The next day…
"I really hope you're dead, Montana. I hope you're gone for good. For Dinkley, Slovak, Palvin, and my sake—I hope you're dead, you bastard."
The recording played softly inside a car parked discreetly at a street corner near the bustling marketplace.
"Well done, Ricky. I didn't know this fool already had so many people clinging to him," said a man seated in the back. He wore a black jacket and jeans, a low‑brimmed cap pulled down, and a mask covering half his face. His voice was distorted, automated.
"Looks like the dear Duchess Dowager of Florence has more secrets up her sleeve than anyone expected. Unexpected… but predictable."
Ricky sighed from the front passenger seat, separated by a compartment. "Indeed, Bailey. Montana was tangled in plenty of shady dealings. He's a loose end many would want gone—especially the Scorpion King. And I'm certain that he won't be thrilled to learn that the loose end he planned to cut off is still alive."
Bailey nodded, humming thoughtfully. "True. He'll be furious when he hears Montana is alive—and also this bastard that is cursing him, wishing him dead. But I'm curious… why exactly does he want Montana gone? What does Montana have against these people that makes them so desperate to erase him? Beyond being, you know, her lover… what was that fool truly entangled in?"
Ricky remained silent, pondering Bailey's words. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully before replying. "I think it has something to do with the human trafficking ring. As you know, these bastards all serve under the Scorpion King, and they've been involved in countless shady dealings—human trafficking among them. They know that if this ever comes to light, their plans for dominion and control will collapse. So they're desperate to ensure no one uncovers their secrets."
Bailey hummed, his masked face tilting slightly. "That may be true… but I suspect there's more. Something bigger than their dealings. Something they're conspiring to hide at all costs. That's why they wanted us to eliminate the Twin Wolves brothers—and Montana. According to intel, the Twin Wolves were the Scorpion King's puppets for a long time. They knew everything about his operations, inside and out. And when they chose to rebel… well, that was the end of the road for them."
Ricky hummed in agreement as Bailey continued. "If this rebellion were just a petty feud, the Scorpions would have handled it themselves. But instead, they hired us. They hired Bailey the Mailman to finish the job. That means whatever the Twin Wolves knew… it was something that could destroy them all. Something delicate. Something far beyond what we already know."
Ricky nodded slowly. "Hmm… you could be right, Bailey. There must be something brewing in the Scorpion King's den. Something bigger than human trafficking, drug distribution, and all the other filthy dealings. A greater ploy. A scheme they cannot afford to be discovered."
Bailey hummed softly. "Yes… and I think I know exactly what they're planning. It's no secret that many despise the current monarchy and dream of becoming supreme rulers themselves. Their schemes could be directed toward that goal. And it's our job to uncover what it is, so we can use it as leverage against them."
"That's true," Ricky replied. "All right, Bailey. I'll keep digging until we find out what they're hiding. If we can expose it, we can use it to our advantage—to seize control of the Scorpion Kings and their minions." He paused, his voice dropping lower. "But do you really think it will be that easy? Their network is vast, functional, and filled with powerful figures willing to do anything to get what they want. What if it backfires? What if they unite against us and destroy us? You know exactly who their leader is. Slovak is cunning, brutal, ruthless—perhaps even more than the Dragon himself. I don't want him as our enemy just yet. We need to play this very carefully."
Bailey considered Ricky's words in silence before replying. "You're right. Taking over the Scorpion Kings won't be easy. It's a dangerous task. But let me remind you—who is running the kingdom right now? Who are the most feared and revered by the people? We are. The entire kingdom adores us. And not just the kingdom—the world knows we exist. They know we operate in the shadows, not to harm them, but to protect them from scumbags, monsters, and beasts like the Scorpion Kings and their minions. So if we play our cards right… who do you think will rise as the dominant alpha in this game of power? Hmm…"
Ricky hummed thoughtfully. "Mmm… you're right. But what about the Dragon? You know he could be our greatest rival. He won't tolerate people sniffing around his kingdom without his knowledge. And if he suspects anyone has the power to threaten his throne… he won't take us lightly. Instead of becoming our ally, he might turn into our enemy. And Bailey… I'm worried about you."
He leaned closer to the compartment, his gaze fixed intently on Bailey.
"JJ has already told me how things are unfolding in the palace. The Dragon is onto you. It's only a matter of time before he reaches the end of the trail and finds you standing there. And I don't like what will happen when that moment comes, Bailey. I don't like it at all. You need to be careful. Especially now that you've dismissed the Sparrows from protecting you. It's obvious he's already planted Dragonflies around you—to watch, to learn who you are, to track your every move. It's becoming dangerous for you to continue like this. You must be cautious."
Bailey looked at Ricky's face, filled with genuine concern. Despite the enemies circling, despite the shadows pressing in, Bailey felt a flicker of gratitude. For all he had endured, he still had people he could rely on.
Just like Ricky, there were people who genuinely cared about him—not merely about their revenge plans.
Yes, Raymond cared for her. He loved her like a daughter. But she could feel there was more he was keeping hidden. Secrets he refused to share, especially about his wife and her mother's connection.
She had long suspected Raymond was lying when he claimed he once had a daughter who died of sickness. His insistence that she focus on his revenge rather than her own doubts only deepened her mistrust.
But the truth had cut deeper than she imagined. The story was real. And what hurt most was the revelation that Raymond's wife had been Elizabeth—her mother's twin sister. Aunt Elizabeth.
Anastasia had known of Aunt Elizabeth's existence when she was very young, back when her mother was still alive. Yet despite knowing of her, she never truly knew who Elizabeth was. Her mother rarely spoke of her twin, and Elizabeth herself never visited.
She had always sensed that the sisters shared a strained relationship. One she heard was rooted in an incident from their college years.
Rumors whispered that the rift began when her mother, Stephanie, befriended that woman, that witch Miranda. Elizabeth had seen through Miranda's mask long ago and tried to warn Stephanie not to get involved with her. But Stephanie, kind‑hearted and unwilling to see the evil hidden in others, ignored her sister's warnings. She continued her friendship with Miranda, even naming her as her best friend.
But now, look what had happened. That so‑called best friend had killed her—and not only that, she had shamelessly seduced and married her husband. She bore him a child, and went further to abuse her daughter and ultimately kill her as well.
'Wow… what a very good friend you had, Mother,' Bailey thought bitterly. 'The one who truly knew how to "stick with you to the end," no matter the cost. And she did keep her promise, didn't she? She stayed with you until the end—until she destroyed everything you ever built, everything you ever loved. She did it all because she hated you for your kind and generous heart. Instead of being grateful for having someone so wonderful in her life, she turned her back on you and tore you apart in the most brutal way. But don't worry, Mother. I will avenge you. I will make sure she faces your wrath in the afterlife. And this time, you won't have to show her mercy.'
As these thoughts burned inside him, Ricky watched quietly, his eyes filled with pity.
Ricky wished he could help Bailey exact his revenge quickly against the enemies who had scarred his past—just as he had helped him before. But alas the girl behind the mascular mask of steel insisted on doing things her way, alone.
She refused to involve him, fearing he might be hurt or suffer because of her choices. Despite her hardened exterior and iron will, she was, at her core, a loving, kind, and generous soul.
Though she would never admit it, the truth was undeniable. If she were not, this entire organization—the powerful empire she had built—would never have endured. It stood strong even now, a testament to the heart hidden beneath her armor.
Because of her character, she had more loyal subordinates than traitors. People like Ricky—men and women who would follow her to the ends of the earth, fight for her, protect her selflessly with all their heart, without a shred of regret.
Bailey had helped countless souls reclaim their lives, granting them justice and revenge against those who had wronged them. Many of them, in turn, longed to help him avenge his own past.
But Bailey refused. He kept his vengeance locked within himself, unwilling to let others share the burden. Deep down, he feared that the game he was entangled in was far more dangerous than anything his followers had endured. To involve them would mean dragging them into a storm that could consume them all.
But the question, still remained.
Will he survive the storm on his own?
This ploy for power, dominance and revenge was dangerous.
And it could be detrimental for him.
But one thing was for sure, Ricky was going to stick with him until the end.
No matter the cost.