The Punisher

Chloe

“Chief, I swear to you, the day after tomorrow everything will be ready!” If, of course, I manage to get into the victim’s lair.

“Chloe, I’ve been hearing that for two months straight!” Big Boss glares at me from under his brows. “You’ve worn my ears raw with this sensation of yours! And you’re silent as a partisan. Tell me right now what the hell this is, or I’m pulling your article from print.”

No! Anything but that! Then my father will definitely drag me into his company, and marry me off to whoever he needs.

“Chief, forty-eight hours! Not a second more! I swear!” I clench my fists. I even rise a little from the chair so my boss can get a good look at my pretty little face.

He presses his lips together in displeasure, shakes his head tiredly, and leans back in his chair.

“I’m giving you forty hours, no more. If this scribble comes in without proof, you’ll fly out of here like a cork! Well, why are you frozen there? The clock is ticking!” He taps his index finger against his wristwatch. “Get out!”

I blow Kolobok an air kiss, run out the door, and quickly grab the bag from my desk. Leaving the editorial office, I immediately dial my informant’s number.

“Did you find it?” Yes! Yes! Say yes! I lift my eyes to the sky as if begging for the right answer.

“You’re lucky, Chloe, but I still don’t advise you to go there. No sensation is worth that.”

What do you know, serf! I don’t want to live by someone else’s rules. And I’m not afraid of them. Big deal, werewolves. I’ve run from special squads hundreds of times, and I’m supposed to fail running from a wolf?!

They hide, control everything in the city, and I’m supposed to keep quiet? Oh, hell no. If I’ve caught the trail, no one has the power to stop me.

“Don’t purr at me. Send the invitation if you have it. I’m a big girl. I’ll figure it out myself.”

“I did everything I could. Fine,” he sighs, “come to me, we’ll talk. I’m afraid they’ll track you before you can even squeak.”

He ends the call.

Damn it! He just ruined my mood with his babbling. He knows I won’t back down. We haven’t been working together for the first day.

I leisurely trudge toward the parking lot under the scorching sun. June has already come into its own, but as it turns out, I am not at all ready for summer. Combat boots and wide pants are completely wrong for the weather; only the strappy tank top lets me breathe. And I’m not exactly a fashion freak anyway, even if I am a businessman’s daughter.

My father owns a chain of beauty salons and gyms. He is very devoted to his work, just like I am. Must be a family thing. True, his love is for kettlebells, and mine is for sensations.

Once I’m inside the cabin of my inconspicuous little baby, I immediately turn on the air conditioner. I breathe the fresh air for a bit, scrolling through all the possible ways events could unfold. Father will be unhappy again. My job pisses him off. Says I’m always taking risks and the salary is tiny.

It’s enough for me. I don’t pay rent; I live in my own apartment, where my dad systematically hangs around. He gets bored alone, comes to my place like it’s a supermarket, for groceries.

I start the engine and pull out onto the road. I know the route by heart, I don’t even turn on the navigator. Sarni and I have been working together for about four years. We met in a bar when I was looking for the right info, back when I had just joined the editorial office. At first, he didn’t want to work with me, but after he learned the amount of the reward, he changed his mind. Yes, I don’t skimp on a verified bite. So we work together.

Half an hour of insane traffic jams, and finally, I park near the club. I leave the car in the very corner of the lot so I don’t attract attention. Our city is not exactly calm when it comes to crime. Best-case scenario, they’ll steal it if they like it, and if they don’t… I don’t even want to think about what will come into those barbarians’ heads.

I go inside without any obstacles. The guys know me. The main thing for them is that I’m not the police; everything else is allowed. They’re even loyal to us journalists.

“How’s it going?”

“All good. You’ve been coming by a lot,” the brute mutters. “Another secret case?”

“Exactly. I think after this news, a permanent column on the front page is guaranteed for me.”

“Yeah,” he winks.

I wave to the bartender and immediately turn into the long, narrow corridor leading to the VIP booths. I knock on the right door, just in case Sarni isn’t alone—he has plenty of freeloaders. The guy is one of the best informants in the city, and he’s built himself a solid business on it, along with respect.

After receiving permission, I lightly push the door open. The man is sitting on the sofa, looking at his phone, and the moment he turns his head toward me, he hides it at once.

He nods to the stripper to get lost. I come closer. I wait impatiently for the girl to disappear. I already want to know what he’s prepared for me this time. I’m all anticipation.

“Kid,” he unbuttons the button on his expensive jacket, “think again. Maybe leave them the hell alone?”

“Sarni, you know me!” I sit down beside him. I’ve remembered very well that he considers it disrespectful if a man has to lift his head to talk to me.

“I do know you, that’s why I’m worried,” he hums. “My job is to warn you. The rest is on you.”

He stalls, and I am ready to explode. Time is already pressing.

“Consider it a jackpot,” I hint at a good fee. “Tonight, our club is choosing dancers for the Punisher.”

“Mmm, not much of a name,” I purse my lips. Goose bumps run over my skin from the name alone.

“It’s a nickname. The real name of the leader of the Island is Noah. If you want into the city, you have to get to the viewing. Until today, Nedan handled the selection. I know him, but rumor has it he found his mate. There’s a strong chance Bison will come. I won’t be able to make a deal with that asshole.”

I’m already fluttering inside like a butterfly. There’s so much interesting stuff that I’m already regretting leaving the recorder in the car.

“Don’t worry, I’ll get through. I’ll find a way.” I search my backpack for a bundle of papers. I leave it on the table and, with an immense feeling of bliss, stride toward the door.

“At eight, come to the back entrance. I’ll get you in, and after that, you’re on your own.” Yes, Sarni really is the best! He knows how dangerous this is, and still he helps. “Chloe, but I’m warning you: I have nothing to do with this!” His tone is stern.

“Okey!”

I need to find suitable clothes, but first I’ll stop by my father’s so he won’t worry. I just need to come up with a cover story. Last time, I spent three nights at the zoo waiting for sensational photos of an elephant giving birth. In reality, I was chasing a hitman the police couldn’t catch. Back then, all I needed was proof. This time is completely different. Here, photos and video materials aren’t the only important things. It’s important to understand the meaning of their coexistence with us.

I stepped over the threshold of the bar and, while the heavy door slowly closed, looked into the depths. Something stabbed in my chest, and a strange feeling appeared, as if it were pulling me into an abyss.

I brushed it off and, remembering the future sensation, got behind the wheel with a smile on my face. I threw the roof back to enjoy the breeze to the fullest. There are no traffic jams now, so I can let loose completely.