Chapter 7

The Elysium was a floating palace at sea. It was luxurious beyond excess.

The negotiations went unusually smoothly, so smoothly that even Anthony found it unexpected. The notoriously difficult Nordic arms dealer was uncharacteristically agreeable this time. After signing the contract early, he headed downstairs to the casino for entertainment.

Late into the night, disaster struck without warning.

An explosion erupted from the lower deck. The massive vessel shuddered violently.

"It's an attack! Protect the Don!"

Henry roared as he charged forward, but it was already too late.

Masked men in black tactical gear swarmed aboard from all sides of the ship. Highly trained and heavily armed, they tore through the outer defenses in seconds, ripping straight through the perimeter soldati.

The man at the front pulled off his mask, revealing a face carved with scars.

"Poison Scorpion?!"

It was the enemy Anthony had battled for years.

Two years ago, that very man had brutally killed Zachary.

"Don Anthony Oliver," Poison Scorpion said, sneering as he rested his rifle on his shoulder. "Long time no see. To reel in a prize like you, I didn't hold back."

In the chaos, Mabel and Cheryl were separated by the crowd.

When Anthony finally fought his way out and reached the top deck, the sight before him made his blood boil.

The two women were tied to separate support pillars.

Explosives were strapped around both of their waists.

Red numbers blinked wildly on the timers.

Three minutes remaining.

"Come on," Poison Scorpion said, twirling a remote control in his hand. "Pick one.

"Back then, you hunted me for three straight months over territory. My men died by the dozens. Today, I'll let you taste what it feels like to lose the one you love.

"One is the Donna who bled and fought for you. The other is the one you've sworn to protect.

"I'm not unreasonable. I'll only kill one.

"Whoever you choose to save, I'll stop their detonator. The other one, though…"

He smiled viciously. "Boom. Off to meet God."

"You wouldn't dare!"

Anthony's eyes burned red as he raised his gun.

"You can try me," Poison Scorpion replied calmly, his finger hovering over the button. "Let's see whether your bullet or my hand is quicker."

Cheryl was already terrified beyond reason, sobbing and thrashing against her restraints.

"I don't want to die… I'm so scared… If Zachary were alive, he would save me…"

Mabel, by contrast, showed little reaction.

She only stared quietly at the dark sea beyond the deck.

"Two minutes left," Poison Scorpion said. "Choose now, or they both explode."

Anthony was trapped.

His younger brother had died for him. The only thing Zachary left behind was Cheryl; he had to protect her.

However…

What about Mabel?

Years ago, to clear obstacles for him, Mabel had deliberately learned explosives and bomb disposal. She was an expert.

Cheryl knew nothing. If no one saved her, she would die for certain.

A desperate, despicable thought took root in his mind…and instantly won.

"One minute!"

"Anthony! You promised you'd protect me. You said Zachary wouldn't die for nothing!"

"I choose Cheryl!" Anthony shouted.

Mabel finally turned her head to look at him.

Everything had gone exactly as she expected.

There was no need for hysterical accusations. No need for tears.

So what if she had fought and bled for him?

She was still discarded.

"You really didn't disappoint me."

She laughed softly, her voice scattered by the sea wind.

"Mabel, you know how to defuse bombs! You can do it yourself, right? You'll be fine! I'll save her and then come back for you!"

Defusing a bomb required freedom of movement.

She was bound hand and foot.

Yet, he expected her to save herself.

It was almost laughable.

Poison Scorpion burst into wild laughter. "Hahaha! What a heartless Don! For the sake of his brother's woman, even his Donna is expendable!"

Keeping his word, he quickly cut Cheryl's restraints and shoved her toward Anthony.

Then, he kicked Mabel hard in the back, sending her, explosives and all, flying into the depths of the ship.

"You've made your choice. Now she dies."

"No!"

Flames exploded upward. Heat and debris roared through the air, instantly swallowing the direction where Mabel vanished.

Half the ship's interior collapsed under the blast.

Fire lit up the night sky and reflected in Anthony's eyes, burning them red with despair.