17. The Bait

As Zoya and I stepped out into the cool night air, the energy shifted. The noise and chaos of the bar were behind us, replaced by the quiet hum of Dublin's streets. We stood near the entrance for a moment, letting the calm settle between us.

"So, what now, Dev?" Zoya asked, her eyes locking onto mine with a curious intensity.

I smirked, feeling the thrill of the moment. "Well, that depends on what kind of night you want."

Zoya raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "I thought you said you were just passing through. Seems like you're sticking around longer than expected."

I leaned back slightly, slipping my hands into my pockets. "I go where the night takes me. Dublin's been... interesting."

There was a pause, a slight shift in her demeanor. Zoya's guard was up, but I could sense something more beneath the surface—a pull toward danger, toward excitement. It was the same pull that led me here in the first place.

...

As I escorted Zoya back to her apartment, the energy between us shifted again, settling into something more familiar yet layered with unspoken tension. The streets of Dublin were quieter now, the distant hum of cars and occasional footfalls the only reminders of the bustling city.

We arrived at her door, and for a moment, neither of us spoke. Zoya turned to face me, her eyes searching for mine, as if trying to read the secrets I held behind the confident mask.

"Interesting night," she finally said, her voice soft but with a hint of playfulness.

I smiled, nodding. "And it's only the beginning."

Before she could reply, my phone buzzed in my pocket. A quick glance at the screen told me it was an alert from Brother Bhargav.

[They are following me, xxx street. It won't be long before we Get the Disk from them.]

I slid the phone back into my pocket, keeping my expression neutral. Whoever they are, I think, wasn't close enough to pose an immediate threat to Brother Bhargav, but I needed to stay sharp.

'I guess, time to say good bye'

Zoya noticed the change in my expression, her curiosity piqued. "Everything alright?"

"Yeah," I replied, giving her a reassuring smile. "Just... work stuff. But don't worry, It won't be late, before we  meet again, after I want to ask you for dinner  night with me."

"Oh, are YOU asking for a date?"

"Well you'll have to stick around to find out," I replied, keeping my tone light, though my mind was already on the next step. brother Bhargav's message had shifted the night's course.

Zoya's lips curved into a small smile, and for a moment, the tension between us faded. "I guess we will.".

I extended my hand for a handshake while I use Harem Mark on her. With this I am sure she will be mine.

As We bid each other goodnight and after she goes inside I turned to leave, my thoughts returned to Brother Bhargav's message. The mention of being followed, the cryptic reference to the "Disk"—this was a development I couldn't ignore.

'Here I am Coming, My Reward.'

'Hide Presence'

Walking away from Zoya's building, I slipped into the shadows, blending with the quiet of the night. It was time to meet with Brother Bhargav and see who are following him.

........

As I made my way toward Brother Bhargav, my mind was already calculating the possible scenarios. He mentioned someone was following him, but who? And more importantly, do they superpower or not? After all Super powered person and Normal Person, it's like a difference between trainee and a veteran.

The streets grew quieter as I neared the location. Dublin at night could be eerily silent, the perfect cover for operations like ours. I spotted brother Bhargav up ahead, his figure partially concealed in an alleyway off of XXX street. His posture was tense, and he kept glancing over his shoulder.

I approached him, stepping into the darkness beside him without making a sound. His eyes widened for a moment before recognizing me.

"Dev, how? How the hell did you appear out of thin air." he whispered, his voice low. still a little shocked.

" Where are they?"

"They scattered around  the area after I came near the alleyway."

"Let me take care of them." I said, my tone calm.

"No, we have to do it secretly, don't want to attract crowd attention."

I nodded, considering how to clean them up without attracting the crowd  and that complicated things. "The Disk," I said, getting straight to the point. "You have it?"

Brother Bhargav hesitated for a split second, and that was all I needed to confirm my suspicions. He didn't have it yet, but he was close.

"Almost," he admitted.

"It's in transit. We just need to intercept it before they do."

"How many of them?" I asked, scanning the area without moving my head. My senses were heightened, searching for any sign of movement in the shadows.

"At least two, maybe more. I haven't seen them since I ducked into this alley, but they'll be back."

I nodded and used my heightened senses but I don't sense any danger from them So, they are just normal I mean without Superpower. After some thinking I formulated a plan.

"We need to draw them out. Make them come to us."

Brother Bhargav looked at me, confusion flickering in his eyes.

"And how do we do that?"

I smiled slightly, my mind already working through the details. "You will be the bait, Brother Bhargav."

His eyes widened, but he didn't argue. He trusted me, and he knew I had a plan. "What do you need me to do?"

"Walk out of here. Act natural. Head toward the rendezvous point. I'll be right behind you, but they won't know that. When they come for you, I'll handle the rest."

Brother Bhargav swallowed, but he nodded, steeling himself for what was about to happen. Without another word, he stepped out of the alley and into the dim light of the street.

'Hide Presence'

I followed him, unseen, blending with the shadows as I activated Hide Presence once again. My body moved like a wraith, silent, invisible.

Brother Bhargav kept walking, his pace steady but not hurried. He was good at playing the part—casual enough to avoid suspicion, but alert enough to react if needed.

Minutes passed, I was walking without a worry. I could feel it—the presence of others, just beyond the edge of my senses. They were watching brother Bhargav, closing in. My pulse quickened, but outwardly I remained calm, focused.

And then I saw them.

Two figures emerged from the darkness behind Bhargav while others still following from far, their movements careful but deliberate. Professionals, just as he'd said. They were closing in, their focus entirely on him.

'Perfect Let's take care of the distant ones first.'

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To be Continued…

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Word Count:1111