The Axe Gang
The Axe Gang is a newly emerged organized crime syndicate that has risen to prominence over the past year. With approximately two hundred members, each known for their vicious and brutal nature, the gang specializes in profiting through illegal means and occasionally takes on assassination contracts.
"Did you retrieve the item?" a short, stout man asked coldly, his back turned to the crowd below.
The underlings fell into a terrified silence.
After a long pause, one subordinate stepped forward nervously and said, "Boss, we haven't managed to get it back yet. It's just that…"
The man's anger was palpable. "Are you all useless? You can't even handle a simple task. How are you supposed to lead anyone?"
The man addressed as "Boss" was Rollins Anderson, the leader of the Axe Gang.
"Boss, that woman has a formidable man by her side. There's just no way to get close."
Hearing this, Rollins' face twisted into a vicious scowl. "If you can't even deal with a woman, it shows how useless your men are—and how incompetent you are. The Axe Gang doesn't keep worthless trash. If there's a next time, you'd better figure it out yourself. I'd like to see just how formidable this man really is."
Ring…
The phone Sophia carried with her began to ring.
She paused her work and answered, "Hello, this is Sophia."
"It's me." Rocky's voice came through. "Have you finished organizing everything?"
"Mhm!" She glanced around contentedly. It had taken nearly a week to unpack and arrange everything she'd moved in. Now, all that was left was to sort and archive the photos she'd taken lately. "How's your business trip going?" Why did she already miss him after just a few days apart?
"Smoothly. I'll be back in a few days." Rocky's voice carried a faint hint of laughter. "Miss me?"
His low, husky voice traveled through the phone, slipping into her ears, her mind, her heart—like a caress that made her blush. She didn't answer, too shy to respond.
"At the very least, you must miss my body," he teased shamelessly, his words laced with suggestive undertones.
"Rocky!" Sophia used his full name, her flushed face as captivating as the evening sky.
"Alright, I'll stop." He sighed softly. "Ah—"
Sophia asked curiously, "What's wrong? Why the sigh?" He sounded somewhat disappointed.
"I'm heartbroken," he said, half-joking, half-serious.
Heartbroken? She didn't understand. "Why?"
Rocky's tone turned earnest. "After being apart for days, the woman I love doesn't miss me at all. Shouldn't I be heartbroken? I miss you so much—I wish I could grow wings and fly back to you right now." Every word was sweet as honey.
Blushing, she couglightly before mustering her courage. "I never said I didn't miss you!" How could he say such sweet things so effortlessly?
"So you do miss me?" His voice regained its energy.
"Mhm!" she responded softly.
The door opened quietly.
A tall, graceful figure stepped into the room, soundlessly moving behind her and stopping there.
The newcomer's hands immediately wrapped around her body like snakes—possessive yet incredibly gentle.
"That makes it worth staying up all night to finish my work and rushing back to see you."
"Ah—" Sophia, caught completely off guard, was so startled she dropped her phone.
Rocky swiftly caught it and handed it back to her. "I'm back."
She stared at him wide-eyed, her heart still racing. "You nearly scared me to death!"
He looked innocent. "I just wanted to surprise you." Faint bloodshot lines were visible in his green eyes.
Sophia noticed the slight shadows under his eyes—dark circles from lack of sleep. "Really, are you trying to wear yourself out?"
Her heart ached for him.
"The wedding preparations are underway. How can the groom not be by the bride's side?" He rested his head on her fragrant shoulder, his hands beginning to wander again.
She unceremoniously swatted his restless hands away and dragged him toward the bedroom. "How many nights has it been since you slept?"
"Three."
She pushed him toward the bed. "Get some proper sleep."
He pulled her onto the bed with him, his arm wrapping tightly around her waist, refusing to let go.
"You have to sleep with me," he said, yawning mid-sentence.
Her body stiffened for a moment before gradually relaxing. "Alright." She'd wait until he fell asleep before slipping away.
Satisfied, he smiled, tightened his hold around her waist, and slowly closed his eyes.
After a long while, she tentatively called out softly, "Rocky."
There was no response from behind her, only his soft, steady breathing.
Sure he was asleep, she let out a sigh and tried to move his hand away, careful not to use too much force and wake him.
She struggled for a while but made no progress—his arm remained locked around her waist like an iron clamp.
Finally, she gave up and, held tightly by Rocky, drifted into sleep as well.
A faint smile quietly bloomed at the corner of Rocky's lips, slowly, slowly spreading wider…
"Yo! Back so soon?" Kent's exaggerated expression made the others laugh.
Rocky glanced at him. "Got a problem with that?"
Amy chimed in, "Someone must've made Brother Rocky homesick!" Her gaze drifted toward Sophia.
Susan nodded in agreement.
Sophia wished she could dig a hole and hide.
Rocky barely held back his impatience and frustration, but his gaze softened the moment it landed on Sophia. Just as he was about to speak, a ringing sound interrupted.
Ring…
It was Sophia's phone.
She answered, "Hello, this is Sophia."
A strange man's voice came from the other end. "Miss White, you know Zoey, right?"
"What's wrong with Zoey?" She sensed something was off but couldn't pinpoint it. Who was this man?
"She's fine for now, but that might change later," the man said with a cold laugh. "Whether she stays alive and well depends entirely on how satisfied we are with your performance."
"I don't understand." She truly didn't. Who was this person, and what did he want?
"If you ever want to see her again, have the photos and negatives ready. I'll contact you tomorrow night."
Photos and negatives?
A vague image flashed through her mind, but she couldn't grasp it in time. "…Alright, I understand." She wanted to ask for details but stopped herself when she met Rocky's gaze.
"No police, no spreading the word. Otherwise, you can prepare to collect your friend's body." The man finished speaking and hung up abruptly.
Her mind was in chaos.
"What's wrong?" Rocky asked thoughtfully.
She seemed off—something was definitely wrong.
Sophia snapped back to attention, a flicker of panic in her dark eyes before she calmly replied, "It's nothing. Zoey just isn't feeling well." This was her own problem. She didn't want to cause him more trouble.
"Do you want me to go with you to see her?" he offered lightly, though he knew perfectly well that the other side had finally made their move.
He hadn't intended to interfere as long as they no longer threatened Sophia's safety. But since they'd come knocking, he might as well settle this once and for all.
"Uh, no… I mean, another day. Mary's taking care of her for now." Whew! That was close. Her heart was practically leaping out of her chest.
"Alright, another day then," he agreed.
She stood up. "I'll head back to my room first."
She needed to find the photos and negatives the caller demanded—to exchange them for Zoey's safe return tomorrow night.