ELSEWHERE.
" No sir we can't give you any more bottles, I think that's okay for the day." The female bartender said to a drunken fellow.
He grumbled and walked briskly back to his sit.
The man slumped in his chair, his loud guffaws and slurred shouts filling the bar with an obnoxious din, making it hard for others to enjoy their drinks in peace.
The bartender's firm but polite tone didn't deter the drunk man from his antics. He flopped back into his chair, his laughter and shouts growing louder, echoing off the walls as he continued to revel in his own inebriated world. The other patrons exchanged annoyed glances, some covering their ears or shaking their heads in dismay. The bartender watched him warily, her eyes flicking to the phone, ready to call for security if needed.
Before she could alert the security, a man walked up to her with a smile on his face and said.
" Honey, I don't think it'll be necessary for that."
" What?" She muttered feeling confused rather.
The man was dressed in a tailored suit, his dark hair perfectly styled, and a charming smile that seemed to disarm the bartender's tension. "Let me handle this," he said, his voice smooth and confident, as he nodded towards the drunk man.
The bartender raised an eyebrow, unsure what to make of this newcomer, but she hesitated, intrigued by his calm demeanor. She stepped back, allowing him to approach the drunk man.
The suited man's smile never wavered as he walked up to the drunk man and said, "Hey, buddy, I think it's time to call it a night, don't you?"
The drunk man looked up, his eyes bleary, and for a moment, he seemed to focus on the suited man. Then, to the bartender's surprise, the drunk man's demeanor changed, and he nodded, standing up with the suited man's help.
"Thanks, man," the drunk man slurred, as the suited man guided him out of the bar, the noise and commotion dissipating in their wake.
The bartender watched, puzzled, wondering what had just transpired. Who was this man, and how did he manage to calm the drunk man down so effortlessly?
As the suited man and the drunk man exited the bar, the atmosphere seemed to relax, and the patrons returned to their conversations. The bartender, however, couldn't shake off the feeling that something unusual had just occurred. She watched the door, wondering if the suited man would return alone.
A few minutes later, he did, walking back into the bar with a confident stride. He caught her eye and smiled, his gaze lingering for a moment before he took a seat at the end of the bar.
"What can I get you?" the bartender asked, her tone a little softer than before.
"Just a whiskey, neat," he replied, his voice low and smooth.
As she poured his drink, she couldn't help but ask, "You seemed to know that guy pretty well."
The suited man chuckled and took a sip of his whiskey. "Let's just say I have a way with people."
The bartender raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "You must have a very interesting job."
He smiled again, his eyes glinting with amusement. "You have no idea."
" So if may intrude, what's your name? Because I haven't seen this face in here before."
The suited man smiled, seeming to enjoy the bartender's curiosity. "I'm Alexander," he said, his voice low and smooth. "And I think I've been in here a few times, just not always noticeable."
He leaned in slightly, his eyes locked on hers. "And you are...?"
The bartender felt a flutter in her chest, but she smiled back, playing along. "I'm Sophia. Nice to meet you, Alexander. We don't get many new faces in here, especially not ones as... memorable as yours."
Alexander's smile deepened, and he nodded, his gaze lingering on hers for a moment before he looked away, sipping his whiskey. "I'm glad I stand out," he said, his voice dripping with charm.
Sophia laughed, feeling a spark of attraction. "You definitely stand out," she said, wiping down the counter with a towel. "So, Alexander, what brings you in here tonight? Business or pleasure?"
Alexander's smile hinted at secrets. "A little bit of both, maybe. I was just taking care of a... situation."
Sophia raised an eyebrow. "A situation?"
Alexander leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Let's just say I have a knack for resolving conflicts. People seem to know that about me."
Sophia's curiosity was piqued. "You sound like a man with a lot of experience."
Alexander's eyes locked onto hers, and for a moment, Sophia felt like he could see right through her. "I've had my fair share of experiences," he said, his voice low and mysterious.
The air between them seemed to vibrate with tension, and Sophia found herself leaning in closer, intrigued by the enigmatic stranger.
Alexander broke the silence closing in.
" Do you know a man called Vladimir mykhailo, a regular here and a good friend of Justin Bale?"
Sophia's expression changed, and she glanced around the bar nervously before leaning in closer to Alexander. "You're asking about Vladimir?" she whispered. "What business do you have with him?"
Alexander's eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze intense. "Let's just say I have a... mutual acquaintance who wants to get in touch with him. Do you know if he's been around lately?"
Sophia hesitated, her eyes darting around the bar again before she leaned in closer. "Vladimir's been... laying low, lately. He's been in a few times, but he's been keeping a low profile. Justin's been covering his tab, so I haven't seen much of him."
Alexander's eyes sparkled with interest. "Justin Bale, you say? I think I'll have to have a word with him."
Sophia's eyes widened slightly, a hint of warning in her voice. "Be careful around Justin, Alexander. He's not someone to be trifled with. He's got connections, and he doesn't take kindly to strangers poking around in his business."
Alexander's expression remained calm, but a flicker of interest danced in his eyes. "Connections, you say? That's exactly what I'm counting on."
He took a sip of his whiskey, his gaze never leaving Sophia's face. "Tell me more about Justin Bale. What's his game, and what kind of connections does he have?"
Sophia hesitated, her eyes darting around the bar nervously before she leaned in closer, her voice barely above a whisper. "Justin has ties to some very powerful people, Alexander. People who wouldn't hesitate to hurt anyone who gets in their way. If you're looking to get in touch with Vladimir, you'd be better off being careful. Very careful."
Alexander's smile was cold, calculating. "I appreciate your concern, Sophia. But I think I can handle myself."
Her face a bit flustered from the way Alexander kept calm about everything she has to say about Vladimir and Justin.
" What do you do?" She asked without a warning.
" Let's just say am a little connection to the big dogs." He replied her.
She burst out laughing making the crowd question her joy, which was a bit surprising to Alexander but he kept his calm.
"Ah, a little connection to the big dogs, huh?" Sophia repeated, still chuckling. "You're either very confident or very crazy. I'm not sure which one it is yet."
Alexander's expression remained stoic, but a hint of amusement danced in his eyes. "Maybe a little bit of both," he said, his voice low and smooth.
Sophia's laughter had drawn attention from the other patrons, and she was still grinning when she leaned in closer to Alexander. "I think I'm going to enjoy having you around, Alexander. You're definitely not like the usual guys who come in here."
Alexander's smile was subtle, but it reached his eyes. "I think I'm going to enjoy it too, Sophia. I think I'm going to enjoy it a lot."
The air between them seemed to thicken, and for a moment, they just looked at each other, the tension palpable. Then, Sophia broke the silence, her voice husky. "What do you say I give you another drink, on the house?"
____Alexander's eyes locked onto Sophia's, and for a moment, it seemed like he was searching for something beneath the surface. Then, he smiled, and his gaze dropped to her lips. "I'd love another drink," he said, his voice low and smooth. "But don't think you're buying my silence that easily, Sophia."
Sophia's cheeks flushed, and she laughed, a throaty sound that sent a spark of attraction through the air. "Oh, I think I can handle myself," she said, pouring him another whiskey with a sly smile.
As she handed him the glass, their fingers touched, and a jolt of electricity ran through both of them. Alexander's eyes snapped back to Sophia's, and for a moment, they just looked at each other, the tension between them crackling like a live wire.
Sophia was the first to break the silence, her voice husky. "So, Alexander, what do you say we get out of here? I know a place that's a little more... private."
Alexander's smile was slow and deliberate, and he raised an eyebrow. "I think that's a wonderful idea, Sophia."
They talked for a while, even though she attended to other customers, as soon as the clock hit 10:30 pm they both walked out laughing.
He waited for her.
They were both burrowing a busy route when someone stumbled on Sophia.
" Hey watch it!" Alexander yelled.
" Am so sorry___not really watching my path, am just a bit distracted." The man said with his voice somewhat sad.
" Well, thank you for sharing that much."
Alex said making Sophia let out a soft chuckle as they both left the man, straining like he wanted to add something but held back.
As they walked away, Sophia glanced back over her shoulder, her eyes meeting the man's for a brief moment. She could see the mixture of frustration and sadness in his eyes, and for a moment, she felt a pang of sympathy.
"Hey, you okay?" she asked Alexander, nudging him with her elbow. "You're not usually this... fiery."
Alexander's expression softened, and he wrapped his arm around Sophia's shoulders, pulling her close. "Just making sure you're okay," he said, his voice low and gentle. "You're a little firecracker, aren't you?"
Sophia laughed and leaned into him, feeling a sense of comfort and security in his presence. "I can handle myself, but thanks for looking out for me," she said, smiling up at him.
As they turned a corner, the streetlights casting long shadows behind them, Sophia felt a sense of excitement and anticipation. She had a feeling that this night was going to be one she wouldn't soon forget.
"So, where were we?" she asked, her voice husky, as she looked up at Alexander with a mischievous glint in her eye.
Just as Alexander was about to respond, the mysterious man from earlier rushed back and slammed a bar into the back of Alexander's head, sending him crashing to the ground.
Sophia's eyes widened in shock as she cried out, "Alexander!" She rushed to his side, her heart racing with concern.
The man stood over them, his eyes flashing with a mix of anger and desperation. "I'm sorry," he muttered, his voice barely audible. "I didn't mean to... I have to find him."
Sophia's eyes narrowed, her mind racing with questions. Who was this man, and what did he want with Alexander? She gently turned Alexander's head, checking for injuries. "What have you done?" she demanded, her voice firm but shaking with worry.
The man's eyes darted back and forth, and for a moment, it seemed like he might say something. But then, he turned and fled into the night, leaving Sophia to tend to Alexander's battered form.
PRESENT DAY.
After arranging our luggage in a warehouse as Vinnie said safehouse.
I took myself to bed without addressing any issue on ground leaving the others in thoughts.
From my sleep I could hear my phone vibrating me back to reality.
I groggily picked up the phone, my voice heavy with sleep. "Hello, Sarah, what's up?" I croaked. But before I could even get the question out, Sarah's words jolted me awake. "You remember Alexander Lancaster?"
My expression darkened instantly. Alexander Lancaster - the smug, self-assured, and infuriatingly competent individual who seemed to always be one step ahead. I hadn't thought about him in a while, but the memories came flooding back. "What about him?" I asked curtly, my tone a mixture of disinterest and hostility.
But Sarah's next words made my blood run cold. "He's been hospitalized."
The phone nearly slipped from my grasp as my grip tightened. Hospitalized? What had happened to him? I felt a spark of surprise, followed by a wave of curiosity. What could have taken down someone as resilient as Alexander Lancaster?
I sat up straight, my mind racing with questions. "What happened?" I demanded, my tone no longer sleepy or disinterested.
But before Sarah could respond, I realized I had already hung up. I stared at the phone, a mixture of emotions swirling inside me. Why had I hung up?.