Chapter 12
Tiana had seen Briar’s photo before. In person? Briar was a knockout–slim, almost fragile, not the type
she’d | per
Briar spun around, flashing a sly grin.
The a brawler.
She grabbed Imani’s collar, her voice sharp but casual. “You lookin‘ for help, huh?“Imani’s lips twitched, too spooked to speak
Even with Briar’s smile, something about her screamed danger–the kind that sent chills down your spine.
Before Imani could squeak out a word. Briar tossed her to the dirt like a ragdoll.
“Hey!” Tiana rushed to pull Imans up, waving at the guys behind her. “Robert, that’s the chick I told you about. Teach her a lesson she won’t forget
The punks eyed the two gorgeous girls, hesitating. But Tiana’s words lit a spark, and they swapped quick glances.
Robert Larsen, their leader, flicked his half–smoked cigarette to the ground, crushing it under his heel. “Alright, sweetheart, he said to Briar, “Say sorry, and we’ll call it quits. No need to make this ugly”
“Robert-“Tiana’s face twisted, ready to argue
Shut it!” Robert snapped, glaring at her before turning back to Briar. “C’mon, girl, we’re here for a job. Gotta give her some face, Just apologize
“For real?” Briar raised an eyebrow, her eyes glinting with amused dishebel. “You’ve got some guts talking to me like that.
She’d cut her teeth in the brutal Strucze region. Taking down punks? That was her thing
Elite assassins and battle–hardened soldiers didn’t dare cross her. These lowlifes thought they could step up she thought.
Her words hit like a gut punch, and the punks froze, caught off guard.
Rhea tugged Briar’s sleeve, whispering, “Briar, maybe just let it go?”
To her, there were too many of them. If this got messy. Briar could get hurt. They could settle this later.
Briar tilted her chin, smirking. My girl’s giving you a free pass Scram before I make you”
Rhea went quiet, stunned. The others stood there, jos tight.
“Hell no!” Robert spat. “I was playing nice cause you’re a chick, but you’re asking for it! Boys, lec’s roll! These two look like fun!”
Tiana smirked, smug as hell “Iman, let’s see this bitch act tough after today!
Imani’s eyes shimmered with tears. “Isn’t this.. a bit much?”
“She didn’t think it was too much when she was beating you down, Tiana shot back. “You’re too soft, Imani. That’s why she walks all over you
Imani bit her lip, looking torn, but a sharp glint flashed in her eyes as she glanced at Briar.
‘Let’s see you eat dirt, Brar, she thought
“Briar, what do we–Rhea started, but Briar was already on it, snagging a thug’s fist mid–air like it was nothing
One vicious kick later, Robert–the wannabe tough guy–flew back, knocking over his goons like dominoes.
Rhea’s jaw hit the floor.
“Damn ul“ Robert crashed onto the pavement, spitting blood, teeth wobbling. Furious, he barked, “Get her!”
Briar pulled Rhea behind her, eyes sharp as she dodged a punch and clamped her hand around Robert’s throat like a steel trap. “Cordanland’s laws are the only thing keeping you alive, punk,”
“Guh let go. Robert wheezed
Thud. The thug boss hit the ground, barely moving
No one saw it coming. Briar, this slim college girl, was a total beast. The other goons froze, second–guessing everything
Briar stepped on a thug’s hand, grinding her sneaker into his fingers. Blood stained the concrete as he screamed.
1/3
1:29 PM c
Chapter 12
“Next,” she said, ice in her voice.
She strolled over to Tiana and Imani, smirking “What, these losers were supposed to take me out? This a joke!”
Imani’s voice shook. “Briar, I didn’t–ow” A sharp slap cut her off, her check blazing
Briar’s grin was p
“You”
Another slap
was pure poison. “Imani, how many of those eighty slaps I owe you are left?”
“Ow!” Imani cried
“Answer me. Briar said, smiling like a predator “How many?”
Tiana stayed mute, petrified she’d be next.
Imani gritted her teeth, humiliated. “Seventy–one.”
“Solid math,” Briar said, nodding.
The goons grabbed a half–dead Robert and turned to run
Briar’s voice stopped them cold. “Go ahead, bolt. Ill hunt you down. I’m way meaner off campus”
They froze, terned Briar was a nightmare to them now.
Everyone glared at Tiana, pissed. “You didn’t say she was a psychol
“Imani, what now? Tiana whispered, clutching Imani’s arm, trembling
Imani just stared at the ground, shaking.
Then, a voice cut through. “What the hell’s going on!!”
A balding guy in a dress shirt stormed over, gold–rimmed glasses glinting, faculty badge swinging.
Everyone froze. Briar raised her hand like she was caught cheating on a test. “Hi, teach! Imani from drama hired these off–campus thugs to jump
The group stared, stunned by her nerve. ‘Is she seriously playing the victim card first
Meanwhile, in a Limoind Coty hospital
“So, in like, five minutes, some girl got your photo, fingerprints, blood, and your number?Cyrus leaned back on his hospital bed, staring daggers at Enzo
Enzo scratched his nose, sheepish. “Chill, man. This is Limond, not Strueze region. She’s just a college girl. My phone screen cracked–accident.
Cyrus gave a low, skeptical chuckle. “Too many accidents ain’t accidents
“A regular college girl? One who’s running meds for the International Medical Institute? He couldn’t buy it.
Enzo shrugged. “Fine, what’s the play? Strueze region’s hitmen are still after you. Check this girl out?”
“Do it,” Cyrus said.
“Got it.” * Enzo paused. “Oh, Mr. Jefferson’s in Limond. You wanna see him!”
Cyrus frowned. “Mr. Jefferson?”
“Yeah, big project at Limond University. He’s running it. You should probably show, but your injuries-
I’m fine.” Cyrus said, waving it off. “Tomorrow, Limond University.“
