~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For 20 advanced chapters, visit my patreon:
patreon.com/fatimasoomro123
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fox watched Santino D'Antonio begin eating and turned to Smith."So he wants John Wick's blood oath?""Why?""That guy's a fugitive, isn't he?"
A mocking smile crossed Smith's face."The hit order was issued by the man right in front of us.""He just suddenly realized that the power he controls cannot protect him at this moment."
Fox feigned surprise."So he just wants to cancel John Wick's membership?"
Smith chuckled."Some people—one foot on a blood oath, sending others to complete a mission, the other foot chasing people, issuing kill orders.""When they realize they can't win, they come here for sanctuary, even trying to revoke someone else's membership.""Don't be too much like Santino."
Smith didn't lower his voice; the assassins in the restaurant could hear him clearly.
Many looked at Santino D'Antonio with disdain. None of them were exactly good people, but this was the first time they had seen someone so despicable.
Santino looked increasingly embarrassed. He had fled to the Continental Hotel in desperation. First, Winston refused him; then Smith mocked him. Anger boiled within him.
But Santino was powerless against Smith Doyle. After inheriting his sister's seat, he immediately used his authority to investigate Doyle's intelligence.
The Assassin Alliance was an organization where even the highest-ranking members had to coexist peacefully.
This made Santino even more furious. He gripped his dinner knife tightly.
For now, he could only stay at the Continental to protect himself, then figure out a way to eliminate John Wick.
As for Smith Doyle, not only could he not offend him, he also needed to extract information from him before acquiring the two Dragon Balls.
Elsewhere, John Wick followed the trail all the way to the Continental Hotel.
Seeing the hotel, he knew Santino had come seeking sanctuary. After all, the unwritten rule here forbade killing.
John pushed open the hotel door, gun in hand, a deadly glare on his face. He approached the front desk."I'm here to see Santino D'Antonio."
Charon looked at John, noticing the battle scars covering him, the deadly aura unrelenting. He swallowed, then said slowly,"Sir… he's waiting for you in the restaurant."
John Wick didn't pause, heading straight for the restaurant in the lower level. At the stairwell, he saw Santino dining on red wine and steak. Nearby were Winston, Smith Doyle, and Fox.
John barely acknowledged Smith Doyle. His focus was on Santino.
Hearing footsteps on the stairs, Santino saw John Wick approaching.
Santino took a deep breath, no longer nervous. This was the Continental—a guaranteed safe zone. John Wick wouldn't dare act here.
He straightened his suit, leaning back in his chair, watching John Wick approach.
Every eye in the restaurant was on John Wick—the lethal aura, the gun in his hand, an unmistakable sense of foreboding.
Santino picked up a fork, speared a piece of beef, dipped it in duck fat, and chewed, leaning back in his chair as he observed John Wick."Duck fat is a very important seasoning," he said casually.
Winston noticed the tension radiating from John Wick."John!" he warned.
Santino, however, teased:"John, have you seen the menu here?""Just pick whatever you like."
Realizing trouble was imminent, Winston tried again:"John, listen to me."
But John ignored him, standing silently before Santino.
Fox, observing, whispered with uncertainty:"Smith, do you think John Wick would dare break the rules here?"
Smith replied calmly:"If a man doesn't even have the courage to break the rules, he can't achieve his goal."
Smith Doyle knew the power wielded by those at the center of authority. John Wick's ability to kill the Camorra leader and corner Santino here was only possible because both men had just inherited power—they had yet to fully grasp or wield it.
Gianna had died before her coronation; Santino's own coronation hadn't taken place yet. Their true power had barely manifested.
If Santino survived this disaster, he could leverage the Camorra and the High Table to hunt John Wick remotely.
Even with the bounty rising, John could not afford to delay.
Santino continued to provoke:"The menu here is so vast, it can captivate any guest."
Feeling John Wick's deadly intent about to erupt, Winston intervened:"Jonathan, turn and leave now."
As if the provocation weren't enough, Santino sneered:"Yes, John."
John now understood—if he didn't kill Santino here, he would never have peace, and might not survive to find the other Dragon Balls.
Rules could be broken; first, Santino had to be eliminated.
Smith Doyle's words had made it clear. John Wick no longer hesitated. He raised his gun and shot Santino straight in the head.
Watching John act, a smile crossed Smith's face. Rules are meant to be broken. If Perkins could do it, why not John Wick?
Winston was shocked. John Wick had just killed Santino D'Antonio inside the Continental, in front of everyone.
Looking at the lifeless body, Winston slowly said,"What have you done?"
John Wick placed his gun on the table and replied coldly,"Ended it."
He turned to Smith Doyle.
Smith Doyle met John Wick's gaze."Your adventure continues. Come back alive. You know this place."