<b>Chapter </b><b>188 </b>


    Instead of risking exposure, I slipped into the shadows of a nearby building. I found a maintenancedder leading to the second floor and climbed it silently. From a broken window near the venttion system, I had a perfect view of the proceedings below.


    The bidding was fast and brutal. The girl’s terror seemed to excite the audience, driving the price higher. Eventually, arge ck man in a tailored suit won with a bid of seventy–five thousand. As he approached to im his “purchase,” I noticed a figure slipping away from the back of the crowd–someone with a blue scorpion tattoo visible on their wrist. Something about their movement caught my attention, but they disappeared before I could get a clear


    look.


    I tracked the buyer and his new “acquisition” to a nearby building–a former luxury apartmentplex that had been partially renovated. Two armed guards stood outside, but they were careless, more interested in their cigarettes than security.


    The girl was in a bedroom on the third floor. The buyer was pawing at her, muttering what he nned to do. I closed the door silently behind me and moved before he even registered my presence. One clean slice across his throat, and he copsed, gurgling as blood soaked into the carpet.


    The girl tried to scream through her gag, eyes wild with terror. I moved quickly to cut her restraints.


    “Don’t scream,” I warned coldly. “I’m not here to hurt you, but I will leave you if you make noise.”


    She nodded frantically, tears streaming down her face as I removed the gag.


    “Thank you,” she whispered in American–ented English. “Oh God, thank you.”


    “Are you American?” I asked, keeping my voice low.


    She nodded. “I was on vacation in Austria. They drugged me at a club, and I woke up here. It’s been–1 don’t know how long.”


    “We’re staying here tonight,” I said. “Don’t leave this room. Don’t make noise. There’s food and water in the kitchen. I’ll take care of the guards.”


    By morning, the buyer’s four guards were dead. I left Melissa with strict instructions, food, and water before venturing out again.


    The news had already spread–an American woman had broken through the checkpoint and disappeared into Crimson Valley. The Scorpio family had people searching everywhere, their blue <b>scorpion </b>tattoos visible as they questioned locals and searched buildings.


    8:19 Thu, Sep 25


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    I moved through the market area, gathering information and memorizing theyout. When confronted, I dealt with threats quickly and efficiently.


    By evening, I’d mapped most of the territory and gathered some useful intelligence. The Scorpio family was preparing for another auction tonight–apparently, these were regr events for their wealthiest clients.


    I returned to check on Melissa, who was still traumatized but holding up better than expected. After ensuring she


    was safe, I headed toward the auction venue.


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    Night met me outside as nned, lookingpletely out of ce in his designer clothes. As we entered together, I immediately noticed how the atmosphere in the room shifted. The usual suspects were there, but our presence- obviously expensively dressed outsiders–created an unmistakable ripple of interest despite our attempts to blend in.


    “They’re all staring at us,” Night whispered, his lips barely moving as he leaned close to my ear. “Particrly at you, my darling.”


    I could hear the murmurs spreading through the crowd. We definitely not been on tonight’s guest list. Night’s beauty rivaled any woman’s in the room, but the lethal look in his eyes kept most at a respectful distance.


    I surveyed the room with calcted precision, noting exits, guards, and potential threats. The whispers continued around us, some specting about who we were, others warning to keep distance.


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