Top Assassins Call Me The Lady Boss novel Chapter 196

Chapter 196: "Why now?"

Chapter One Hundred and Ninety-Six

Cole

The police station smelled of sweat. That smell alone was enough to pull him back to so many years ago.

The first time they dragged him into a place like this, he’d been barely fourteen. The officers had stared at him like he was lying about his age. He’d been tall, scarred, hard-eyed already. Nothing about him had looked like a boy who should still be worrying about homework or games.

He hadn’t had that kind of life.

While other kids his age played football or ran home before dark, he’d learned how to run from things. How to take a hit. How to throw a fist. How to stay quiet. How to survive.

It hadn’t been the last time either.

Stations like this had seen him more than once, handcuffed, questioned, and released before he even turned fourteen. Each time, a little older. A little colder. Until the day he was taken to Marco’s Villa and everything changed. All he had to do was show a card and he was bowed to and asked to go. A few asking him to recommend them to his bosses.

Cole tightened his jaw and pushed the memories down.

This wasn’t the time.

His eyes lowered but listening. To Daniel’s forced irritation beside him. To the officers moving in and out like this was just another day.

The plan had worked too well.

The police had been waiting long before their car arrived. Cole had played his part perfectly; slow reactions, make the wrong turns, make harmless excuses enough to delay them. Enough to make sure they were caught.

Asli had wanted that.

What she’d promised, though, was a call when it was over.

His phone was still in his pocket when they’d been dragged in. He’d checked it once. Nothing. Checked again. Still nothing.

That was when the unease started.

Asli never forgot to check in. Never.

When the officer finally demanded their phones, Cole hesitated just half a second too long before handing it over. His chest tightened as it disappeared onto the table with the rest of their belongings.

Interrogation dragged. Questions looped. Accusations that went nowhere.

Cole answered calmly, cooperatively, and too calmly.

All the while, his thoughts were elsewhere.

Call me. Just call me.

He didn’t care about being arrested. Didn’t care about charges that would dissolve the moment he wanted them to. He only cared that time was passing and Asli was silent.

That was wrong.

Finally, he’d had enough.

"This is pointless," Cole said evenly. He reached into his jacket, slow and deliberate, and pulled out a slim black card.

The card was heavy when it left his fingers.

Laminated black. His name was engraved cleanly at the top. His photograph beneath it. It had no slogans or unnecessary markings. Just enough to say who he was to anyone who mattered.

The moment it slid across the table, the chief stiffened. Recognition flickered across his face and his posture changed instantly. He didn’t need to ask anymore questions. The card was their law outside the Villa and was renewed every year.

"I’ll need a moment," the chief said, already standing.

Cole exhaled slowly, forcing his shoulders to drop. He knew Markus was telling the truth. As long as they were there, she’d be safe. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

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