Chapter 13 The Deadly Exchange

The weight of Morello's words lingered in the air long after the call ended. Alexander's jaw was clenched, his knuckles white as he gripped the edge of his desk. Elena felt her pulse hammering in her chest, but she refused to let fear control her.

Morello wanted an exchange. But for what?

"We can't walk into this blind," Elena said, breaking the tense silence. "Morello has a plan. We need one too."

Alexander nodded, his mind already racing. "He wouldn't have called unless he was desperate. That means our attack is working."

Vincent leaned against the desk, arms crossed. "Desperation makes people reckless. He might try to set a trap."

Elena swallowed. "Do we even know what he wants in return?"

Alexander's gaze darkened. "He wants the USB. But it's not just about covering his tracks. He wants to send a message."

Vincent exhaled sharply. "Then we need to be one step ahead."

Alexander nodded. "I'm not handing him the real drive. We'll make a fake one—something that looks convincing enough to buy us time."

Elena hesitated. "And if he figures it out?"

Alexander's eyes met hers. "We don't give him the chance."

Setting the Stage

Within the hour, Alexander's team was in motion. A duplicate USB was created, filled with just enough credible-looking files to deceive Morello. Meanwhile, Vincent tapped into his underground contacts to gather intel on the location of the meeting.

"It's an abandoned shipping dock," Vincent reported. "Remote. Lots of blind spots."

"Perfect for an ambush," Alexander muttered.

Elena crossed her arms. "Which means we have to assume Morello has backup."

Vincent smirked. "Oh, he will. But so will we."

Alexander turned to his head of security. "Position snipers around the perimeter. I want eyes on every possible exit. No one moves without my say."

The man nodded. "Understood, sir."

Elena grabbed Alexander's arm as the others dispersed. "Are you sure about this?"

His fingers brushed against her cheek, his voice low. "I won't let anything happen to you."

She believed him. But that didn't mean she wasn't terrified.

Walking into the Lion's Den

Midnight.

The air was thick with tension as Alexander and Elena arrived at the dock. The scent of salt and rust clung to the air, waves crashing against the pier in rhythmic warning.

Morello was already waiting.

The crime lord stood beneath a flickering streetlamp, his sharp gaze cutting through the darkness. A few of his men flanked him, their hands resting casually on their weapons.

Alexander's grip on Elena's hand tightened for the briefest moment before he released her.

"Mr. Lancaster," Morello drawled, a smirk tugging at his lips. "I was beginning to think you wouldn't show."

Alexander stepped forward, his expression unreadable. "You have something of mine."

Morello chuckled. "And you have something of mine." He gestured lazily. "Shall we?"

Alexander reached into his pocket and pulled out the fake USB. He held it up between his fingers. "I assume you'd like to inspect it first."

Morello's eyes gleamed with amusement. "Oh, I trust you, Alexander. But you understand if I need… verification."

One of Morello's men stepped forward, holding out a hand. Alexander handed over the drive without hesitation.

The man plugged it into a small laptop, his fingers moving swiftly. The seconds stretched, unbearable in their silence.

Elena felt her heartbeat echo in her ears.

Finally, the man nodded. "It checks out, boss."

Morello grinned. "Wonderful."

Elena exhaled, but the relief was short-lived.

Because Morello snapped his fingers—and suddenly, half a dozen more men emerged from the shadows, weapons raised.

Alexander didn't flinch. "I held up my end. Now give me what I came for."

Morello sighed dramatically. "Patience, Mr. Lancaster. I do have a little surprise for you."

He stepped aside, revealing a figure bound and gagged on the ground.

Elena's blood ran cold.

It was James.

Alexander's closest advisor, the man who had stood by him for years. His face was bruised, blood dripping from a cut on his temple.

"James," Alexander said, his voice steel.

James lifted his head, his swollen eye barely opening. "Don't—" His words were cut off as Morello's boot connected with his ribs.

Elena gasped.

Morello turned back to Alexander, smiling. "You didn't think I'd make this easy, did you?"

Alexander's jaw tightened. "Let him go."

Morello tilted his head. "Now why would I do that?"

Alexander's hand twitched toward his jacket, but Morello held up a hand.

"Ah, ah, ah," he tsked. "Wouldn't want things to get messy, now would we?"

Elena's mind raced. They had planned for this. Snipers were in position. But one wrong move could get James killed.

Vincent's voice crackled in Alexander's earpiece. "Say the word."

Alexander exhaled slowly. "What do you want, Morello?"

The crime lord grinned. "It's simple, really. I don't just want the evidence destroyed. I want you gone."

Elena frowned. "Gone?"

Morello's smile widened. "Disappear, Lancaster. Leave the city. Give up your empire. And maybe, just maybe, I'll let your friend here live."

Silence.

Then Alexander laughed. A dark, dangerous sound.

"You really think I'd bow to you?"

Morello's smirk faltered.

Alexander's voice dropped, deadly. "You made one mistake, Morello."

The crime lord's eyes narrowed. "Oh?"

"You thought I came alone."

Before Morello could react, a gunshot rang out.

One of his men dropped, a sniper's bullet clean through his skull.

Chaos erupted.

Gunfire. Shouts. The scent of blood filling the air.

Alexander grabbed Elena, pulling her behind a shipping container as bullets whizzed past.

Vincent's team moved in, taking out Morello's men with ruthless precision.

James struggled against his restraints as Morello pulled out a gun, pressing it against his temple.

"Call them off, Lancaster!" Morello snarled.

Alexander's eyes were cold. "You're already dead, Morello. You just don't know it yet."

Vincent emerged from the shadows, gun raised. "Drop it."

Morello hesitated.

Vincent didn't.

A single shot.

Morello collapsed, blood pooling beneath him.

Silence fell over the docks.

James let out a ragged breath as Alexander rushed forward, cutting his restraints.

"You okay?" Alexander asked.

James chuckled weakly. "Been better."

Elena stepped closer, her gaze still fixed on Morello's lifeless body.

It was over.

Alexander turned to Vincent. "Clean this up."

Vincent smirked. "Already on it."

As they walked away, Elena's hand found Alexander's. He squeezed gently.

They had won.

But the war wasn't over yet.