The King Of War Returns (Jaden Rift) novel Chapter 47

“What’s up, Baron? We got the girls. Send the money.”

Rafael leaned back in his seat, cigar smoke curling around his tattooed face as he gave a wicked grin.

Baron trembled, sweat soaking through his collar. The phone was on loudspeaker, and everyone in the room could hear it. Jaden stood silently beside him, eyes fixed on the phone like a predator waiting to strike.

“Abort the mission,” Baron stammered, voice shaky. “Release the girls immediately and I’ll still pay your money.”

There was a pause on the other end.

“What?” Rafael raised a brow. He took the cigar from his lips, blowing out a thick stream of smoke. “Did you hit your head or drink bleach? Say that again.”

“I said release the girls, you idiot! Just do it!” Baron barked, his voice cracking from panic.

A slow, angry chuckle crawled through the speaker.

“You spoiled, soft-ass brat. You think I’m your delivery boy? You send me on a mission, then call it off like I’m some cheap errand boy?” Rafael’s tone dropped. “If you want ‘em back now, it’s ten times the price. Ten million. Or I’ll start a party with them first.”

“We agreed on one million!” Baron shrieked, eyes wide with disbelief.

“Well, plans changed,” Rafael said flatly. “And so did my mood. Frankly, I’m even thinking of keeping them both. That brunette’s got fire. I like fire.”

Jaden had heard enough.

He snatched the phone from Baron’s hand and pressed it to his ear. “Where are you?”

There was a long pause. Then Rafael laughed darkly.

“Ah... so you’re the one twisting Baron’s balls. Figures. You want your little angels back? Bring the ten mil to the Devil Club. Alone. No cops, no trackers. You bring heat, I bring coffins.”

“I’m coming,” Jaden said, and hung up.

Baron dared to open his mouth. “Can I go now—”

SPLAT!

Jaden waved a single hand. A razor-sharp arc of energy sliced clean through Baron’s neck. His head tumbled to the ground like a ball, a spray of blood misting the air. His body twitched violently before falling limp.

One of his goons yanked it off roughly. Her lip split, blood trickling down her chin.

Rafael leaned close, his breath thick with smoke and alcohol. “You look like you haven’t even been touched. Still pure, huh? What’s your name, sweetheart?”

Julie glared at him, blood on her teeth. “My brother’s going to kill you. You touch me, and you're dead. All of you are dead!”

The room burst into laughter.

“Foolish girl,” Rafael said, gripping her chin tightly. “Your brother? Who do you think he is—some hero from a bedtime story? This is the Devil Club, darling. Heroes don’t walk out of here alive.”

The laughter grew louder. Julie’s confidence faltered for a second. The air was thick with danger, lust, and death. She was starting to panic now. What if Jaden didn’t come? What if she never saw him again?

“Big brother… please,” her voice cracked, eyes welling up.

Then she screamed from her soul—

“BIG BROTHER, HELP ME!!!”