Chapter 72 (The Mortal Multiverse : Liam Raven Harper)

Chapter 72 -  Gun!

Liam POV

The sunlight hit my face as I walked out of the café, the taste of good coffee and a great date still lingering in my mind. 

Robin had been… something else. Confident, smart, sharp, funny and exactly the kind of woman who could keep up with me, I enjoyed every second of that date.

[That went well,] Eve said, her voice amused and a little smug.

’Yeah,’ I thought back, sliding my hand into my pocket to get my keys as I walked toward my bike. ‘’I’ve got a good feeling about this one.’’

[Hmmm, a good feeling? That’s dangerously close to “hope.” You sure you’re not catching feelings, that too on the first date, are you alright counselor?]

‘Don’t start,’ I said, smirking as I put on my helmet as I knew Eve was just kidding. ‘Let’s get home. I want to see if Emma’s there—Can’t wait to see her reaction when I tell her that I actually went on a date.’

[Your first since high school. Not that I’m keeping track but I’m also curious and can't wait to see how she’ll react.]

‘You are definitely keeping track.’ I shot back as I started the engine, the familiar hum of the bike blending with the sounds of the city. 

The ride through Manhattan streets was smooth, the air warm and light. I didn’t need music—just the memory of Robin’s laugh and the low buzz of satisfaction in my chest.

But then… something felt off.

For a while, I’ve been looking at the black sedan that has been tailing me a few cars behind for some time. 

It looked suspicious to my eyes. Every turn I took, it followed—casual, but deliberate.

[That car’s been tailing you for ten minutes,] Eve said, tone suddenly sharp. Looks like Eve also noticed 

‘The windows are tinted—it’s illegal in New York. This dost feel random’

[I see it,] Eve said [Let’s confirm.]

At the next junction, I turned right and the car followed, same distance and maintaining the same rhythm.

‘’Okay,’’ I muttered under my breath. ‘’That’s a little too consistent.’’

[Try again, but fake it this time.]

I flicked my right indicator, waited for the light… then sharply turned left instead. Through the mirror, I saw the sedan hesitate—then make the same sudden left.

‘’Guess we have our answer,’’ I said. ‘’They’re not exactly subtle.’’

The next light turned red. I eased the bike to a stop. The car rolled up beside me, slow and deliberate.

The air felt heavy and my gut feeling warned me something was going to happen

My grip tightened on the handlebar, and instinct kicked in. 

The world sharpened as my Sharingan activated—two crimson tomoe spinning in each eye beneath the helmet. 

The city slowed, sounds stretching and fading, every motion visible in perfect, terrifying detail.

‘’Let’s see what you do next,’’ I murmured.

The window rolled down which I saw in slow motion. My fully focused sharngan locked in. A glint of metal caught the sunlight.

[Gun!] Eve shouted, but I was already moving the second I saw it.

I jumped fast, swinging my leg over to the bike’s side and taking cover behind my bike. 

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

The gunfire cracked through the air—deafening, echoing down the block. 

Bullets sparked against the bike’s metal frame and the engine. 

Few bullets punched into the brick wall behind me yet nothing hit me as I was well hidden but I wondered and Eve asked the question that came to my mind.

[Do they even know how to aim?!] Eve snapped.

‘’Apparently not,’’ I said, smirking behind the helmet.

After unloading Twelve rounds in rapid fire. 

A screeching tire sound came as the sedan peeled away in escape.

I stood up without wasting a second, scanning the street for the car. My pulse was steady, not shaken—just burning with adrenaline and the thrill of this new experience.

‘’Oh, you’re not getting away that easy,’’ I muttered, swinging a leg over the bike and twisting the ignition—

braaaap………   braaaap……….  Click!

The engine completely stopped.

Thin line of smoke hissed from the engine and I knew my bike was done for.

I saw the car’s taillights vanish down a side street. My muscles tensed, ready to sprint in excitement—

[Stop! Liam, stop!]

I froze.

‘What is it Eve?’

[You’re in public! Cameras everywhere! You can’t chase down a speeding car on foot and not end up on the internet looking like a damn superhero.]

I paused, exhaling. ‘Right… good point.’

[Try using your head before your legs next time.]

‘I guess excitement and adrenaline is a bad cocktail for me’ I commented as I looked around and people were already gathering nearby with phones out, filming. 

A few had ducked behind cars, others were on the phone, probably calling 911. I had seconds before the cops and press swarmed into this location.

I moved fast, circling to the back of my bike. 

With a quick pull, the number plate came off the bike—no way the press or public were tracing it back to me. 

I crushed the number plate with my hands with little effort and pocketed it as I walked off down the block, blending into the growing crowd casually.

[What now?] Eve asked.

‘’We make it official,’’ I said, pulling out my phone and called Jake Peralta

Jake picked up on the second ring, his tone casual. “Yo, Harper! What’s up, man?”

‘’Not much,’’ I said calmly. ‘’Except someone just tried to shoot me at xxxxx location. Black sedan, tinted windows, rapid fire, and they’re gone.’’

There was a sharp inhale on the other end. “What?! Are you okay? Did you get hit?” he shouted back filled with worry

‘’I’m fine,’’ I assured him. ‘’No injuries. I’m a few blocks away from the scene. You might want to send someone before the reporters get there as I need a favor before this hits the news.’’

“I’m on my way,” Jake said immediately, voice tense. “Don’t move. We’ll get to the bottom of this.”

‘’Good. Make it fast.’’ I hung up.

[Think it’s the Turk?] Eve asked quietly.

‘’Who else?’’ I replied, watching a distant siren flash against the buildings. ‘’No one else in New York’s got a reason to want me dead.’’

[Then we just have to meet him in person and return the favor.]

‘Exactly,’ I said, turning down an alley, vanishing before the flashing lights reached the corner. ‘And next time…. No. He doesn't get a next time’ I said 

‘Looks like I’m going to war with the Italian Mob!’

The End