Axel's harsh slap made the woman's body jerk and tense up.
"What do you mean 'dream on'?" she snapped back. Maybe it was the weed she'd smoked earlier, Axel's brutal voice, or the way he'd slapped her leg, but somehow she felt bold enough to defy him, like he couldn't even cut someone anymore.
She squared her shoulders and glared at him.
"Explain what you mean by 'dream on'? What's wrong with me spending money on him? Sure, he spends my money, but at least he tries. Even a damn dairy cow gives milk! What about you? Why should I give you money? Can you produce milk? You can't even last one night."
Bang!
The sudden gunshot cut her off, and the car fell silent.
Axel sneered, looked at her frozen face, then stomped on the brakes.
The screech of tires made her lunge forward. Axel reached over, pinned her in the seat, and fired a few more shots into the dash to scare her into shutting up. Then he ripped off her seatbelt and tied her up tight.
Simple knots didn't feel secure enough, so he rifled through the car. Within thirty seconds he found a pair of stockings and wrapped them over her mouth, making sure she couldn't shout.
When he finished, Axel sighed with satisfaction and leaned back in the driver's seat like he'd just kicked back with a drink.
"Keep talking, why aren't you finishing your rant? Acting all high and mighty with a robber? Who spoiled you into this nonsense? Your Councilor father?"
As he spoke, Axel shoved her sideways with his hand without real concern. He was done caring what she thought. He opened her phone, pulled up the navigation, and searched for shopping.
Soon he set a route toward the high‑end shopping arcade in Burnley District. Burnley was one of Gotham City's known urban districts, an area with upscale shops and well‑heeled crowds.
Maybe Axel had dawdled too long. Six cars had piled up behind him, horns blaring, drivers yelling. Axel cracked open his window and fired several shots into the sky with his pistol.
After that display, the traffic fell into a weird, shocked quiet, and he drove off without further interruption.
The trip stayed peaceful until Burnley's limits, when police cruisers appeared in pursuit with sirens screaming.
Axel lowered the woman's window, kept one hand on the wheel, and with the other pressed the barrel of his gun against her temple.
He figured a Councilor's daughter might have some leverage, and he was right. The police kept their distance and didn't try to ram him or force a stop. Axel wasn't expert with local roads, but after ten minutes of slow, careful driving and running red lights, he stopped near the shopping arcade.
He leaned over, opened the passenger door, and hauled the woman out.
Facing the line of police blocking the street, Axel cheerfully waved.
"Hey buddies, nice day huh? Anyone here know me? I'm that crazy Asian who keeps refreshing your life, haha!"
He laughed, glancing around until he saw Deputy Chief Gordon among the officers, not in uniform.
Gordon's face dropped when he saw Axel approaching, dragging the tied woman.
"Axel, let go of Ms. Laurence!"
"Oh, so this chick's name is Laurence, that's a last name, right? Letting her go? Don't be dumb, Gordon, you know she's my only hostage."
Axel ignored the ordinary officers trembling at the sight of him. He pulled Laurence into the police formation, confusing a couple of cops who didn't recognize him by sight.
Then he grabbed her hair, pressed the gun barrel against her chin, and looked Gordon in the eye.
"Relax Gordon, I'm pretty straight and simple. I don't just hurt hostages for fun. But here's the rule: if she doesn't act like a damn hostage, nothing stops me from doing whatever the hell I want. You know my history better than most. Are we gonna chat like reasonable adults, or…?"
He tapped Laurence's head with the butt of the gun and she started to cry, makeup running down her face.
Gordon exhaled, then raised both hands.
"I don't have a weapon, Axel. Don't make any rash decisions with that gun. You've kidnapped a Councilor's daughter. So tell me your demands now."
"Demands?" Axel tilted his head and smirked.
"I have only one demand: all of you in police uniforms stay right the hell away from me, and don't ruin my shopping mood right now."
"Stay back?" Gordon said into his walkie‑talkie. "Everyone, keep your distance from Axel!"
The officers immediately backed up, spreading out at least forty to fifty meters from Axel.
Satisfied, Axel lowered the stockings from Laurence's mouth.
Once she could speak, Laurence took a couple of deep breaths then yelled at the police.
"Don't provoke him, he… he's just a… a…"
"Just a what?" Axel pressed the barrel harder against her neck, shutting her up instantly.
Axel grinned.
"That's right, it's easier when you're a quiet little hostage. Come on, help me pick out clothes."
"Yes… yes!" Laurence said quickly, eager to stay alive. She followed Axel into the shopping arcade.
The street was lined with classy boutiques and brand shops. Axel went straight to a phone store, grabbed a new phone, and then started looking at clothes.
At first Laurence was stiff and scared, but as they walked the aisles she gradually loosened up and even began chatting with Axel.
"What do you think of Dior? My father loves that brand. You're tall with good shape, a coat like that would suit you."
"Oh, trying to sell me your dad's favorite brand, huh? Fine. If you want me to consider it, call me 'Daddy' so I can hear it."
"Daddy!" she said, blushing.
"You're so damn obedient. Okay then, let's check out Dior."
"That's awesome! I saw a Dior spring coat in a fashion show last season, it would totally fit you!"
"Alright, Laurence, you're picking it out later."
"I'm Haino Laurence," she corrected. "I'd rather you call me Haino!"
"Haino my ass. Help me set up a Twitter account. I don't got ID, makes it a pain to do myself."
Axel unbuckled the makeshift restraints around her waist and handed her the new phone. Instead of feeling scared to be free, Haino happily started setting up the account.
"I'll also download games I play! We can play together! Oh, and I saved myself as your only contact!"
"Whatever," Axel said, unimpressed. "Contacts will only go up. Someone as unpredictable as me won't stay unknown forever."
"Of course! You'll be famous. Walking with you is like being with a Hollywood star, cameras everywhere!"
And she was right: by now reporters had swarmed the area, crowding the police and filming Axel nonstop.
Meanwhile, Councilor Laurence was at home watching the live broadcast on TV. When he first heard his daughter was kidnapped, he was panicked. Now he just held his forehead in disbelief.
Watching them together, all cuddly and chatting like infatuated idiots, he couldn't believe the news. This isn't a kidnapping — it's a goddamn abduction! She's just got herself a lawless new Asian boyfriend right on live TV — fucking lawless!