CHAPTER 27: THE TRAITOR

Athena does not bother to check the mansion because she knows that the security in the villa is tight. She ran to the wooded area of Marco's estate because her gut feeling says that these men would be coming that way since it's the darkest part of the property.

She was wearing infrared goggles so she could see in the dark. Her all-black suits blended well in the dark, and it has materials essential in blocking the heat-sensing night vision goggles.

Athena looked at her watch, and it was half-past eleven. She continued walking until she reached the wall fence. Athena climbed up the wall using her hook gun. She plans not to let the assassin or assassins enter Marco's property at all cost. Athena positioned herself to hide well and be able to see her target. She doesn't know if Benjamin sent one person or more, so she needed to be on guard.

There are five minutes left before midnight. Athena checked her gun for bullets, making sure it was complete. Her shots cannot kill them, but it will put them to sleep for hours. It will be enough for her to clean them up and send them somewhere.

At midnight, she noticed a vehicle stopped approximately eighteen yards away from her hiding spot. She stayed still and waited to know how many people would get off in the off-road vehicle. Her eyes turned dim at the thought of the ruthless bast*rd. Athena is sure that their purpose is not to kill her but to bring her alive to Benjamin Baltazar.

Two men about six feet high wearing all-black clothes like her from head to toes came out of the vehicle. They were wearing night-vision goggles as well. But their suits don't have unique materials to make them invisible in the dark.

Athena was familiar with the property to go from one place to another. Athena put her gun back in the holster, 'two assassins and a driver,' Athena noted it in her heart.

Because it was dark, the driver wasn't aware that Athena was already close to him, and he was the first target. Athena stays still and patiently waits for him to turn his head.

The driver shivered and turned in Athena's direction. Clenching her fist, Athena immediately twists her hips and punches him on the temple. Her aim is always accurate. The driver fell on the chair instantly. She pulled his upper body and leaned his head on the headrest to make it look like he was sleeping. Athena injected medicine that can slow down the brain and nervous system. It will put him to sleep for hours.

'One down, two more to go,' Athena mumbled to herself. She looked at the two assassins who had just returned from inspecting the property. She hid behind their vehicle and overheard their conversation.

"Have you seen this chick?" The other guy said while getting his backpack in the backseat.

"Nah, man. But I heard that the boss was humiliated by her," he was giggling as he was talking about it. It was like he was reminiscing about what he had heard.

"Tsk, for sure the boss will play with her before he discards her," said the other guy, who seemed to sympathize with Athena's outcome if she ends up with Benjamin.

"It's not the first time, bro," the other guy said while putting his backpack on.

"Let's go get this chick," he said as he walked ahead of him.

"Go ahead, I need a release." He said as he turned around to face the wall.

When he faced the wall, Athena understood what kind of 'release' was. She looked at the man who walked ahead. When he was about seven yards away from them, Athena quietly walked towards the assassin peeing and stopped three feet behind him.

As soon as the man zipped his pants and turned around, Athena gave him a hard punch on his temple to knock him out. She doesn't want to waste her energy fighting with these people. One blow is enough to silence them, temporarily.

Athena caught his body before it fell to the ground and injected the medicine to put him to sleep longer. She doesn't want to get the other guy's attention, so she quickly grabs him. She then smoothly went in the other guy's direction, and when he felt like something was amiss with his surroundings, he turned his head to see his partner. Athena was already close to him, so Athena punched his jaw when he turned. He falls to the ground, and Athena drags him to their vehicle. She reached for another injection. It's best to put them all together to sleep. After knocking them out, it will only take seconds to minutes to regain consciousness. So, having sleep medicine will make her task quieter.

Before dragging and pulling the assassins inside the black off-road SUV, she rested for a bit. She then reached for her backpack's side packet for heavy-duty zip ties. The two killers were in the back, and the driver was now in the passenger seat. She tied their hands and feet just like what she did to Benjamin Baltazar, minus the apple. She sneered and thought of doing that again to Benjamin Baltazar if given a chance. But this time, he would be naked, and it would be in the center of the plaza. She laughed and shook her head.

Athena turned the vehicle on and adjusted the mirrors and the seat. She was about to close the door when a hand stopped her. Athena looked up and saw A1, the traitor. She gnashed her teeth and aimed to punch his face.

A1 was able to escape her punch. Everyone knew in the organization that Athena had a heavy hand, especially those who got a taste of it. But for A1, it doesn't matter to him. He hadn't gotten a chance to spar with her, so he didn't know how hard she could hit. So, he can't say how heavy her punches would be personally.

"I'll drive," he said softly.

"Huh, drive? So you can freely send me to the Baltazars! Traitor!" She said in a sarcastic tone.

"I won't," he replied while transferring the driver to the back with the assassins.

"You think I'll believe a traitor like you?" Athena was flaring with anger. She's angry not only because he disclosed her location to their enemy but mainly because it shortened her opportunity to be with Marco.

"I have my reasons," he paused.

"You can call Boss Z if you can't trust me," he said, handing his phone to her, and he had already dialed Boss Z's number. The speaker was on, so even though she ignored his phone, she could hear the phone ring.

After three rings, Boss Z answered the phone. His voice sounds like the call awakened him.

Knowing that the call is from A1, Boss Z asked, "How's Athena? Is she okay?" The concern in his voice touched Athena's heart. Her brows knitted as Boss Z asked about her and her safety.

"What's going on?" Athena asked, and it reached Boss Z's ears.

Boss Z realized that he was on a speaker, "Athena, you can trust him. If you can't, trust me, instead." He said in a pleading tone. He knows that it is hard to get Athena's trust, and once betrayed, it is significantly harder to get it back.

"I will only go with him because I. TRUST. YOU, Boss Z." She said, emphasizing the words that she only trusts him and not A1 while glaring at A1 at the same time. A1 looked at her, and she turned her head away with hostility. She huffed before she sat comfortably on the passenger's seat.

A1 ignored her attitude and concentrated on the road. He can't blame Athena for being upset with him because his betrayal bothered her. He should have informed her beforehand, but he doesn't have enough time to contact anyone, and he doesn't want to be caught just in case.

"Ahem," A1 was trying to get her attention, but she was too stubborn to look at him.

"I'm sorry," he can only apologize to her.

"Why did you disclose my location to Benjamin?" She asked. She was still upset by his betrayal, but she wanted to know his alibi.