MARCOSitting across from Carlos and Tony, I absently moved one of my pieces on the chessboard, half-listening as they rambled about the latest bars and clubs they’d been frequenting. It was the same old talk—places I hadn’t been to in ages. I wasn’t interested in all that anymore. There was always something more important to focus on.Carlos, always the loudest of the three of us, leaned forward, trying to get my attention. “You’re really missing out, Marco. You remember those nights? The drinks, the women, the music! Man, we used to own every spot we walked into.”I waved him off with a small laugh. “Those days are behind me, Carlos. I’ll pass. I’ve got more important things to deal with.”Tony cut in, smirking as he moved his rook across the board. “Of course, you’d turn it down. You’re always buried in work these days, Marco. But seriously, you gotta cut loose sometime. You don’t wanna be that guy who only works and forgets how to live.”I watched as Tony’s knight threatened one o
SARAHAs I stepped out of the shower, the steam clung to the mirror, blurring my reflection. I grabbed a towel, wrapping it around my body before reaching for the lotion and moisturizer. The routine of applying these things was almost mindless, but today, I found myself pausing more than once, replaying Marco’s words in my head. “Get ready, we’ll be leaving in the afternoon,” he had said, as if this was just another day, as if this was normal for us. I still couldn’t wrap my head around it—Marco, taking me on a vacation?I shook my head, rubbing the lotion into my skin as I glanced at my reflection. My hair was still wet, clinging to my shoulders as I tried to piece together how this was going to play out. Was this really happening? Was Marco actually… trying?The last few days had been a whirlwind. One minute, we were barely speaking, and the next, he’s apologizing for everything and booking a trip. A tiny part of me hoped this was real, that maybe Marco was changing, but I couldn’t
SARAHStepping outside, I saw Marco just standing there, frozen. His eyes widened, his mouth parted slightly, and for a split second, I wasn’t sure if he was breathing. It felt like time stretched on forever as he stared at me, and I shifted slightly, feeling a little self-conscious.“Marco?” I said softly, trying to break the tension with a small laugh. “Are you just going to stand there, or are you planning to open the door?”That seemed to snap him out of his daze. He blinked, rubbed his eyes as if he was waking up from a dream, and cleared his throat. “Right, sorry,” he mumbled, hurrying to open the car door. He stopped briefly before reaching the handle and turned to me. “It’s just… wow, Sarah. You look incredible.”I blushed, not entirely sure how to respond. Compliments from Marco didn’t come often, and when they did, they usually felt like a setup for something else. But this… this sounded different, genuine.“Thank you,” I replied softly, feeling warmth creep up my cheeks. It
SARAHThe hum of the jet engines was softer than I imagined. It was almost like a lullaby in the background, comforting and steady. I sat back in the plush seat, sinking into the leather, letting the reality of everything sink in. This was my first time on a plane—ever. And not just any plane—a private jet. It was overwhelming, in the best way possible.Outside the window, the sky stretched wide and endless, with streaks of pink and orange starting to appear as the sun began its slow descent. I stared at the clouds, mesmerized by how small everything seemed from up here. Tiny patches of land, rivers snaking their way across the earth, and oceans that looked like pools of shimmering blue. It was breathtaking.Marco, sitting across from me, was focused on his phone, speaking in low tones as he handled call after call. I barely noticed him; I was too caught up in the sights, pressing my face to the glass like a kid seeing the world for the first time. I was, in a way.At one point, Marco
SARAHI lay back on the bed, sinking into the soft pillows, the gentle hum of the ceiling fan creating a comforting background noise. After unpacking some of my things, I decided to take a break. I glanced around the luxurious suite, still in awe of how perfect everything looked. The soft, muted colors of the room, the ocean view from the balcony, the subtle scent of fresh flowers—it all felt like a dream.I reached over to the nightstand and grabbed a book that had been left in the suite. I wasn’t really in the mood to read, but it was something to keep my mind occupied while I waited for Marco. Flipping through the pages absentmindedly, I found myself staring at the words without actually absorbing them.My mind kept wandering back to Marco. We were supposed to be here together, yet from the moment we landed, he was more focused on work than anything else. I sighed, closing the book and tossing it aside. I could feel a mix of frustration and disappointment building up inside me. I d
SARAHLunch had started off quietly enough. The dishes that kept coming out of the kitchen were nothing short of impressive. Every course felt like a tiny masterpiece—each one more luxurious than the last. I couldn’t help but marvel at how extravagant this whole trip had become. I mean, really, this was almost too much. Who needs lobster for lunch? But the nagging feeling that Marco was up to something sat at the back of my mind, gnawing at me between bites.I was trying to relax, trying to take it all in. But there was something about the way Marco was acting—too calm, too composed. He was always the one to throw a curveball when you least expected it, and I could feel one coming.As the waiter placed down a beautifully arranged plate of seafood, Marco raised an eyebrow at me, his eyes twinkling with mischief.“Gonna eat that? Or just admire it?” he teased, that familiar smirk pulling at his lips.I shot him a playful glare, picking up my fork. “I’m not sure. It’s almost too pretty t
SARAHThe moment felt surreal. I sat there, still trying to wrap my head around the fact that the band had just dedicated a song to me in front of all these people. I could feel every single eye in the room on me—strangers smiling, whispering, probably wondering who I was and why Marco had orchestrated such an elaborate surprise. My heart was pounding in my chest, and I could feel the heat creeping up my neck. How had I ended up here, in the middle of this?I glanced at Marco, who was looking back at me with the biggest grin plastered across his face. He was practically beaming with pride, clearly enjoying my reaction, while I was just trying to keep myself from completely melting into the floor. I shook my head in disbelief, unable to suppress the small smile that crept onto my lips despite the overwhelming nerves I was feeling.“You’re absolutely unbelievable,” I muttered, trying to keep my voice steady as I leaned closer to him. “What length on earth won’t you go to just to be extr
SARAHAs soon as we stepped into the bar, I could feel the shift in atmosphere. It was cozy, dimly lit, with just the right amount of chatter and soft music playing in the background. The waiter immediately recognized Marco, which wasn’t surprising. He seemed to know people everywhere we went.“Mr. De Luca, good evening,” the waiter greeted with a respectful nod. “It’s a pleasure to see you again.”Marco gave a small smile, nodding in return. “Good to see you too. Lead us to your finest table, please.”The waiter gestured for us to follow, and we made our way to a quiet corner of the bar. The table was tucked away, providing just the right amount of privacy, and I couldn’t help but notice the envious glances some of the other patrons gave us as we walked by. Marco had that effect on people—commanding attention without even trying.Once we were seated, the waiter handed us menus and stood by, waiting for our order. Marco glanced through his menu, quickly settling on his drink of choice
MARCOThe flashbang was still working its magic as I stumbled forward, my vision blurry and my ears ringing like an alarm clock from hell. But there was no time to wait for things to settle. The moment the light hit, I felt the chaos erupt behind me—grunts, shouts, the clatter of boots on the floor.Instinct kicked in. The first guy behind me was flailing around, clutching his face like someone had poured hot sauce directly into his eyes. I took the opportunity, jabbing my elbow into his ribs with enough force to knock the air out of him. He let out a strangled wheeze and crumpled like a cheap folding chair.Unfortunately, his buddy wasn’t as incapacitated. The second man had somehow managed to pull out his gun, though he was aiming like he’d never used his eyes a day in his life. The first shot rang out, going wide and hitting a piece of metal somewhere to my left.“Great aim, sharpshooter,” I muttered, yanking the first guy’s body up as a human shield. The next shot hit him square i
MARCOI stared at the scene before me, my mind a whirlwind of thoughts and regrets. Tony lay crumpled on the floor, motionless, and Petrov wasn’t faring any better. My eyes darted back to Danzo, standing tall and smug, his expression carved with triumph. His words echoed in my head, striking me like a hammer with every repetition: This is where your poor planning has gotten you.Poor planning.Was that really it? Was it my fault that Tony and Petrov had been brought to this state? That Sarah was here, caught in Danzo’s grasp, her wide, fearful eyes pleading silently for a rescue I wasn’t sure I could give?You should’ve seen this coming, Marco, I thought bitterly.Danzo had been working against me from the shadows, a viper I had failed to notice until it was too late. But was it just him? Had I been so blind, so arrogant, to think that I had anticipated everything? My chest tightened as my mind spiraled further.Tony’s bloodied face flashed in my mind, followed by Petrov’s ragged brea
MARCO“Tony!” I choked out, the word barely escaping my lips as I turned toward the source.He was on the ground, his body crumpled awkwardly, blood pouring from his side. The crimson stain spread across the floor, pooling beneath him like some sick painting. My heart stopped as I stared at the scene, every ounce of air in my lungs evaporating.“No… no, no, no,” I stammered, stepping back instinctively, my boot catching in the slick blood pooling around him. I staggered, almost falling, my mind spinning.“Tony!” I called again, my voice cracking as if saying his name louder would wake him, make him look at me, make him respond. But he didn’t. His chest rose and fell in shallow, uneven breaths, his eyes fluttering as if he was fighting to stay conscious.Danzo’s laugh broke through the chaos—a guttural, maniacal cackle that made my blood boil.“Ah, the mighty Marco. Look at you now,” he sneered. His voice was sharp, cutting through my panic like a razor. “I told you, didn’t I? You thin
MARCOThe air in the room crackled with tension as I leveled the gun at Danzo, my finger firm against the trigger. He took a step back, his eyes darting between me and the scattered bodies of his men. For a second, I thought I saw fear, but it vanished just as quickly, replaced by that damn smirk he always wore, like he still had the upper hand.“It’s over for you, Danzo,” I said, my voice steady despite the adrenaline pumping through me. “You might want to think twice before doing anything stupid.”He scoffed, a dry, humorless sound. His hand twitched near his side, hovering too close to the gun strapped there.“I mean it!” I barked, raising my voice. “You even so much as look at that gun, and you’ll die here, right now. No last words. No bargaining. Just done.”Danzo froze for a heartbeat, his hand still dangerously close to his weapon. “You don’t have it in you, Marco,” he sneered. “You think you’re the tough one, don’t you? You think you’re the hero in all of this?”“Shut up.” My
MARCOThe sound of gunfire outside was getting closer, louder. Each shot echoed like a drumbeat of inevitability, and I could see the panic setting in on Danzo’s face. His eyes darted around the room as though searching for an escape that wasn’t there.“You hear that, Danzo?” I said, leaning back in my chair. My wrists were still tied, but my voice was steady. “That’s the sound of your grand plan crumbling. Everything you set up here? It’s falling apart. And you’re dying here today.”Danzo’s head snapped toward me, his jaw tightening. For a second, he looked like he was going to lunge at me, but he held back. Instead, he pulled a walkie-talkie from his belt, his fingers gripping it so tightly his knuckles turned white.“Status!” he barked into the device, pacing in tight circles like a cornered animal. “What’s going on out there?”There was a pause on the other end, filled with static and the faint sound of chaos—shouting, gunfire, something heavy crashing to the ground. Finally, a vo
MARCO The ropes around my wrists burned as I strained against them, my jaw tight enough to crack a tooth. Danzo paced back and forth like a predator toying with its prey, his smirk wide and arrogant. His voice dripped with satisfaction, every word landing like a calculated blow. “You really don’t get it, do you?” he said, pausing to glance at me. “All this… it’s personal, Marco. You made it personal the moment you threw me to the wolves.” I stared him down, refusing to let the venom in his words show any effect. “You think I’m afraid of you?” “Oh, I don’t need you to be afraid. Not yet, anyway,” he said, laughing softly. “But you should be. You always underestimated me, Marco. Always thought I’d stay in your shadow, didn’t you?” I said nothing, focusing instead on Sarah, who sat just a few feet away, bound and trembling. Her eyes met mine, and the fear in them sliced through me like a blade. Danzo followed my gaze and chuckled darkly. “Ah, yes. The princess. Don’t worry, Ma
MARCOThe goons gathered my weapons with smug satisfaction, tossing them onto the floor like trophies. My knife. My Glock. The backup pistol. Each piece felt like a part of me being stripped away. I clenched my jaw as the masked man stooped to pick up my gun. He held it up to the dim light, turning it over in his hand like he’d just found buried treasure.“Nice piece,” he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he inspected the setup. “Who’s your plug, Marco? This stuff’s top-tier. Custom job? Or do you just know the right people?”I didn’t respond, glaring at him in silence. My hands itched to grab it back, to feel the weight of it in my palm, but my wrists were bound tightly behind my back.“Not much of a talker, are you?” he continued, pacing slowly in front of me. He raised the gun and mimed aiming it, letting out a low whistle. “Damn. This feels good. Might keep it. Hope you don’t mind.”I didn’t take the bait. Instead, I focused on what they hadn’t found—the tiny chip in my boo
MARCOThe silence inside the narrow hallway was almost unbearable. The dim, flickering light above me buzzed faintly, casting eerie shadows that danced along the walls. My boots clicked softly on the metal floor as I moved further in, my breaths shallow and controlled. Every step felt heavier than the last, each one carrying me deeper into uncertainty.“Petrov,” I whispered, pressing a finger to the mic in my ear. “Petrov, can you hear me?”Nothing. Just static.I paused, my heart thudding harder as the realization hit me. The connection was dead. Whether it was deliberate or accidental, I was on my own now.“Dammit,” I muttered under my breath, scanning the hallway for any sign of movement. My hand instinctively drifted toward the gun hidden beneath my jacket. I didn’t pull it out yet, but just feeling its presence steadied me a little. Whatever was waiting for me here, I wasn’t about to face it unarmed.The hallway stretched further ahead, leading to an open door on the left. The sh
MARCOThe night air clung to me like a heavy cloak, thick with tension and the metallic scent of salt from the nearby docks. As I stepped out of the car, the first thing I did was adjust the mic in my ear. Petrov’s faint voice buzzed briefly in the connection, a reminder that I wasn’t entirely alone in this. But still, the silence surrounding me felt absolute, broken only by the distant hum of machinery and the soft crunch of gravel under my boots.My hand hovered close to my side, grazing the cold steel of the gun tucked under my jacket. I didn’t draw it, not yet, but the feel of it was a small comfort. The shipyard was a maze of shadows and towering containers, each one a potential hiding place. My eyes darted left, then right, sweeping for movement. Nothing. Not yet.“Marco, can you hear me?” Petrov’s voice crackled in my ear, low but clear.I pressed the mic lightly. “Loud and clear.”“Good,” he replied. “We’ve got eyes on the perimeter. Cameras are feeding us everything in real t