Chapter 65: Power Clashes with the Bakers
Dan's sudden call to Rob was orchestrated by Alexander, who had no other option left. Currently, Alexander only had Eric by his side, and they were in the dark about the opposition's background, what kind of organization or gang they were involved with, and what the situation inside the building was. Charging in recklessly carried a high risk of failure. Even if they had to risk their lives, they couldn't afford to act blindly; after all, they weren't superheroes and only had one life each.
About ten minutes after the call, people started emerging from the opposite door. Two drivers made their way to the back of the yard to fetch the cars.
Eric squinted, sweat beading on his forehead. "Looks like there are quite a few people."
"If we don't get Alex back, this trip to River State will be for nothing, and we won't get Andrew back either," Alexander gritted his teeth. "There's no way out; we have to give it a shot."
Eric looked at Alexander and resolutely said, "This time, either the three of us get it done and go back, or we die here together."
"Let's do it," Alexander nodded, pulling out his gun
Across the street, Tim stepped out and frowned at Rob. "Is the information reliable?"
"The call was from the insider who tipped off Joe, so it should be," Rob replied, his brow furrowing. "They know we captured Alex, so they must be desperate."
"These guys are dangerous. We've already accomplished our mission; there's no need to confront them head-on," Tim responded, hands behind his back. "Call the security team of the stationed troops. When they arrive, let the authorities handle them."
"Got it." Rob smiled and pulled out his phone.
Two cars had already come to a stop by the roadside. Tim and Rob were surrounded by six men, one of whom was already rushing ahead to open the car door.
Inside the yard diagonally opposite, Alexander scanned the crowd and then turned to Eric. "Did you see? The young guy in the middle and the one pulling out the phone are the leaders."
"Yes." Eric nodded. "But I don't see Alex."
At that moment, two more people rushed out of the building, carrying a large black bag, and stuffed it into the trunk of a car.
"Is he in the bag?" Alexander's eyes lit up. "Get on the bike, quick."
Eric jumped onto the back seat of the motorcycle, positioning his gun with his right arm. "Let's go."
The motorcycle roared to life, shooting out of the yard like an arrow heading straight for the cars.
By the roadside, someone in the crowd turned around upon hearing the motorcycle. But the bike was too fast.
Eric, sitting in the back, fired first, aiming directly at the crowd.
"Someone’s here!" Rob shouted, reaching out to pull Tim, who was already by the car.
With a dull thud, the motorcycle's front end slammed into Tim's waist, sending him flying forward and crashing into the car door. Alexander braked hard, landed on his feet, and grabbed Tim by the collar.
Eric dismounted, pointing his gun at Rob and shouting, "Don't move, all of you, back off."
The situation unfolded so suddenly that the crowd was completely unprepared. They instinctively reached for their weapons.
Tim, hit hard by the motorcycle, felt intense pain in his lower back. He leaned against the car door, sweating and grimacing.
Alexander got off the motorcycle, holding Tim by the collar and shielding him in front of himself. He pulled out a green fuse from his pocket with his left hand and shouted, "I've got a grenade! Anyone takes a step closer, and I'll blow us both to kingdom come."
The sight of the fuse made the group recoil in alarm, scattering as they took several steps back. Tim, clutching his lower back with one hand, swung his gaze to Alexander. "Taylor family? You really think you’ve got enough muscle?"
"We have nothing to do with the Taylors," Alexander retorted, beads of sweat trickling down his face. "But Alex was taken by you guys, and we ended up taking the fall. We're here to clear our names, grenade in hand."
"You're here for Alex?"
"Yes," Alexander nodded vehemently. "If Alex comes with us, the grenade stays quiet. Simple as that."
Eric, still holding Rob at gunpoint, barked, "You all deaf? Back off, hands where we can see them!"
Leaning against the car, Tim chuckled, his eyes locking onto Alexander’s. "Bro, looks like you’ve really taken on the blame."
Alexander's eyes widened.
"You're too late. Alex is a goner," Tim added, feigning a calm demeanor.
"You're lying!" Alexander's heart plummeted as he paled. "Don’t try and fool me. If I can’t clear our names, I’ll make sure to take a couple of you down with me."
"Don’t believe me?" Tim jerked his head towards Eric. "He’s in the trunk."
A wave of dread washed over Alexander as he dragged Tim towards the trunk, opening it cautiously with one hand. The trunk creaked open, releasing a pungent, metallic smell of blood. Alexander's heart pounded as he unzipped the bag.
Inside, Alex lay motionless, his face unrecognizable, with two gaping, bloody holes in his throat slowly oozing blood.
"How is he?" Eric's voice wavered, sensing Alexander’s silence.
"He’s gone," Alexander murmured, his voice hollow.
"Fuck!" Eric’s composure shattered, every ounce of pent-up anger and despair surging through him.
Tim, hands raised and smiling, taunted, "Bro, you see how it is. He's gone. You really think you can clear your names now? How about this: put down the guns, and we talk like sensible folks, huh?"
Rage surged through Alexander as he slammed Tim's head against the car door. "My brothr was taken!"
Tim, his voice steady, countered, "What's more important: your brother’s life or your own? Look around. If we really come to blows, do you think you two are walking away unscathed?"
After a moment of silence, Alexander’s gaze hardened on Tim. "Since Alex is gone, guess what, you’re coming with me to help clear our names."
Rob, who had been silent, turned with a grim expression. "Do you actually think that’s feasible?"
"I have a grenade. Anything's possible," Alexander snapped, pulling the green fuse. "Which is worse: a bullet or a grenade?"
The scattered subordinates glanced uneasily at Rob.
"You sure know how to scare people," Rob sneered. "I've been in the unregulated zone for years, and no bandit has ever rattled me. Go on, pull the fuse, and let's see who hits the dirt first."
Alexander’s hand shook involuntarily.
The trio had ventured into River State, with guns and vehicles provided by friendly forces, but no real grenades. The green fuse was a bluff, yanked from the motorcycle and tied to his waistband. There was no actual explosive.
But in River State, the Baker family’s men were seasoned and fearless.
What now?
Pulling the fuse wouldn’t cause an explosion, and without that detonation, they held no sway over the Baker family’s enforcers.
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