Chapter 4 - Into the UnderworldThe neon lights of The Velvet Viper, an exclusive underground club in downtown Phoenix, pulsed with heavy bass and thick artificial smoke. It was the kind of place where high-stakes poker games, illegal betting, and dirty money changed hands away from the eyes of local law enforcement.
I walked through the heavy velvet curtains at the entrance, moving with the silent, fluid grace of a trained operative. Two bouncers—massive men built like brick walls—instantly stepped forward to block my path.
"Private club, pal. Membership only," the bigger one growled, eyeing my weathered jacket and calm demeanor.
"I’m here to see Marcus Vance," I said smoothly. "Tell him Isaac Perkins is here to settle his brother’s tab."
The bouncer’s expression flickered with recognition. "Perkins? Oh, the little brother with the military badge. Vance has been waiting to hear from—"
Before he could finish, I executed a lightning-fast pressure-point sweep, grabbing his wrist, twisting it behind his back, and sweeping his legs out from under him while simultaneously using my shoulder to send the second bouncer crashing into the mahogany bar.
It took less than four seconds. Both men were groaning on the floor, completely neutralized without a single shot fired.
The music didn't even skip a beat.
I stepped over them, pushed open the VIP double doors at the back of the club, and walked into a dimly lit poker room filled with thick cigar smoke and terrified whispers.
Sitting at the center table was Marcus Vance—a sharp-suited, cold-eyed syndicate boss playing with a stack of high-value poker chips, while a trembling Liam was tied to a chair in the corner, bruised and bleeding.
"Well, well, well," Vance purred, laying down his cards and leaning back with a sinister grin. "Look what the desert dragged in. The great war hero has finally decided to show up."
Liam raised his swollen head, his eyes wide with sheer terror. "Isaac... run! They’re animals! They’ll kill you!"
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Vance chuckled, snapping his fingers. Instantly, six armed enforcers stepped out from the shadows around the room, raising automatic pistols straight toward my chest.
"Kill me?" I asked, offering a cold, terrifying smile that didn't reach my eyes. "Marcus, you don't even know what I do for a living."
