An Excuse to Pick Up Girls

Watching Liv's features gradually knot with tension, Downton chuckled as he closed the travel bag.

"It's just a question. It's not as difficult as you think, Liv."

"Downton!"

Liv could not be as relaxed as Downton made it sound. Once she saw the grenade, she immediately raised a hand and pressed it against Downton's thigh, that hand showing signs of moving closer to his vital area.

"Everyone here is a pitiful woman. Maybe I'm the only one who isn't pitiful.

Even if you want to play with them, don't kill them. Just staying alive is already hard enough for them!"

As she spoke, Liv's left hand, which was about to reach Downton's vital area, suddenly sped up.

Unfortunately, Downton caught that hand.

Holding Liv by the wrist, Downton shook his head with an amused smile.

"Don't wait until you're at death's door to remember that you're women. What happened to equality, Liv?

Besides, I never intended to kill any of you. I only want an answer. I don't want your massages, and I definitely don't want your lives!"

With that, Downton tossed Liv's hand aside and continued holding her around the waist.

Seeing the two of them like that, the dancers around them even cheerfully helped Downton get into the mood, such as removing the padding in front of their chests and letting their water balloons bounce freely.

The foolish dancers could not help her; Liv knew that well.

On the stage that was the Iceberg Lounge, truly smart women had long since climbed to higher positions, while those who were not smart enough yet thought themselves clever...

They had long since died.

Knowing she had no additional help, Liv took a deep breath. Then she leaned toward Downton's shoulder and took his earlobe into her mouth.

After giving it a light bite, she licked it for a moment as though making up for it before whispering to Downton.

"Your question is asking for our lives.

After today, if the family behind you storms into Sabatino's place, the Falcone Family won't spare us once they investigate the cause of their losses.

Whether we die by your bombs or at Falcone's hands, different deaths truly aren't ranked any higher or lower."

Liv pressed her cheek against Downton's, breathed lightly onto his lips, and continued.

"Besides, your courage seems like a loss to me as well.

Even in Gotham, there aren't many brave men who would carry suicide weapons alone into an enemy stronghold.

If Falcone had someone as loyal as you under him, he would treat you like a treasure. Or perhaps you could work for me.

But you wouldn't be a treasure under me. I'd use you like a pile-driving machine. You'd work even harder than at a construction site!

Believe me, Downton. Whichever of us you choose, we'll definitely treat you better than your current boss does!"

Liv promised solemnly.

Looking at Liv, who sounded so certain, Downton could only spread his hands.

"You think I have a boss? Then you're wrong. I'm not like you people. I only have myself.

I just want to know where Sabatino is, and then I'll go somewhere else to keep looking for thrills.

Before I leave, I might even leave this bag of money behind for you. Nothing excites me more than watching women kneel before me to pick up money.

Think it over carefully, Liv!"

Downton raised a hand and patted Liv's cheek. The gesture should have been somewhat humiliating, but Liv did not mind in the slightest.

Meeting Downton's resolute gaze as it gradually lost its frivolousness, she helplessly pursed her lips before asking.

"Can I know why you're looking for Sabatino?"

"He owes me a considerable debt," Downton answered.

Hearing that, Liv still wanted to struggle, so she gently grabbed Downton's hand.

"If he merely owes you money, then I can be the intermediary between you two. Sabatino is here. He arrived less than twenty minutes ago!

He didn't hide it when he came. He even brought dozens of men with him. Anyone in Gotham with even a few connections could find out that information. I can absolutely take you to meet him.

As for Sabatino's safe house, that's his real secret. He...?"

"Wait!"

Downton suddenly cut Liv off.

Looking at the slightly startled Liv, Downton sprang up from the sofa.

"Sabatino is in the club right now?" he asked in surprise.

"That's right!" Liv nodded after a moment's thought.

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

Once he had his answer, Downton laughed as he slung the backpack over his shoulders and turned to leave.

Seeing that, Liv leaped off the sofa and hurried after Downton.

"You don't think you can see him that easily, do you? Your grenades can only scare women like us!

As long as you promise not to make too much trouble, I really can act as the intermediary between you and Sabatino and let you sit at the same table for a proper talk.

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

I may not count as a major figure in the Falcone Family, but I at least have enough seniority and some power.

And the reason I can't replace Maroni or Fish is that I lack men under me with courage like yours!"

Liv had never admired a young man so much before. Especially after seeing Downton's final look, she was inexplicably tempted to place a bet on him.

After spending so long in her position, she had seen too many fierce-looking but timid eyes. Yet she had only seen a truly fearless gaze like Downton's on Falcone.

But...

Looking at Sister Liv's utterly serious expression, Downton burst out laughing.

"Haha, give me a break. The reason I'm not a successful man yet is because I don't have dozens of sexy broads like you in my bed!

But you can't use that kind of reason as an excuse to pick up girls, Liv!"

Laughing loudly, Downton shoved aside several asses blocking his way.

Meeting Liv's gaze as she tried to make one final effort, he reached behind his waist and drew out the Desert Eagle.

He lightly waved the muzzle at Liv twice, then gave her his final warning.

"If you can't be the boss, stop trying to be a wishy-washy intermediary. You'll die horribly.

Sabatino and I will speak with bullets. Are you sure you still want to get involved?"

With that, 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 immediately shot in the head by Downton.

The splattering brain matter and sudden gunshot finally made the dancers let out piercing screams.

Watching the backstage 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're alone!"

"You've got it wrong, Liv. There are only hundreds of nameless extras here, and one protagonist!"

Downton answered excitedly. Then, while holding the headshot corpse in front of himself as a shield, he repeatedly fired at approaching figures.

Without even checking how many he had hit, he pulled a grenade from his bag once the Desert Eagle had emptied a magazine, pulled the pin, and threw it out.

Boom!

Using the firelight from the explosion, Downton calmly reloaded, unaware that Liv had also clearly seen his eyes, completely illuminated by the flames.

"If he really survives..."

Liv appreciatively squeezed her thighs together and murmured.

"Then Gotham will become interesting!"