Chapter 4
Outside Limond City, in a swanky estate.
A pale guy was sprawled on a bed, face half–sunk in a pillow, sharp jawline barely peeking out. Bandages hugged his body, with faint bloodstains creeping through.
Enzo Wilkins kicked back nearby, a sleek laptop on his lap, spitting out the latest intel from abroad. “Yo, Cyrus, got the dirt. Duty instructor at Strucze Region’s training base that day!
“Black Mamba. Female, from Cordanland. Two years ago, she owned the top spot at Strueze’s International Mercenary Training Base. Age? No clue.
“Black Mamba first showed up eight years back–knocked out boxing champ Viper in some sketchy underground match. Lady fighters peak from 18 to 28, so she’s probably 26 to 36.
“But mercs from Strueze swear she’s young, like under 30, and speaks Eordash like a native.”
The guy on the bed twitched slightly. “Total waste,” he said.
Enzo quirked a brow. “Say what?
Cyrus Morrow’s voice was rough, like he’d swallowed sandpaper. “That info’s useless. Strueze got hit, and the duty instructor’s catching the heat. She’s in Limond City already
“How do you know she’s here?” Enzo asked, leaning in.
Cyrus’s eyes went cold and hard. “She’ll come, Guaranteed”
“Alright.” Enzo grinned, slouching back. “If she’s around, she’ll hunt you down. We can set a trap, reel her in like a fish.”
“You sure you can make it, smartass?” Cyrus shot back, voice sharp enough to cut glass.
Enzo eyed the bandages wrapping his boss from head to toe. “Uh.. yeah, okay”
They all knew playing cat–and–mouse with a hardcore pro like Black Mamba? That was a death with.
Cyrus smirked, cold à ice. “Call in some muscle. This ain’t Scrueze—she’s got no chance of stirring up trouble.”
Enzo hesitated, then blurted, “Look, Cyrus, why don’t we just bounce back to Okwell City! Black Mamba can’t pull any big stunts on our home turf. But if she’s out there popping shots from the shadows, you’re not exactly in fighting shape.”
Cyrus’s glare could’ve frozen hell itself. Enzo zipped it.
Black Mamba was a nightmare–a sniper who owned a ten–mile radius, no sweat
She’d soloed a whole militia base in some warzone once.
The thought of her stalking them in Limond City? Enzo’s back was drenched just thinking about it
Briar ambled into the Shepherds‘ swanky villa just as the family of three was digging into dinner.
Imani’s eyes were red and swollen, like she’d been crying her heart out. Her parents, Martin and Louise, looked just as miserable, faces sour as spoiled milk.
Briar acted like they were ghosts and headed for the stairs.
“Hold up!” Louise slammed her fork down and jumped up, glaring at Briar like she’d stolen something.
“What’s with the attitude? You blind or just pretending we’re not here?” she shouted.
Her gaze zeroed in on Briar’s ripped jeans, disgust written all over her face. ‘How did I end up with such a trashy kid!”
Briar let out a sharp chuckle. “Mom, that’s rich. Didn’t Dad just tell me to stay away from your golden girl ‘cause she’s ‘depressed‘?
“I’m keeping my distance, and now you’re pissed I’m not bowing down? Pick a lane!”
Louise’s face flushed red, her voice shaking. “Where are your manners! You talk to your parents like that?”
1/3
Chapter 4
Briar smirked, shaking her head. “Manners! Not my thing. I’m just a scrappy lule orphan, right?”
You-
Briar dragged a barstool over, plopped down, and grinned at the trio like she was watching a soap opera.
She knew her parents too well. Louise had an ace up her sleeve.
Sure enough, Louise’s jaw tightened, but she forced a deep breath.
She said, “Briar, you can’t keep drifting around abroad. Your dad and I decided–you’re staying. You’ll go to Limond University.
Briar didn’t bite, just raised an eyebrow
Louise’s patience was fraying, her voice spiking. “Well What’s it gonna bet”
Briar grinned wider, rubbing her chin. “Whose bright idea was this? I thought you all hated my guts. Why keep me around?”
Before Louise could answer, Briar’s eyes lit up like she’d cracked a case. “Wait a minute.. you’re after my company shares, aren’t you?”
Louise and Martin went stiff, faces like stone
Briar, that’s ridiculous, Louise snapped. “You’re a Shepherd, like it or not. We’d never stab you in the back”
Briar’s eyes darted between them, unconvinced. “Yeah? Then go public. Say I’m the real Shepherd heiress and Imani’s just the adopted kid. How’s that sound!”
“Briar, what-“Imani’s eyes welled up, tears ready to spill.
Louise’s face darkened. “Briar, why?
y are you so damn selfish! Ever think about anyone but yourself?”
Briar stood, her grin pure fire. “Mom, that’s cute, but let’s turn it around. Send me to Limond University? Fine.
“But my shares? You’ll have to rip em from my cold, dead hands!”
She grabbed her suitcase and strutted upstairs, cool as ice. The three at the table looked like they’d been punched, faces dark as thunderclouds.
“How did I raise such a little monster?” Louise hissed, venom in every word.
She wanted Imani to be her real daughter with every fiber of her being.
“Why’d Briar have to waltz in and mess everything up? Can’t she just disappear? she thought, frustration bubbling inside her,
Imani sniffled, tears brimming. “It’s my fault. Briar’s like this cause she hates me.
“Imani, don’t you start,” Louise said, grabbing her hand. “You’re our real daughter. Once Briar signs over those shares, she’s out.”
“Really?” Imani’s face lit up, gratitude practically glowing
Louise nodded. “That troublemaker’s just gonna tank the Shepherd name. You’re our priority, Imani. This family’s got your back.”
Imani dropped her gaze, voice wobbly, “But.. what if big brother comes back? He likes Brian. What if
“No way,” Louise cut in. “Your brother’s got better taste than that. He’d never go for a mess like her.”
Briar couldn’t care less about their scheming. Her mission? Track down the punk who’d jacked the 331 explosion case files.
She logged into the Strucze region’s intranet, pulling up the Animal World chat group. Messages were popping off
Black Wolf [Yo, big news! Snake’s online!]
Briar’s fingers lazily tapped the keyboard.
Black Mamba (Got something!]
Black Wolf [DR–2 vests aren’t mass–produced yet. Only Mestruoland and Cordanland’s Okwell City got a few.]
Black Mamba: [Okwell City?]
2/3
