Billy’s mind was a storm. The name Darius Blackthorn echoed like a death sentence, but he didn’t let it show on his face. He wouldn’t give Reinhardt the satisfaction.

  The mercenary’s smirk faltered as Billy’s chaos blade vanished back into its sheath. “Not the reaction you were expecting?” Billy asked, his voice calm.

  Reinhardt let out a dry chuckle. “You should be terrified.”

  Billy pulled up a rickety chair and sat across from him. “I don’t scare easy.”

  Reinhardt scoffed. “Then you’re a fool. You think this ends with me? You think killing Blackthorn will solve your problems?” He leaned forward, chains rattling. “You don’t understand, boy. Blackthorn isn’t just a man. He’s a system. Kill him, and another takes his place. That’s how the underworld works.”

  Billy tapped his fingers against the chair’s armrest. “You talk like you’re already dead.”

  Reinhardt’s smirk returned. “Aren’t we all?”

  Billy wasn’t in the mood for riddles. “You were a pawn. But pawns know things. So tell me—what does Blackthorn want with me?”

  Reinhardt hesitated. Then, to Billy’s surprise, the smirk vanished. His expression darkened, and for the first time, real fear crept into his eyes.

  This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

  “It’s not just him,” Reinhardt muttered.

  Billy’s gaze sharpened. “Explain.”

  Reinhardt exhaled shakily. “Blackthorn’s been getting orders. Bigger than anything I’ve ever seen him handle. He’s powerful, yeah—but he’s not the power. There’s something above him. Someone.” He looked directly at Billy, his voice barely a whisper.

  “They want you alive.”

  Billy stilled. That was worse than if they wanted him dead.

  “Why?” he pressed.

  Reinhardt clenched his jaw. “I don’t know. But I do know this—you don’t have much time. Blackthorn doesn’t wait. If he knows you’re alive, he’s already moving.”

  Billy stood, his mind calculating. Running wasn’t an option. Not anymore. Blackthorn was a problem, but this greater force was worse. He needed information, resources, and a plan.

  He looked down at Reinhardt. The man had given him what he needed. Keeping him alive was now a liability.

  Billy pulled out his sidearm.

  Reinhardt sighed. “Figured.”

  Billy didn’t shoot. Instead, he pressed the barrel against the mercenary’s knee. BANG.

  Reinhardt screamed, jerking against his chains. Blood splattered the floor.

  Billy holstered the gun and crouched down. “That’s so you remember this conversation.” His voice was ice. “If I find out you lied to me, I’ll come back and finish the job.”

  Reinhardt panted through the pain, sweat dripping from his brow. But he nodded.

  Billy turned away. He had bigger things to deal with.

  As he stepped outside, the night was colder. The city stretched before him, its lights glowing like distant stars. Somewhere in that darkness, Blackthorn was watching.

  And somewhere beyond even him—someone else was pulling the strings.

  Billy exhaled and vanished into the night.

  The hunt had truly begun.