Chapter 128:

Ace talked for what seemed days. His brain, however, had kept count of every second he had been awake, and he was beginning to worry. 'It has been over 4 hours, if they are not here in the next two hours... I may have to try something.'

They had allowed him to take breaks in between questions, and gave him a glass of water when he asked for it. From what Ace could sense, it did not have any added chemicals, but without carrying multiple tests, he would never know. What he did know, however, was that he was running out of time. As of now, he had not really said anything that was truly ground-breaking. He was playing to his spoilt brat image, acting as if he would even give up his family as long as they would let him go safe. It was this act that had let him escape relatively unharmed until know. They would soon realise that he was playing them, and once they did, the few punches and slaps he had received a few hours before would seem like nothing.

They were asking more and more specific questions, trying to do it carefully each time so that Ace would not notice, but of course, he had. They had first asked about the business within the towers, then about the various deals, and then about criminal enterprises that were involved. They had now gotten to the point where they would ask the next question, most likely about the specific state of a relationship or whatnot. This could potentially be the final piece of the puzzle, depending on who it was they wanted to know about, Ace would be able to make a few guesses on how the people that had kidnapped him where.

It was imperial that Ace was careful when prodding if he had to, the moment they got a whiff that he knew about them, they would never let him go. It did not matter who they were, but if Ace could get back to his grandmother knowing who they were, they would be done for - it did not matter who they were or who they were allied with. This meant that if they had doubts about what he knew, they would just kill him after finding out all they could.

Ace heard heavy footsteps getting nearer. He had figured out that they were either underground or deep in a cave formation. There were no doors he could hear, and no sound of civilisation either. At one point, he had heard a beep indicating a call, but the receiver had gotten too far for him to hear what it was about.

"Ok, you have had enough of a break, and we have even given you some water so your throat would not get sore. Now, I want some answers."

"What other answers? I have told you all I now. If you ask anything, and I can help, I will! I promise!", Ace shrieked, acting scared, and controlling the quiver in his chin and some tears rolling through his face. He could feel the grin from miles away, the questioner had now full belief that he had cracked Ace, and was planning on making full use of it.

"Good. That makes me very happy, and the fact that I am happy should make you even happier, since it will mean that you will not feel any more pain. Now, tell me, what do you know about the Bratva?"

'Ok, so Bratva it is, now, are they worried rivals, or angered rivals?', Ace thought.

"Uhmm, they are the Russian mafia, right? The strongest in that part of the world...", he said softly.

"No!", then quieter, "They are not the strongest, but the most well known. What deal do they have with your grandmother?"

'Dumbass, that was the most basic bait I could use.', Ace now knew that they were rivals, and they were also from the same part of the world. It was basic knowledge that the Bratva were the strongest in Russia. Considering they had the full support of the government...', Ace's mind ran through various options before coming to a final conclusion, 'So, most likely a nationalist branch of the Chechen Mafia. Maybe even backed by an Islamic Group, the chances are high, since they would most likely not dare to go against unless they had some serious backer.'

"Well, I am not too sure, but I heard something about... alcohol? Ah yes! THere was also something about an alliance!", Ace let out, his tone excited, as if he believed it would be enough for them to let him out.

"Is that it?", the man asked in an inquisitive tone, and Ace nodded. "Ok, I can give you a short break, I have to do something.", he then heard the footsteps.

'Ok, so now he is going to relay the info, they most likely had doubts but this helped them confirm them. It was a shame I had to give that up, but I had to get him off my back. The time to get out is coming though. It is nearing five hours, and if they are not here yet...', Ace thought. He would have to get out soon, which was definitely not optimal. He had no idea of how many people were there, but he had to give it a shot anyway.

He had been thinking of a plan for about another half an hour before the man came back. He was walking faster than usual, and was holding something in his hand.

'Ok, I have to go now. He has a knife.', the man was probably banking on Ace not being able to see it, but Ace caught the glint with his enhanced eyes. He was probably coming back to deal with him.

"Ok Ace, you did well, you will be allowed to go now, let me guide you, it might be a bit dark. He neared him, and was about to stab when Ace lunged. Ace went straight for the throat, cutting off any sounds he could make. He then stabbed his fingers to his eyes, and dashed behind the man, choking him until he was knocked out.

Ace picked up the knife, and blended with the shadows, it was definitely a cave, the walls were pretty cold and humid, but for now, Ace did not feel too cold. He slouched, and then began to walk stealthily, breathing softly, and thinking of all the ways he could get away from this place.