Blood for Power: The Mercenary's Return

Chapter 2: Breaking Down the Empire

Marcus walked back and forth in the room, his mind racing. He still felt the adrenaline from the ambush like a second skin, but his mind was full of doubt and suspicion. Jaxon, Marcus's old friend, had always been the voice of reason for him. When everything was going wrong, he could always count on Jaxon. But Jaxon was different tonight. He was anxious and not paying attention. And that was enough to make Marcus question what he thought.

Jaxon was at the table, and his hands shook a little as he flipped through a stack of papers. His eyes moved nervously from one paper to the next. He was trying to look calm, but Marcus could see the cracks.

"Talk to me, Jaxon," Marcus said in a low, controlled voice. "What's really going on?"

Jaxon's eyes met Marcus's for a brief moment, and there was something in them that Marcus had never seen before. Fear. Fear that is real. Jaxon wasn't scared of the Vultures. He wasn't scared of Quincy Knight. But he was scared of something.

Jaxon said in a voice that was barely above a whisper, "The Vultures are bigger than you think, Marcus." "Quincy doesn't just run the streets anymore. He's gotten into every level of power in this city, including politicians, judges, and the police. He is their boss. "You can't touch him."

Marcus took in the information, his mind racing. Not possible to touch. The Vultures had always been dangerous, but this was a whole new level. They had gotten into the city's infrastructure and were in charge of the people who were supposed to protect it.

"But why are you coming after me now?" Marcus asked, his voice calm, but his mind was anything but. "Why now, after all these years?"

Jaxon's eyes went from the door to Marcus and back again. He spoke even more quietly, as if he were afraid someone might hear him. "Because you're the only one who can stop him." You have what it takes to bring down his empire.

Marcus felt a cold shiver go down his back. He had heard this before: "Marcus, you're the only one who can do it." But it always ended in blood. His blood. Blood from his team.

Marcus said in a low voice, "I've heard that before," with a hint of doubt in his voice. "And every time, it was a trap."

Jaxon's fingers gripped the papers in front of him more tightly, turning his knuckles white. Marcus didn't like how he was acting. Jaxon's information seemed too neat and easy to him.

"Jaxon," Marcus said, his voice getting harder. "What aren't you telling me?"

The question hung in the air, full of unspoken tension. Jaxon was about to say something, but then he stopped. He looked panicked for a second before quickly covering it up. He looked at the window and then the door, as if he thought someone might come in at any moment.

"I'm doing everything I can, Marcus," Jaxon said quickly, his voice tense. "But there's more going on here than you think. I can't tell you everything right now. You can believe me when I say this is more than just Quincy." It's... it's about more than just power."

Marcus heard the pause in Jaxon's voice. The answer didn't make sense, but before he could ask more questions, there was a loud crack, like an explosion in the distance. Then, outside on the street, there was the unmistakable sound of gunfire, followed by shouts and the heavy thud of boots.

Jaxon's face turned white. He jumped up and quickly grabbed the gun that was holstered at his side. He whispered, "We're not alone."

Before Marcus could do anything, the front door blew up, sending pieces of wood flying through the air. A person in a mask stepped through the wreckage, pointing a rifle directly at Marcus. His body froze on its own, but his mind raced. There was a reason for this attack. It was on purpose.

The figure had a snake-like emblem on his jacket that was easy to recognize.

Marcus's blood froze. The Vultures. They were here.

"What the hell do you want?" Marcus asked, his hand moving to the knife at his belt. He knew things were getting out of hand. This wasn't just an attack; it was a message.

The figure's lips turned up into a smile. "The Vultures don't just want you, Marcus. We have been keeping an eye on you." We let you live, and that's the only reason you're still alive. But not anymore."

The figure lifted his rifle, and for a moment, everything seemed to stop. Marcus's eyes went to Jaxon, but his friend's face showed guilt and something darker that Marcus couldn't quite put his finger on.

The sound of the gunfire was so loud that it hurt. But Marcus was already on the move. His instincts took over, and he dove to the side, just missing the blast. His heart raced and his mind raced. He couldn't fight back until he got answers. But he couldn't let this go on either.

Jaxon pulled Marcus by the arm and dragged him to the back door. "Over here!" he yelled.

They both ran through the back door and into the alley, where the cold night air hit Marcus's skin. They still weren't safe. The gunmen were too close.

"What the hell are they?" Marcus yelled, his voice sharp and his heart racing. He could feel Jaxon's grip getting stronger on his arm.

"I don't know," Jaxon said, out of breath, "but I know who they work for."

Marcus's heart skipped a beat. Not Quincy.

"They're working for Malik," Jaxon said quickly. "Marcus, he's not just your enemy anymore. He is Quincy Lee's right-hand man. The Vultures have him in their inner circle. And they are using him to find you.

Marcus stopped in his tracks. His blood froze. Malik Rivers. A friend from long ago. A brother in arms. It was too much to hear that he had been corrupted and had fallen so far. He had to be telling a lie. But Jaxon's eyes held a cold truth that Marcus couldn't ignore.

"You mean Malik is behind this?" Marcus said, his voice rough.

Jaxon nodded, and his face showed how sad he was. "He has been working with them for years. I didn't want to believe it either, but it is. And now he's in charge.

There wasn't enough noise in the alley. Then, a loud bang shook the ground below them. A different grenade. Marcus pulled Jaxon behind a dumpster without thinking, the sound of the explosion still ringing in his ears.

Marcus's heart raced in his chest as the dust began to settle. He couldn't get out. People were looking for him. And Malik, the man he had once trusted, was at the center of it all.

As Marcus was about to say something, he heard footsteps in the alley. They were no longer alone. A person walked into view, wearing the same snake emblem.

The figure said in a low, steady voice, "Looks like you have a problem, Marcus."

Marcus reached for his gun, but something cold and metal pressed against the back of his neck. The figure smiled, and his eyes sparkled. "Just started the game."