Sophia watched with growing confidence as the four thugs surrounded Karvel. She had seen him fight before and knew what he was capable of. A smug smile spread across her face as she anticipated the beating these criminals were about to receive."This is going to be good," she murmured to herself. "These idiots have no idea what they're up against."Vivian stood beside her, equally confident in Karvel's abilities. "Should we call an ambulance for them?" she asked sarcastically.The Head Hunter noticed their expressions and frowned. "Your boyfriend seems awfully calm for someone about to get his ass kicked.""He's not worried because he doesn't need to be," Sophia replied smugly. "You're about to find out why."Giuseppe Romano cracked his knuckles one final time. "Alright, pretty boy, time for your education."The four thugs rushed Karvel simultaneously from all directions. Giuseppe swung a chain at his head while Marco Benedetti came in low with brass knuckles. Antonio Benedetti attack

The days following the charity fundraiser incident had passed quietly for Mariya. After the initial terror of the Ricci twins' attack on her home, the constant presence of her police escort had given her a false sense of security.Detective Giuseppe Torretti and Officer Marco Benedetti took turns accompanying her wherever she went, and The Ronin seemed to have backed off."Maybe they're all bark and no bite after all," she mused to herself as she sat in her office reviewing quarterly reports. "It's been a week since that bald freak made his threats, and nothing has happened."The more time passed without incident, the more Mariya began to believe that The Ronin's reputation was exaggerated. She had been moving freely around the city with her police protection, attending business meetings, and even going to social events without any sign of the mysterious organization."I should go see Karvel," she decided suddenly. "I never properly thanked him for what he did at my house, and I heard

Outside the hotel, Antonio Ricci stumbled away from the scene with a broken nose and split lip, courtesy of Detective Torretti's nightstick. His partners Salvatore Benedetti and Marco Torretti were in similar condition, having been thoroughly beaten by the two police officers."Boss ain't gonna like this," Salvatore muttered, spitting blood onto the sidewalk."We gotta tell him what happened," Antonio said, pulling out his phone with shaking hands.Twenty minutes later, the three battered thugs stood before the Head Hunter in an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city. His eyebrowless face remained expressionless as he listened to their report."So you're telling me that Cross's ex-wife showed up with police protection, and you let two cops beat the shit out of you?" the Head Hunter said in his monotone voice."Boss, they had weapons and—" Marco began."Silence." The Head Hunter raised his hand. "This is actually perfect."The three thugs looked confused."Don't you see?" the

The Head Hunter paced frantically in his warehouse hideout, his tattooed skull gleaming with sweat under the harsh fluorescent lights. The news reports about Mariya Castellano's possible death had sent him into a spiral of panic."Twelve billion dollars," he muttered to himself. "How am I supposed to recover twelve billion dollars from a dead woman?"His subordinate, a lean man named Giuseppe Romano, watched nervously from across the room. "Boss, maybe we should start looking for other assets connected to the debt.""What other assets?" the Head Hunter snapped. "Romano's empire was completely destroyed. His wife was our only remaining connection to the money.""What about business partners? Family members?"The Head Hunter shook his head grimly. "I've already run background checks on everyone connected to Romano. The woman was our best shot at recovery."His phone buzzed with an incoming call. The Head Hunter answered it with barely controlled rage."This better be good news," he grow

Dr. Edmund Yale's call came at precisely 3:17 AM, waking Karvel from a restless sleep in his temporary safe house."Karvel, we have a problem," Edmund's voice was tense with worry. "My sources are reporting unusual activity throughout the city.""What kind of activity?""Men with samurai sword tattoos are systematically searching every hotel, apartment building, and safe house in the metropolitan area. They're offering substantial cash rewards to local gang members for information about your whereabouts."Karvel sat up in bed, instantly alert. "How substantial?""Fifty thousand dollars per credible lead. They're turning every street criminal in the city into a bounty hunter.""The Head Hunter is getting desperate.""This goes beyond desperation, Karvel. They're mobilizing resources that suggest this has become a high-priority operation for The Ronin."Karvel walked to his window and peered through the reinforced blinds. In the distance, he could see flashlight beams moving through the