Hearing the name Black Hounds sent a cold weight through Max’s chest. Of all the groups that could have interfered, it had to be them , now, of all times.
He didn’t want this. He didn’t want them touching anything connected to him, and he especially didn’t want them involved with the business side of the Billion Bloodline. He had gone to great lengths to keep the company and his other dealings separate , the Venture Capital group on one side, the Bloodline network on the other. But now, the lines had been crossed.
The Black Hounds had attacked their base.
They had taken Sheri.
And she wasn’t even part of any of this.
"We have to find them," Max said firmly, scanning the faces around him. His voice was sharp, leaving no room for hesitation. "We have to find where they are , at all costs. Contact everyone in the group."
He turned to Aron and Na, his tone becoming colder, more commanding. "Send word to everyone in the city. I want eyes on every possible lead. Have the Rangers form a strong squad , make them raid every active fighting arena the Black Hounds own. Start with the ones closest to Brinehurst. Get information, and don’t stop until someone talks."
Darno stood nearby, watching silently. He didn’t need to be told who was really in charge here. The way Aron and Na responded, the way everyone listened , it was clear as day that Max was the one giving orders.
And the scale of what he was demanding... it wasn’t small. This wasn’t some small search operation; it sounded like a full citywide sweep.
Is it because he’s from the Stern family? Darno wondered. Didn’t they say he was a deadbeat? Then how is he able to move people like this?
Max didn’t slow down. "Get everyone mobilized," he said. "Every member of the Fortis Group takes part in the search for Sheri. We’re not having another Abby situation."
The way he said her name , Abby , carried weight. A name that clearly meant something painful to him, something that made the room go silent for a moment.
Darno didn’t know what that story was, but he didn’t need to. The tension in Max’s voice was enough.
"Max," Darno said, stepping forward. "How can I help? I can tell you the direction they were heading, and maybe we can have the Fortis Group track the license plate."
"No need," Max replied immediately. "We already have people following the direction they took. You’re coming with me, Na, and Aron. I need your fighting power more than anything."
He turned, his eyes dark but steady. "We’re not leaving the dirty work to the Billion Bloodline Group this time. We’re going to get our hands dirty too."
Although Max had always preferred to keep the Fortis Group away from direct conflict, this was different. He wasn’t using the entire organization to wage war , he was using Darno. The rest were spread across the city, searching, investigating, gathering information. But Darno... Darno was a fighter, and Max needed him close.
Caught in the urgency of it all, Darno didn’t even question the decision.
Within minutes, the four of them were on the move. They piled into vehicles and began their journey out of the city, heading straight toward Brinehurst , one of the known territories connected to the Black Hounds.
As they entered the district, Darno noticed something strange.
The streets were alive with people wearing black and crimson jackets, each stitched with a distinct Bloodline emblem on the back , the same logo that matched the company’s design. There were groups standing beside cars, others talking in alleys, and some who looked more like thugs than businessmen.
The entire area felt charged, like an army preparing for war.
All of this... because of Max? Darno thought. He watched as men nodded respectfully when their car passed. It has to be from his call earlier. But even with the Stern family’s wealth, how is this possible? Why are all these people wearing the company’s logo?
The pieces didn’t fit together. He could guess the answer , but even that possibility didn’t make sense.
Moments later, several cars pulled up to a busy street filled with restaurants and bars. The air was thick with noise , music, chatter, and the smell of food , but at the far end of the block stood a large venue.
It was known locally for its boxing nights . On normal evenings, the ring was closed to the public, its doors locked. But everyone in the underworld knew the truth , on nights like this, the building doubled as one of the underground fighting arenas run by the Black Hounds.
As they parked, more cars joined them. Dozens of members from the Bloodline Group stepped out, all wearing their matching jackets. The street quieted as passersby moved aside, watching the sudden gathering of organized men with wary eyes.
At the same time, Aron went around to the back of one of the vehicles, unzipping a duffel bag. He pulled out a jacket and slipped it on, the black-and-red material glinting faintly under the streetlights.
Na raised a brow. "Don’t I get one of those?"
Aron smirked slightly. "These are only for special individuals. When the Rangers gather wearing these, it means something big is happening. It means someone’s in real trouble."
Na didn’t reply. He didn’t fully understand what Aron meant, but he could feel the weight of the atmosphere.
Then Max stepped out of the car.
He didn’t speak. He didn’t need to. The moment his foot touched the ground, every Bloodline member nearby turned their gaze toward him. The sound of idle conversation stopped.
Darno followed a step behind, unsure if he should say anything. He felt out of place , like an outsider in someone else’s army.
Max walked forward, each step measured and heavy. The rest of the Bloodline members naturally fell in behind him, forming a quiet line that stretched across the street.
When they reached the building at the end of the path, Max didn’t hesitate. He lifted his leg and kicked the metal doors open with a single, thunderous strike.
The crash echoed through the alley, and silence fell.
Inside, the dimly lit interior of the fighting arena came into view , the smell of sweat, blood, and cheap liquor filling the air. Men inside turned in surprise, but before anyone could react, Max’s voice rang out, sharp and commanding.
"I’m here for one person and one person only," he shouted, his voice reverberating off the walls. "Where is Jett? "