Chapter 16 – "The Counterattack"

Hidden Safehouse – Midnight

The room was silent, except for the steady ticking of the old clock on the wall. Joshua sat at the center, his wounded shoulder wrapped in tight bandages. He was tired, but his mind was clear.

Across from him, Adisa and Tunde were staring at the map on the table. It was time to hit back.

"Umaru thinks we're scared," Joshua muttered, eyes fixed on the marked locations. "That was his mistake."

Adisa leaned back. "We lost a lot of men, bro. We need a solid plan, not just revenge."

Tunde grinned, cracking his knuckles. "I say we burn one of his warehouses. Make it loud. Make it hurt."

Joshua shook his head. "We don't need noise. We need control."

He pointed at a key location on the map.

"Umaru's money flows through his casino on Victoria Island. Laundering, payoffs, underground deals—everything passes through there."

Adisa whistled. "You wanna hit his money? That's war."

Joshua smirked. "We're already at war."

Tunde's grin widened. "So, what's the plan?"

Joshua exhaled. "We take the casino. Tonight."

Victoria Island – The Casino

The neon lights glowed against the night sky, flashing in patterns of red and gold. Inside, the casino was alive with laughter, rolling dice, and the clinking of glasses.

But hidden among the guests, Joshua's men had already moved in.

Dressed in suits, Adisa, Tunde, and a few trusted soldiers blended into the crowd.

Upstairs, behind a heavily guarded VIP section, sat Chief Bolu, Umaru's financial mastermind.

That was the target.

Through his earpiece, Joshua's voice came through.

"Positions?"

Adisa sipped his drink. "Ground floor, near the guards."

Tunde adjusted his cufflinks. "VIP entrance. Ready to move."

Joshua, sitting in a black car across the street, exhaled.

"Go."

Inside the Casino – The Takeover Begins

Tunde moved first.

He walked up to the VIP entrance, nodding at the guards. "Got an appointment."

The guard squinted. "Name?"

Tunde punched him in the throat.

The man crumpled, gasping for air. Before the second guard could react, Adisa was already there—knife in hand.

A quick, silent takedown.

Tunde dragged the bodies aside, clearing the way.

Upstairs, Chief Bolu was counting stacks of cash when the door slammed open.

Tunde and Adisa walked in, guns drawn.

Chief Bolu's eyes widened. "What the hell is this?"

Tunde smirked. "A change in management."

Outside – The Real Battle

As soon as Tunde and Adisa made their move, the alarms went off.

Umaru's men, stationed around the casino, immediately reacted.

Joshua, still in the car, watched as four black SUVs screeched to a stop outside the casino. Armed men poured out.

"They came fast," he muttered.

Then, he opened the car door.

And stepped into the chaos.

The first man barely had time to react before Joshua shot him twice in the chest.

The second reached for his gun—too slow.

Joshua grabbed his wrist, twisted it, and slammed him into the hood of a car. The gun clattered to the ground.

Bullets flew past him, shattering glass and sending sparks into the air.

From the casino entrance, Adisa's voice came through the radio.

"Josh, we got Bolu! What's the situation outside?"

Joshua ducked behind cover, reloading. "Messy. Get out fast."

Inside, Tunde grabbed Chief Bolu by the collar. "You work for us now."

Bolu swallowed hard. "And if I refuse?"

Tunde chuckled. "Then we send your head back to Umaru. Your choice."

Bolu hesitated—then nodded.

"Smart man," Adisa muttered, shoving him toward the exit.

The Escape

Joshua fired two more shots, taking down another enemy. But more were coming.

Then—a black Range Rover skidded to a stop beside him.

The window rolled down.

Amara.

"Get in!" she shouted.

Joshua didn't hesitate. He dived into the passenger seat as Amara floored it.

Behind them, Adisa and Tunde stormed out with Bolu, firing at their pursuers before jumping into another car.

The chase was on.

SUVs swerved through traffic, headlights flashing, horns blaring. Gunshots cracked through the night.

Amara gritted her teeth. "You're insane, you know that?"

Joshua smirked. "And you love it."

She rolled her eyes. "Shut up and shoot."

Joshua leaned out the window, firing at their pursuers.

Tires screeched. One of Umaru's SUVs crashed into a streetlight.

"Two more behind us!" Amara shouted.

Joshua reloaded. "I see them."

Then—a sudden explosion.

Adisa's car had thrown a Molotov. Fire engulfed the road.

The remaining SUVs swerved, one flipping over.

Silence.

They were gone.

Hidden Safehouse – The Aftermath

Bolu sat on the couch, shaken.

Joshua stood over him. "Here's how this works. You handle all of Umaru's money, right?"

Bolu nodded slowly.

Joshua leaned in. "Now you handle mine."

Bolu gulped.

"Y-You don't understand… Umaru will kill me for this."

Joshua smiled. "That's why you need protection. Our protection."

Bolu hesitated—then nodded.

Adisa clapped his hands. "That's what I like to hear."

Joshua exhaled, rolling his shoulder. The wound still hurt, but the power shift was happening.

Umaru's financial backbone was theirs now.

Tunde grinned. "So, what's next?"

Joshua poured himself a drink.

"Now? We take everything."