"I tried to do my best. But the universe never sided with me. I don't want to burden myself thinking about things that can never come true. I'll just go with the flow."
That was Alesha's answer a few minutes ago—an answer that left Garvin speechless.
They arrived at a building buzzing with the upper class. Security was tight, with guards stationed all around. Entry was only granted to those with invitations—no exceptions.
Garvin stood next to Alesha. Without warning, his hand moved to pull Alesha closer, wrapping tightly around her waist.
"Why are you doing this?" Alesha asked. She felt uncomfortable with Garvin's strong arm around her slim waist. She demanded an explanation. "Answer me."
"Just be quiet." Garvin scanned the surroundings.
He hadn't come alone. A dozen of his men followed, though only two bodyguards were allowed inside. For people involved in the underworld, personal security was crucial—enemies lurked everywhere.
After showing the invitation, Garvin and Alesha entered the party.
"You said you wanted to sell me, but you brought me to a party? Are you serious?" Alesha asked.
"I'm introducing you to my business partners. If any of them show interest in you, I'll sell you to them," Garvin replied bluntly.
Alesha held back tears with all her strength. Abandoned by her lover, tangled up with the Mafia, once sold and now about to be sold again—could fate truly be this cruel? Come on, don't cry, Alesha. You're strong. You're strong!
Garvin led Alesha to a table already occupied by two men.
"Mr. Garvin. Good to see you. Who's this young lady you've brought?" asked an older man with graying hair and a bulging belly. His eyes lit up with interest as he looked at Alesha in Garvin's arms.
"This beautiful woman's name is Jenifer," Garvin said.
Alesha frowned at the lie. No wonder—he probably didn't even know her real name. She offered only a faint smile, disgusted by the way the older men leered at her.
A slightly younger man extended his hand. "Nice to meet you. I'm Erlando. You're very beautiful."
Alesha shook Erlando's hand, struggling as he gripped it too tightly.
"Ahem." With a single throat-clearing from Garvin, Erlando let go.
"I need to meet with others," Garvin said, pulling Alesha along like a prized doll to show off to the high-ranking guests at the party.
"I need to go to the restroom," Alesha said.
"My men will accompany you."
Alesha nodded and walked toward the restroom, Garvin's subordinate following and standing guard outside.
It felt suffocating. Alesha closed her eyes, pressing her fist against her chest. She wanted to disappear, to run away. She felt humiliated, disgusted with herself. She washed her hands over and over until they turned red.
These were the hands that had touched the sleazy men outside. She missed Aldrich. She wanted to go after him. She had had enough. As she exited the restroom, the scene before her had turned into chaos.
---
BANG! BANG!
Gunshots rang through the building. This ambush was clearly premeditated. Someone had orchestrated it. Panic erupted as people scrambled. All exits were blocked. Some hid under tables.
"IF YOU WANT TO LIVE, HAND OVER YOUR VALUABLES!"
Just as Garvin suspected. He ducked down, pretending to be scared like everyone else. Parties like this were prime targets for raids—rich guests made for easy prey.
Terrified guests began surrendering their valuables. A fat older man hiding under a table raised his Rolex watch worth millions of dollars.
"I surrender my watch."
A woman took off all her jewelry—Garvin estimated their value to be close to a million dollars.
Garvin stood up, straightening his shirt. He didn't flinch, even as a man pointed a gun at him. Calmly, he drew his own pistol and smiled.
"Stop," Garvin said casually.
"Don't get involved. I suggest you walk away," said the masked man.
But Garvin recognized him—Richard, his long-time enemy who loved to crash parties and rob the rich.
"Tsk, how annoying. You should've picked a party I wasn't attending."
"Leave, or I'll kill you!"
Garvin shook his head. "Is stealing the only thing you know how to do?" he asked mockingly.
Richard fired at Garvin—but missed. Garvin dodged swiftly and shot back, hitting Richard in the shoulder. Blood poured from the wound as Richard glared at Garvin. A battle broke out between their factions.
Alesha, just stepping out of the restroom, was stunned by the chaos. Her eyes scanned the crowd and locked on Garvin and another man, standing apart but pointing guns at each other.
Then she saw it—a man dressed in all black, positioned above, taking aim at Garvin from the upper floor cloaked in darkness.
He was hidden—none of the lights upstairs were on. Alesha wavered, torn. Should she save Garvin?
Alesha wasn't a savior, not an angel filled with love and grace. But she was human—one who now ran with all her might toward Garvin, standing in front of him with her arms outstretched, ready to take the bullet.
"I'm done."
BANG! BANG!
Alesha closed her eyes. Two bullets pierced her left chest. The pain was excruciating. She clutched her chest as blood poured out. She would've collapsed if Garvin hadn't caught her.
BANG!
Garvin shot the sniper dead on target. Speaking into the earpiece, he ordered, "Move in. Eliminate them all."
His men stormed in, guns blazing. Richard's entire crew was wiped out—except for the leader, who managed to escape.
Garvin lifted Alesha in his arms, never taking his eyes off her face. He had never worried about a woman before—but this time, all he wished was that she wouldn't die.
Inside the car, Garvin took out his handkerchief and pressed it against her chest to slow the bleeding.
Back at the party, Garvin had hated seeing Alesha touched by another man, even if it was just a handshake. But remembering she was the lover of a traitor, he tried to brush it off.
"You have to live. Don't die," he whispered.