+ MISSION HUH? +

+CHAPTER 22+

"Okay, remember the plan," Angel whispered as the group huddled just outside the entrance. "Stick together, keep low, and don't do anything stupid."

Victoria rolled her eyes but kept her weapon ready, a sleek pistol she'd been eyeing since the briefing. "Relax, 'Master Strategist.' I've got this."

The moment they breached the entrance, everything went downhill. The guards were everywhere, and before anyone could follow the "plan," Victoria—emboldened by her newfound love for firearms—fired the first shot.

And then the second.

And the third.

Chaos erupted as the guards returned fire, ducking behind crates and shouting orders. Meanwhile, Victoria was fully in her element, weaving through the room with a grin plastered across her face. "This is actually fun!" she shouted over the commotion.

"Vi, what are you doing?!" Andrea yelled, crouching behind a barrel with Jaemin. "You're going to get us killed!"

"Living my best life!" Victoria shouted back, taking cover behind a steel beam before popping out to take another shot.

Angel ducked beside Andrea, glaring toward Victoria's direction. "She's going to blow the whole operation!"

"No kidding," Andrea snapped. "Maybe you should stop her, Master Strategist."

Angel growled under his breath but didn't get the chance to move. A thug closed in on Victoria from behind, snatching her gun and pinning her against the wall.

Victoria struggled against the thug's grip, her eyes blazing with fury. "You do not get to mess with my fun. Listen, if you let me go, I can introduce you to our Lord and savior Jesus Christ."

The thug chuckled darkly, tightening his hold. "Time's up, princess."

Before he could do anything more, there was a sharp, metallic click from behind him. "Not so fast," came Angel's voice, smooth but laced with danger.

The thug froze, glancing over his shoulder just in time to see Angel pull the trigger. A clean, precise shot dropped the thug instantly, and Victoria stumbled forward, breathing heavily.

Angel stepped closer, holstering his weapon and giving Victoria a smug grin. "You're welcome."

Victoria spun around, her eyes wide. "You killed a bitch for me."

"Obviously," Angel replied, inspecting his nails like he hadn't just taken someone down effortlessly. "But, you know, no big deal. Just being my usual heroic self."

Victoria's expression shifted from stunned gratitude to seething annoyance in record time. "Never mind. I hate you."

Angel chuckled, unfazed. "Hate me all you want, girl. Just remember who saved your ass."

Andrea, having watched the entire exchange from a safe distance, nudged Jaemin and whispered, "Well, that's one way to bond."

Jaemin grinned. "Do you think Victoria will admit she likes him by, like, chapter 50?"

"Not a chance," Andrea replied, shaking her head. "But this is going to be hilarious."

Victoria adjusted her jacket with a huff, pointedly ignoring Angel as the group regrouped in the shadowy corner of the warehouse. Andrea handed her back the weapon the thug had snatched, her eyebrows raised. "You good, Vi?"

"Oh, I'm fine," Victoria snapped, glancing toward Angel with her most withering glare. "Just being patronized by Mr. Hero Complex over here."

Angel leaned casually against a crate, arms crossed and grin as smug as ever. "I think you mean rescued. But hey, no need to thank me. Again."