Chapter 9. Sacrifices
"Booravo, Gerald... Booravo!!" Akira's energetic voice rang out as Gerald and Tony returned, hoisting Elena over their shoulders.
They dropped her onto the table. Her eyes widened as she scanned the warehouse—packed with men staring at her, and boxes of condoms scattered everywhere. One guy was even making a balloon animal out of a condom, clearly bored.
Her heart pounded as Akira sauntered over to examine her face.
"GERALD!" he suddenly shouted, spinning around to face the group. "Honestly, how can you tie up such a beautiful woman? Where's your gentlemanship? Didn't you tell her we came in peace?"
Gerald growled. "Our peace sign (condoms) made her even more terrified and motivated to flee, sir," he said calmly.
Akira hissed, turning back to Elena. "So sorry, sweetheart. These rowdy assholes don't know how to treat a lady." He pulled a small knife from the slots in his boots and began cutting the rope from her hands.
At first, Elena had planned to bolt the moment she got the chance. But now, realizing this wasn't just two guys—this was an entire faction—she reminded herself of her quest: to cause war between two opposing factions. So she had to stick around to study this faction first!
When the rope finally fell, she didn't run. Instead, she stretched her arms, walked straight to Tony who had tied her up at the hospital, and slapped him across the face with a sharp huff.
"That's not how you carry a lady!" she snapped, then made her way toward Akira, realizing he was likely the boss.
"A strong, brave lady... my boys really brought home a rare gem," Akira said, eyeing her head to toe.
Her petite body, the hidden curves under her tunic dress— all made something inside him twitch.