Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 23

Vinnie screamed and cursed wildly, but his men just stood at a distance, their eyes filled with terror, none daring to step forward.

The bodies groaning on the floor were the best warning—this woman wasn't acting like a woman at all. She was a vicious wolf ready to tear them apart.

Creak. With a harsh, metallic scrape, the heavy metal doors were violently pushed wide open.

Instantly, like boiling black ink pouring into a clear pool, a swarm of fierce, blood-soaked men flooded into the club. The dark mass rapidly filled every corner, freezing the air so completely that even the music seemed to have been snuffed out.

"Leo! It's Leo!" Someone shrieked, their voice ringing with the wild ecstasy of a savior's arrival.

Under the dim lights, mixed with the heavy stench of smoke and alcohol, Phoenix lifted her head. Her gaze, sharp as an ice pick, cut precisely through the crowd and locked onto the entrance.

A man with a face crosshatched in scars slowly swaggered in. The glowing red cherry of the cigarette dangling from his lips flickered against his dark, hardened features.

"Haha! Bitch, you are dead!" Vinnie roared over his pain, grabbing onto this lifeline like a drowning man, his face twisting with unhinged arrogance. "Think you can fight? Think you can take on the whole Obsidian Syndicate? We'll stomp you into bloody pulp, one kick at a time!"

He glared venomously at Phoenix, pure madness shining in his eyes.

Phoenix ignored him entirely. She simply took two steps back and flexed her arm to hoist up Macy, who was slumped heavily over the edge of the bar. She could feel the faint, steady pulse beneath her friend's burning skin.

At the same time, her other hand discreetly swiped across her phone screen, finding the number of her assistant, Eustace.

Nearby, Julian's eyes darted frantically. He had wanted to rush over and grab Macy, playing out his pre-written 'hero' script, but his feet felt like lead, completely paralyzed by the terrifying, oppressive force of the men pouring into the room.

Tonight was supposed to be a perfectly orchestrated plan. Who knew it would be completely derailed by this suddenly unfamiliar and formidable 'sister' of his.

Even worse, in his rush to show off earlier, he had mouthed off to Vinnie. Now... getting out of this alive was going to be next to impossible.

Leo Vance was the true underworld king of this district.

"Leo! S-She's a freak of nature!" Vinnie pointed fearfully at Phoenix, his voice trembling uncontrollably. "It's just her! Bare-handed! She took down five of our boys! She hits like a truck!"

Leo's venomous eyes slowly shifted toward Phoenix. His cold, slimy gaze dragged over her, as if trying to peel back her skin to see what she was made of.

However, Phoenix met his stare with utter calm. There was no fear in her eyes, not even a ripple of emotion. That almost ruthless composure sent a fleeting, indescribable sense of unease through Leo.

"Heh... got some skills, I see." Leo grunted, exhaling a thick cloud of smoke that obscured his face in a hazy shadow. "What a shame..."

His tone abruptly turned sharp, dripping with a bloodthirsty chill. "Anyone who touches my people disrespects The Obsidian Syndicate!"

"Your life—"

"Ends here today!"