Chapter 370: I’m A Little Bitch

Nina couldn’t even be seen laughing with some of the younger members.

Even the lounge, which was normally filled with people coming and going, had become strangely subdued.

Everyone knew why... West had returned from his confrontation with Angel Trigger without either of the two missing ladies.

The events of that night had spread through Shadow Reapers like a dark cloud.

West had fought Angel Trigger and nearly killed him... and yet, despite all his strength, speed, and abilities, Angel Trigger had managed to turn the situation around by revealing that he had placed fail-safes on the lives of Aria and Liz.

If West killed him, they would die...

If West refused to cooperate, they would remain missing... and if West tried anything reckless... Angel Trigger had made it clear that he had prepared for that possibility too.

For the next couple of days, West spent most of his time inside his office.

He sat behind his desk, staring at the same piece of paper for what seemed like hours.

Names, locations, possible connections and every lead they had discovered had been investigated.

Every location associated with Angel Trigger had been checked and every person who might have known something had been questioned.

Still, there was not a single useful lead.

Jax stood by the window, arms folded across his chest.

"Still nothing," he said quietly.

West eyes remained fixed on the map spread across the desk. "Nothing."

Jax sighed. "We’ve got people checking every transportation route out of the city. Airports, train stations, private terminals, everything."

"I know."

"Security footage too."

"I know."

"We’ve even got people checking abandoned buildings and underground facilities."

West finally leaned back. "And?"

"Nothing."

West rubbed his forehead with an infuriating scowl.

Despite all his power... none of that mattered when his enemies chose to hide people instead of confronting him directly.

That was what made Angel Trigger dangerous... he wasn’t simply powerful, he came prepared and he understood exactly where West was vulnerable.

The media had naturally wanted answers after the destruction caused by the battle.

Two Tier 2 powered awakened fighting in the middle of the city was not something that could simply disappear...

Buildings had been destroyed, roads had been damaged and the club where the battle began had been reduced to ruins...

Yet somehow, the story released to the public was completely different.

The news said it was an earthquake. They claimed a bizarre localized seismic event had supposedly caused the destruction.

There was no mention of Angel Trigger or West or a battle.

West stared at the television mounted on the wall as another news report discussed the supposed earthquake.

His expression remained blank. "There is only one thing left."

Jax lowered his head, already understandimg what he meant. "The number."

West nodded.

For over a week, he had refused to call because that would be handing power over to Angel Trigger but now he no longer had a choice.

West picked up his phone and his thumb hovered over the contact information briefly.

Jax looked at him. "Bro..."

West glanced over while Jax swallowed. "You don’t have to do this alone."

A faint smile appeared on West’s face. "I know."

He pressed the call button and almost instantly, the phone began to ring.

"Finall," Angel Trigger’s voice came through from the other end after the call connected.

"You swallowed your pride," he added in amusement.

West’s eyes narrowed. "Let them go."

A brief chuckle came from the other end. "Straight to business?"

"You want me."

"I already have you."

West gritted his teeth. "Then take me instead. Release Aria and Liz."

"That’s not how this works."

"Then what do you want?"

Angel Trigger paused deliberately. "I want you to understand something, West. You don’t get to decide when this ends."

"You’re going to follow my demands," West remained silent as Angel Trigger continued. "Every single one."

West slowly exhaled. "..I’m listening."

"Good."

"First things first," Angel Trigger voiced with a sharper hint of amusement.

"You’re going to make a video."

Jax’s expression immediately darkened.

"A video?"

Angel Trigger continued. "I want you kneeling."

West’s eyes narrowed.

"You’ll apologize to my brother."

"Properly."

West’s fingers tightened around the phone as Angel Trigger continued. "You’ll tell him you’re sorry for what you did."

Angel Trigger laughed softly. "And I want you to call yourself exactly what you are."

West’s expression hardened.

"A pathetic bastard... a disgusting cunt... a powerless mutt..."

Jax immediately stepped forward. "West, don’t."

Angel Trigger continued. "A little bitch."

Jax’s face twisted with anger. "He’s trying to humiliate you."

"You don’t have to do this."

West raised one hand and Jax fell silent as Angel Trigger’s voice came through again.

"You’ll insult yourself. You’ll admit that what you did to my brother was wrong. You’ll beg him for forgiveness."

West stared at the floor and for a few seconds, nobody spoke.

Jax stepped closer. "West."

"Don’t give him this."

West paused for a couple of seconds before he finally spoke. "I don’t care about my pride."

Jax stiffened while West added with a low tone. "I care about getting them back."

That silenced everyone.

He reached for a chair and slowly, placed a phone on it to start recording.

Then he lowered himself onto his knees.

Jax clenched his fists. "This is bullshit."

West didn’t respond, he simply carried on as the recording began.

For several seconds, West simply stared into the camera before finally speaking. "My name is West Einstein."

"I am the leader of Shadow Reapers."

A brief silence followed as his expression tightened.

"And I’m here to apologize to Matthew."

Jax looked away as West continued. "For what I did to you..."

His teeth ground together. "...I was wrong."

The room remained completely silent as West stared directly into the camera. "I had no right to put my hands on you."

His eyes darkened. "I had no right to attack you."

His fingers slowly curled into fists. "And I had no right to send you flying through that window."

"Mathew... I’m sorry," he paused briefly.

That was the easy part because what came next were the words Angel Trigger had specifically demanded.

West swallowed. "I’m a little bitch."