Police cruisers blocked the entrance to the club.
Red and blue lights flashed against the paint-stained façade. News reporters broadcast live while trying to interview guests who stumbled out drenched in red and yellow.
Chaos.
Outrage.
Public humiliation.
Loren walked out of the club surrounded by his men.
His elegant suit was ruined. His face… showed no embarrassment.
It showed fury.
He clenched his fist so tightly his knuckles turned white.
"Find that clown," he ordered in a low voice filled with rage. "And put a bounty on him."
His men exchanged glances.
They knew when Loren spoke like that… someone ended up dead.
"How much, boss?" one of them asked.
Loren looked at the cameras. The police. The quiet laughter of bystanders.
The humiliation.
"Five hundred thousand."
Silence.
"Alive."
Pause.
"Or dead."
There was no argument. Only nods.
---
Police perimeter
An officer approached the chief of the department.
"Sir… this is strange."
"I know."
"No serious injuries. Just compressed paint and some kind of unknown mechanism."
The chief frowned.
"All the witnesses are saying the same thing."
"Say it."
"A dog-shaped balloon was floating on the ceiling. It started barking… specifically toward the group where Loren was standing. Then it exploded."
Silence.
The chief looked at the building. Then at Loren.
That gang had been a problem in the city for years.
Extortion. Trafficking. Intimidation.
They could never prove anything substantial.
And now…
A "clown" was publicly humiliating them.
"Any real explosives?"
"Negative."
"How did it get inside?"
"No one saw anything."
The officer hesitated before continuing.
"Sir… it's believed this same individual was involved in the Morris County and Sussex County cases. The FBI even intervened."
The chief tightened his jaw.
"If it's the same one… the FBI will take over."
Pause.
"And if today it was paint… tomorrow it might not be."
---
Outside
I was standing near the police line.
Watching.
Listening.
Focusing on every word coming from Loren's group.
"Five hundred thousand…"
I smiled slightly.
That's a lot of money.
But far too little for my head.
Almost an insult.
I gave Loren one last look before walking away.
I moved through the city until I found an empty place.
Snap.
And I appeared in my bedroom.
I fell onto the bed.
I'm tired.
Loren… I'll take everything from you.
But not today.
Today, we just started playing.
---
The phone rings.
I sigh.
I answer.
"Hello, Ryan. Long time no see, champ."
I laugh.
"I know you missed my voice. Don't worry, I'll call more often."
Silence on the other end.
"I heard that after what you did at that club… they put a bounty on you."
"Ha ha."
"Nice one… but very amateur."
Pause.
"Have fun."
Click.
I hang up.
I squeeze the phone tightly.
"That bastard…"
Snap.
Silence.
I exhale slowly.