In this situation, Vincent could hardly think of any other way out. Even if he used her as a hostage, that wasn't going to get him and Sarah safely out of the building.
One small slip-up and those men outside would pounce on him — and it would be even worse if one of them got their hands on Sarah.
There was no other way to get out of this alive than to strike a deal for their lives.
"I can help you take down Don Angel," he said.
"And why should I trust you when you have a blade against my neck?" Madame Freya asked.
"Because I want to take Don Angel down too," Vincent said, lowering the blade.
"Don Angel sent us that night knowing we weren't coming back alive. Even if you pulled the trigger, he was the one who pointed the gun at us."
"I don't blame you for my friend's death. I blame Don Angel. So why don't we work together and take him down? I could be your man on the inside — you just have to tell me what to do."
Freya thought for a few seconds. "Okay. We have a deal."
Vincent let out a quiet sigh of relief.
"You can go," she said, "but you have to leave the girl."
"What? Why? She has nothing to do with this," Vincent said.
"We can't let anyone else know about our agreement. Not only that — if Don Angel finds out about her, he'll use her against you. Just like I did. So for your own safety, it's best I have my men take care of her."
"There's no need for that," Vincent said firmly. "She's my responsibility, and I'm not going to let any harm come to her."
"If you're going to work for me, I can't allow that," Freya said.
"Then I'll take my chances with the men outside… right after I cut your throat," Vincent said coldly.
He wasn't leaving without Sarah, no matter what.
Seeing that he was serious, Madame Freya sighed. "Fine. As you like. But don't say I didn't warn you."
Vincent led Sarah toward the door, then added, "And remember… I don't work for you, this is an agreement"
When her men spotted him, they moved to attack — until she called out, "Let him go."
Around that time, James, her handsome, blonde bodyguard, stirred awake.
He jumped to his feet, flustered and out of it. "Where's that bastard?! Ma'am, are you okay?"
"Shut up, James. He's already gone," she sighed.
"You let him go?"
"Yes. Turns out, he might actually be useful... And you, how are you still this weak? Taken out with one punch?"
"I'm sorry, ma'am. It won't happen again," James said with a bow.
"That's what you said the last time," she sighed. "And stop calling me ma'am. I'm not that old."
"I'm sorry, ma'am. It won't happen again."
---
Vincent and Sarah sat quietly at a bus stop. She had run out of tears — now she just sat there, lost in thought.
"Is it true? Is my father really dead?" she asked, her voice broken, still struggling to wrap her head around it.
It was hard, but Vincent replied softly, "Yes. He was shot a few days ago."
"By that woman?" she asked.
"…yes."
"Then let's go to the police!" She grabbed his hand, crying. "We can report everything!"
Vincent looked into her red, swollen eyes. She had every right to want justice. But…
"We can't. There's no body. No evidence."
"But we can testify! Or… are you just like them?" she said bitterly.
"What do you mean?"
"You're going to work for that woman, aren't you? What makes you any different?" she cried, collapsing into his arms.
"Why did he have to get involved with these dangerous people…" she sobbed.
It was heartbreaking to see her like that. Vincent held her tight, trying to comfort her, though her words kept echoing in his mind.
'Am I really no different?'
She wasn't wrong. He really was going to work with Freya — the woman who killed his friend — just to take down Don Angel.
Yes, he had a reason. But was it a good one?
Still, he couldn't go to the police. If they got involved and couldn't stop the people behind all this, both he and Sarah would be in danger.
"This is the only way," he whispered.
After doing his best to make sure she wouldn't tell anyone what happened, he put her on a bus and sent her back to her school.
Then he returned quietly to Don Angel's compound.
He went straight to his room and stayed up for hours, staring at the ceiling.
Archie never got to enjoy the wealth or power that came with the risks of joining the criminal world. He didn't deserve to die like that — and Don Angel was the one responsible.
He was the one who pulled them all into this.
And Vincent was going to make him pay.
'Even if it's the last thing I do'
Just then, there was a knock at his door.
When he opened it, it was none other than Don Angel.
"Hey Vinnie… where'd you go, I came by earlier and the guys told me you stepped out,"
"I had to go and see someone," he replied
"Oh… is it a girl?" Don Angel wondered.
Vincent was immediately reminded of what Freya had said, he absolutely couldn't find out about Sarah.
"N-no, it's nothing like that. It was just an old friend,"
"Okay… I just came by to see how you were doing after what happened today at the bar, good job fishing out the mole," he gave Vincent a tap on his shoulder.
"I knew you could do it," he added with a small smile, "and don't worry, I'll make sure you are properly compensated for your hard work,"
Vincent was still stuck on the word 'mole' but he quickly fixed his composure,
"Thank you," he said, with a forced smile.
"You're welcome. You can go back to sleep, we'll discuss tomorrow," Don Angel said before leaving.