Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) novel Chapter 2857

Behind the bar, Gaia flashed a professional smile. "Hey, baby, what can I get you? A cocktail, or maybe something else I've got down below?"

Andrew pulled back his hood, revealing a brilliant grin. "Ms. Evans, that line's tacky as hell and old as dirt. Sorry to disappoint you, but I'm not interested in what you've to offer. It probably reeks anyway."

Gaia bristled with rage, but when she got a clear look at Andrew's face, she froze like she had been struck by lightning. "It's you! You actually had the nerve to come back? Don't you know the entire city's looking for you right now?"

Her mind spun, and she instinctively turned to call someone and tip them off.

However, Andrew was faster. His greatsword pressed against her ample chest in an instant, his smile still brilliant. "I just want a place to get some sleep and grab a bite to eat. I hope you won't make this difficult for me."

Gaia's whole body went cold as ice. She did not even know if the thing in his hands was a sword or a blade. She only knew it was brutally oppressive, and one swing would probably tear her apart.

After a brief hesitation, Gaia made the wise choice and decided to save her own skin first. She lowered her voice, hissing through clenched teeth. "Harboring a criminal is a death sentence, too, you know! You bastard, you're going to get me killed."

Andrew replied flatly, "Do you really think I care about that? Relax. I'll sleep, eat, and then I'm gone. If you can't handle a simple request like that, then sorry, I'll just have to drag you down with me."

Gaia's body trembled violently, fear coursing through her. Seeing that no one had noticed anything unusual, she quickly vaulted over the bar and told the staff she was clocking out early tonight. Then, she led Andrew toward the back exit of the bar.

Silently, she prayed that this devil would leave soon and not actually get her killed. She made a living off other people, but today she had run into someone even more predatory than herself.

She cursed at her rotten luck.

Before long, Andrew had a reasonably clean room and a steaming plate of food.

Gaia figured that after Andrew ate his fill, he would want her too. So, she might as well be proactive. That way, once he got his rocks off, he would leave her alone faster.

She had been hustling in the City of Hope for over a decade. She knew how this game worked.

…

From above, the City of Hope looked very different. Of the four districts, only the northern sector had organized, well-planned architecture. Among the buildings stood one particularly massive stone palace, lavishly decorated yet ruggedly imposing.

It resembled an ancient colosseum, with archways below where luxury vehicles constantly came and went.

This was City of Hope's administrative headquarters, also known as the City Lord's Mansion.