CHAPTER 100

The sun was barely up as Zane and Alex drove away from the villa, leaving behind a tense quiet. The villa itself felt like a fortress now, its walls a buffer against the dangers lurking outside, but the people inside knew better. This was just the calm before the storm.

Maya stood on the terrace, watching the car disappear down the winding road. A faint breeze tugged at her hair, and for a moment, she allowed herself to feel the weight of her fears.

“You’re worried about him,” Elena said, stepping beside her.

Maya nodded, her hand instinctively moving to her baby bump. “I always do. But Zane’s strong. He’s handled worse before.”

Elena’s blue-gray eyes were thoughtful. “You have a lot of faith in him.”

“I do,” Maya said, her voice steady. “He’s the kind of person who won’t stop until he’s protected the people he loves. And I’ll do whatever it takes to protect him too.”

---

The Search Begins

Zane and Alex arrived at the first location Camilla had flagged—a warehouse tucked into the industrial outskirts of Rome. The building was nondescript, with no outward signs of activity, but Alex’s sharp eyes caught the subtle signs of security.

“They’re here,” Alex said, pointing to a discreet surveillance camera near the entrance.

Zane nodded, his silver eyes narrowing. “Then let’s give them something to watch.”

The two men approached the building cautiously, their movements precise and silent. Alex disabled the camera while Zane scoped out the perimeter. They found a side entrance, the lock rusted and easy to break.

Inside, the warehouse was eerily quiet. Rows of crates lined the walls, and the air smelled faintly of oil and damp wood.

“This doesn’t feel right,” Alex muttered, his hand on his weapon.

Zane scanned the room, his instincts on high alert. “It’s too quiet.”

---

A Sudden Attack

Their suspicions were confirmed when the sound of footsteps echoed from above. Zane and Alex ducked behind a stack of crates just as a burst of gunfire rained down from the catwalks above.

“Ambush,” Alex growled, returning fire.

Zane’s silver eyes were sharp as he assessed their attackers. There were at least five of them, all armed and moving with precision.

“They’re professionals,” Zane said, his tone grim.

“Shadow’s people,” Alex agreed.

The two men moved in sync, their years of training evident as they took down the attackers one by one. Zane’s movements were quick and calculated, his focus unwavering as he cleared the path ahead.

Within minutes, the gunfire ceased, and the warehouse fell silent once more.

---

A Cryptic Message

As they searched the warehouse, Zane found a laptop tucked inside one of the crates. He powered it on, frowning when a video file automatically played.

Shadow’s face appeared on the screen, his features obscured by a hood and shadowy lighting. His voice was low and mocking.

“Well done, Moretti. I knew you’d find this place. But you’re still three steps behind me.”

Zane’s jaw tightened, his fists clenching.

“This game isn’t over,” Shadow continued. “And when it ends, you’ll wish you’d never started it.”

The screen went black, leaving Zane and Alex staring at each other.

“We need to move faster,” Zane said, his voice cold. “He’s taunting us.”

Alex nodded, already pulling up the coordinates for the next location.

---

Back at the Villa

At the villa, Maya paced the living room, her nerves fraying with each passing hour. Reese sat nearby, scrolling through her phone, while Camilla worked on her laptop, her focus intense.

“Anything yet?” Maya asked, her voice tinged with impatience.

“Zane and Alex checked in after the first location,” Camilla said without looking up. “It was a trap, but they made it out fine.”

Maya exhaled, her shoulders relaxing slightly. “And now?”

“They’re headed to the next location,” Camilla said. “If Shadow’s smart, he’ll keep them chasing ghosts for as long as he can.”

“Then we need to be smarter,” Maya said firmly.

Reese looked up, raising an eyebrow. “And how do you propose we do that?”

Maya’s green eyes were fierce. “By thinking like him. If Shadow’s trying to draw Zane out, he’ll need something more than empty warehouses. He’ll need leverage.”

“Like Elena,” Reese said, her voice low.

The realization hit them simultaneously.

---

A Desperate Call

Maya grabbed her phone, dialing Zane’s number. He answered on the second ring, his voice tense. “Maya? What is it?”

“Shadow’s playing you,” Maya said quickly. “He’s trying to keep you distracted while he makes his real move. And I think it’s here. At the villa.”

Zane’s sharp intake of breath was audible. “Are you sure?”

“It makes sense,” Maya said. “You’re out there chasing leads, but Elena and I are his real targets. You need to come back.”

Zane hesitated for only a moment. “I’m on my way.”

---

The Villa Under Siege

As they waited for Zane and Alex to return, Maya, Reese, and Camilla prepared for the worst. They locked all the doors and windows, activated the villa’s security system, and armed themselves with whatever they could find.

Elena sat in the corner, her hands trembling as she clutched a small knife. “I’m not ready for this,” she whispered.

“You are,” Maya said, kneeling beside her. “We’ll get through this together.”

The sound of footsteps outside made everyone freeze. Camilla checked the security feed, her face paling.

“They’re here,” she said.

---

A Fight for Survival

The next few minutes were a blur of chaos as Shadow’s operatives breached the villa. Maya and Reese held their ground, using furniture as barricades and fighting back with everything they had.

Camilla stayed in the control room, using the security system to monitor the intruders and guide Maya and Reese through the villa.

Elena, despite her fear, managed to defend herself, her determination shining through.

Just as the situation seemed dire, the sound of screeching tires outside signaled Zane and Alex’s arrival. They stormed the villa, their presence turning the tide of the fight.

Within minutes, the operatives were subdued, and the villa was secure once more.

---

A Vow to End It

Zane found Maya in the living room, her hair disheveled and her face pale but determined. He pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly.

“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice filled with concern.

“I’m fine,” Maya said, her voice steady. “But this has to stop, Zane. We can’t keep living like this.”

Zane’s silver eyes burned with resolve. “It will stop. Shadow wants a war? I’ll give him one. And I won’t stop until he’s gone for good.”

Maya nodded, her green eyes fierce. “Then let’s end this. Together.”