Chapter 72: The Storm Unleashed
The morning air was heavy, the kind of weight that pressed against your chest and warned of impending chaos. Dante had left early, his parting words clipped and direct. He was heading to a meeting with one of his informants who had fresh intelligence on Ivan's next move.
I stayed behind, tasked with overseeing Ekaterina's presence in the house and ensuring she didn't overstep. But the longer she stayed, the more uneasy I felt. There was something about her—her poise, her calm confidence—that didn't sit right with me.
---
A Dangerous Game
Ekaterina was seated in the drawing room when I entered, her legs crossed elegantly, a cup of tea in her hands. She looked like she belonged there, which only fueled my distrust.
"Enjoying your stay?" I asked, my tone sharper than I intended.
She looked up, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "It's been... enlightening. Dante has quite the operation here."
I sat down across from her, keeping my expression neutral. "Cut the small talk. Why are you here?"
Her smile widened, but there was no warmth in it. "I've already told you. Ivan betrayed me, and I want revenge. Helping Dante is my best chance at getting it."
"And what happens after that?" I asked, leaning forward. "Do you just walk away and pretend none of this ever happened?"
Her eyes flickered with something—amusement, perhaps. "You're protective of him. That's good. He needs someone like you."
I stiffened at her words, but before I could respond, Matteo entered the room, his face grim.
"We've got a problem," he said.
---
The First Strike
Matteo led me to the security room, where several guards were crowded around the monitors. On one of the screens, a convoy of black SUVs was speeding toward the estate.
"Who are they?" I asked, my heart pounding.
"Bratva," Matteo said grimly. "Ivan's making his move."
"Dante's not here," I said, panic rising in my chest.
Matteo placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "We'll hold them off until he gets back. But you need to stay out of sight."
"No," I said firmly. "I'm not hiding while they attack our home."
Matteo looked like he wanted to argue, but before he could, the first explosion shook the house.
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Defending the Estate
The Bratva soldiers poured onto the property, heavily armed and relentless. Dante's men sprang into action, their weapons drawn as they engaged the intruders.
I found myself in the thick of it, my instincts kicking in as I grabbed a gun from one of the guards. Matteo tried to shield me, but I pushed past him, determined to do my part.
Shots rang out, the deafening sound echoing through the estate. I took cover behind a marble pillar, my hands trembling as I aimed at one of the attackers. My first shot missed, but the second hit its mark, and the man crumpled to the ground.
"Elizabeth, stay down!" Matteo shouted, his voice barely audible over the chaos.
"I'm fine," I called back, even as my heart raced with fear.
Ekaterina appeared at my side, a pistol in her hand. "Not bad," she said, nodding toward the man I'd taken down.
"This isn't the time for compliments," I snapped, firing another shot.
---
A Close Call
The battle raged on, and despite our best efforts, the Bratva were gaining ground. I could hear them shouting orders in Russian, their voices growing louder as they pushed closer to the house.
One of them spotted me and raised his weapon. I froze, my mind going blank as I stared down the barrel of his gun.
Before he could fire, a shot rang out, and he dropped to the ground. I turned to see Matteo, his expression fierce as he reloaded his gun.
"Get inside now!" he shouted.
I nodded, finally heeding his advice as I retreated into the house. But even as I moved to safety, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning.
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The Return of the King
The sound of tires screeching outside brought a momentary lull to the chaos. I ran to the window and saw Dante's car skidding to a stop in front of the estate. He stepped out, his face a mask of fury as he barked orders to the men with him.
Within moments, the tide of the battle shifted. Dante's presence was like a rallying cry for his men, who fought with renewed determination.
He entered the house moments later, his suit disheveled but his resolve unshaken. His eyes found mine immediately, and I could see the worry hidden beneath his hardened exterior.
"Are you hurt?" he asked, striding toward me.
"No," I said, my voice trembling. "But they almost made it inside."
His jaw tightened, and he turned to Matteo. "Secure the perimeter. I want every inch of this property locked down."
Matteo nodded and left to carry out his orders.
---
Revelations
As the dust settled, Dante and I regrouped in his office. Ekaterina joined us, her composure as unshaken as ever.
"This wasn't just an attack," she said, her tone serious. "It was a message."
Dante leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled as he regarded her. "What kind of message?"
"That Ivan isn't afraid of you," she said bluntly. "He wants you to know he's coming for everything you have."
Dante's expression darkened, but he didn't respond. Instead, he turned to me, his gaze softening slightly.
"You did well today," he said.
I shook my head. "I was reckless. If Matteo hadn't been there—"
"You held your own," he interrupted. "And that's more than I could have asked for."
His words warmed me, but the weight of the day's events still lingered. I knew this was far from over, and the next strike would be even more devastating.
For now, we had survived. But the storm was far from over.
Weekly Power Status
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Ranking 
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