After that, Dane went back into the ship. The men had already taken their positions—around twenty of them were standing guard outside. Suddenly, a man walked in. From the way he carried himself, they knew immediately this was the general Butcher had mentioned. As he stepped aboard, he walked closer, and all the men on the ship bowed their heads slightly in respect. “Could that be one of Butcher’s generals?” someone whispered. “I’m not sure. Butcher told me he was going to send someone to take charge of the ship, since he won’t be around for the next two days,” Dane replied, his eyes fixed on the man approaching. The general stopped in front of Dane. For four silent seconds, the two of them just stared at each other. Then the man smiled. His name was Gary. He extended a hand. “You’re Dane, right? I’ve heard a lot about you. The boss speaks highly of you,” Gary said. Dane shook his hand. “Yes, and you’re one of Butcher’s generals—one of his highest-ranking men. It’s a pleasure

There was a short silence… then the sound of hands shaking. Dane could almost feel it—Gary and Leo sealing the deal. His heart started pounding. “These bastards…” Suddenly, Dane noticed movement. Shit. Gary’s coming out. Dane barely had time to react. He sprang back from the door, ducked into the shadows, and pressed himself against the wall. He held his breath. The door creaked open. Gary stepped out, eyes scanning the hallway. “Who’s there?” he asked sharply. No answer. Nothing but silence. He waited a moment, then shook his head. “Must be my imagination,” he muttered. He turned back and locked the door behind him, sealing Leo back in. Dane stayed frozen until Gary’s footsteps faded. Then he exhaled slowly, rage building inside him. “They’re planning to use me as cannon fodder. No way in hell.” “I have to get out of here—now,” Dane muttered under his breath. He turned and sprinted down the hallway, heading straight for the ship’s exit. As he reach

The battle was over. Gunfire had gone quiet, the screams replaced by a haunting silence. As Dane approached the ship, his eyes locked with Gary’s. The look on Gary’s face twisted from surprise to anger in an instant. Without saying a word, Gary turned sharply and stormed back inside. Dane narrowed his eyes. “I know he’s planning to kill me,” he muttered under his breath. “But he won’t succeed.” His voice was low but steady. “If death wanted me, I’d be long gone. I was a thief, doing risky jobs my whole life—and I survived. I didn’t die then, I won’t die now. Gary can try whatever he wants, but he’s not going to win.” Blood trickled slowly from the back of his head, soaking into his jacket, already sticky with sweat and gore. Every muscle in his body ached. His legs felt like stone, but he kept walking, one step at a time, deeper into the ship. Inside his room, Dane tossed his gun aside and peeled off his jacket. He stood in front of the mirror, touching the wound on his

“I hope everything’s going well. I trust there haven’t been any serious problems. Still, I’ll need to check in with a few of my other headquarters in case they’re under attack,” Butcher said.He stood in a magnificent, castle-like mansion. The estate was vast and grand, stretching out in every direction. Rising from the chair in the room he’d been staying in, he made his way to his wife’s room. He knocked on the door, then stepped inside.“Baby, like I told you—I hope you understand. I want to spend some real quality time with you. I know I’ve been gone for a while, but I’d like us to travel together,” Butcher said. “It’s been so long since I last saw you. You just arrived this morning—I’m really glad,” Wait here. Let me prepare something for you to eat,” Maria said happily. She was Butcher’s wife.“No, no, that’s not necessary. Don’t worry about food,” Butcher said, shaking his head. “I haven’t even seen Mary, our daughter, since I got back. How is she?”“She’s fine, darling,” Maria

Butcher was right. He told me to make sure Leo doesn’t leave. I have to do that, Dane thought to himself.He zipped up his jacket, pulled an Uzi from under the bed, and loaded it with bullets.Then, slowly and quietly, he opened the door and stepped out.As he came out, he spotted someone nearby. It looked like the man had been watching his door. The moment their eyes met, the man quickly turned and walked away fast.“What’s going on? Was that guy really watching my door? Something’s not right… I hope Leo’s not still around,” Dane muttered.He hurried toward the room where Leo was being kept.At the same time…Gary was already moving Leo out.The man who had been watching Dane ran straight to Gary and said, “Gary, Dane just came out of his room.”Gary reacted immediately.“Leo, it’s time. Even if Dane suspects something, we stick to the plan. I’ll explain things later. Just go now. I’m going to stab someone as we agreed—to make it look real. Jason, take Leo and get off the ship.”Leo