Chapter 201

201
The light grew closer , pausing just outside the abandoned factory .
Isaias , flashlight in hand , grumbled under his breath . “ Hudson’s being way too cautious . What’s he waiting for ? ”
Another man shot him a sharp look , annoyance in his eyes . “ We can’t afford mistakes . Quit whining and get it done . ”
Isaias rolled his eyes . “ Don’t we have an informant ? Let him deliver the food for once – these rations are disgusting ”
“ He has other uses . ”
The two finished their business and left , heading toward
the factory .
Aria , as silent as a shadow , tailed them from a safe distance and pulled out her binoculars .
“ Hudson , Aria’s phone hasn’t moved at all . You think she hasn’t noticed us ? ” Isaias asked , uneasy .
“ No way . ” Hudson shook his head , frowning . “ Solemnity Guild said she’s been trained . We can’t act rashly .”
All they knew was that Aria had once been an assassin for the Solemnity Guild .
What they didn’t know was her true identity – Echohawk .
That bit of information was deliberately kept from them ; if Hudson had known , he’d never have dared covet Aria’s money .
“ So how long are we waiting ? ” Isaias muttered .
Hudson had already checked – the authorities in Huthailia seemed unaware of their illegal entry .
But the longer they stayed , the more likely they were to get caught .
This had to end quickly .
“ I’ve mapped out our escape route for tonight , ” Hudson ordered . “ Contact our guy and have him lure Aria here . There’s so many of us – taking down a single assassin should be a piece of cake . Once she’s here , the money’s as good as ours . ”
The only real problem was escaping afterward , but with their inside man and a retreat plan in place , Hudson felt confident .
“ Everyone get some rest . There’s a tough fight ahead once we start pulling out . ”
“ Yes , sir . ”
The heavy doors closed . Aria stashed her binoculars and slipped away , guessing from the movement that their plan was about to begin .
Hudson thought he’d slipped into Huthailia without a trace , but he had no idea they’d been under surveillance the whole time .
She took a different route back and met up at the rendezvous .
Together with Owen and Fryderyk , they sketched out the escape routes .
After hearing their analysis , Aria rubbed her temples . “ You guys get some rest . I’ll pull this all together .”
Owen stood up and said , “ Eat something first , then get some sleep . I’ll make some pasta . ”
Fryderyk , about to leave , paused and sat back down . “ Make me a plate too .”
“ Sure . ” Owen headed for the kitchen but stopped , glancing back .
1/3
201
The two inside were close together — Aria meticulously marking up maps while Fryderyk alternated between watching her and the plans
The light cast a warm , peaceful glow over them .
Owen narrowed his eyes and called , “ Fryderyk , come give me a hand . ”
Without thinking much of it , Fryderyk followed him out . Owen tossed him a tomato . “ Dice it . ”
Fryderyk washed the tomato and , unsure , asked , “ How do you want it cut ? ”
“ In cubes . ”
Owen busied himself boiling pasta and beating eggs .
He glanced over – and stopped in surprise . On the cutting board , the tomato was carved into the “ cube ” character instead of actual cubes .
Owen was speechless , one brow raised . “ What are you doing ? ”
“ You said ‘ cut in cubes “, ” Fryderyk replied , clueless but dutiful .
Owen nearly laughed . “ You’ve never cooked before , have you ? ”
“ Never . ” Fryderyk admitted honestly .
“ Just wait outside , ” Owen said , amused .
Fryderyk washed his hands and stood aside , but didn’t leave . Watching Owen work with practiced ease , he couldn’t help but comment , “ Didn’t think you
could cook . ”
“ If you can’t cook , you can’t get a date . You should learn , ” Owen said dryly .
Fryderyk couldn’t quite tell if he was being mocked or given real advice . “ So , do you have someone in mind ? ”
Owen shot him a sidelong look . “ We’re not close enough for that kind of question . ”
“ Fair enough , ” Fryderyk replied , dropping the subject .
Once Aria finished marking the three routes , she brought the plans next door .
The men brought out the pasta .
Aria went to wash her hands , then sat down , ready to dig in .
“ Careful , it’s hot , ” Owen and Fryderyk said in unison .
Aria glanced at them , deadpan . “ Do I look stupid ? ”
She blew on her soup and took a sip . The men fell silent , focusing on their meal .
After his first bite , Fryderyk’s eyes widened . “ Wow , didn’t expect you to cook this well . This is really good . ”
“ Thanks , ” Owen replied .
Just then , Aria’s phone buzzed . It was Mason .
She put down her fork and answered . “ Ms. Saxon , they really contacted me , ” Mason’s voice trembled , barely masking his panic .
Both Owen and Fryderyk looked over .
201
“ They want you to lure me there , right ? ” Aria asked .
“ Yeah , they didn’t give me an address , just threatened my family if I didn’t cooperate . Ms. Savori , please you’ve got to help me . I never stote any money ,
I only ever took a picture of you at Seacrest Law and bailed out one of their guys . ”
He’d always drawn a line , refusing their worst requests .
Aria was nonchalant . “ What’s the rush ? Just do what they say .”
“ But I’ll be breaking the law ! ” Mason fretted .
“ I’ll testify for you . ”
“ But what if – what if you die ? ” Mason stammered .
Aria snorted . “ You’re awfully timid for an informant . ”
Mason sniffed , feeling aggrieved . “ It’s not like I’m a real informant , my info was only half – true anyway . ”
“ Relax – they won’t touch your family , ” Aria said calmly .
She handed the phone to Fryderyk , who gave Mason a few more instructions until he finally calmed down .
When the call ended , Aria just kept eating pasta , face calm as ever .
Fryderyk returned her phone . “ What’s your plan ? ”
“ I’ll go . You two stay outside for backup . ”
“ No way , ” Fryderyk shot back , “ it’s too risky . We should ambush them when they send someone to meet you . ”
“ If you strike too early , they’ll scatter . I know what I’m doing , ” Aria said . “ Trust me . ”
Fryderyk turned to Owen , hoping he’d back him up .
Owen obliged . “ Aria can handle herself . If she’s going , she’s got it under control . Don’t worry , Mr. Fletcher . ”
Fryderyk hesitated , then relented . “ Owen , you go with her . ”
Aria arched a brow . “ And what , exactly , is his cover ? ”
Fryderyk replied , deadpan , “ You’re her secret lover . ”
AD
Comment