Apter 482

Calliope stood her ground, not showing an ounce of fear. Despite her petite frame, there was a certain fierceness in her stance as she faced the group of men towering over her.

She gave them a quick once-over and could tell they weren’t just tall; they looked like they knew how to handle themselves in a fight. But Calliope wasn’t easily intimidated, having had her share of training.

“What’s your deal? Why are you following me?” she asked coldly, her eyes narrowing at them.

To her knowledge, she hadn’t made any enemies lately. Yet, here they were, trailing her with an obvious air of hostility. If they needed her help, they surely wouldn’t be approaching her like this.

“No chit-chat, just come with us,” the leader of the group demanded. “You’re alone, aren’t you?”

He signaled the others, and they spread out, effectively surrounding her.

“Yeah, just me,” she replied coolly. “But before you drag me off somewhere, don’t you think you should tell me why? I don’t recall knowing any of you.”

The leader chuckled, “Little girl, it’s not up to you. Think you can take us on? If you resist, you’ll only end up getting hurt.”

His eyes roamed over her appraisingly, and he licked his lips. “You’re quite a looker, you know. They said we could have our fun with you, as long as we record it. How about we show you a good time, sweetheart?” Calliope could sense their malicious intent, realizing they weren’t just planning to kidnap her. They wanted to humiliate her, using a recording to blackmail her later.

Feigning interest, she smirked. “You want a good time? Then tell me; who’s pulling your strings? Spill the beans, and maybe I’ll let you have some fun.”

“Really?” The men laughed, their amusement sleazy and unsettling.

“Really, tell me who sent you!” She smiled, her expression glowing even in the dim light of the street, captivating them despite the tension.

“Well, since you’re not going anywhere, I guess it won’t hurt to tell you,” the leader said. “You’re smart; if you cooperate, maybe we’ll treat you kindly.”

Calliope took a step closer. “So, who’s the mastermind behind all this?”

“You seriously don’t know?” The leader eyed her with curiosity. “It’s a woman, an older one at that.”

“An older woman?” Calliope mused, trying to piece together the puzzle. “Care to give me more details?” The men just snickered, their thoughts likely as unsavory as their grins.

The leader leaned in, attempting to touch her cheek, but Calliope swiftly caught his hand with a firm grip, maintaining her smile.

“Come on now, big guy, who’s giving me a hard time?” she asked sweetly. Her voice was so soft and enticing that it made the men practically melt on the spot.

“Alright, alright, we’ll tell you everything!”