An Understated Dominance by Marina Vittori

“Stop right there!” Colton suddenly shouted and stopped Mulder just as he was about to pass through the checkpoint.

In an instant, everyone tensed up. Mulder’s hand instinctively moved to the hilt of his blade, and Warrick clenched his fists, ready for a fight.

“Mr. Dane, is there a problem?” Mulder turned, smiling calmly.

“Are these men your soldiers?” Colton’s gaze swept over the men, scanning each one from the front to the back.

“Of course. I trained them myself.” Mulder nodded, the easy smile still plastered on his face.

“Show me their ID badges. I need to check them one by one.”

“Is that really necessary? I’m in a bit of a hurry to carry out my mission.”

“I’m just doing my duty, and I’d appreciate your cooperation,” Colton replied, his gaze unwavering.

“Mr. Dane, it’s not like we just met. Do you still not trust me?” Mulder’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Besides, I have Mr. Cruz’s signed authorization right here. Even if you won’t do me a favor, surely you wouldn’t disrespect him, right?”

Colton frowned and looked hesitant. He didn’t mind offending Mulder, but crossing Axel could spell trouble for his career. Still, if he didn’t check carefully and something went wrong, he’d be the one held accountable.

After a few moments of deliberation, Colton stood his ground. “Rules are rules. Please show me the ID badges.”

Mulder’s smile slowly faded. “Since you insist, I guess we have no choice but to comply.”

He turned to the dozen or so men behind him and gave them a subtle nod. “Show your IDs to Mr. Dane.”

remained silent as they pulled

past Mulder and began inspecting their badges, starting from the front. The first ten men checked out without issue. But when

your badge?”

end of the line was unusually large, and his towering frame made him impossible to miss. His face, partially hidden

Colton stepped closer, he caught a faint scent

didn’t bring it,” the man

“You didn’t bring it?”

his head. In the dim moonlight, he suddenly realized the man’s face looked familiar-like he had seen him somewhere before. But with his head lowered and

Colton ordered, now on high alert. His hand

through it after

man slowly raised his head, revealing

was none other than

“You…”

he was about to draw his sword, Warrick struck-his hand pierced straight through Colton’s

his face froze

to let us through, but you just had to get in the way,” Warrick snarled with a wicked grin. “You’re getting paid peanuts for this job. Why risk

a flick of his wrist, he hurled Colton’s body more than ten yards away. The lifeless body skidded across the ground, leaving

moment, the checkpoint guards stood frozen as they struggled to process what had just

them had expected a member of the City Defenders to suddenly attack

“Attack!”

already prepared. Without hesitation, he drew

him didn’t hesitate and drew their weapons as they