“Yes, sir. I will arrange for it immediately.”
Spencer knew that in H City, no crime would occur under the watchful eye of the Nacht family.
With the arrival of a large group such as theirs, there wouldn’t be any danger.
Furthermore, Zachary and his Elite Eighteen weren’t the only skilled fighters. The ten or so men who came with Henry were lethal warriors as well.
Spencer arranged for several jeeps to transport Henry and the triplets to the scene upon hearing the news.
At the alley of Sultry Night just ten minutes before, Charlotte had Marino park by the street while she entered the alley on her own.
Marino felt uneasy but did not dare defy her.
Aside from several alley cats who scavenged the dumpster for food, not a single living thing was in sight.
Charlotte began to feel suspicious. Suddenly, an ominous feeling came from above…
Looking up instinctively, she caught a glimpse of a flowerpot falling straight to her head.
Charlotte watched as it fell, but was rigid with shock to move. At the last second, a shadow appeared and shoved her out of harm’s way. The pot shattered into pieces on the ground where she stood just moments before.
Charlotte covered her mouth in terror.
“Ms. Windt, are you alright?” came a concerned voice.
Charlotte looked up and saw Marino studying her anxiously.
“I was afraid that you would be in danger, so I followed you here.” Marino scanned the alley. “We shouldn’t be here. Let’s leave.”
He was just about to escort Charlotte out of the alley when several dozen delinquents blocked their path of exit. They were well armed with an assortment of weapons, from machetes to batons. Charlotte felt an impending sense of danger.
“What’s going on?” she asked suspiciously.
“Charlotte, I’m sorry,” a sob came from behind them.
Charlotte spun around and saw Olivia being held by two men. She was beaten rather badly, as evidenced by her bloody face and torn clothes.
“Olivia,” Charlotte called. She wanted to run forward to grab Olivia in her arms, but something about the bristling crowd warned her to stay where she was.
“I’m sorry, they threatened me with my mother’s life.” Olivia shook from weeping, her eyes filled with guilt. “I did not intend for you to come to any harm. I’m sorry…”
“Nothing will happen to you with me here,” Charlotte said. She addressed the delinquents. “How much does she owe you? I will pay for it. Just let her go.”
“We don’t want money. We want you.” Several of the delinquents smiled nastily.
“You’ve gone too far!” shouted Marino.
“And who is this? Her knight in shining armor?” one of them sneered in disdain. “You alone can fight off twenty of us?”
Just as the words were out of his mouth, they charged forwards with machetes raised…
Charlotte screamed with terror.
Marino, however, was unfazed. He stood his ground and beat them back with ease.
They were suddenly wary with Marino, seeing as he was of no ordinary skill. They sent several more towards him while others grabbed Charlotte as Marino was occupied.
He was soon overwhelmed with trying to fend off the attacks and rescuing Charlotte at the same time.
She was captured and dragged roughly out of the alley. A windowless van appeared, and just when Charlotte was about to be shoved in…
A jeep accelerated toward them and several bodyguards jumped down. They beat up the men holding Charlotte swiftly and retrieved her.
She looked up at her savior and saw that it was Bruce. “My friend and Marino are still in there. Please help them.” She pointed back toward the alley.
“Yes, ma’am,” Bruce responded. He led his men into the alley, while two more stayed back to guard Charlotte.
“Ms. Windt, why don’t you wait in the car?” One of the bodyguards opened the door for her.
“I will wait for them…”
Before she could finish, a tank roared and flew toward them like an untethered horse.
“Ah—” Charlotte screamed, her mind a blank. She faintly heard the voices of the children calling out to her. “Mommy!”
