Bab 69: A Storm Brewing
The mansion was quiet in the early morning hours, but the tension was palpable. Every member of Dante's inner circle moved with precision, their purpose clear as they prepared for the next strike. Maria's death had sent shockwaves through the underworld, but the fallout was just beginning.
I stood in the kitchen, staring out the window at the sprawling estate. The sunrise painted the sky in hues of gold and orange, but the beauty of it felt distant, almost unreal against the chaos brewing beneath the surface.
"You're up early," Dante said, his deep voice breaking my thoughts.
I turned to see him standing in the doorway, his shirt unbuttoned at the collar and his hair slightly disheveled. Despite the weariness in his eyes, he still exuded power and control.
"I couldn't sleep," I admitted. "Too much on my mind."
Dante crossed the room and poured himself a cup of coffee, his movements deliberate. "You've been carrying a lot lately," he said, his gaze meeting mine. "You don't have to do this alone, Elizabeth."
I sighed, wrapping my arms around myself. "I know. But it feels like everything is happening at once. Maria's allies, Ivan Orlov, the fallout from her death... it's a lot."
Dante placed his coffee cup on the counter and closed the distance between us. His hands settled on my shoulders, grounding me. "We'll handle it. Together."
For a moment, I allowed myself to lean into his strength, drawing comfort from his presence.
---
Uncovering the Enemy
By mid-morning, Matteo and I were deep in the study, sorting through the intelligence we'd gathered on Ivan Orlov. The files were extensive, detailing his operations, alliances, and known associates.
"This guy's a ghost," Matteo said, running a hand through his hair. "Half of these leads are dead ends, and the other half are so vague they might as well not exist."
I frowned, flipping through a stack of reports. "But he's not invincible. Everyone has a weakness, and we'll find his."
Dante entered the room, his expression unreadable. "Any progress?"
"Nothing concrete yet," I admitted. "But we're piecing it together."
Dante's gaze shifted to Matteo. "What about the docks? Have we confirmed his shipments?"
Matteo nodded. "They're moving weapons through a secondary port outside the city. It's a smaller operation, but heavily guarded."
"Good," Dante said. "We'll hit it tonight. Cut off his supply line and send a message."
I glanced up from the files. "You're going personally?"
Dante's eyes met mine, a flicker of determination in their depths. "Yes. This isn't something I'm delegating."
---
Preparing for the Mission
The hours leading up to the raid were a blur of preparation. Weapons were cleaned and loaded, plans were laid out in meticulous detail, and every possible contingency was considered.
I stayed close to Dante, offering input where I could and absorbing the weight of the situation. His focus was razor-sharp, his commands precise as he directed his men.
"You don't have to come," he said to me as we geared up in the armory.
I slid a knife into my boot and met his gaze. "I'm not staying behind. We're in this together, remember?"
His expression softened, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "You're stubborn."
"And you love it," I replied, a teasing edge to my voice.
Dante chuckled, but the warmth in his eyes was fleeting. The gravity of what lay ahead quickly reasserted itself, and we fell into silence as the final preparations were made.
---
The Raid
The docks were a maze of shipping containers and heavy machinery, the air thick with the scent of salt and oil. The hum of engines and the distant crash of waves masked our approach as Dante's men moved with lethal precision.
I stayed close to Dante, my heart pounding in my chest as we crept through the shadows. Every sound seemed amplified, every movement a potential threat.
"Targets ahead," Matteo whispered, signaling to a group of guards stationed near the shipment.
Dante nodded, his hand tightening around the grip of his pistol. "Take them out quietly. No alarms."
The next moments were a blur of coordinated strikes and muffled grunts as the guards were neutralized. My breath came in shallow gasps as I kept my knife at the ready, my pulse racing.
We reached the shipment—a series of large crates marked with Cyrillic letters. Matteo pried one open, revealing an arsenal of weapons inside.
"This is just the tip of the iceberg," he muttered, his jaw tightening.
Dante's expression was cold as he examined the contents. "Destroy it all."
---
Betrayal in the Shadows
As we worked to dismantle the shipment, a distant sound caught my attention—a faint click, barely audible above the din of the docks.
"Dante," I whispered, my voice urgent.
He froze, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the area. "Everyone, get down!"
The explosion rocked the docks, a deafening blast that sent shockwaves through the air. I hit the ground hard, the impact knocking the wind out of me as debris rained down.
"Elizabeth!" Dante's voice cut through the chaos, panic lacing his tone.
"I'm okay!" I shouted, coughing as I struggled to my feet.
Smoke filled the air, obscuring our surroundings as Dante's men regrouped. The ambush had been carefully planned, and it was clear Ivan's men were prepared for our arrival.
"They were waiting for us," Matteo growled, his face smeared with soot and blood.
"Fall back," Dante ordered, his voice like steel. "We regroup and come back stronger."
---
The Fallout
Back at the mansion, the mood was grim. The ambush had been a stark reminder of the danger we faced, and the losses weighed heavily on everyone.
"We underestimated him," Dante said, pacing the study as he addressed his inner circle. "That won't happen again."
"We need a new strategy," I said, my voice firm despite the exhaustion tugging at me. "Ivan's playing a long game, and we can't afford to make another mistake."
Dante's gaze softened as he looked at me. "We'll figure it out. Together."
As the meeting dispersed, I lingered in the study, my mind racing with thoughts of what lay ahead. Dante joined me, his presence a steadying force.
"We'll get through this," he said quietly, his hand brushing against mine.
I nodded, determination hardening my resolve. "We have to."
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone