Chương 48: The Game Begins
The tension in the air was palpable as Dante gathered his inner circle in the study. The documents Marissa had delivered the previous night lay spread out on the massive oak desk, revealing a web of transactions, addresses, and names. Each one was a piece of the puzzle Maria had so carefully constructed.
I stood to the side, watching as Dante reviewed the information with a calculated intensity. His strong jaw was set, and his dark eyes burned with a determination that sent shivers down my spine. This was the side of Dante that terrified his enemies—and thrilled me.
"Maria's base of operations," Dante said, tapping a map pinned to the center of the desk. "She's been funneling her resources here."
One of his men, a burly enforcer named Victor, leaned forward to inspect the map. "That's in neutral territory," he noted. "She's keeping herself just out of reach."
"Not for long," Dante replied, his voice cold. "We're going to smoke her out."
I felt a surge of anxiety as I realized what this meant. Neutral territory was a delicate balance in the world of the mafia—violating it could spark a war.
"You're planning to go after her there?" I asked, stepping forward.
Dante turned to me, his expression softening just slightly. "Maria has crossed every line imaginable. She won't stop until she destroys everything I've built—and everyone I care about." His gaze lingered on me, and I felt the weight of his words.
"This isn't just about business anymore," he continued. "It's personal."
I nodded, understanding the stakes but unable to shake the feeling that something was about to go wrong.
Preparations for War
The following hours were a flurry of activity as Dante's men prepared for the operation. Weapons were cleaned and loaded, vehicles were fueled, and plans were meticulously reviewed. Despite the chaos, Dante remained calm and focused, issuing orders with the authority of a king.
I watched from the sidelines, my heart pounding with a mix of fear and determination. I wanted to help, but I also knew that my involvement would only make Dante more vulnerable.
Marissa approached me as I stood near the edge of the courtyard, watching the men load up the SUVs.
"You look like you're about to jump out of your skin," she said with a small smirk.
"I just... I don't know how to sit back and do nothing," I admitted.
"You're not doing anything," Marissa said. "You're the reason he's fighting this hard. Trust me, that's not nothing."
Her words were meant to reassure me, but they only made me feel more restless.
The Calm Before the Storm
As the sun began to set, Dante pulled me aside into the quiet of the library. The golden light streaming through the windows softened his features, but his eyes were as intense as ever.
"I don't want you involved in this," he said firmly.
"I wasn't planning to jump into the middle of a gunfight if that's what you're worried about," I replied, crossing my arms.
His lips quirked into a brief smile, but it quickly faded. "I mean it, Elizabeth. I need you safe. Stay here, no matter what happens."
"And if something happens to you?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
"It won't," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "I'll come back to you. I promise."
I wanted to believe him, but the ominous feeling in my chest refused to subside.
The Mission
Under the cover of darkness, Dante and his men set out for Maria's base. I stood at the front door of the mansion, watching the convoy of black SUVs disappear into the night.
The hours that followed were agonizing. Every creak of the mansion, every whisper of the wind made my heart race. I stayed in the library, surrounded by books I couldn't bring myself to read.
Marissa joined me after a while, sitting across from me with a glass of whiskey in hand.
"They'll be fine," she said, though her voice lacked conviction.
I nodded, staring into the flickering flames of the fireplace. "They have to be."
The Attack
Meanwhile, at the neutral territory, Dante's convoy arrived in silence. His men spread out, their movements precise and practiced. The building Maria had been using was an abandoned warehouse, its exterior dark and unassuming.
Dante led the charge, his presence commanding and unrelenting. He and his men stormed the warehouse, their weapons raised and ready.
Inside, they found exactly what they were expecting—and dreading. Maria's men were waiting, heavily armed and prepared for a fight.
The battle erupted in a storm of gunfire and chaos. Dante moved with deadly precision, his focus unwavering as he took down his enemies.
But Maria wasn't there.
As the last of her men fell, Dante's eyes scanned the room, searching for any sign of her. It wasn't until he found a note pinned to the wall that he realized the truth.
"You're predictable, Dante. This was never about the warehouse. It's about what you left behind."
His blood ran cold as the realization hit him.
The Betrayal
Back at the mansion, everything had seemed quiet—until it wasn't.
The first sign of trouble was the sound of shattering glass. I jumped to my feet, my heart pounding as the alarms blared throughout the estate.
Marissa grabbed my arm. "We need to move. Now."
Before I could respond, the door burst open, and armed men flooded the room. They moved quickly, their faces obscured by masks.
"Elizabeth!" one of them called, his voice cold and commanding.
Marissa pulled a gun from her waistband, firing at the intruders as she dragged me toward a hidden passageway behind the bookshelf.
"Go!" she shouted, shoving me inside.
I stumbled into the dark corridor, the sound of gunfire echoing behind me. My hands shook as I fumbled for my phone, dialing Dante's number.
It rang once before he picked up.
"Elizabeth?" His voice was sharp with urgency.
"They're here," I whispered, my voice trembling. "Maria's men—they're in the mansion."
There was a pause, followed by a string of curses. "Stay hidden. I'm on my way."
The line went dead, leaving me alone in the suffocating darkness.
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