Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 440

The man in black frowned, turning his head to scan the surroundings. Everywhere he looked, paths of escape were blocked by onlookers. It was clear; he had become the prey Tarquin had successfully cornered.

"Great, just great. When it rains, it pours, doesn't it?" He mocked himself under his breath, then, as if transforming into a different person, his expression suddenly became dark and menacing.

He glared at the gloomy sky, muttering coldly, "Oh, fate, you're really throwing curveballs at me today, huh? Trying to mess up my plans? Ha, you're underestimating me. My fate is my own, not yours to control. No one, except my beloved, can add to my troubles!"

After saying that, he closed his eyes, picturing the face and laughter of his beloved, whispering to himself, "One, two, three!"

His eyes snapped open, his mood reset. He looked at Tarquin, scoffed twice, and with his hands in his jacket pockets, started walking towards him.

Tarquin, unable to hear what he was mumbling, leaned quietly against the car, calmly smoking a cigarette, watching him without a hint of panic. Although he didn't know who the man was, he knew he wasn't just anybody.

When the man stopped a meter away, he bluntly asked, "So, what's this about? You looking to kill or chat?"

Tarquin, slightly surprised, narrowed his eyes. He had followed Elliot and Evan here, cornering the man with questions in mind, but hadn't expected him to jump straight to talk of killing.

"Have I wronged you in some way? Why would I need to kill you?" Tarquin retorted.

The man in black chuckled, turning the question back, "If there's no beef between us, why corner me? I haven’t done anything wrong. I'm one of the good guys."

Tarquin flicked his cigarette, "Good guys don't skulk around in the shadows."

"Well, by that logic, you're no saint either. You've been sneaking around after two kids tonight, and now you've cornered me," the man shot back.

Tarquin openly admitted, "I've never claimed to be a good guy."

"Ah, but see, we differ there. I never claim to be a bad guy."

He continued, now seemingly more excited, "Let me tell you a secret. I got played by those kids earlier. Right now, I'm as weak as a kitten, no strength to resist at all. You could easily kill me if you wanted to. What do you think? Tempted?"

Tarquin looked at him narrowly, "Looking for an easy way out?"