Chapter 92

The clatter of gleaming knives hitting the ground echoed through the cave.

The atmosphere froze instantly.

"Don't move!" A dozen armed men in black stormed in, their gun barrels trained on everyone present.

The blond team leader opened his mouth to speak, but the cold muzzle of a pistol pressed against his temple.

"Ah—" Several female guests screamed in terror.

"Shut up!" The lead gunman barked. "One more sound and you're meeting your maker!"

The screams died abruptly.

Tobias Kane's hand crept toward his waist, but his companion stopped him. Twenty armed thugs, including machine gunners—fighting back was too risky.

"Listen," the leader said in broken English. "We're Obsidian Circle. Pay up, and you walk out alive."

"Obsidian Circle?" Someone gasped.

Cole Turner whispered an explanation: "A criminal group that specializes in kidnapping the wealthy."

Beside Aria Bennett, Nolan Reed's muscles tensed. She gave his hand a reassuring pat.

"Stay calm, everyone," Aria said firmly. "They just want money."

Strangely, her words seemed to soothe the group's frayed nerves.

The leader studied Aria with interest. "The little lady's got guts."

A few mocking whistles followed.

Damian Cross's gaze turned glacial.

"If you want ransom, treat us with respect," Aria said evenly, meeting the man's eyes.

"Feisty." The leader grinned. "Then you're coming with us. But—" He waved his gun. "No funny business."

"How are we supposed to walk with our hands tied in this darkness?" Aria gestured to the injured Jonah Pierce. "And someone needs to carry him."

The others murmured agreement.

After a moment, the leader nodded. "Fine. But anyone runs, they die."

Without hesitation, Nolan hoisted Jonah onto his back.

"Thanks, man," Jonah muttered. He was grateful he'd listened to Aria and kept his medicinal charm—without it, the pain would've been unbearable.

"Anytime," Nolan said firmly.

Half an hour after their departure, a team of special forces stormed the cave.

"Too late!" The commander slammed his fist against the rock wall.

"Sir! We found clues!"

A soldier handed over crumpled notes and a hand-drawn map. Scrawled words like "Obsidian Circle" and "inside job" stood out.

"Move out!" the commander ordered. "Stay covert!"

But as they exited the cave, their navigation devices suddenly failed.

"At least we've got footprints to follow," the technician muttered, wiping sweat from his brow.

Under the ink-black sky, a perilous rescue mission began in silence...