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We walk into the Daily Planet and head toward the bullpen. We find Chloe at her desk, talking to Lois.
"We found her," I say, looking at Chloe.
"Is she okay?" Chloe asks, standing up.
I nod. "We need to know who this is," Oliver says, showing her the picture of the man from his phone.
"Send me the photo," Chloe says, moving to her computer.
After a few clicks, her expression hardens. "His name is Ace Mendoza. And what do you know—he works for LuthorCorp."
"So Riley probably saw something connected to LuthorCorp, and to keep her quiet, Lex tried to have her killed," I say.
"Sounds like Lex," Oliver mutters.
"Whoa, Lia—you're bleeding," Chloe says, walking over to me.
"Oh, yeah. I'm fine. Just a little cut. Right now, we need to figure out what Riley saw that's got Lex trying to kill her."
"Let's go talk to Riley," Oliver says. I nod, and we head back to the cars.
When we get back to Clark's house, we find Riley and her friend Gia sitting on the couch. I sit in a nearby chair as Oliver wanders off into another room.
"Riley, we need to know what you saw," I say gently.
She nods, her hands trembling slightly. "I was working the late shift two nights ago. On the way home, I took the alley a block from my apartment—like I always do. I turned the corner and saw the man who was at Gia's apartment. He was arguing with someone I'd never seen before. It got heated, and then... he shot the man."
Her voice cracks a little.
"Last night, someone broke into my apartment. I managed to get out using the fire escape. I didn't know where else to go, so I went to the Planet looking for Chloe Sullivan, hoping she'd believe me."
"We believe you," I assure her. "But for now, we need you to stay here. You'll be safe while we deal with him."
I stand and go to find Oliver. I find him in the kitchen with a first aid kit in hand.
"Come here," he says.
I walk over and sit in front of him.
"It's just a cut. We need to be finding Mendoza," I protest.
"Don't argue. Sit still, and then we'll find him," Oliver says firmly.
He pulls out a bandage and some rubbing alcohol, then grabs a rag.
"Lift your shirt," he says. I do as he asks, and he gently wipes the blood away.
"I told you—it's just a cut," I say.
"That's more than just a cut," he replies, placing the bandage over it.
"Let's go," I say, dropping my shirt. "But we need to make a stop first."
He nods, and we head outside. This time, we take his car.
When we get to my hotel, I tell him to wait in the car. I head up to my room and grab the black case holding my bow. Just as I turn to leave, I hear a voice behind me.
"Where are you going?" Eli asks, standing in my doorway.
"To find your brother's man and put him away for trying to kill an innocent woman," I say, brushing past him.
Downstairs, I toss the case in the back seat and we drive to Oliver's place so he can suit up. From there, we head to the slums.
"Chloe tracked his phone. He's somewhere in this building," I say as we approach an old chemical warehouse.
"I'm going to get on the roof—see if I can get eyes on him. Be careful," Oliver says, disappearing around the side.
Looking up, I spot him on the roof. He nods toward the back of the building. I make my way around and see Mendoza with two other men, all looking up at Oliver. He and I nod to each other before we fire—our arrows taking down two of the men in one synchronized move.
Mendoza pulls his gun and fires at us. I quickly ready another arrow and fire, hitting him in the leg. He groans and drops to the ground.
I run over, kick his gun away, and tie him to a nearby pole. Ten minutes later, Oliver and I watch from the roof as Mendoza is taken into police custody.
Once the cops leave, we head back to Clark's house. Climbing out of the car, we head inside and find Lana, Riley, and Gia in the living room.
"You girls are safe now. Mendoza won't be a problem anymore," I say.
"Thank you—both of you," Riley says.
"No problem. If you ever find yourselves in trouble again, call me. But for now, let's get you home," I say.
I turn toward the stairs where Clark stands.
"Thanks for letting them stay here," I say.
"Of course," he replies.
We take the girls home, then I drop Oliver off at the warehouse before heading back to the hotel.
Grabbing the case from the back seat, I head inside. But as I enter, I hear noises coming from the bedroom.
Slowly, I set the case down and pull my gun, creeping toward the sound. I push the bedroom door open—and freeze.
Eli and Layla are tangled on the bed.
"You have got to be fucking kidding me," I say.
They jump apart, scrambling to cover themselves.
"Lia—it's not what it looks like!" Layla says, rushing toward me.
"It's exactly what it looks like," I snap, and punch her hard in the face.
Turning to Eli, I keep my voice steady. "I'm leaving. Get your shit and be gone before I get back."
Without another word, I walk out and slam the door behind me.
