Vince glanced at Thalia's companions. They had all gone quiet after Chesca's confession.
They're going to wait here, he thought.
"We need to leave. Now." That was all he said.
Thalia blinked, confused. "W–Where?" she asked.
He sighed. Her brother was here, too—determined to infiltrate the Fuego lair.
Don't panic, Thalia. You need to understand this now.
Though the sun was rising, and he hadn't slept, Vince felt no exhaustion.
Zenne and William—his trusted companions—sighed beside him.
Jake will kill us if these kids get involved… but it's unavoidable now. He was relieved Jake hadn't shown up yet. If he did, his teacher-like scolding would return with full force.
Whatever.
He'd already prepared the women they rescued. They would be brought to safety soon.
The commotion in the warehouse had died down, but caution was still necessary.
Without another word, Vince started walking. The others followed. Thalia trailed behind, her thoughts in turmoil.
He hadn't put on his mask yet. He sat beside Thalia and her two friends. Gerald and the others were in another vehicle, hiding one of the rescued women. She would be taken to their meeting point.
"Brother, where are we really going?" Thalia asked.
"You'll find out soon."
He drove in silence, Zenne and William close behind.
Up ahead, he saw people from their side.
"Hide," he ordered.
Though confused, the three obeyed.
A man stepped into the road, blocking Vince's car. He recognized him—another insider. None of them had likely slept yet. Giovane had been throwing a fit since dawn.
"Vince, once your rounds are done, relieve us. The boss has been furious since early morning—especially now that those women have escaped."
Furious? Or has he calmed down... because he knows someone's undermining him? Vince kept his expression neutral.
He smiled. "Don't worry. We'll throw out the bodies in those drums soon. There are a lot—so I asked Zenne and William to help."
"Huh? We didn't see you earlier."
Vince chuckled. "You were busy. Charles told us to start cleaning up—scattered bodies in the warehouse."
"Ahh… makes sense. We were preoccupied. Didn't even notice the three of you."
Vince nodded at Zenne and William, who silently shook their heads in disagreement.
"Even better. When you return, help us haul the bodies. Let's work together, yeah?" the man offered, still smiling.
Vince smiled back. "Sure. Wait for us there before you start—like always."
"No problem. We'll go on ahead. There's a lot to deal with right now."
"Alright."
Once the man disappeared from view, Vince checked his mirrors. When they were far enough, he called out:
"You can stop hiding now."
Thalia furrowed her brow, clearly questioning him with just a look. He sighed.
They neared their meeting place. Vince scanned their surroundings—no one was tailing them.
They passed an old, decaying house, its gate rusted and nearly consumed by time.
Chesca stared at it silently.
They took a narrow path leading to a hidden gate. Vince didn't step out but put on his mask.
This gate recognized both the mask and its wearer. A sensitive system—but their most secure defense when chaos broke loose.
The gate opened, allowing them through—one at a time.
His suspicion was right. Felix had already arrived.
He parked and got out. Thalia and her companions followed.
Zenne and William exited their vehicle as well, releasing the rescued women.
Zenne whistled at the sight of the compound. William just shook his head.
Vince marched to the door. The magnetic lock scanned his fingerprint and clicked open. The others followed.
Inside, two masked figures appeared.
"I thought you weren't coming here anymore," one of them sighed.
Thalia looked at Vince, confused.
"They're in the underground chamber," Charles said. "Take them there first, Delta."
Without a word, William obeyed.
"Should we go too?" Ericka asked.
Charles exchanged glances with his companion, then turned back to Vince.
He sighed. "No. You stay here for now."
They waited for William to return. Vince knew the rescued women were safe now. There were trusted people underground who would take care of them—just like in their old base.
The elevator dinged, and his two companions reappeared.
"How are they?" Felix asked.
"They're alright. We got to them in time."
Felix exhaled. "The real question is—who saved them?"
He turned to Charles.
Charles removed his mask slowly.
"That's the question I've been asking, too," he said grimly.