The Gangster Princess

Chapter 11

Chapter 11: The Poison Killer

James Kaizer Monsanto

My attention snapped to the window nang may biglaang kalabog sa labas. A loud crash echoed, followed by muffled voices—parang may commotion. Lahat kami natigilan. The air suddenly felt heavier, tense. Parang may masamang mangyayari.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Max. “Anong meron?” I whispered, my heart starting to race.

But Aisha didn’t wait. Tumayo agad siya, heading straight to the door. “Stay here,” utos niya, firm and sharp. Walang kahit anong emotion sa boses niya—just focus. Parang sanay na siya sa ganito.

“Aisha, wait—” pero huli na. She stepped out, no hesitation. We had no choice but to follow.

Tumakbo kami sa bintana, and that’s when we saw it—Aisha was already fighting. Five masked men surrounded her. They weren’t ordinary thugs. Kitang-kita sa galaw nila—they were trained. They were after something—or someone.

Aisha moved like a storm. Swift, precise, deadly. Her punches were clean, her kicks accurate, pero kahit gaano siya kagaling, outnumbered siya. Isa lang siya, lima sila.

“Shit, kailangan natin tumulong!” sigaw ni Max.

We bolted out the door. I felt the fear crawling under my skin, but I pushed it down. We couldn’t leave her.

Paglapit namin, nakita ko na agad ang sugat sa braso ni Aisha. Malalim, dumudugo—but she kept fighting. Di siya nagpapigil.

“Get down!” sigaw ko, sabay hila sa kanya, trying to pull her out of the way. Pero may isa sa kanila, may hawak na kutsilyo. At si Aisha ang target.

I didn’t think. I jumped in front of her. Ramdam ko agad ‘yung malamig na blade na tumama sa tagiliran ko. Masakit—pero wala akong pake. I punched the guy hard, enough para matumba siya, but another one grabbed me, pulling me away.

“James!” Aisha screamed, trying to push herself up kahit sugatan siya.

“Tyler! Ilayo mo siya dito!” I shouted.

Tyler didn’t even argue. Binuhat niya agad si Aisha, tumakbo paalis. Max and I stayed, fighting, blocking hits, anything to buy them time.

Pero biglang may narinig kaming kakaibang ingay—mas mabigat, mas mabilis. May paparating pa. I turned and saw a shadowy group moving in. Another wave of attackers.

I barely had time to react. Aisha had broken free mula kay Tyler. She came charging back.

“Putangina niyo!” she yelled, slamming a fist into one guy’s face. “You picked the wrong bitch!”

Tyler tried to stop her but failed. Her eyes burned with rage. Para siyang hayop sa giyera—wild, bleeding, and out for blood.

Pero that’s when everything changed.

One of the attackers pulled a gun. Aimed straight at Aisha.

I rushed forward, sinubukan ko siyang salubungin, but someone tackled me from the side.

Gunshots rang out.

Aisha still stands with anger in her eyes. Damn this girl.

Aisha fought like hell. Swift and violent. Every move calculated.

Pero may mali. They weren’t just random thugs. These guys were organized.

I clenched my fists. “Max, cover me.”

“What? James—”

“Just trust me.”

Tumakbo ako palabas, tuloy-tuloy hanggang makalapit. Isa sa kanila tumakbo papunta kay Aisha with a dagger—pero I got there first.