Page 4 of Marked By the Bounty Hunter

She tilted her head, full lips twisted up into a smirk. “You think I know anything about that?” Her chin lifted slightly. “Besides, I know better than to get any more involved than I am.”

I stepped closer to her. “You’re too involved now. Sorry about that.”

Her smile faltered. “What are you talking about?”

“They don’t care what you know. You helped him escape. That makes you--”

Her face drained of color as the implications hit. “Makes me what?”

But my ears had already caught movement.

Four figures emerged at strategic points - two blocking our forward path, one covering the side corridor, another sealing our retreat.

The leader stepped into view, stun baton humming. “Took a wrong turn, bartender. Let us escort you back.”

I tensed, noting the subtle hand signals between them. This wasn’t some random gang. They were trained, efficient. But they hadn’t counted on a Vinduthi’s speed in close quarters.

“Left!” I called out as I moved to engage the closest threat. Nalina was already in motion, sliding away from my position as I’d sensed she would. A knife appeared in her hand as she faced the flanking attacker.

The second agent raised an energy net launcher, the weapon’s charge creating a subtle distortion in the air. “This doesn’t concern you.”

“You’d be surprised.” I moved before he could fire, my speed letting me close the distance in a heartbeat. My fist crushed the launcher and the attacker’s wrist snapped with it, the sound sharp and wet in the confined space.

The leader swung his baton. I twisted away from the crackling energy, letting it pass close enough to raise the hair on my arms. My hand found his throat, feeling the rapid flutter of his pulse.

Behind me, Nalina’s knife flashed as she dodged a third attacker. Her speed and precision surprised me - beyond what I’d expect from a human bartender, even one used to handling rowdy customers.

But the fourth agent was pressing her back, trying to separate us.

I threw the leader into his companion, freeing my hands. Two long strides brought me to her side. I grabbed her attacker’s arm, wrenching him away from her. Bones crunched under my grip like dry branches.

The agent I’d thrown into the wall didn’t get up. His companion with the crushed wrist lay curled around his injury, barely conscious. The third attacker scrambled back, abandoning his fallen stun baton as he fled into the darkness.

The leader was the last one standing, blood streaming from his nose and staining his collar. I stepped toward him, a growl building in my throat.

Nalina stumbled, and I turned to catch her. The bastard ran. No matter - I’d find him soon enough.

She leaned against the wall, breathing hard. A cut on her arm bled slowly, the scent of it making my teeth ache. “Do your first dates always go like this?”

“Clearly.” I examined the wound. Shallow, shouldn’t leave a scar. But it still bothered me.

She pushed off the wall, grimacing slightly. “Look, I don’t know what you’re after, but I don’t need--”

“You need allies.” I caught her gaze, holding it. “They won’t stop. Not now that you’ve drawn their attention.”

“And you’re offering what? Protection?” She gestured at the unconscious agents, her smile bitter. “I can’t exactly hide behind you at the bar.”

“Information.” I lowered my voice, though my senses told me we were alone in this section. “You know people. They talk to you. Find out what I need, and I’ll make sure whatever’s going on on this rusted heap of junk leaves you alone.”

She studied me for a long moment. “My regulars trust me.”

“And how many more will stumble in like Jevik if you do nothing? Or not come in at all?”

She flinched. Aha. There was something there.

But instead of telling me what it was, she shook her head, drops of sweat catching the emergency lights. “Not here. Not now. I need to think.”

I nodded. She was right to be cautious. The walls had ears in places like this, and not all of them belonged to the Consortium. “Tomorrow then. Your bar?”

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