Renny was about to step in when Haul stretched a hand to stop him. His gaze flicked from the hand to Haul, and then his left eye burned as an X-shaped scar began carving itself from brow to under-lid, each line searing into place. But before it could form fully, a voice cut through the tension. "You obstreperous Damaruks again," came the smooth but commanding tone of the new president, Thyrosan Korav. "Causing chaos as usual."
The hall fell silent. The three Damaruks froze as Thyrosan adjusted his glasses, his sharp eyes narrowing. "You will report to my apartment tomorrow morning," he ordered, each word precise and cold.
Haul stammered, "P-President, we..."
Thyrosan silenced him with a slight tilt of his head. "It seems my speech fell on deaf ears. But what did I expect? Impudent fodder like you could not listen if your very lives depended on it."
His voice cut like a blade. "Now... get lost, before I descend upon you myself."
The Damaruks scattered, though Avradren lingered long enough to throw Kev a searing glare before retreating.
Kev groaned as Renny helped him up, brushing the dust off his clothes. The president's eyes lingered on Renny a moment longer, an inscrutable, piercing look behind his lenses before he turned and strode past them without another word.
"You good?" Renny asked quietly.
Kev scowled, clenching his fists. "Nah, homie… them fools just ruined my whole vibe. God, I wanna get stronger, so motherfuckers like that can't test me no more."
"I hear you," Renny said, nodding as they made their way out together.
***
Renny told Kev he'd be taking a different taxi home. Kev insisted on riding with him, but Renny shook his head. He had to stop somewhere first. Kev eventually relented, muttering something about catching up later, and left in his own ride.
When Renny's taxi pulled up, he slid in and told the driver, "Take me to the Ezra Garden." The driver glanced at him through the mirror, then started the engine. As they rolled out, his voice came low and flat. "No, Sir. I cannot take you there. Orders are to drop you at your apartment only. Nowhere else."
Renny stiffened. "Orders? From who?" The driver's eyes didn't flinch. "The Rotmen, Sir."
Renny's heart sank. The text from earlier flashed in his mind. So it had been them. Did the Royals send the Rotmen to punish him… maybe even kill him?
No. He couldn't go home now. That was suicide. He leaned forward, trying to sound calm. "Listen, I just need to grab something first. Once I've got it, I'll head straight back to the apartment. No trouble. Just… take me there."
The driver shook his head. "Not happening, Sir. You're going home. Don't make this harder for me, sir."
Frustration bubbled up in Renny's chest. "Then stop the car. I'll walk."
"Impossible, Sir," the driver replied flatly.
Renny's voice rose. "Stop the car, now!" He grabbed the handle, yanking, but the door was locked. His pulse spiked. Fine. He drew his leg back and kicked, only for the driver to suddenly tilt the wheel. The car swerved, throwing him off balance.
The empty road blurred by outside. Renny braced himself against the seat, glaring at the man behind the wheel. "What the hell was that?" The driver's tone stayed eerily calm. "A warning, Sir. Please don't do that again, or else I'll take extra measures."
Renny sneered, breathing hard. "Extra measures? You're just a driver. What the hell can you possibly do?"
"Trust me, sir… better you don't find out. Please sit quiet, and face what is waiting for you."
Renny's mind raced. He had to get out of here. He hadn't bought anything from his stores that could give him leverage. He'd held back for good reason; wasting mark points without a plan would cripple his next contract. But right now, all that logic meant nothing. He was trapped.
His overall was sitting at 213 now. He was stronger than before. He needed to use that.
He drew in a sharp breath, then snapped his leg toward the door. As expected, the driver jerked the wheel, the car tilting violently to the opposite side. Renny was thrown against the other door, ribs slamming hard, but he was ready. Before his body hit, he drove his elbow into the glass.
CRACK!
The window exploded, shards slicing into his arm and cheek. Blood sprang up, but his flesh knitted over instantly.
The driver shrieked in outrage. "Are you mad!? You just broke my window! Fuck you!"
Renny snarled back, half hanging out the shattered frame, "Yeah... fuck you too!"
The driver cursed louder, yanking the wheel again, trying to throw Renny toward the middle seat. But Renny twisted with the momentum, hurling himself across. His elbow came down like a hammer on the opposite window.
CRASH!
Both back windows now lay in jagged ruin, cold wind roaring through the cab.