow. We have thirty-six hours."
"Then we stop them tomorrow. But how do we get inside their perimeter?"
"I have an idea," I said, a plan forming in my mind. "Call Erina."
Two hours later, Erina arrived, but she wasn't alone. Eden was with her.
"Why are we here, Erina?" Eden asked, looking around the high-tech apartment in confusion.
"I don't know either," she replied.
"I asked you here," I said, stepping forward.
Eden blinked. "Who are you?"
"Right... long story," I sighed. "My name is Silvia, and this is Kail. We don't have much time for introductions, so sit down. We need your help."
After explaining the situation, Erina's face went pale. "They're sending my father away? To them?"
"Yes," I said. "But to save him, we need a Trojan Horse. And that's you, Eden."
"Me? How can I help?"
"Kristel," I said. "She's the sister of the man who kidnapped the Professor. And I happen to know she has a massive crush on you, Eden. If you get close to her, we get a direct line into her brother's movements."
Eden's jaw dropped. "What? Kristel likes me? Impossible!"
"Trust me," I smirked. "I've seen the way she looks at you. It's the truth."
"Alright," Eden said, squaring his shoulders. "If it saves Erina's father, I'll do it."
"Good," Kail said. "Can you handle a gun?"
"Yes. My father made sure I learned the basics."
"Perfect. The plan is simple," I explained, leaning over the table. "We'll arrange a 'chance' encounter between you and Kristel tomorrow. You play the part of the concerned friend, get her talking, and find out exactly where they're holding the Professor."
"But I've never... manipulated someone like that," Eden admitted nervously.
"Oh, please," I teased. "Didn't you try the same thing when you were chasing Erina around the University?"
Eden turned bright red. "Well... that was different!"
Kail actually laughed. "Hahaha! Don't worry, kid. We'll be right behind you."
~ to be continued