An Excuse to Pick Up Girls

Watching Liv's brows knit together, Downton chuckled as he zipped up his travel bag and said, "It's just a question, Liv. It's not as difficult as you're making it out to be."

"Downton!"

Liv couldn't take it as lightly as Downton did. After catching sight of the grenade, she immediately reached out to press down on his thigh, her hand inching toward his vitals. "These are all pitiful women here; perhaps I'm the only one who isn't. Even if you want to toy with us, don't kill us. Just staying alive is hard enough for them as it is!"

As she said this, her left hand, nearing his vitals, suddenly accelerated.

Unfortunately, the hand was caught by Downton.

Holding Liv by the wrist, Downton shook his head with a mocking smile. "Don't wait until you're on the edge of death to remember you're women. What happened to equality, Liv? Besides, I have no intention of killing you. I only want an answer, not a massage, and certainly not your lives!"

With that, Downton tossed her hand aside and pulled her waist back toward him.

The dancers around them, seeing the scene, laughed and cheered him on, some even removing the padding from their chests to let their water balloons bounce freely.

Liv knew all too well that these foolish dancers couldn't help her. In the arena of the Iceberg Lounge, the truly clever women had long since climbed to higher positions, while those who thought they were clever because they weren't clever enough... they were already dead.

Feeling she had no other recourse, Liv took a deep breath, leaned toward Downton's shoulder, and took his earlobe into her mouth.

After a gentle bite, she licked it as if to compensate before whispering to him, "Your question is a death sentence for us. After today, if the family behind you strikes at Sabatino's, Falcone will never let us off once he investigates the cause of his losses. Whether we're blown up by you or killed by Falcone, there's no real difference between the two deaths."

Liv pressed her face against his cheek, breathed against his lips, and continued, "Furthermore, your bravery is a loss in my eyes. Even in Gotham, it's rare to find someone brave enough to run into an enemy's den alone with a suicide weapon. If Falcone had someone as loyal as you, he'd treat you like a treasure. Or perhaps, you could come work for me. You wouldn't be a treasure here, though; I'd use you like a pile-driving machine. You'd be even more exhausted than on a construction site! Believe me, Downton, whichever of us you choose, we'll treat you better than your current boss!"

Liv promised solemnly.

Looking at the earnest Liv, Downton could only spread his hands. "If you think I have a boss, you're mistaken. I'm not like you; I only have myself. I just want to know where Sabatino is, and then I'll find somewhere else to seek a thrill. Before I leave, I'll even leave this bag of money for you. Nothing excites me more than watching women kneel before me to pick up cash. Think about it, Liv!"

Downton reached out and patted her face. The gesture should have been insulting, but Liv didn't mind in the slightest.

Meeting his gaze, which had lost its playfulness and turned resolute, she pursed her lips in resignation and asked, "Can I know why you're looking for Sabatino?"

"He owes me a debt that isn't small," Downton replied.

Hearing this, Liv tried one last struggle, gently grabbing his hand. "If he only owes you a debt, I can act as your intermediary. Sabatino is right here; he arrived less than twenty minutes ago! He didn't come in secret; he even brought dozens of his men. Anyone with a bit of pull in Gotham could find out this news. I can take you to see him. As for his safe house, that's his true secret, he...?"

"Wait!"

Suddenly, Downton cut her off.

Watching the slightly surprised Liv, Downton stood up from the sofa with a start. "Sabatino is in the club right now?" he asked in surprise.

"That's right!" Liv nodded, deep in thought.

"Then why didn't you say so earlier!"

Having received his answer, Downton laughingly slung his backpack over his shoulder and turned to leave.

Seeing this, Liv jumped off the sofa and chased after him. "You don't really think you can see him that easily, do you? Your grenade can only scare women like us!"

As long as you promise not to cause too much trouble, I can truly act as a mediator between you and Sabatino, allowing you both to sit at the same table and have a proper talk.

I truly admire your courage, Downton, and I sincerely want you to follow me.

Although I cannot be called a big shot in the Falcone family, I at least have sufficient seniority and a certain amount of power.

And the reason I cannot replace Maroni or Fish is simply that I lack someone with enough courage like you under my command!

Liv had never appreciated a young man so much, especially after seeing the look in Downton's eyes at the very end; she felt a strange, impulsive urge to bet on him.

Having lingered in her position for so long, she had seen too many pairs of eyes that were fierce in appearance but cowardly in heart, but the kind of truly fearless gaze Downton possessed was something she had only ever seen in Falcone.

However...

Looking at the incredibly earnest Big Sister Liv, Downton burst out laughing.

"Haha, give it a rest. The reason I can't be called a successful man for the time being is also because I lack a few dozen sexy broads like you in my bed!

But that kind of reason can't be used as an excuse to pick up women, Liv!"

Laughing, Downton pushed aside the few backsides blocking his path.

Meeting Liv's gaze as she tried to make one last attempt to persuade him, he reached behind his waist and drew his Desert Eagle.

Waving the muzzle gently at Liv, Downton said to her one last time.

"Since you can't be the boss, stop thinking about being a wishy-washy mediator; you'll end up dying a miserable death.

Sabatino and I will let our bullets do the talking. Are you sure you still want to get involved?"

As his words fell, Downton pushed open the backstage door and aimed his gun directly at the first person he saw.

Bang!

The thug guarding the door who had been trying to peek inside was shot in the head by Downton.

The splashing blood and the sudden gunshot finally caused the dancers to let out ear-piercing screams.

Watching the backstage area descend into chaos in the blink of an eye, Liv swallowed hard before shouting at Downton.

"How dare you! There are hundreds of gunmen here! And you are only one person!"

"You're mistaken, Liv. There are only hundreds of extras here and the only protagonist!"

Downton responded excitedly, then, while hoisting the corpse he had just shot in the head in front of him as a shield, he fired repeatedly at the figures approaching him.

Without even checking how many he had hit, once the Desert Eagle's magazine was empty, he pulled a grenade from his bag, pulled the pin, and tossed it out.

Boom!

Taking advantage of the explosion's light, Downton reloaded methodically, unaware that Liv had also caught a clear look at his eyes, which were completely illuminated by the fire.

"If he can really survive this..."

Liv squeezed her thighs in admiration, murmuring to herself.

"Then Gotham is going to get interesting!"