Chapter 53 - you sound even more suspicious now

"It is the perfect time. Lend me a hand… we still have a shipment to interrupt." A devious large grin that Alexander and Ace failed to notice formed on Riggs thin velvet lips.

Ace stops in his tracks with a disbelief look on his face,

"WHAT?! What shipment?" Riggs rolled his eyes as he turned to see his scrupulous expression.

"ey, what the heck is that face your making." as if not hearing his fault-finding inquiry, he was disturbed by his cynical look.

"What do you mean to interrupt a shipment?" all of a sudden his tone turned grim thinking what he was referring is connected to the crime organization hidden in this island.

Scanning the area, seeing most people are preoccupied with their own task, Riggs muttered.

"Apparently, there will be visitors tonight or tomorrow, not sure actually." in a matter of factly tone, he explained.

"You… you're the one that caused the explosion?" the incredulous tone of Alexander Han as pieces of information are coming to his knowledge.

"Uhh, yeah." It is, in fact, him who bombarded the building but that is what all he's done and since he couldn't blabber every detail about Seraphina who was the one turned that place the land of the dead and still insist on shipping the bodies instead of the supposed goods in her condition — he felt that he needs to finish what his bossman started since Luciano, who's in fact, Seraphina now, seems to be obsessed messing with this group.

"C'mon man, duties and responsibilities you said, eh?"

"Since when it's your responsibility to take care of this island?" suspicion rose in him about the complete sudden change of heart — Ace interrogated.

"Man, knowing those felons. If they knew that their precious factory was destroyed, don't you think they will not turn the whole island upside down? Not to mention, our little young beautiful, modest miss is here. Prevention is better than cure, yes?" though his irrelevant servile was questionable given that Seraphina is not around, his coherent reasoning left Ace no way of rebutting.

That is right, knowing how fearless those people in the underground society —they will follow you to the ends of the world if you mess with them. Thus, what Riggs said is a fact.

They might as well stop them from waking them up with bombs and bullets first thing in the morning rather than risking their lives because of their negligence.

"Alright, but why mess with them in the first place?" though agreeing to his plan, Ace still felt that he is kept in the dark about why of all people, Riggs would mess with someone without a green light from Luciano. It was out of his character —usually, he avoids getting tangled up with mobs unless Luciano says so but why now? Is it really just what he was saying or there is more he needs to know?

"I didn't mean to. They just kept our bo-- young miss captive. Left with no choice." shrugging unruffled whilst lying with the half-truth. He turned his gaze to Alexander Han who is utterly appalled to their seemingly normal conversation.

"Are you …"

"Ah, don't over think pretty man. We're former soldiers." claiming that they are the good guys and does not have any connection to any crime organization nor being the felons itself --which is, of course, a lie. They are felons who break the laws, the only difference is that Luciano has other interest than smuggling drugs nor human trafficking making them a little different from any mob groups.

"Why bring him anyway?" now that Alexander Han's presence came to notice, it was unclear to him what does this pretty man can actually contribute to their plan.

"Our hostage. We are trusting and giving the benefit of the doubt of our little miss's life. But just to be sure they won't do something funny --well, just fill in the blanks what comes after."

"They won't. I am coming if it'll ease your minds. We might have a different reason, but I wanted to protect this island as well." Alexander Han is fed up to the stubborn man's constant insinuations but for some reasons, he understands his hostility towards him.

"Right, you can actually contribute something… weapons." Ace was reminded. When they are preparing their rescue mission, he noticed weapons hidden in one of the supplies they brought. Also, some of their men are equipped with high-level firearms that can only be used properly with thorough training and experience. It was his expertise after all, thus, he knew what type and how challenging it is using a complicated weapon in just one glance.

"Great! Do you have a McMillan Tac-50?" receiving the news, Riggs was elated. It would always better to be equipped beforehand than looting it in the process anyway.

"We don't. But we do have a Barrett M82A1 in our possession."

"You sound even more suspicious now, either way, let's get those hot chicks ready. Lead the way." almost jumping from excitement, Riggs circled his thumbs up whilst tilting his head signaling him to get going. Slightly shaking his head to his remarks, Alex leads the way. Passing by the crowded busy people muttering indistinct conversation up to the supplies they brought.

"Young master," The man with a huge healed burned scar almost covering his face voice was heard. Seeing the preoccupied men revealing their different kinds of equipment hidden in one of their carts, his brows knitted.

"What are you doing?" referring to Riggs and Ace who's busy choosing what weapon they wanted to use and bring.

"Isn't obvious?" Riggs who didn't even bother to turn his head to the unknown person spoke.

"It's fine. Tell elder Hong I'm coming with them."

"Young master, did they threatened you?"

"You can say that."- Riggs on the side nonchalantly uttered.

"Don't overthink, Brandon. We'll be back tomorrow. Just make sure the fire won't spread throughout the island." not backing up Riggs words, he assured the man named Brandon. He examined the two shady men who're busy chattering with each other not giving their full attention to him before he sighs.

"Young master, don't put yourself into something dangerous again." Brandon though not knowing what these men are up to — he was concerned about his young master whom he owes his life.

"I'm won't." with a reassuring smile, Alexander affirmed.

"And… we are loaded! You coming?" turning his head to Brandon who's eyes filled with worry, Riggs asked. Brandon glared at him who has an ear to ear grin plastered all over his face.

"No, he won't. Let's go." leaving Brandon without giving him a second glance. Riggs lightly tap his shoulder whilst cl_i_c_k_i_n_g his tongue in a disappointed manner as he passes by him. Ace, on the other hand, shakes his head to his confidant's inappropriate teasing.

"His young master doesn't trust him, eh?" Riggs deliberately spoke loudly for the ugly scared man to hear.

"Shh. shut up, his gone now." Ace hushed him, annoyed by Riggs childish teasing.

"uh, that was fast." turning to see the man that supposedly behind them, he was amused how the man got over being rejected by his boss.