Chapter 42: These bullets have your boss’s name on them

"Mr. Crow, stop right there!" Surprised by her commanding tone, he stopped in his tracks, signalling his companion to do the same. "Our meeting is being interfered with and I believe someone is waiting for either you or me or both at the front and at the back of the restaurant."

The man nodded slowly, assuming she could see him. Satisfied with his awareness, she proceeded to give them instructions on how to escape unseen.

"Mr. Crow, since neither of us invited this third party to our meeting, follow my instructions and we will all get out safely."

He nodded slowly again, so as to not attract attention that he was on the phone. Luckily he was wearing an in-ear piece and could easily disguise what was going on.

"Can you connect me to your partner as well, can he hear me already?" another subtle affirmative nod.

With this confirmation, Raven started issuing instructions. They were both going to head to the basement level of the restaurant, where more tables were laid out and would not look suspicious. From there, they would have to make their way to the storeroom, which would lead to an exist 2 alleys away through another restaurant that was neighbouring this one. Monitoring the surveillance cameras, Raven could see the party that was following them did not know about this exist.

Satisfied that the men were following her plan, she decided to order a cup of tea and wait for them to leave safely before she would make her move.

As soon as they were safely out, and blended into the crowd she negotiated her requirements over the phone and agreed to meet on delivery.

The men confirmed that they did not know who the third party was, and none of them were sure if they were targeted or if she was targeted through them.

Raven found it suspicious. She had not been in this world long enough to attract unwanted attention, but she couldn't be sure.

Slowly getting up from her table, after finishing her tea, she paid the bill, took off her jacket, revealing a tight turtleneck tank top, put her hair in a messy bun, pinched her cheeks to make them look a bit flushed, and headed straight for the big man at the door of the restaurant.

She would pretend to be tipsy and lure the man to interrogate him. If this world started working against her, she needed some names.

She pretended to stumble, and fell over the big man slightly slurring her words when apologising.

Taken aback by a beautiful woman in his arms, the man couldn't resist and offered to help her get home.

"I-I'm so sorry, I didn't… siiiiiir…" she was sluring her words, keeping her head down in case he would recognise her.

"You're fine miss, it just seems like you had a bit too much to drink, let me help you get a taxi." He was clearly reluctant to move from his spot, but all she needed was for him to walk one block away from the restaurant so he would be out of the field of vision of the rest of his crew.

"T-thank you, oooooh, you're soooooo sweeeerrrt" If she played her cards right, he would move soon. Hanging onto the man like a koala on an eucalyptus tree, he finally reacted and started walking her to the main street where she could get a taxi. He wasn't coming on to her, so at least she knew he was a decent man. She'll let him off easily if he wasn't a big threat.

As soon as they were out of reach of his companions, she suddenly straighten her back, and with a few well-placed short pinches on the right pressure points, the man was paralysed, falling to the ground. With a thud, he landed in quite an awkward position, but it'll have to do.

"Look at me and blink if you can understand." The man had a look of shock and anger on his face, but he blinked once. "I will let you go quickly if you tell me who sent you. You can't speak for now until I decide you won't start shouting for help. Blink if you understand." His face was now turning red from anger for being caught, but he blinked.

"Are you here for me, blink once for yes, twice for no." he seemed to consider her question, and feeling vulnerable he decided to cooperate, he blinked once. Raven had hoped that would not be the case, but it wasn't her lucky day.

"Are you here to kill me?" the man blinked twice. This was a bit of a relief so she continued her interrogation. "Are you here to capture me?" the man blinked twice yet again. Raven was now confused, why was he here then?

"I will unblock your vocal chords so you don't choke, and you will also be able to speak. If I do that will you scream? Remember if you do, I can easily silence you and go about my day." The man blinked twice, signalling he would not scream for help. She quickly pinched the pressure point near his throat and he inhaled sharply. She could tell he was having trouble breathing, anger subsiding and fear of suffocation settling in on his face.

"Who sent you and why are you here?"

Coughing and beathing heavily he tried to reply but he was still having difficulty breathing. Annoyed at the delay, Raven shot him a sharp, predatory look. If he wouldn't speak soon, he was of no use to her and he would die. With another sharp inhale, he spoke "Our master sent us to make sure you were safe."

Raven was pissed. The only one who could do that was Rene and he nearly ruined her deal. If the other party wasn't interested in making money and she hadn't helped them escape, she probably wouldn't have been able to secure her materials. She was going to kill him.

Pulling the man's gun from his holster she decided she would end Rene herself if he couldn't give her a proper explanation.

Seeing the terrified look on the man's face, she decided to do him a favour. Afterall he was decent and this wasn't really his fault.

"Calm down, I'm not going to shoot you. These bullets have someone else's name on them. You'll get back to normal in about 15 minutes, so don't worry. I would suggest not screaming for help and attracting attention lest someone try to mug you. You won't be able to move to defend yourself."

She searched his pockets and took out his walled, flipping through the cards he had in to finally find his ID.

"I'll take that. I need to have a word with your boss."

She walked off, ready to spill some blood.