Chapter 200 Take Away the Goddess
Under the envious gazes of the remaining patrons, Elbert and Trinity strolled out of Queen's Bar. The middle-aged doorman gaped, momentarily forgetting his duties.
'How did this kid even get in? No matter; he's clearly way out of my league. Besides, the goddess is leaving with him! Their cash cow, gone!' he thought.
"Smooth move, kid," he muttered under his breath.
Outside, the long-legged beauties were still prowling, their expressions souring as they saw the woman in red draped against Elbert's arm.
They'd barely reached the parking lot when figures emerged from the shadows, led by the same rich pretty boy who'd gifted Nora the pink diamond; Michae Collins.
Michae's eyes raked over Trinity with undisguised lust before he looked at Elbert with a murderious look.
"You! Stealing my woman?" he snarled. "You've got guts, kid. But not for long. Let her go, and maybe, just maybe; I'll let you walk away."
Elbert sighed inwardly. Another entitled brat who thought he could buy love. And when that failed, resort to brute force.
His combat awareness, always active, registered the approaching thugs. They were stronger than average, but no real threat. Pathetic.
He was about to make short work of them when he sensed it. Three distinct killing intents, emanating from a nearby alley. These were different; A5-level cyborgs, at least. Card Club assassins.
"Looks like I've got other business to attend to, Miss Nora," Elbert said, gently releasing himself from Trinity. "If you wouldn't mind dealing with these clowns?"
"What?" Trinity blinked, her eyes still clouded with alcohol. "No heroic rescue?"
"I have complete faith in you," he said and winked, turning toward the alley.
"Hmph. Some hero," Trinity muttered albeit smiling mischieviously.
As Elbert disappeared into the shadows, her demeanor shifted. Gone was the playful drunk, replaced by a cold, calculating predator. With a flick of her wrist and a graceful twist, she sent the thugs flying, their bodies crumpling against the wall. Michae, still grinning smugly, crumpled to the ground unconscious before he hit the pavement.
Elbert, watching the scene unfold through Robert's surveillance feed, couldn't help but be impressed. This woman was ruthless. He watched as she effortlessly hoisted each thug, one by one, and deposited them unceremoniously into nearby trash cans.
"Efficient," Robert commented. "And brutal."
"Indeed," Elbert murmured, simultaneously slamming a black-clad assassin into a brick wall. The Card Club had inadvertently provided him with a perfect opportunity to take out a few more assassins and deliver them, gift-wrapped, to the Veridiania Police Department.
Three more metal playing cards added to his collection.
After sending Officer Reed the cleanup details, Elbert dusted off his hands and strolled back to the parking lot. Trinity, now miraculously steady on her feet, leaned against a lamppost, her red dress colorful against the muted asphalt.
"Seems those thugs had a change of heart," she said, her voice light.
"Let's hope they'll repent," Elbert replied, playing along.
"And what about you?" Trinity asked, her eyes narrowed playfully. "What were you up to while I was fending off those hooligans? Don't tell me you were hiding."
"Let's just say I had to dispose of some... international trash," he said casually.
"Oh, really?" she laughed, a melodic sound that echoed in the night. "And here I thought you were scared."
"Never," he deadpanned.
Then, they walked into the parking lot.
"So, do you have a car, or...?" she asked, leaning against him again.
Elbert pointed toward his SS454, its front end sporting a new dent courtesy of his earlier encounter.
Trinity frowned. "That doesn't seem very... you."
"Let's take mine." She pulled some keys from her purse and pressed a button. A sleek, red Ferrari roared to life, its headlights cutting through the darkness.
Robert spoke up, "Old money. Her family practically owns Victoria."
"Right, then." Elbert said, nodding.
He drove the car. Trinity lounged in the passenger seat, her bare shoulder a tempting distraction. Her perfume permeated the air, and even Elbert, with his iron control, felt a flicker of something unfamiliar. He lit a cigarette to steady himself.
"You know," she said softly, "if you like that lighter so much, I could get you a real one." She'd already deduced that he was probably a struggling programmer, punching above his weight to be at Queen's Bar. That limited-edition Zippo was a dead giveaway.
"This one suits me just fine," Elbert replied, his eyes on the road.
His nonchalance and the effortless way he carried himself, was more intoxicating than any drink she'd ever had.
Ten minutes later, they pulled up outside Harmony Haven Resorts, where Trinity was staying.
"Come on up," she purred, leaning against the car. "I have a presidential suite. Drinks are on the house."
Elbert hesitated.
"Don't worry," Trinity laughed, misinterpreting his hesitation. "I won't bite... hard."
"It's not that," he said, trying to maintain a neutral expression. "It's just... well, let's just say I'm not very good at explaining things."
"Oh, I don't know," she chuckled. "I think you're very good at explaining things. Or maybe you just don't get it?"
"That's definitely it," he deadpanned. "I don't get it. Goodnight, Miss Nora." He turned to leave.
"Wait!" she called after him. "Will you... accompany me tomorrow? I want to... play with the gangsters some more." Her eyes held a mischievous glint. This was getting interesting.
"Sure," he agreed.
"But how will you get back? It's late. Take the Ferrari. I trust you."
Elbert shook his head. "I have a car."
"But you left it at the bar."
Before she could voice her confusion, a pair of headlights cut through the darkness. The SS454, silent as a shadow, pulled up beside them. Elbert opened the door. The driver's seat was empty.
Trinity stared, speechless.
"Autopilot," Elbert explained, amused. "Don't be too surprised."
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