Capítulo 36: A War Brews
The discovery of the recording device sent ripples through the compound. Every corner of Dante's empire seemed to hum with tension as his men worked tirelessly to track down the missing recruit. Despite the growing pressure, there was an eerie calm hanging over everything, like the stillness before a storm. I could feel it creeping in, clawing at my resolve.
The day started earlier than usual. Dante had barely slept, his focus was razor-sharp. The moment I entered the study, I found him poring over maps and notes, Victor and Nico flanking him.
"We've traced the recruit's last movements," Nico said, pointing to a mark on the map. "He was spotted heading west, toward Lorenzo's known safe house."
Dante didn't look up. "Then why haven't we dragged him back here yet?"
Victor cleared his throat. "The area is heavily guarded. If he's gone to Lorenzo, storming in could alert them that we know."
Dante's fist slammed against the desk, making me jump. "So we sit back and wait while they plan my downfall? No. We're going in. Tonight."
---
A Tense Discussion
I stepped forward cautiously. "Dante, maybe Victor's right. If this recruit is with Lorenzo, it's what he wants—he's baiting you."
His eyes flicked to me, sharp and unreadable. "What would you have me do, Elizabeth? Wait for Lorenzo to strike first? Risk losing everything?"
I hesitated. I knew he had a point, but I also knew that rushing into an ambush could end in disaster. "You're not thinking clearly," I said carefully. "You're angry, and Lorenzo knows that. He'll use it against you."
For a moment, Dante just stared at me, his jaw tight. Then he looked back at Victor. "Fine. We wait. But I want eyes on that safe house around the clock."
Victor nodded, relieved. "Already done. Our men are watching every move."
I let out a quiet breath, grateful for the delay. But I couldn't shake the feeling that we were running out of time.
---
The Calm Before the Storm
That evening, Dante and I sat together in the courtyard. The air was cool, the stars bright overhead. For a while, neither of us spoke. The weight of the day pressed down on both of us, heavy and unrelenting.
"I hate this," he said suddenly, his voice low. "The waiting. The second-guessing. It's not who I am."
I turned to him, studying his profile in the moonlight. He looked tired, the lines of stress etched into his face. "You're protecting your people," I said softly. "That's who you are."
He glanced at me, his expression softening. "And what about you, Elizabeth? How are you holding up?"
The question caught me off guard. "Me? I'm fine."
"Don't lie to me," he said, his tone gentle but firm. "I see the way you've been looking over your shoulder, the way you've been avoiding certain people. What's going on?"
I hesitated, debating whether to tell him the truth. Finally, I sighed. "I'm scared," I admitted. "Not just for you, but for everyone. This isn't just about Lorenzo anymore—it's about us, about everything we've built."
Dante reached for my hand, his grip firm and reassuring. "We'll get through this," he said. "I promise you."
---
The Trap is Sprung
The next morning, the quiet tension of the compound was shattered by an urgent knock on the door. Nico burst into the room, his expression grim.
"They've made a move," he said. "Our scouts near the safe house spotted a convoy leaving early this morning. They're heading north."
Dante stood immediately. "How many men?"
"Too many for it to be a simple relocation," Nico said. "They're preparing for something big."
Victor entered the room moments later, a phone pressed to his ear. "We've confirmed it," he said. "The convoy is heading toward one of our warehouses on the outskirts of the city."
Dante's eyes narrowed. "They're coming for our supply lines."
Victor nodded. "It's an obvious target. If they hit it, they'll cripple us."
"Not if we stop them first," Dante said, his voice like steel. He turned to me, his gaze unwavering. "Elizabeth, I need you to stay here."
"What?" I stepped forward, my heart racing. "No, I'm coming with you."
He shook his head. "It's too dangerous."
"Everything about this is dangerous," I argued. "I'm not staying behind while you put yourself in harm's way."
Dante stared at me for a long moment, his jaw tight. Finally, he sighed. "Fine. But you stay close to me. Do you understand?"
I nodded, relief washing over me. "I understand."
---
The Confrontation
The convoy approached the warehouse just after sunset. Dante's men were ready, hidden in strategic positions around the perimeter. I stood beside him, my heart pounding as we watched from a distance.
"They're moving fast," Victor said, his binoculars trained on the approaching vehicles. "They'll be here in less than ten minutes."
Dante's expression was cold, calculated. "Good. Let them think they have the upper hand."
As the convoy neared, the tension became almost unbearable. I gripped the small handgun Dante had given me, my palms slick with sweat. This wasn't my world, but I was in it now, for better or worse.
When the first vehicle reached the warehouse, Dante gave the signal. His men moved quickly, cutting off the convoy from both ends. Gunfire erupted almost immediately, the sharp cracks echoing through the night.
I stayed close to Dante as chaos unfolded around us. His focus was unwavering, his movements precise. He was in his element, commanding his men with the authority of someone who had fought—and won—countless battles before.
But as the fight dragged on, it became clear that Lorenzo's men were better prepared than we'd anticipated. They fought with a ferocity that hinted at something more than loyalty—something personal.
---
An Unexpected Betrayal
Amid the chaos, I noticed a figure moving toward us, his face partially obscured by the shadows. It wasn't until he was closer that I recognized him.
Victor.
He raised his gun, his eyes locking onto Dante. My heart stopped.
"Victor, no!" I shouted, stepping between them.
Dante turned just in time, his expression a mix of shock and fury. "Victor, what the hell are you doing?"
Victor hesitated, his grip on the gun tightening. "I'm sorry, Dante," he said, his voice trembling. "But I can't do this anymore. Lorenzo promised me—"
Before he could finish, a shot rang out. Victor staggered, blood blooming across his chest. He collapsed to the ground, his eyes wide with shock.
I turned to see Nico standing behind him, his gun still raised. His expression was hard, but there was a flicker of sadness in his eyes.
"Traitors don't get second chances," Nico said simply.
Dante didn't respond. He knelt beside Victor, his jaw clenched. "Why?" he demanded, his voice low and strained. "Why would you betray me?"
Victor coughed, blood staining his lips. "You… you became too powerful. Lorenzo… he said you needed to be stopped."
Dante's expression hardened, and he stood slowly. "Get him out of here," he ordered Nico. "And make sure everyone knows what happens to traitors."
---
Aftermath
The battle ended shortly after Victor's betrayal, with Dante's men emerging victorious. But the cost was high. Several of his men were injured, and the revelation of Victor's betrayal left a bitter taste in everyone's mouths.
Back at the compound, Dante was quiet, his usual confidence replaced by a heavy silence. I stayed by his side, unsure of what to say.
"Victor was my friend," he said finally, his voice barely above a whisper. "I trusted him."
I placed a hand on his arm, offering what comfort I could. "You couldn't have known."
He shook his head. "I should have. I should have seen it coming."
As the night wore on, I realized that this wasn't just about Victor. It was about Lorenzo, about the cracks in Dante's empire that were beginning to show. And as much as I wanted to believe that we could overcome it, I couldn't ignore the growing sense of dread in my chest.
The war was far from over, and the worst was yet to come.
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