HIS ENTERTAINER

Chapter 45

       CLAIDE RODRIGUEZ POV.

"Be careful," Jennifer's voice whispered through the small microphone nestled in my left ear as we slipped out into the dusk.

It was an evening ambush-our movements swift and silent, shadows cloaking every step. My men eased into their positions, blending seamlessly before any suspicion could arise. I made my way toward the cellar doors.

Two guards stood vigil there. Calmly, I slid my gun into my belt and drew the knife from its sheath.

"Are you inside?" Jennifer's voice was steady but tense in my ear.

"Yeah. Right outside the cellar now, getting ready to move in," I replied.

"Remember, whatever happens, you have ten minutes to get out."

"Understood, ma'am," I teased softly, already stepping forward.

The guards immediately spotted me. "Who are you?" one barked, leveling his gun at me. Their fingers twitched on the triggers.

I raised my hands slowly, stepping closer, playing the role. "I'm the new guy... but-uh-are these the restrooms?"

Jennifer's muted laughter crackled faintly in my ear. "That's a damn good line."

The guards shifted uneasily. "Go back," one ordered, muscles tensing.

Before they could react further, I closed the distance fast. The left guard lunged to grab me, but my knife found the side of his neck in one swift, silent stroke. The second guard barely had time to react before the knife flew from my hand, embedding itself deep in his chest with a hollow thud.

The night swallowed their bodies as I slipped inside, heart steady, mind razor-sharp-time was ticking.
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     HERMANN RODRIGUEZ POV.

I groaned, shifting slowly, aching bones protesting every movement. My entire body throbbed, my throat parched. My feet felt numb, and the cold air prickled against my skin, biting through the dimness around me.

Soft footsteps echoed outside the door. A figure appeared in the faint light, moving hesitantly. I lifted my heavy head, trying to focus through blurred vision. As she stepped closer, I realized it wasn't Ivy.

The figure was a slender Asian woman, her dark brown hair falling straight and unassuming. Her frame trembled slightly, revealing a vulnerability that ruled out her being one of Roberto's men.

"Are you Hermann Rodriguez?" she asked, voice cracking with uncertainty.

I squinted, curiosity flickering. "What do you want with him?"

"For help," she answered, eyes glossy and desperate.

"This is him," I said.

She froze, startled, then shushed herself when a noise stirred outside. Her words slipped out as a hurried whisper: "Wilmert plans to kill Ivy's mother and has convinced her that you're responsible..."

I inhaled sharply, murmuring, "Fuck."

"I don't have much time..." she said, pressing a set of keys and a gun into my hands.

"Please... you're her only hope," she pleaded earnestly.

"Thank you," I breathed, my voice barely a whisper.

She only nodded, then slipped away silently.

I sighed, relief mingling with exhaustion.

Outside, the sun dipped below the horizon. Day was fading fast. I sniffed the air, looked around cautiously-nothing stirred. I brought the keys into my right hand and worked to unlock the cold metal shackles binding me, that was a success.
I slid into the shadows, heart pounding.