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"Mr. John Wick, it's been a long time since you last visited our city."
John turned to look at the man and said,"I need to be with—"
Before he could finish, the bald man beside him cut in,"I know. Ms. Al-Azwah. She's been expecting you."
The two quickly reached the hotel entrance and pushed the doors open. Inside was a small plaza, bustling with life. Everyone held a glass of champagne, as if a party were in full swing.
"Mr. Wick, welcome to the Moroccan Continental Hotel. I hope you enjoy your stay."
The bald man guided John Wick through the crowd and into the hotel.
"This way, please. Ms. Al-Azwah never waits for anyone."
At last, he led John Wick into a room and said,"Good luck, Mr. Wick."
Then he emphasized it again, smiling,"Good luck."
After wishing him luck twice, the bald man left the room.
As the corridor fell silent, John Wick stepped forward.
He noticed several photographs arranged on a round table and picked up a small frame. The photo showed Sofia with her daughter.
As John studied the picture, two Belgian Malinois emerged into the room, baring their teeth and glaring at him, ready to attack at any moment.
From the back of the room came the sharp click of a pistol being cocked. A woman stepped out of the shadows, gun in hand, walking toward him.
"I hear you like dogs, John?"
John looked at the approaching figure and asked cautiously,"Sofia?"
He set the photo frame back on the table and raised his hands to show he wasn't a threat.
Without hesitation, Sofia fired a shot straight into John Wick's abdomen.
Bang!
The bullet struck his suit, the impact and pain knocking him to the floor.
"Sofia!"
"You can't kill someone bound to you by a blood oath!"
Sofia kept her gun trained on him as she stepped closer."I didn't kill you," she said coldly. "I just shot you."
She glanced down and saw that he wasn't bleeding."Nice suit."
John Wick took a deep breath and shook his jacket. The flattened bullet fell to the floor.
It was the latest custom-made bulletproof suit from the Continental Hotel. That was why he was unharmed—though taking a shot at point-blank range still hurt like hell.
John looked up at her."It's good to see you."
Sofia gritted her teeth."I should put a bullet in your head right now."
She knew John Wick's arrival would only bring trouble.
Still lying on the floor, John said quietly,"I know."
He slowly sat up and reached into the inner pocket of his jacket.
Sofia snapped,"Don't."
What John pulled out wasn't a gun—it was the blood oath marker Sofia had once given him.
Even so, she kept her weapon trained on him."You're out, John."
"That marker doesn't mean anything anymore."
John rose slowly to his feet, holding the marker. He opened it and held it up for her to see."That's your blood."
"Your contract."
"When you needed help, I helped you."
He repeated the very words she had once said to him.
Sofia let out a long sigh, lowered her gun, and said helplessly,"Sit."
Instantly, the two dogs sat down.
John glanced at them, still holding the blood oath marker.
Sofia said tiredly,"I told you to sit, John."
She turned and lowered herself onto the sofa beside her.
When John sat down opposite her, she said,"You know I run this hotel now."
"John, I don't provide services anymore."
"I don't go out and put bullets in people's heads."
John waved a hand."I'm not asking you to kill anyone."
"I just need one thing."
Sofia frowned."What?"
She seemed to realize something—but didn't say it.
John looked at her seriously."The Dragon Ball. The one in your possession."
She didn't answer directly, instead changing the subject."When I agreed to manage this hotel, I made a deal."
"I have to follow the High Table's rules."
"Letting you in here could get me killed."
Her expression hardened."If I make a mistake, if I make enemies, someone might come after my daughter."
"I know what you did to save her."
"But I can't take that risk. I'm sorry."
John lowered his head and spoke in a low voice,"Do you want to know where she is?"
Sofia stared at him intensely."No. I never want to know."
"Because I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to resist going to see her."
"Deep down, I want to see her more than anything."
"But every day, I have to suppress that desire."
"Just to protect her."
Her voice trembled as she continued,"Because sometimes, you have to kill the things you love."
"That's why I gave you the blood oath."
"That's why we're sitting here right now."
"And that's why everything has gone so wrong."
John looked down at the marker in his hand."You reap what you sow…"
Sofia nodded slowly."Yes. You reap what you sow."
John looked at her and spoke again,"I just need you to give me the Dragon Ball."
"I know you have one."
"If you give it to me, we're even."
"My other affairs won't involve you."
He placed the blood oath marker on the table and slid it toward her.