章節 59: Shadows of the Past
The world outside was still cloaked in the early morning fog, but inside the mansion, everything was sharp and clear. Every footstep felt heavier, every breath more deliberate. I couldn't shake the feeling that we were on the edge of something bigger, something that would change everything.
Dante was in the study, discussing the final details of the attack with Matteo and a few of our trusted men. I had a job to do. There were pieces of this puzzle that still didn't make sense—things I needed to understand before we plunged into the chaos that awaited us.
As I moved toward the door, I caught a glimpse of myself in the hallway mirror. The woman staring back at me was not the same one who had walked into this life, trembling and uncertain. She was fierce, unyielding, and ready for whatever came next.
I made my way through the halls of the mansion, my heels clicking softly against the polished floor. The scent of fresh coffee wafted in the air as I passed the kitchen, and for a moment, I allowed myself a brief sense of normalcy. I was still me, despite everything. I was still the woman who loved her children, who loved Dante. But I was also something else now.
I entered the war room, where the rest of our team had gathered. Matteo was seated at the large oak table, flipping through reports. He looked up as I entered, his expression unreadable.
"Everything ready?" I asked, my voice steady despite the urgency that tugged at me.
Matteo nodded. "The men are in position. We've got eyes on Maria's stronghold. We know where she's keeping her key assets. We can move in at any time."
I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding. This was it. We had reached the point of no return.
"I've been thinking," I said, taking a seat beside him. "We need to send a message. It's not just about eliminating the immediate threats. We have to make sure everyone knows that we won't stop until we've taken Maria down, once and for all."
Matteo glanced at me, his eyes narrowing slightly. "You're suggesting we make an example of someone?"
I met his gaze. "Yes. We can't afford to show weakness. If we hit one of Maria's strongest men, someone high-ranking, it'll send a clear message to anyone thinking of challenging us."
A silence hung in the air as Matteo considered my words. Then, he nodded slowly. "I agree. But we'll need to move quickly. Once we make our move, we'll have to be prepared for retaliation."
I stood up, my hands clasped together tightly. "I'm ready. We've come this far. Now, we finish it."
Just as I turned to leave, Dante's voice rang out from the doorway. "You're not going anywhere alone."
I froze, then turned to face him. His gaze was intense, his jaw set in that way I had come to recognize as his "don't argue with me" look. But there was something more in his eyes, something deeper—concern, perhaps, or something more personal.
"I wasn't planning on it," I said, offering him a wry smile. "But you should know that I'm not the same woman you married. I've grown stronger. I know what needs to be done."
Dante stepped closer, his presence commanding. "I never doubted your strength. But we do this together, Nelly. Every step of the way."
I felt my heart beat faster at his words, the way he said them with such conviction. It wasn't just about power—it was about trust. And with Dante, I trusted him completely.
"Together," I echoed, stepping forward to meet him.
He gave me a brief nod before his attention shifted to Matteo. "Are we ready?" he asked, his voice low, dangerous.
Matteo handed him the file containing the details of our target. "Almost. We have the location, the men, and everything we need. But we need to move quickly. Once Maria realizes we've made a move, she'll retaliate. We can't let our guard down."
Dante turned to me, his eyes burning with determination. "Are you ready for this?"
I met his gaze with a fire of my own. "I've never been more ready."
With a final nod, Dante turned toward the door, and I followed him without hesitation. The storm was coming, and we were about to unleash it.
---
The Strike
The night was our ally. Darkness cloaked us as we moved through the shadows, our footsteps silent on the cold ground. Our target was a high-ranking member of Maria's inner circle—someone who could send a message if we took them down.
The mansion loomed ahead, a fortress in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by thick woods and security at every turn. But we had planned for this. Every angle, every detail had been meticulously studied. There would be no room for error.
Dante and I stood at the edge of the woods, the mansion just ahead. His hand brushed against mine, a brief but meaningful touch. I turned to face him, meeting his gaze.
"Remember," he said, his voice quiet but commanding, "We do this quickly and efficiently. No one gets left behind."
"I know," I replied, my voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through me. "Let's make sure this sends a message."
We advanced toward the mansion, moving like shadows. The guards were minimal and easy to take down with swift precision. Each step brought us closer to our target, and I could feel the tension building inside me.
We reached the door, and Dante motioned for Matteo's team to breach the entrance. The moment the door opened, chaos erupted. Gunshots rang out, and screams filled the air. But we moved with purpose, cutting through the mess like a blade through cloth.
We found our target in the main hall, just as we had planned. He was surrounded by a group of his men, but they didn't stand a chance. Dante and I fought side by side, our movements synchronized, lethal. It was clear that our enemies underestimated us—just as they always had.
As the last of the guards fell, I approached our target, my heart thudding in my chest. He was on the floor, gasping for air, his eyes wide with fear.
"This is the price of betraying us," I said, my voice cold as ice. "You chose the wrong side."
I didn't hesitate. With a swift motion, I ended his life, watching as the life drained from his eyes. His death would send a message to Maria and her allies. No one was safe anymore.
Dante stood beside me, his expression unreadable, but I saw the approval in his eyes. "You did well," he murmured.
I wiped the blood from my hands, my mind already moving to the next step. "We're not done yet."
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