Hidden Blade

Chapter 13: A Dangerous Encounter

Big Head shoved Rex Carlson with an arrogant grin, as if he had already won. His overconfidence radiated in his swaggering stance, and his narrowed eyes gleamed with disdain.

Scarface, the gang’s leader, ran his tongue over his teeth, flashing a sinister smile.

“Still playing tough, kid? Break this punk’s legs! Drag him to Hansen—Hansen wants him kneeling while we deal with Olivia!”

With that, Scarface motioned forward, and the gang surged toward Rex, their weapons glinting under the dim light.

Rex exhaled slowly, lowering himself into a ready stance. His arms coiled like springs, muscles rippling beneath his shirt. The calm in his eyes contrasted sharply with the storm about to erupt.

In a blur of motion, Rex struck. His hand lashed out like a whip, tearing through the first thug’s shirt—and the flesh beneath it. Blood splattered across the floor as the man staggered backward, clutching his chest with a guttural scream.

The remaining gang members froze, their bravado crumbling in the face of Rex’s ruthless precision. They exchanged hesitant glances, their earlier confidence giving way to fear.

Scarface’s smirk faded into a scowl.

“So, you’re a fighter, huh? Big Head, take him out!”

Big Head spat out his ice cream stick, cracking his neck as he stepped forward.

“You’re dead, pal.”

With a shout, Big Head launched a high roundhouse kick. But Rex countered with brutal efficiency, meeting the attack with a powerful axe kick that smashed into Big Head’s shin.

“Argh!” Big Head collapsed to the ground, clutching his leg and writhing in agony.

Scarface shoved past the others, his temper boiling over. “Pathetic! I’ll handle this myself!”

He charged at Rex, his knee driving toward Rex’s midsection like a battering ram. Rex shifted, catching the knee mid-strike with one hand and delivering a devastating elbow to Scarface’s chest.

Scarface flew backward, crashing against the wall with a thud. His breath came in gasps as he struggled to recover.

Scarface gritted his teeth, pulling a knife from his pocket. The blade gleamed menacingly as he stepped forward again. “You’re dead, Carlson.”

Before he could strike, a piercing scream echoed from upstairs.

Rex’s expression hardened instantly. Without a word, he turned and sprinted toward the stairs.

“Running scared?” Scarface sneered, mistaking Rex’s urgency. “Get him! Don’t let him escape!”

The remaining gang members hesitated before following, their steps unsure as they chased after Rex.

Rex burst into the bedroom to find Olivia Harper being held hostage. A towering man with dark skin and a hulking frame had her in a vice-like grip, his thick arm wrapped around her neck. A pistol was pressed firmly into her temple, and her wide, terrified eyes darted towards Rex.

“Rex, run!” Olivia screamed, her voice cracking with panic.

The man didn’t hesitate. He fired at Rex, the bullet narrowly missing as Rex dove to the side. In one fluid motion, Rex rolled, drew his own gun, and fired back.

The room erupted into chaos as bullets flew, shredding walls, furniture, and decorations. Glass shattered, and wood splintered as both men moved with deadly intent.

Scarface reached the top of the stairs just in time to witness the chaos. He froze, his confidence shattering as he stumbled and fell to the ground.

Rex and the hulking man continued their deadly exchange, both emptying their magazines. The man used Olivia as a human shield, making it impossible for Rex to land a clean shot.

When the hulking man reached for another magazine, Rex seized his chance. He hurled his empty gun, the weapon striking Olivia and causing her to flinch.

She ducked instinctively, leaving the man’s neck exposed.

In a blur, Rex grabbed a shard of glass from the shattered vase at his feet. With unerring precision, he flung it.

The shard sliced through the air, embedding itself in the man’s carotid artery. Blood sprayed as his eyes widened in shock. His grip on Olivia slackened, and he collapsed to the floor with a heavy thud.

Rex rushed to Olivia, catching her as she stumbled. Her trembling body pressed against his as she buried her face in his chest, sobbing uncontrollably.

“You’re okay now,” Rex said softly, his voice steady. He gently patted her back, his tone soothing despite the chaos surrounding them.

Olivia clung to him, her breathing shaky but gradually slowing. She looked up at him, her tear-streaked face filled with gratitude. “Thank you…”

Rex nodded, his expression calm yet distant. He helped her sit on the bed before reloading his weapon and turning toward the door.

Scarface was crawling backward, his bravado completely shattered. He froze as Rex appeared at the top of the stairs, the cold barrel of his gun aimed squarely at Scarface’s forehead.

“Please, don’t! " Let’s talk!”

Scarface begged, his voice trembling.

Rex lit a cigarette, his movements unhurried.

“Three seconds. Make it count.”

“Wait, I—” Scarface stammered, sweat pouring down his face. “I’m with the Black Dragon Gang!”

“Two,” Rex said, his tone flat and unyielding.

“Don’t do this! " You’re better than this!” Scarface shouted, desperation creeping into his voice.

“One.”

“Wait! Hansen! He’s gone after Olivia’s friend! If you don’t go now—”

Bang!

The shot rang out, shattering Scarface’s kneecap. He collapsed, writhing in agony, his screams echoing through the house.

“Thanks for the tip,” Rex said coolly, stepping over him without a second glance.

“Where are you going?” Olivia called out, her voice trembling.

“To handle Hansen,” Rex replied without looking back.

Olivia bit her lip, hesitating before whispering, “Be careful.”

Rex disappeared into the night, his silhouette swallowed by darkness. Olivia clutched her phone tightly, her hands shaking as she dialed.

“Grandpa… I was attacked. Please, send someone.”

A Dangerous Encounter

At Sophia’s home, the doorbell rang. Assuming it was Rex, she opened the door with a soft smile, relief evident in her eyes.

Instead, Ethan Hansen loomed in the doorway, his bloated figure and leering face filling the entrance. His predatory eyes raked over her, dark with malice.

“You little tramp,” he sneered, stepping inside uninvited. “Tonight, you’re all mine.”

Sophia instinctively tried to back away, her smile vanishing as fear took its place. “Get out!” she demanded, her voice trembling with both anger and panic.

Hansen’s lips curled into a grotesque grin as he slammed the door shut behind him.

“Don’t waste your breath,” he said, his tone dripping with cruelty. “No one’s coming to save you.”

He lunged at her with shocking speed, grabbing her wrists and pinning her against the wall. His strength easily overpowered her, his laugh cold and mocking.

Sophia thrashed against his grip, her voice rising in desperation. “Let go of me!”

“Go ahead, scream,” Hansen taunted, leaning closer. “That cab driver you’re so fond of? He won’t be showing up this time.”

Just as his sinister laughter filled the room, the sound of splintering wood tore through the air.

Bam!

The front door flew off its hinges, crashing to the ground in a deafening thud.

Hansen spun around, his lecherous grin dissolving into shock and fear. Standing in the doorway, framed by the moonlight, was Rex Carlson.

His stance was steady, his gun raised and aimed with deadly precision. His eyes burned with fury, his jaw tight as he took in the scene before him.

“Step away from her,” Rex said, his voice low and lethal.

Hansen hesitated, his bravado faltering under Rex’s piercing gaze. “You don’t scare me, cabbie,” he spat, though his voice wavered.

“Last chance,” Rex warned, taking a measured step forward. The weight of his words hung in the air like a storm about to break.

Sophia, her breaths coming in short, panicked bursts, stared at Rex with a mix of relief and disbelief. For the first time, she truly understood the lengths he would go to protect her.

Hansen’s hand twitched toward his pocket.

“Don’t,” Rex snapped, his finger tightening on the trigger. “I won’t miss.”