Eighty One

Chapter 81

That morning, soft sunlight filtered through the curtains of Cassandra's room. Antonio sat in the chair by the bed, his gaze fixed on his wife, who was still sound asleep. Thoughts of looming threats weighed heavily on his mind, but watching Cassandra sleep peacefully gave him the strength he needed.

A soft knock on the door made Antonio turn his head. He stood and walked out cautiously so as not to wake Cassandra. In the hallway, Marcus was waiting, his expression tense.

“Sir, we have new developments,” he said in a low voice. “We managed to unlock the burner phone found in Thomas’s pocket.”

Antonio nodded, signaling Marcus to continue.

“There were several encrypted messages, but one name appeared repeatedly: Viktor Reznov. We believe he’s the mastermind behind all of this.”

The name made Antonio pause. Viktor Reznov wasn’t just another name in the criminal underworld; he was someone with a fearsome reputation. Antonio realized that this wasn’t an ordinary threat.

“Where was he last located?” Antonio asked coldly.

“We haven’t pinpointed his exact location, but one message suggests a potential meeting at a hotel downtown tonight,” Marcus replied. “We’re coordinating to monitor the location.”

Antonio considered this for a moment before issuing his orders. “We can’t wait. Ensure we have a team on-site before the meeting begins. I want every access point to the hotel monitored.”

Marcus nodded. “Understood, sir.”

Inside her room, Cassandra began to wake, her eyes fluttering open as the morning light streamed in. Seeing the empty chair near her bed, a small smile crossed her lips. She knew Antonio had been there last night.

After a moment, Cassandra reached for her phone on the bedside table. The message from Alexander sent the previous night was still displayed on the screen. Her heart was once again filled with doubt. She knew Alexander wouldn’t back down, but she also didn’t want to escalate things with Antonio.

Cassandra sipped the tea Maya had brought her that morning. She spent her time pondering her next steps. Deep down, she feared whether she could balance her vengeful past and the future she was trying to build with Antonio.

Night came swiftly. Antonio prepared himself in his study, donning a dark suit that radiated authority. Marcus entered with the latest update.

“The team is already at the hotel, sir. Viktor is confirmed to arrive around nine,” Marcus reported.

Antonio nodded, retrieving a gun from his desk drawer and tucking it into his holster. He knew this meeting would be a pivotal moment.

Before leaving, Antonio walked to Cassandra’s room. He knocked softly, and Cassandra opened the door with a slightly surprised expression.

“You’re heading out?” Cassandra asked, her voice gentle but tinged with worry.

Antonio nodded. “There’s something I need to take care of. I won’t be long.”

Cassandra took his hand, holding it tightly. “Be careful, Antonio.”

Their eyes met, and for a brief moment, the world seemed still. Antonio gave a faint smile before leaning in to kiss Cassandra’s forehead gently.

“I’ll be back,” he promised before stepping away.

The hotel where Viktor Reznov was set to meet his team was an opulent building, its luxury concealing dark secrets. Antonio arrived quietly, accompanied by Marcus and several of his men. They moved swiftly to the floor Viktor had reserved.

Inside a grand room, the atmosphere was tense. Viktor, a large man with piercing eyes, sat in the center, surrounded by his bodyguards.

Antonio entered confidently. All eyes turned to him immediately.

“Antonio,” Viktor greeted with a cold tone. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“I hope it’s all good,” Antonio replied with a faint smirk.

The meeting quickly turned into a tense exchange, each side attempting to intimidate the other. Antonio knew Viktor was a formidable opponent, but he didn’t show an ounce of fear.

The tension reached a boiling point when one of Viktor’s guards tried to attack Marcus. Antonio acted swiftly, pulling out his gun and aiming it at Viktor.

“Enough!” Antonio’s voice echoed through the room. “If anyone moves again, no one leaves here alive.”

Viktor chuckled softly but raised his hand, signaling his men to stand down. “You’re bold, Antonio. But you’re playing in my territory now.”

“I don’t care whose territory this is,” Antonio replied icily. “You and your men attacked me. Now I want to know why.”

Viktor smiled, but his gaze was full of menace. “Maybe I just wanted to see how tough you really are.”

However, Antonio knew this wasn’t just a test. He sensed Viktor was hiding something far more significant. He would need to remain vigilant because this game was only beginning.

After the intense confrontation with Viktor Reznov at the hotel, Antonio and his team left the location, tension still lingering in the air. They returned to the waiting vehicles, where Ben was sitting in one of the cars, his eyes scanning the surroundings nervously. Antonio approached him, gesturing for the others to give them space.

“Ben,” Antonio’s voice was softer than usual, a tone rarely used by a man like him. “How are you feeling?”

Ben tried to smile, though the exhaustion on his face was evident. “I’m fine, sir. Just a few bruises. The team’s doctor checked me earlier.”

Antonio nodded, his eyes scrutinizing Ben closely. “Are you sure? Thomas tried to kill you, and that’s not something to take lightly.”

Ben swallowed hard, then replied calmly, “I knew the risks when I started working for you, Antonio. But I’m fine. You don’t need to worry.”

Antonio took a deep breath, his gaze shifting to Marcus, who stood a few steps behind him. “Thomas crossed the line. And now, Viktor is toying with my life. We can’t give them another chance.”

Marcus nodded, understanding the unspoken gravity of the situation.

“Take them to a secure location,” Antonio said firmly. “I want both Thomas and Viktor executed in a way that leaves no trace. Make sure no one knows what happened.”

Marcus didn’t question the order. “Understood, sir. I’ll handle everything.”

That night, Antonio returned to the mansion with a heavy mind. He knew the steps he had taken wouldn’t end all his problems, but they were the first toward ensuring the safety of himself, Cassandra, and those under his protection.

As Antonio entered the living room, he found Cassandra sitting on the sofa, a book in her hand. She looked up when she heard his footsteps, and a small smile appeared on her face.

“You’re home,” she said softly.

Antonio nodded, walking toward her. “How was your day?”

Cassandra set her book down on the small table beside the sofa. “Quiet, nothing happened. But what about you? You look... tired.”

Antonio gave a faint smile, sitting beside her. “Just a lot to deal with.”

Cassandra looked at him, her eyes full of concern. She knew Antonio wouldn’t tell her everything, but she could feel the weight he carried. Gently, she reached out and took his hand in hers.

“Whatever it is, I’m here,” she whispered.

Antonio gazed at Cassandra, a rare sense of peace filling his heart. The world outside might be full of dangers, but in that moment, with her, he felt strong enough to face anything.

Still, he knew the threats from Viktor and other enemies hadn’t completely vanished. To protect this fragile peace, Antonio vowed to do whatever it took—no matter how dark the path.