Russian Roulette /̵͇̿̿/’̿’̿ ̿ ̿̿ ̿̿ ̿̿
CHAPTER 12
Just before they arrived at the meeting location, Tessa began attaching a suppressor to her handgun. However, Vicente grabbed her wrist, stopping her.
When she looked at him in question, he dismissed it with a short, matter-of-fact response.
“Don’t bother with that. If you’re going to shoot, just shoot. Let the ones who plan to run know in advance so they can flee.”
“…”
“That way, there’ll be fewer complications later.”
Wasn’t there an option to handle things quietly with minimal collateral damage? But arguing with him wasn’t an option, so Tessa simply gave a silent nod.
“Understood.”
The sedan carrying them came to a stop in front of a luxurious hotel. As soon as she stepped out, Tessa took in the familiar air around her. How many years had it been since she last returned to the capital? The distant hum of everyday life, even the faint scents mixed in the air, stirred a sense of nostalgia within her.
But there was no time to dwell on sentimental thoughts. The moment she exited the car, she positioned herself in front of where Vicente would step out.
One of his attendants, who had been sitting in the front seat, opened the door for him. The moment Vicente’s polished shoe touched the smooth stone pavement, Tessa instinctively moved to bow in front of him, as she always did.
“Tessa, stop.”
His voice was firm, as if he were training a dog. Tessa froze mid-motion, left standing stiffly as she watched him light a cigarette.
She found herself wondering how a man of his size had even managed to fit inside the sedan. He was tall, towering, his broad frame casting a shadow that blocked the sunlight behind him. The golden light formed a halo around his dark hair, a stark contrast that made him seem almost otherworldly.
Click. A crisp metallic sound rang as his Zippo lighter flicked open, followed by the soft glow of the cigarette’s tip catching fire. With half-lidded eyes, he inhaled the smoke, the movement languid and sensual.
Tessa was convinced she had lost her mind.
How could she possibly be thinking something like that while looking at Vicente Zermo? No matter that he was the only Guide she could rely on!
After a few drags, Vicente flicked the cigarette away without hesitation. One of his men promptly stepped forward, crushing it under his shoe.
“I brought you here because I couldn’t just leave you behind.”
His voice came from the shadowed space between them, the backlight from the sun obscuring his features. Only his sharp, familiar gaze cut through the darkness, holding hers captive.
“Not that I think you would, but if you were to run, it would be a pain to deal with.”
“I have nowhere to run.”
“That’s right. You were sold to me, after all.”
What did he just say?
For a brief moment, Tessa doubted her own ears. But before she could process it, Vicente leaned down toward her. He tapped her shoulder lightly, his face close as he flashed a lazy smile.
“I want to use you as sparingly as possible.”
“……”
“So don’t go thinking you’ll be treated the same as those bastards. You have a completely different purpose.”
In that instant, Tessa lost control over herself. The thought that surfaced in her mind slipped out of her mouth before she could stop it.
“Then why was I assigned to this mission?”
Vicente’s expression was unreadable as he studied her. She knew she was making a mistake, yet she couldn’t stop.
“Assuming that I might get shot, that is.”
“I already know from last time that your body doesn’t break so easily.”
His voice was calm, as if he were simply stating an obvious fact. And yet, hearing it come from his lips made her skin crawl.
“Just don’t die. I’ll fix you if you break.”
“That’s not something I can control.”
“Are you sure about that?”
Her arrogant Guide flashed one last smirk before stepping past her and heading into the hotel.
Tessa stared after him, her mind churning.
I should’ve just died back then.
The empty magazine had ruined everything.
No, Tessa. Just think about the day you’ll finally be free. Stop wasting time on useless thoughts. This job will end eventually, too.
With that thought, she forced herself to calm down and stepped into the hotel, following after Vicente and his men.
Despite his infamous reputation, little was publicly known about Vicente. Even as he entered with a large group of subordinates, most people continued with their work, assuming it was just another corporate visit.
Tessa was more concerned about those people than she was about Vicente. She could only hope no conflicts would arise, but if even one person lost their life, she knew she wouldn’t be able to sleep, let alone guide properly.
That was why she was determined to do her best on this mission.
Javier’s people had yet to arrive. Tessa spread out with the rest of Vicente’s dogs, keeping watch as they awaited their arrival.
And then—
“Tessa!”
A voice called out her name, one that sounded both unfamiliar and familiar at the same time.
Near where she was standing, there was a cafeteria. The owner of the voice was calling to her from there.
“Tessa Ambrose!”
“…Dina?”
Tessa barely managed to pull a name from her memory. The once-faded impression of the person grew clearer.
Dina Schultz. A barista from a café Tessa used to frequent long ago.
They had been close enough to speak informally with each other.
That had been years ago.
Dina beamed as she approached, clearly delighted to see Tessa again, and pulled her into a hug.
“Tessa! It’s been so long! Where have you been all this time? Did you go abroad? You just disappeared out of nowhere—I was so sad! I thought you moved away without telling me.”
“…Something came up.”
This wasn’t the time for idle chatter. Tessa knew she had to get Dina away from here. But how? It had been far too long since she last had a direct conversation with a civilian she knew personally.
She had forgotten how normal people talked to one another.
“You look so worn out.”
Dina cupped Tessa’s face with concern.
“Did something happen?”
“Dina.”
“And you’re still wearing the same outfits as before. But, well, suits do suit you. Then and now.”
No—was getting her to leave really the issue?
A terrible realization struck Tessa.
A major incident could happen here.
She had to warn Dina. Even if she couldn’t tell her the details.
“Dina, you need to leave this place for a while. Don’t ask questions.”
“…What? What are you talking about? If I leave, I’ll get fired from the hotel.”
“Just—for a little while. Even two hours is fine. Just don’t stay here. I’m telling you this for your own good.”
“If I do that, my manager’s going to lecture me into the ground. What’s going on?”
Dina didn’t understand. Of course, she didn’t.
How could she possibly predict that a clash between two powerful factions might erupt in this very place?
Dina lived in a peaceful world.
To people like her, gunfights and deaths were things that only happened in movies. Their lives were too far removed from such violence to imagine it ever touching them.
They never even considered the possibility of such a tragedy befalling them.
Tessa wanted to get Dina out of here.
Ever since infiltrating Saint Leroi, she had trained herself to anticipate the worst-case scenario first. This was no different.
Dina could die.
That could not happen.
“Dina, please. Just this once, do as I say—”
A dull thwack rang out.
Dina let out a choked scream as she crumpled to the ground.
One of Vicente’s men had struck her across the face.
The attacker was Gregory Harding, one of the biggest enforcers in Vicente’s ranks. Without even sparing Dina another glance, he grabbed Tessa by the collar, his sharp blue eyes burning with hostility.
“Ambrose, are you kidding me? You think this is the time to be gossiping with some civilian bitch?”
“Harding, let go.”
As a Sentinel, it would’ve been easy for her to shake him off.
But Harding looked furious, as if he was itching to hit her but knew he couldn’t. Everyone in Vicente’s ranks was aware of the special treatment she received.
His face turned red with anger as he spat out a warning.
“Get your head straight and focus. If you keep acting like this, I won’t have a choice but to report you to the boss.”
“Go ahead. Let’s see what happens.”
Tessa’s weary response only made Harding’s fist tighten. He looked ready to strike, but another subordinate stepped in to stop him.
“Harding! Did you forget what the boss said? Leave Tessa alone. Don’t start something you can’t handle.”
Harding gritted his teeth but eventually backed off, throwing one last glare at Tessa before storming away.
Left behind was Dina, still on the ground, clutching her bruised cheek.
Tessa couldn’t say anything to her.
Not even an apology.
The best thing she could do for Dina now was to not speak to her at all.
So, without a word, she walked past her.
All she could do was hope that Dina would remember her warning.
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