Chapter 38: Kidnapped
The night was still, an eerie calm settling over the city. Leo had just finished a meal when his phone buzzed. He frowned, seeing an unknown number flash across the screen.
"Who is this?" he answered, his tone sharp.
The voice on the other end was gruff, filled with smug satisfaction. "We have your friend. If you want him alive, come to the docks. No police, no backup. You have two hours."
Leo's heart sank, his grip on the phone tightening. "Who? What friend?"
The caller laughed. "Don't play dumb. The man you're always with—Kai."
The line went dead, leaving Leo frozen. His mind raced, fear gripping him for a moment before something snapped inside him.
He replayed the words in his head. Kai kidnapped? The absurdity of it hit him like a wave, and a sudden, incredulous laugh escaped him.
"Oh, you idiots," Leo muttered, shaking his head. "You have no idea what you've just done."
He immediately dialed Ryo, Kai's second-in-command.
"Ryo, it's Leo. Kai's been taken. Meet me at the docks, now."
---
The Setup
At the docks, the scene was set. Dimly lit warehouses loomed like shadows, the salty air thick with tension. Leo walked confidently into the meeting point, his face a mask of composure despite the storm brewing within.
The kidnappers were there, a group of ten armed men, with Kai seated on a chair, bound but visibly calm.
One of the men smirked at Leo. "You must be the guy who's been running with him. You look nervous."
Leo tilted his head, his lips curling into a dark smile. "Oh, I'm not nervous. I'm just here to see how stupid you people can be."
The leader of the group stepped forward. "Careful with your words, boy. Your friend's life depends on your cooperation."
Leo glanced at Kai, who gave him a subtle wink. That single gesture filled Leo with reassurance.
"I have to ask," Leo said, feigning curiosity. "Do you even know who you've kidnapped?"
The men exchanged confused glances. "Just some rich guy who's been hanging around you. Figured he's worth something."
Leo laughed, shaking his head. "You've made the worst mistake of your lives. You think you're holding the cards, but the moment you touched him, you signed your death warrants."
---
Chapter 39: The King Unbound
Leo kept their attention, buying time as he noticed movement in the shadows. Ryo and a small team of Kai's men were silently positioning themselves.
Meanwhile, Kai sat unbothered, his posture relaxed despite the ropes binding him. His eyes flicked to Leo, giving him the signal.
Leo turned back to the kidnappers, his grin widening. "You know, I almost feel bad for you. Almost."
Before the leader could respond, the lights in the warehouse flickered. Then, in a synchronized move, Ryo's team stormed in, taking down the outer guards with surgical precision.
The kidnappers panicked, their weapons raised, but they were no match for Kai's men.
Amid the chaos, Kai stood. His bindings fell away as if they'd never been secure. He stretched, cracking his neck, and turned to the stunned kidnappers.
"Did you really think ropes could hold me?" Kai asked, his tone dripping with menace.
The leader aimed his gun at Kai, but before he could fire, Kai moved. In a flash, he disarmed the man, his movements precise and deadly. The leader crumpled to the ground, clutching his arm in agony.
One by one, the kidnappers were subdued. Kai didn't kill them—yet. He wanted answers first.
---
The Interrogation
As the dust settled, Kai approached the leader, now kneeling and trembling.
"Who sent you?" Kai asked, his voice cold.
The leader hesitated, but one look from Kai broke his resolve. "It was... it was someone from the Crimson Vipers. They paid us to grab him, but they didn't tell us why!"
Kai's expression darkened. "Crimson Vipers, huh? You'll regret ever working for them."
Leo watched in awe as Kai commanded the room, his presence suffocating.
---
A Private Conversation
As the kidnappers were hauled away, Leo pulled Kai aside.
"Are you okay?" Leo asked, his voice softer now.
Kai smirked. "I've had worse. You?"
Leo shook his head. "I can't believe you just sat there like it was a vacation."
Kai chuckled, placing a hand on Leo's shoulder. "I knew you'd come through. Besides, this was more amusing than threatening."
Leo rolled his eyes. "You're impossible."
Kai's expression turned serious. "But thank you. You didn't have to come, but you did."
Leo shrugged, trying to hide the warmth spreading through him. "Well, someone has to keep you out of tro
uble."
Kai laughed, and for a moment, the tension lifted. But they both knew this was far from over.