Chapter 9
The others watched as Lightning disappeared into the darkness, their hearts pounding in their chests. They knew they couldn't accompany him, as it would be too risky to draw attention to themselves.
"I hope he's careful," Brick muttered, his eyes fixed on the spot where Lightning had vanished.
Rudolph "Lightning" Jackson was no stranger to treating life like a game. Since the age of twelve, his father had instilled in him the importance of being the best, the need for perfection, and the thrill of the win. His father had envisioned him playing in the NFL, but Lightning had another path in mind, one that his father still refused to understand. Joining the war effort had become his way of proving himself, a way to test his skills and earn his father's respect.
Despite the distance between them, Lightning still held his family's first place trophies close to his heart, a constant reminder of the lessons his father had taught him. Even if his father still withheld his letters, Lightning remained relentless in his pursuit of victory, whether on the football field or on the battlefield. His gut had always guided him true before, and he was determined to trust it again.
Lightning crept silently through the shadows, moving with a cat-like stealth. He silently cursed the group of people they had spotted earlier, knowing that they would make it more difficult to move without being detected. He kept his ears straining for any sounds that could guide him toward the group, his senses on high alert.
Lightning's eyes widened as he spotted the target. She was stunning, her blonde hair sparkling in the dim light. Ten heavily armed men surrounded her, their watchful eyes never leaving her side. Lighting couldn't help but notice the way she casually puffed her cigar, exuding an air of authority and confidence.
Lightning's thoughts raced as he observed the target's smoking habit and the striking blue color of her eyes. It was undeniable – this was indeed Scott's cousin. A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as he thought about how Scott would react when he found out.
"Oh man, Scott's gonna lose his mind when he sees this," Lightning muttered to himself, suppressing a chuckle.
He continued to watch silently, taking in every detail of the situation. It was clear that the target was the leader of these fighters, her aura of authority and the way her protective entourage hovered around her made it evident. Lightning's instincts told him that getting closer would be risky, but he was drawn to the allure of the woman before him.
As Lightning continued to observe the scene, his thoughts whirled in his mind. He briefly considered making a scene and drawing the woman's attention, but then decided against it. Instead, he quietly made his way back to Brick and Scott, mulling over the information he had gathered.
As he returned to his companions, Lightning couldn't help but wonder about Scott's reaction to his revelation. He chuckled to himself, imagining the intense conversation they would have when Scott learned that Lightning was attracted to his cousin.
"Hey, you guys are not going to believe who I just saw," Lightning said in a hushed tone as he rejoined Scott and Brick. His eyes gleamed with a mixture of excitement and mischief.