Badass in Disguise Chapter 154

I approached the checkpoint leading into Crimson Valley slowly, observing the heavily armed guards through my windshield.

My SUV's headlights illuminated a makeshift barrier constructed from shipping containers and barbed wire. Three men with assault rifles stepped forward, their faces weathered and scarred. I could tell they weren't regular military—probably local gang enforcers. The tallest one signaled for me to lower my window.

"Passport and entry fee," he demanded in heavily accented English, leaning down to peer inside.

I rolled down the window and handed him a thick stack of American dollars. "Is this enough?"

His eyes widened slightly, then narrowed as he got a better look at me. Something in his expression shifted, predatory interest replacing routine suspicion. He exchanged glances with his companions, a silent communication passing between them.

"American girl," he said, grinning to reveal tobacco-stained teeth. "Very pretty. Maybe money not enough."

The other guards moved to position themselves around my vehicle. One reached for the door handle while the tall one kept talking.

"Crimson Valley special place. Many rich men pay much more for pretty things than this." He waved my cash dismissively. "You come with us, we introduce to important people."

I smiled pleasantly. "No thanks."

Before he could react, I slammed my foot on the accelerator. The SUV lurched forward, crashing through the flimsy barrier. The tall guard who had been leaning into my window lost his balance, half-falling into the vehicle. He grabbed for the steering wheel, reaching with his other hand toward the keys in the ignition.

Without taking my eyes off the road, I twisted his wrist sharply until I felt the satisfying crack of bone. He screamed, and I shoved him back out the window. The SUV bounced violently as I drove over the collapsed barrier, the sound of gunfire erupting behind me.

"Damn!" I swore as the engine made an ominous grinding noise. Something must have been damaged during the crash. I pushed the vehicle as far as it would go, putting distance between myself and the checkpoint. After about a mile, the engine sputtered and died completely.

I grabbed my backpack and checked my weapons. Two handguns, extra ammunition, three knives, and a garrote wire. I'd have to continue on foot.

---

Crimson Valley lived up to its reputation. The place was a patchwork of opulence and squalor—luxury cars parked outside crumbling buildings, armed guards protecting what looked like abandoned warehouses. The air reeked of desperation, violence, and money.

I kept to the shadows, observing the locals. Many of the men had the same distinctive tattoo—a blue scorpion on their wrists. From the Austrian driver's information, I knew they belonged to the Scorpio family, one of three major powers in the valley. The others were a major drug lord and an arms dealer with absolute authority over life and death.

A group of men lounged outside what appeared to be a former hotel, drinking and laughing. One of them noticed me and nudged his companion. Soon, all eyes were on me. I kept walking, maintaining a purposeful stride.

"Hey, American!" one called out in English. "You lost?"

I ignored him, continuing past. I could feel multiple sets of eyes following me, tracking my movements. Someone was definitely trailing me—not even trying to be subtle about it. I turned down an alley, preparing for confrontation, but stopped short at what I found.

The alley opened onto a makeshift auction block. A small crowd had gathered around a raised platform where a terrified young woman stood bound and gagged. She was blonde, blue-eyed, probably European or American. Tears streaked her face as a man in an expensive suit described her "attributes" to the audience.

"—twenty-two years old, no diseases, excellent condition," the auctioneer was saying. "Training will begin immediately after purchase. Starting bid is fifty thousand."

I scanned the area, noting exits and guard positions. There were at least fifteen armed men, all with the blue scorpion tattoo. This was clearly a Scorpio family operation.

Instead of risking exposure, I slipped into the shadows of a nearby building. I found a maintenance ladder leading to the second floor and climbed it silently. From a broken window near the ventilation system, I had a perfect view of the proceedings below.

The bidding was fast and brutal. The girl's terror seemed to excite the audience, driving the price higher. Eventually, a large Black man in a tailored suit won with a bid of seventy-five thousand. As he approached to claim his "purchase," I noticed a figure slipping away from the back of the crowd—someone with a blue scorpion tattoo visible on their wrist. Something about their movement caught my attention, but they disappeared before I could get a clear look.

I tracked the buyer and his new "acquisition" to a nearby building—a former luxury apartment complex that had been partially renovated. Two armed guards stood outside, but they were careless, more interested in their cigarettes than security.

---

The girl was in a bedroom on the third floor. The buyer was pawing at her, muttering what he planned to do. I closed the door silently behind me and moved before he even registered my presence. One clean slice across his throat, and he collapsed, gurgling as blood soaked into the carpet.

The girl tried to scream through her gag, eyes wild with terror. I moved quickly to cut her restraints.

"Don't scream," I warned coldly. "I'm not here to hurt you, but I will leave you if you make noise."

She nodded frantically, tears streaming down her face as I removed the gag.

"Thank you," she whispered in American-accented English. "Oh God, thank you."

"Are you American?" I asked, keeping my voice low.

She nodded. "I was on vacation in Austria. They drugged me at a club, and I woke up here. It's been—I don't know how long."

"We're staying here tonight," I said. "Don't leave this room. Don't make noise. There's food and water in the kitchen. I'll take care of the guards."

---

By morning, the buyer's four guards were dead. I left Melissa with strict instructions, food, and water before venturing out again.

The news had already spread—an American woman had broken through the checkpoint and disappeared into Crimson Valley. The Scorpio family had people searching everywhere, their blue scorpion tattoos visible as they questioned locals and searched buildings.

I moved through the market area, gathering information and memorizing the layout. When confronted, I dealt with threats quickly and efficiently.

By evening, I'd mapped most of the territory and gathered some useful intelligence. The Scorpio family was preparing for another auction tonight—apparently, these were regular events for their wealthiest clients.

I returned to check on Melissa, who was still traumatized but holding up better than expected. After ensuring she was safe, I headed toward the auction venue.

Night met me outside as planned, looking completely out of place in his designer clothes. As we entered together, I immediately noticed how the atmosphere in the room shifted. The usual suspects were there, but our presence—obviously expensively dressed outsiders—created an unmistakable ripple of interest despite our attempts to blend in.

"They're all staring at us," Night whispered, his lips barely moving as he leaned close to my ear. "Particularly at you, my darling."

I could hear the murmurs spreading through the crowd. We definitely not been on tonight's guest list. Night's beauty rivaled any woman's in the room, but the lethal look in his eyes kept most at a respectful distance.

I surveyed the room with calculated precision, noting exits, guards, and potential threats. The whispers continued around us, some speculating about who we were, others warning to keep distance.