The ride back was quiet, but the tension in the air was heavy. Adrian sat in the front, staring out the window, deep in thought. His fingers tapped against his knee in a slow, steady rhythm. Nathan sat beside Luca in the back, his arms crossed, his jaw tight.He couldn't stop thinking about what had happened at the dock. The Bratva were expecting them but they hadn’t fought as hard as they should have. It was bothering him, nagging at the back of his mind like an unfinished puzzle.Matteo, who was seated across from him, finally spoke. “That was too easy.”Nathan turned to him. “You call that easy?”Matteo nodded, his expression serious. “They didn’t fight like they normally do. It felt like they weren’t really trying to win.”Nathan frowned. “Then what were they doing?”Adrian, who had been silent the whole time, finally spoke. His voice was calm, but there was something sharp underneath it. “They were distracting us.”Luca’s eyebrows pulled together. “Distracting us from what?”Befo
Matteo and Luca handled the explosives, planting them along the crates. The entire shipment would go up in flames.Nathan leaned against the doorway. “We done here?”Adrian glanced at Matteo, who checked his watch. “One minute.”Luca smirked. “Perfect timing.”They moved fast, bundling viktor with them. As they exited, the first explosion rocked the warehouse. Flames burst through the windows, and thick smoke filled the air.Nathan didn’t look back. He didn’t needViktor Petrov groaned as Adrian’s grip tightened around his collar, dragging him toward the waiting car. His face was bloodied from the earlier struggle, and his breath came in sharp, ragged gasps. His once-well ironed suit was now torn and stained, his hair disheveled. He was a man who had spent years controlling others, and yet, at this moment, he was utterly powerless.Nathan walked beside them, his gun still in hand, though he doubted Petrov had the strength to run. The man was too dazed, his legs barely holding him up.
Adrian finally spoke, his voice calm. “When is Volkov moving next?”Petrov exhaled sharply, tilting his head back with a dry laugh. “If you think I will betray him, you don’t know me at all.”Nathan smirked. “Oh, we know you.” He pushed himself off the wall and took slow steps forward. “We know you are a man who enjoys power, but let’s be real right now, you have none.” He crouched slightly, leveling his gaze with Petrov’s. “So, tell me, why are you still pretending you have a choice?”Petrov’s lips twitched, but he remained silent.Adrian pulled out a knife, flipping it once in his hand before gripping it tightly. “I don’t have patience for this.” Without warning, he drove the blade into Petrov’s thigh.A sharp, agony cry tore from Petrov’s throat as his body jerked against the chair. His muscles tensed, breath coming in short, pained gasps. Blood soaked through his pants, dripping onto the cold floor.Adrian remained unfazed, twisting the knife slightly before pulling it out. “That
Adrian didn’t waste time. If Volkov was at the private docks, they had to move now.He turned to Nathan. “Get the men ready. We are hitting him before he has a chance to disappear.”Nathan nodded, reloading his gun. “Luca and Matteo?”Adrian’s gaze flickered toward them. Luca was helping the last of the hostages into a van, his expression tight with frustration. Matteo was by his side, scanning the area like he expected another ambush. “They will catch up,” Adrian said. “We can’t afford to wait.”The dockyard was still thick with smoke from the explosion, the smell of gunpowder hanging in the air. Bodies littered the ground, some moaning in pain, others completely still. The few remaining enemies had either fled or were too injured to fight.Adrian didn’t care. Volkov was the target.He climbed into the SUV, Nathan right behind him. “Let’s go.”The tires screeched as they sped out of the dockyard, heading toward the private docks on the other side of the city.---Private Docks – 30
The drive back to the estate was quiet. Leo sat between Matteo and Rosco, his small fingers gripping the hem of his shirt. He was quiet, but his eyes moved constantly, studying everything. Unlike the other rescued women, who still looked shaken, Leo didn’t appear scared. He wasn’t even confused. If anything, he seemed… aware.Nathan, sitting in the front seat, glanced at him through the rearview mirror. “So, kid, you said you know about computers?”Leo didn’t hesitate. “Yes.”Adrian, who had been looking out the window, turned his attention to the boy. “How much do you know?”Leo met his gaze without fear. “A lot.”Nathan raised a brow, smirking. “That is not an answer.”Leo blinked, then shifted his gaze to Matteo. “Do you have a laptop?”Matteo frowned but reached into the back, pulling out a sleek black laptop. He hesitated for a moment before handing it to the boy. “Show us.”Leo flipped it open, his fingers moving quickly across the keyboard. The screen lit up, codes appearing fa
The control room was dimly lit, the glow from multiple monitors casting shadows across the walls. Matteo led Leo inside, his hands tucked into his pockets as he gestured toward the rows of high-end computers and surveillance feeds."This is where the magic happens," Matteo said. "Everything security-related, from tracking shipments to monitoring rival families, runs through here."Leo stepped forward, his sharp eyes scanning the setup. It was impressive multiple screens displaying real-time security footage, encrypted files, and communication logs. But Matteo noticed something strange. The kid didn't look impressed. If anything, he looked... indifferent.Nathan, who had followed them inside, chuckled. "Not impressed, huh?"Leo turned to him. "It is basic."Matteo let out a low whistle. "Damn. Kid’s got standards."Leo approached the nearest station, his fingers brushing over the keyboard. "Who handles your cybersecurity?"Nathan smirked. "We had a guy. He was good."Leo tilted his hea
The warmth of the morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a soft golden glow over the room. Selene stirred slightly, her body still pressed against Adrian’s. His grip on her was firm, as if even in sleep, he refused to let her go.She sighed, tracing a slow line across his bare chest, feeling the steady rise and fall of his breathing. There was something strangely peaceful about this moment. But peace was nice. A sharp knock at the door shattered the tranquility. Adrian’s eyes snapped open instantly, his grip tightening around Selene before he exhaled, his body tensing.“Boss,” Matteo’s voice came from the other side, sound with urgency. “We have a situation.”Selene felt Adrian’s entire demeanor shift in an instant. The man who had held her so gently mere moments ago was gone, replaced by the ruthless leader she knew he had to be.Adrian ran a hand through his hair, sighing. “Give me a minute.”Matteo didn’t reply, but his footsteps faded, leaving behind an unspoken urge
Selene stretched lazily on the bed, her body still warm from where Adrian had been lying beside her. She sighed, rolling onto her stomach and burying her face in the pillow. It still smelled like him. But the moment of peace didn’t last. Something gnawed at her, a feeling she couldn’t shake. Adrian had been distracted this morning. And not in the usual way. She sat up, hugging her knees. Her fingers traced absentmindedly over the sheets as she replayed the scene in her mind—Adrian kissing her, his touch lingering, his eyes darker than usual. He was worried about something. And when Adrian was worried, it was never a good sign. A soft knock at the door made her snap out of her thoughts. “Come in,” she called, brushing her hair back. The door creaked open, and Mia peeked inside. “You’re up.” Selene rolled her eyes. “Barely.” Mia stepped in, carrying a tray of breakfast. “I figured you’d be starving after last night,” she teased, wiggling her brows. Selene scoffed, th
The hospital smelled of antiseptic and fear.Selena sat in the hallway, her arms wrapped tightly around herself, Adrian beside her, silent. The last hour had felt like a lifetime. Paramedics had managed to stabilize Nathan, but the bullet had done damage, too close to his lungs. Now, he was in surgery, fighting for his life.“He saved me,” Selena whispered, her voice barely audible. “He could have let me die... after everything...”Adrian turned his head slowly, eyes shadowed with guilt and pain. “He wasn’t always a traitor.”“He’s still your cousin.”Adrian’s jaw clenched. “And he was still working with the woman who tried to destroy us.”Selena didn’t argue. Because he wasn’t wrong but neither was she.“I want to see her,” she said suddenly, her tone sharp.“Who?” Adrian asked.“Isabella.”---The police had taken Isabella into custody, but Adrian still had strings to pull. Within the hour, Selena stood behind a pane of glass, watching the woman who had nearly taken everything from
Isabella's phone buzzed sharply that evening. She answered without checking. The voice on the other end made her sit up straighter.“It’s done,” Your father said. “He was one of them. Adrian’s sister, she was caught in our crossfire that year.”Isabella gasped, hand flying to her mouth. “Are you serious?”“She trusted one of us. And it got her killed.”Isabella’s shock quickly twisted into excitement. “Adrian doesn’t know, does he?”“He doesn’t. But you can change that. Leave a trail. Let him find it himself. If he connects the dots, he’ll never look at Selene the same again.”A slow, dangerous smile spread across Isabella’s face. “Consider it done.”She ended the call and practically flew out the door, her mind racing. She reached Nathan’s place breathless and laughing.“I’ve got it,” she said, barging in.Nathan raised an eyebrow. “What?”“The information that will destroy them more. Since they have reconcile too quickly, I have found something to break them back. Adrian’s sister’s
Adrian stood by the window of his study, hands clasped behind his back. He hadn’t slept.Not out of fear or restlessness, but because his mind was already three steps ahead—plotting, calculating, ensuring no detail escaped him. The blueprint sat in a locked briefcase on his desk, untouched since he'd retrieved it from the safe.Every line on that paper held power. Power people had killed for. Power that could dismantle empires or birth new ones.A soft knock disrupted his thoughts.He turned, voice low. “Come in.”Matteo entered, freshly changed, though his knuckles were still stained red. “The chamber is secured. Both men are restrained. Specter’s injuries are worse, but they’ll live.”Adrian nodded once. “No one gets near them unless I authorize it.”“Understood.”Matteo hesitated. “And the court tomorrow—are you sure it’s wise to go yourself?”“I won’t trust this to anyone else,” Adrian said, his voice like steel. “Too much has been sacrificed for it. I need to see it through.”Ma
Silence.Not the peaceful kind that comes after a storm, but the haunting type, the one that settles over a place that has seen too much blood, too much loss. The kind of silence that screams.Adrian stood in the middle of the aftermath.His estate, his home was now a battlefield littered with corpses. Blood pooled around bodies, soaking into the soil, painting a gruesome picture of what had transpired only moments ago. He didn’t flinch. His eyes were steady, scanning the carnage with a sharpness that betrayed no emotion. He had seen worse. But he had never tolerated betrayal.His boots crunched over gravel and glass as he moved, his gaze settling on one of the only bodies that still drew breath. The figure was barely conscious, chest rising and falling in shallow, labored intervals. A black veil obscured the face.Adrian narrowed his eyes.There was something about this one.He crouched slowly, his movements controlled, almost calculated. He reached forward, fingers tightening aroun
Matteo blinked hard, blood draining from his face the moment Rosco stepped out from behind Alvarez. His breath hitched, and for the first time in a long while, the hardened warrior faltered.“No…” he whispered.Rosco smirked, eyes gleaming with venomous satisfaction. “Hello, Matteo. Still wagging your tail behind him, I see.”Matteo took a step forward instinctively, but Adrian raised a hand, his arm sweeping across Matteo’s chest to stop him. The motion was subtle but firm.Matteo’s chest heaved with betrayal, his eyes fixed on Rosco. “You were with us… you trained with us.”Rosco chuckled, slow and condescending, before turning to Adrian, the amusement on his face deepening.“But him?” Rosco nodded toward Adrian. “He trusted me. Gave me everything. Took me into his inner circle. Showed me where the real power lies.”Adrian arched a brow, his expression unreadable.“Power?” he echoed, voice cool and distant. “What power?”Rosco sneered, reaching behind him.With a flourish, he reveal
Nathan stood by the window, his arms crossed as he watched another group of Adrian’s men load ammunition into vehicles. He didn’t like the feeling in his gut.“What the hell is he planning?” he muttered, more to himself than anyone else.Isabella sat on the edge of the couch, scrolling through her phone in frustration. “Victoria still isn’t answering. I’ve called her five times.”Nathan’s brows furrowed. “She’s not the type to ignore calls but since it is yours she can definitely ignore you. Isabella tossed the phone beside her and stood. “Something is going on, Nathan. This silence… this secrecy, it’s not just about protecting the pack. Adrian is hiding something.”Nathan’s gaze flickered to her, unreadable. “Then maybe it’s better we stay out of it.”Isabella looked at him, stunned. “You’re just going to sit back and do nothing?”He shrugged slightly. “It’s not my fight. Adrian made that clear a long time ago. And honestly? I’m not about to throw myself into a war that has nothin
A large map was spread out before them, covered in markings and notes detailing every inch of the Ghosted’s operations.“The celebration will end soon,” Alvarez muttered, his fingers tracing a key location. “Their leader thinks he’s untouchable, but his arrogance will be his downfall.”The masked leader tilted his head slightly. “You want him dead, or do you have something else in mind?”Alvarez smirked. “Dead, but not yet. I want him to watch as everything he built crumbles first.”The leader nodded in understanding. “Then we’ll strike fast and without mercy. We have our entry points secured. The Ghosted will never see it coming.”Meanwhile, deep within Adrian’s pack territory, the Ghosted were moving ahead with their own plans, Their informants had pinpointed a potential weakness in the pack’s security—an underground passage leading to a hidden vault where the blueprint was rumored to be stored.Three elite members of the Ghosted, clad in dark tactical gear, crouched near the pass
The Cartel had been shattered, And yet, amid the wreckage, Alvarez still drew breath.His body ached, every nerve screaming in agony as he forced himself to move. He pressed a hand to his bleeding side, the warm, sticky sensation of his own blood soaking through his fingers. The pain was nothing compared to the fury burning in his chest. He had been played. The Ghosted, his supposed allies, had turned against him at the last moment, throwing the battlefield into complete chaos. But why? Who had ordered this betrayal?His fingers curled into fists as he staggered forward, his boots crunching against shattered glass and spent shell casings. He needed to find answers. He needed to find the one who had orchestrated this disaster.A low groan echoed from the rubble. Alvarez turned sharply, gun raised, but his aim wavered when he saw who it was—one of the masked assassins, barely alive, clutching a deep wound in his stomach. Blood seeped through his gloves as he struggled to breathe, his ma
The air vibrated with gunfire, screams, and the rhythmic thunder of boots pounding against the cracked asphalt. The war had begun.Mikhail, the ruthless leader of the Monadikos, stood atop the ruins of an old industrial complex, his sharp gaze cutting through the chaos unfolding below. His fingers clenched into a fist as he watched his men swarm the abandoned shipyard where the Cartel had foolishly stationed their latest shipment of illicit arms. The plan was simple, wipe them out, seize the weapons, and cripple their operations."Push forward! No mercy!" he bellowed, his voice slicing through the night.His men responded with a battle cry, surging ahead like a tidal wave of vengeance. Gunfire erupted from every angle. Sparks flew as bullets ricocheted off rusted shipping containers, and the metallic scent of gunpowder thickened in the air. The Cartel, caught off guard by the ferocity of the attack, scrambled to mount a defense.****Alvarez, the cold and calculating leader of the Car