Chapter 603
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A flicker of killing intent flashed through Russell’s eyes, gone in an instant. He replied, “Yes. Aria was once the Solemnity Guild’s top assassin, Echohawk. Killing her won’t be easy.”
Tyree said coolly, “I won’t let Olivia get the short end of the stick. I’m thinking of dispatching Damon to Huthailia to help Olivia handle Aria. What do you think?”
Russell said, “Have Damon bring a few more of his trusted men. Taking out Aria won’t be a problem.”
Tyree nodded and said, “With Orlando assisting, it won’t be a problem. That’s all. You’re dismissed.”
Russell nodded respectfully and said, “I’ll take my leave now, Godfather. Take care.”
After Russell left, Tyree turned toward the shadows and asked in a low, probing voice, “How much of what he said can be trusted?”
A shadowy figure slowly stepped out and murmured in a hushed tone, “About seventy, maybe eighty percent. Russell indeed wants Aria dead. He’s been stoking the Solemnity Guild’s hatred for Echohawk, hoping they’ll tear each other apart.”
Tyree sneered, “He really does care about that dead sister of his, doesn’t he?” He ran his fingers over the ring, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
He continued, “Tell Damon to finish the transport job as soon as possible, then send him to Huthailia to take out Aria. Send more men. We must find Margery, or Arressto will never stop hounding the Wolfshade Syndicate.”
Aria was jolted awake by a disturbing dream at 4 a.m., the sky still pitch black. She grabbed her phone and texted White: [Found a safe house yet?]
On the other end of the line, White’s hair was a tangled mess, his face smeared with dirt and grime, barely recognizable. Clutching a notebook tightly to his chest, he was heading to the safe house Russell had arranged.
The driver glanced at the rearview mirror and reassured White, “Don’t worry, I’ll get you to your destination safe and
sound.”
White tightened his grip on the notebook and said, “Once we arrive, I’ll hand this over to Russell.”
The driver nodded and replied, “Got it.”
Just then, White felt his phone vibrate. He pulled it out. After reading the message, he grinned and replied: [Relax, Aria. Russell’s got this covered.]
Suddenly, the car jolted violently. A piercing screech rang out from the trunk as bullets slammed into the metal.
White whipped his head around and found a ghastly bullet hole now gaping in the rear window,
The driver’s face instantly drained of color. He floored the accelerator and yelled, “Our cover’s blown.”
White swiftly tucked the notebook into his jacket, drew his pistol in one fluid motion, rolled down the window, and fired three quick shots at the two SUVS hot on their tail.
The other party immediately returned fire, bullets grazing the car door and showering sparks.
White was forced to duck back inside the car, his expression grim. He pondered, ‘Two SUVs—at least six men.’ He snarled,
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Damn it. I just said that Russell was solid, and now he pulls this shit.
The driver hadn’t expected things to go so wildly off-script. He had been chosen to escort White out alone, while his companions diverted the Solemnity Guild’s men. Cover blown, he figured there had to be a rat in the ranks.
He yanked the steering wheel hard and yelled, “Hold on. We’re taking a detour.”
With a screech of tires, the sedan jerked sideways and plunged into a narrow alleyway,
Seiring the moment, White leaned out the window again and, with deadly precision, blew out the lead SUV’s tire.
The SUV immediately spun out of control, skidding wildly.
Before White could catch his breath, the driver suddenly yelled in panic, “Shit.”
White whipped his head toward the sound, his eyes narrowing sharply.
A truck barreled straight at them, its blinding high beams flooding the car interior. Everything went utterly white.
“There’s no way to dodge it, the driver shouted.
With a loud bang, the truck slammed into them, sending the world spinning. White braced himself as the car flipped and tumbled violently down the slope.