CH-22: Road Rash: Version Paris

If you want to read up to 15+ chapters ahead go to my Patreón: Darkwolfest.

Special mentions:

•Dragon Cross

•AJ

•Benoît Valtin

-------

The large red stone encased in a golden hoop danced in my hands as I played with it, tossing it up and down in the air.

"Like I said, easy." I smirked.

But Fox remained silent, his gaze fixed on the stretcher carrying the unconscious body of Karen as it was being taken away from the airport.

"Seriously?" Fox asked, rubbing his temples with a look of disappointment directed at me.

He didn't seem pleased with the way I had completed the theft.

"Trust me, dealing with Karens requires a firm hand." I shook my head, reminiscing about the memories from my college days.

"And that's one more thing I need to work on with you." He sighed, gesturing for me to follow. "Come on."

He turned and began walking away before I could respond.

I smiled at the departing ambulance and shook my head before turning around, grabbing my luggage, and hurrying to catch up with the old man.

"If I were to evaluate your performance based on the planning and execution." Fox added just as I caught up with him.

My ears perked up, eager to hear his first assessment of my skills, or rather, his second assessment considering the heist in Washington.

"I would give you a one out of ten for planning." He huffed in disappointment, shaking his head. I blinked in shock at the score and his next words only deepened my surprise.

"And an absolute zero for execution." He finished with a long sigh.

"What?!" I exclaimed, capturing the attention of everyone passing by but I couldn't care less about their stares.

"I literally have it in my hand." I said, flashing the Ruby ring in my palm. "If my execution is zero, then how the hell do I have it?"

"Because what you did makes you a robber." Fox raised an eyebrow, pointing at me in a condescending manner. "Not a thief."

He said, starting to walk towards the parking lot. I stood there, eyes wide with doubt and confusion, before blinking and running after him.

"They're not the same?" I asked, catching up to him as he stood in the lot, gazing at his pocket watch.

"No." Fox shook his head slowly, his eyes clearer as he sighed once again. "A robber takes things, while a thief steals them."

His eyes locked with mine, a smile playing on his face.

"The plan might have been the same, Ethan, but it's the execution that matters in this profession. Execution is what sets you apart on this side." He added, and I listened to his words with a newfound sense of maturity.

"So how would you have done it?" I inquired curiously.

"Well, for starters, I would have created a distraction. It was clear that she had an extremely short attention span, and I would have used that to lure her..." His words were cut off as his gaze darted towards the sound of an engine revving towards us.

My eyes widened in surprise as I whistled, looking at the sleek, gray-green Bentley coming to a stop right before us. It was a truly magnificent sight.

A valet stepped out of the car and approached us, or more precisely, Fox. He handed the key to the old man, who nodded in response.

"This is yours?!" I exclaimed, scoffing as I turned into a full-on fangirl over the masterpiece.

"Yes." He nodded, sliding sunglasses over his eyes as he transformed into a James Bond figure, taking the driver's seat while I climbed into the passenger seat.

"Sick ride." I muttered, fawning over the interior.

"Glad you like it." He smiled, pressing the ignition as the car roared to life. He stepped on the gas, speeding out of the airport.

"WhoooHooo!!" I screamed in joy, rolling down my window as the Eiffel Tower came into view in the distance.

We zoomed through the vibrant streets of Paris in the sleek Bentley, I couldn't contain my smile.

The wind tousled my hair, and a wide grin spread across my face as the city's famous landmarks flashed by in a blur.

Sitting beside me, Fox expertly maneuvered the car, his experienced hands firmly gripping the steering wheel.

I marveled at the Eiffel Tower, standing tall and majestic against the blue sky.

The Louvre Museum passed by with its intricate architecture and rich history.

Notre-Dame Cathedral, though still undergoing restoration, exuded a sense of grandeur.

Fox effortlessly navigated the bustling traffic, taking me on a whirlwind tour of Paris's iconic spots.

As we continued our exhilarating ride, I noticed flashing lights and the distant wailing of sirens.

I turned to the old man, my eyes widening with a mix of awe.

He simply smirked, his eyes twinkling mischievously.

The police were on our tail.

The adrenaline pumped through my veins as he accelerated, deftly maneuvering through the narrow streets and weaving past other vehicles.

The police cars pursued us, their sirens blaring but they struggled to keep up with this marvel of a vehicle.

My heart raced as we raced through the city, narrowly escaping the clutches of the law.

Fox skillfully dodged obstacles, taking sharp turns and making split-second decisions. It felt like we were characters in an action movie, the thrill of the chase heightening with each passing moment.

I wasn't accustomed to enjoying myself like this. I always tried to maintain a serious demeanor, especially considering my line of work involved taking lives, whether they were on the right side of the law or not.

Perhaps that's why I felt a sense of relief when I took on the heist job.

It wasn't solely the nature of the gig that I could attribute this newfound enjoyment to.

Even during my time at the Parker residence, I never experienced such a lightheartedness and sense of freedom.

But in this moment, with Fox driving the Bentley like a whirlwind, I allowed myself to immerse in the sheer thrill of it all.

The laughter escaped my lips as I soaked in the sights and sounds of Paris.

The landmarks, the energy of the city, and the rush of the chase with the police behind us—it all created a mosaic of exhilaration and freedom.

After what seemed like an eternity, the old man made a daring move, veering onto a lesser-known street.

The police cars, unable to match our speed and agility, gradually faded into the distance.

We left them in our dust, our exhilaration now mixed with relief.

"Hahahaha!" I burst into laughter, struggling to catch my breath as I gazed at the old man, his mischievous grin stretching wide across his face.

"That was fucking awesome!" I exclaimed, unable to contain my excitement as I glanced over my shoulder to check for any sign of the cops but they had vanished into thin air.

"Ah… This never gets old." He murmured, his smile transforming into a nostalgic expression.

The scenery transformed as we left the urban chaos behind.

Rolling green fields and sprawling countryside greeted our eyes.

We ventured deeper into the outskirts and soon, a magnificent mansion came into view. It stood amidst lush gardens, its grandeur befitting a fairytale castle.

The old mansion stood proudly amidst a sprawling estate, exuding an air of elegance and history.

Its majestic presence commanded attention, its grandeur capturing the essence of a bygone era.

He slowed the car as we approached the mansion's grand entrance.

The Bentley came to a halt and we stepped out, my legs slightly wobbly from the adrenaline rush.

I stared in awe at the opulence before me, feeling like I had stepped into a land of luxury and adventure.

The old man turned to me, his eyes twinkling with satisfaction.

"Venom, Welcome to Paris."