Making the First Move

The private jet soared through the clouds, heading toward the Amalfi Coast, where Dante Marchesi had been hiding in plain sight.

Ariella sat in a leather seat, one leg crossed over the other, her eyes fixed on the map laid out on the table. The compound—Marchesi's stronghold—sat on a cliff, an opulent estate surrounded by armed guards and vast waters below.

An ideal fortress.

But Ariella wasn't planning to sneak in.

She intended to walk right through the front door.

Leo, sitting across from her, examined the blueprint. "This isn't just a safe house. He's expanding."

Carter sighed. "That means he was aware the Order was falling apart before we finished them off."

Vincent grinned, spinning his knife in his fingers. "Looks like someone's been waiting for his chance at power."

Ariella's jaw clenched. "Then we can't let him have that chance."

Leo looked her in the eye. "Are you sure about this? Going into his home without weapons?"

Ariella smirked. "Who said I'm without weapons?"

Leo sighed, rubbing his temples. "I should have guessed."

Carter chuckled. "It's like you two are made for each other."

Ariella leaned in, resting her elbows on the table. "Marchesi doesn't know what I want. That gives me the advantage."

Vincent smiled. "And when he figures out that what you want is his head?"

Ariella took a deep breath.

"Then we take it."

Arriving at Marchesi's Estate

The black SUV drove up the cobblestone path, the Mediterranean sun bathing the grand villa in golden light.

Ariella was the first to step out, clad in a sleek black jumpsuit, her hair tied back in a sharp ponytail. She exuded confidence and control.

Marchesi's guards stood at the entrance—silent, armed, and watchful.

She met their stares without flinching.

Leo joined her, his presence strong and intimidating. Carter and Vincent followed, their movements deliberate.

The front doors swung open.

And there he was.

Dante Marchesi.

Tall and wearing a crisp white shirt, his dark hair had gray streaks at the temples. He resembled a king from a bygone era, emerging from the past to claim a throne that wasn't his.

His lips formed a slow smile. "Ariella Devereux. I must say, I didn't expect you to arrive so soon."

Ariella smiled back. "I thought I'd spare you the hassle of sending another message."

Marchesi observed her closely. "You came here without an army."

Ariella's smirk sharpened. "I didn't need one."

Marchesi laughed and stepped aside. "Then let's have a conversation."

The dining hall was a stunning example of European elegance—chandeliers, marble floors, and walls adorned with gold-trimmed bookshelves.

Ariella sat across from Marchesi at the long table, her posture perfectly poised.

He poured two glasses of wine. "I assume you didn't come just for a friendly chat."

Ariella took the glass and swirled the wine. "I came to give you a warning."

Marchesi raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

Ariella took a measured sip. "You're entering a war you can't win."

Marchesi leaned back, his amusement flickering. "You destroyed the Order, and now you're concerned about the next empire rising?"

Ariella set her glass down. "No. I'm telling you it won't."

Marchesi's smile faded a bit. "And what makes you so certain?"

Ariella's gaze remained steady.

"Because I'm still here."

The room fell silent.

Leo observed every muscle in Marchesi's face, waiting for a response.

Marchesi exhaled slowly, then chuckled. "You're daring. I respect that."

Ariella smirked. "Daring isn't the same as foolish. I let you live because I was busy dealing with the aftermath of the Order. But make no mistake—"

Her voice lowered.

"If you act against me, I will erase you."

Marchesi tilted his head. "And if I don't act against you?"

Ariella's eyes sparkled. "Then perhaps you'll survive a little longer."

Marchesi studied her, then exhaled. "Let me be clear, Isabelle. I'm not Vaughn."

I'm not part of the Council. I don't follow orders. I give them.

Ariella leaned in a bit. "Then you should have ordered us to stay hidden."

A heavy silence filled the air.

Marchesi finally agreed with a nod. "Alright. You've given your warning. Now it's my turn."

Ariella raised an eyebrow.

Marchesi spoke in a calm, dangerous tone. "You believe you've won. That you've destroyed the Order completely. But power doesn't vanish, Ariella. It's passed down. And you?"

His smirk returned. "You're more like us than you realize."

Ariella felt a knot in her stomach.

Marchesi stood up. "I'll let you go this time. But next time? Don't bother knocking."

Ariella stood up slowly.

"Next time?" she asked, tilting her head. "There won't be a next time."

Then she turned and walked away.

Because Marchesi had just sealed his own fate.

Inside the SUV, Carter let out a breath. "That could have gone worse."

Vincent grinned. "It could have been better too. I was hoping for at least one stabbing."

Leo ignored them and faced Ariella. "What's next?"

Ariella's voice was calm and steady.

"We eliminate him before he thinks he can eliminate us."

 Leo nodded. "I'll arrange it."

Vincent whistled. "I love when we skip the games and go straight to the kill."

Carter leaned in. "We need to be smart. Marchesi expects us to strike back."

Ariella smiled. "Then we do something unexpected."

Leo smirked. "And what's that?"

Ariella's eyes darkened.

"We let him believe he's already won."

The Setup

That night, Vincent used all his connections in the underground intelligence network.

Carter tracked Marchesi's movements, supply chains, and weaknesses.

Leo got the kill team ready.

Ariella?

She did what she did best.

She became a ghost in Marchesi's empire.

They spread false information, making Marchesi think Ariella had backed off, left Europe, and retreated.

And when he relaxed his guard—

They struck.

The wind howled around the isolated cliffside estate as Ariella, Leo, Carter, and Vincent crossed the boundary.

Marchesi was inside, oblivious to the danger approaching.

Vincent took out the snipers on the roof.

Carter disabled the security alarms.

Leo moved with deadly accuracy, clearing the corridors.

And Ariella?

She headed straight for Marchesi's room.

The doors flew open—

Marchesi turned, shocked, reaching for his gun—

But Ariella was quicker.

She pressed the gun against his forehead.

Marchesi froze.

Ariella smiled, tilting her head. "I told you there wouldn't be a next time."

Marchesi gulped, his confidence fading. "You could rule, Ariella. You could take the power we built."

Ariella smirked. "I don't want power."

She pulled the trigger.

Marchesi fell to the ground, dead.

Ariella stepped back, breathing out.

Leo's voice was steady behind her. "It's done."

Ariella turned.

"No."

She looked down at Marchesi's body, the last man who thought he could control her.

Now, it was over.

And Ariella?

She was finally free.