บท 37: Blood and Shadows
The aftermath of Victor's betrayal weighed heavily on everyone in the compound. The atmosphere was thick with tension, every corner steeped in whispers and wary glances. It was as if a veil of doubt had been cast over Dante's empire, and no one knew who to trust anymore. Dante hadn't spoken much since we returned. His silence was louder than any of his commands, and it unnerved even the most loyal of his men.
---
The Cracks Show
I found Dante in his study, sitting behind his desk with a glass of whiskey in hand. The dim light cast shadows across his face, making him look older and more worn. The events of the last few days had taken their toll.
"You shouldn't drink on an empty stomach," I said softly, stepping into the room.
He looked up, his expression unreadable. "You think a sandwich is going to fix this?"
I sighed, crossing the room to sit across from him. "No, but wallowing in it won't fix it either."
His gaze was sharp, cutting through the space between us. "Victor was like a brother to me," he said, his voice low and tight. "He stood by me when no one else would. And now he's gone, and I don't even know how many more of them feel the same way he did."
I hesitated, unsure of how to respond. Dante wasn't the kind of man who let his guard down easily, and seeing him like this—raw and vulnerable—was unsettling. "Victor made his choice," I said finally. "And so did the others who stood by you. You can't let one betrayal make you question everyone."
He leaned back in his chair, studying me. "And what about you, Elizabeth? What would you do if it all came crashing down? If the empire I've built fell apart tomorrow, would you still be here?"
The question caught me off guard. "What kind of question is that?"
"An honest one," he said. "Lorenzo's not just after my territory. He's after everything. And if he gets what he wants, I won't be able to protect you anymore."
"I'm not here because I need your protection," I said firmly. "I'm here because I believe in you."
For a moment, he didn't say anything. Then he nodded, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "You're a stubborn woman, Elizabeth."
---
A New Threat Emerges
The next morning, Nico stormed into the dining room where Dante and I were having breakfast. His expression was grim, and my stomach sank before he even spoke.
"We've got a problem," he said, tossing a folder onto the table.
Dante opened it, his jaw tightening as he scanned the contents. "Lorenzo's moving faster than I thought," he muttered.
"What is it?" I asked, leaning closer.
Nico glanced at me, then back at Dante. "He's targeting the families now. Several of our allies reported attacks on their homes overnight. It's a message."
Dante slammed the folder shut, his face dark with anger. "He's trying to isolate us."
"It's working," Nico said. "A few of the smaller families have already withdrawn their support."
The room was silent for a moment as the weight of the situation sank in. Lorenzo wasn't just playing a power game—he was dismantling Dante's empire piece by piece.
"We need to hit back," Nico said. "Show them that we're not backing down."
Dante shook his head. "Not yet. If we retaliate now, we'll only give Lorenzo more leverage. We need to be smarter than that."
"What do you suggest?" I asked, my heart racing.
He turned to me, his eyes blazing with determination. "We're going to lure him out."
---
The Plan
Over the next few hours, the study became a hive of activity. Dante, Nico, and a handful of trusted lieutenants worked tirelessly to craft a plan. I stayed close, watching and listening as they strategized.
"We'll spread rumors about a shipment of weapons arriving at the dockyard in two days," Dante said, pointing to a spot on the map. "Lorenzo won't be able to resist."
"And when he shows up?" Nico asked.
"We ambush him," Dante replied. "But we need to be careful. If he suspects a trap, he won't take the bait."
"What about the mole?" I asked. "If there's someone else feeding him information, they'll warn him."
Dante nodded, his expression grim. "That's why we're keeping this operation as tight as possible. No one outside this room knows the details."
I couldn't help but feel a surge of pride as I watched him work. This was the Dante I knew—the man who could turn the tide of any battle with his sheer will and intelligence.
---
A Dangerous Game
As night fell, I found myself alone in the courtyard, the cool breeze doing little to calm my nerves. The plan was solid, but the stakes were higher than ever. If it failed, we'd lose more than just territory—we'd lose everything.
"Couldn't sleep?" Dante's voice startled me, and I turned to see him standing a few feet away.
I shook my head. "Too much on my mind."
He stepped closer, his presence grounding me. "You don't have to worry, Elizabeth. I won't let anything happen to you."
"It's not just me I'm worried about," I admitted. "It's you. This fight with Lorenzo—it's consuming you."
He reached out, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "Lorenzo's made this personal," he said. "But that doesn't mean I've lost sight of what's important."
"And what's that?" I asked softly.
"You," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "You're what's important, Elizabeth."
---
The Calm Before the Storm
The next day passed in a blur of preparations. Every detail of the ambush was meticulously planned, every possible scenario considered. By the time night fell, the tension was palpable.
Dante and I stood side by side, watching as his men loaded the last of the weapons into the trucks. "This is it," he said. "Everything comes down to tonight."
I nodded, my heart pounding. "Be careful."
He turned to me, his expression softening. "You worry too much."
"I have good reason to," I said.
He smiled faintly, then leaned down to press a kiss to my forehead. "I'll see you soon."
As the convoy rolled out, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to go wrong. But I pushed the thought aside, focusing on the hope that Dante's plan would succeed.
---
The First Shots
The ambush began just as planned. Lorenzo's men arrived at the dockyard, their convoy pulling up to the supposed shipment of weapons. Dante's men were waiting, hidden in the shadows.
The first shots rang out, shattering the quiet of the night. Chaos erupted as both sides clashed, the air thick with gunfire and shouts. I stayed back at the compound, glued to the radio as updates came in.
"We've got them cornered," Nico's voice crackled over the line. "They're putting up a fight, but we're holding our ground."
Relief washed over me, but it was short-lived. Moments later, a new voice came through the radio, panic evident in their tone.
"We've got movement on the west side! They're flanking us!"
My heart sank. Lorenzo had anticipated the ambush—and he'd come prepared.
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