Chapter 13

The place whispered about in dark corners, where enemies of Victor disappeared without a trace. It was fortified, nearly impenetrable, but that didn't matter. They weren't going to wait for Victor to strike first.

Luca, standing beside her, ran a hand through his hair. "This is a suicide mission."

Domenico smirked. "Good thing we've never had a problem with those."

Catherine nodded rubbing the bridge of her nose. "We need to be smart. We barely made it out of the last fight in one piece. Hugo's still recovering, and we don't know what's waiting for us inside that estate."

"I do," Hugo rasped from behind them, his voice rough but determined. He leaned against the doorframe, his bruises still fresh.

 "Victor doesn't just keep his operations there. He keeps his secrets."

Madeline turned to face him. "Secrets?"

Hugo nodded. "Blackmail, files, leverage on every powerful person he's ever dealt with. That estate isn't just a hideout—it's the center of his empire."

Luca's jaw clenched. "So if we take it, we take him down."

Madeline traced a finger over the map. "Then we do it right. No more reacting. We control the battlefield."

Domenico chuckled. "I like the way you think, boss."

The plan had to be flawless.

Catherine pulled up schematics on her laptop, showing the estate's layout. "We have two access points. The front gate, heavily guarded, and a service tunnel here," she pointed, "which is our best bet."

Luca nodded. "We go in quiet. No alarms, no gunfire unless necessary."

Domenico raised an eyebrow. "That's a first."

Madeline ignored him. "Our goal is Victor. If we can get to his private office, we'll find everything we need."

Hugo leaned forward. "You won't have much time. Once Victor realizes you're inside, he'll either run or burn everything to the ground."

"Then we don't give him the chance."

The Infiltration

They moved under the cover of darkness.

Madeline led the way, her black attire blending into the shadows. Luca and Domenico followed, weapons at the ready.

 Catherine stayed back in the van, monitoring security feeds and relaying information through their earpieces.

The service tunnel was exactly where Hugo had described—hidden beneath a collapsed section of fencing. They slipped inside, weapons drawn, their movements precise.

"Cameras disabled," Catherine whispered in their comms. "You're clear."

They emerged in the lower levels of the estate, an underground passage lined with crates and flickering lights. Voices echoed ahead.

Domenico raised his gun, but Madeline stopped him. 

"No noise." She said.

They pressed against the walls as two guards walked past, their conversation casual, oblivious. As soon as they turned the corner, Luca moved fast, taking the first man down with a chokehold while Domenico silenced the second with a swift strike.

Madeline grabbed a keycard from one of the bodies. "Let's go."

They navigated through the estate, avoiding security patrols, until they reached Victor's private wing.

"Office is up ahead," Catherine whispered. "But you have company."

Footsteps approached.

They ducked into a nearby room just as two more guards passed.

Domenico smirked. "You were right, Madeline. He's definitely expecting us."

Madeline took a deep breath. "Then let's not keep him waiting."

They breached the office with practiced efficiency. The door opened, and Luca moved in first, weapon raised.

But Victor was already waiting.

Seated behind his desk, he looked utterly calm. A glass of whiskey in one hand, a smirk on his lips.

"I was wondering when you'd come," he mused.

Madeline stepped forward. "It's over, Victor."

He chuckled, swirling his drink. "Over? No, Madeline. It's just getting started."

With a snap of his fingers, the room filled with the sound of safeties—guards emerging from hidden panels, weapons aimed.

Luca cursed under his breath.

Victor leaned back. "You really thought I wouldn't anticipate this?"

Madeline's grip tightened on her gun. "I thought you'd be arrogant enough to wait."

Victor smiled. "And you'd be right. But I also know you, Madeline. You don't want to kill me."

Silence stretched.

Madeline kept her expression real. "You're right. I don't want to kill you."

Victor's smirk widened—until she added, "I want to destroy you."

Then, the lights went out.

Gunfire erupted in the darkness.

Domenico moved first, taking down the nearest guard with a knife to the throat. Luca fired, the muzzle flash illuminating the chaos.

Madeline lunged toward Victor, but he was already moving. She tackled him, both of them crashing to the floor.

Victor grunted, swinging at her, but she dodged, slamming her elbow into his ribs.

"You should've stayed away," he hissed.

Madeline gritted her teeth. "You should've killed me when you had the chance."

She pulled a dagger from her belt and pressed it against his throat.

Victor's breathing was ragged, but he laughed. "Go ahead, Madeline. Prove me right."

Madeline hesitated.

 "You think taking me out will end this? You have no idea what you're up against."

Suddenly, a deafening boom rocked the estate.

Catherine's voice crackled through the comms. "Guys, you need to get out. Now!"

Flames spread fast, smoke filling the air.

Victor took advantage of the distraction, shoving Madeline off him. She hit the desk hard, coughing as he disappeared into the chaos.

Luca grabbed her arm. "We have to move!"

Domenico was already leading the way out, taking down the last of the guards.

They ran through the burning corridors, dodging falling debris. The heat was unbearable, but they pushed forward.

Madeline's mind raced. Victor had planned this. He was willing to burn everything down rather than let them win.

She clenched her fists. This isn't over.

They barely made it out before the estate collapsed.

Standing at a distance, they watched as flames consumed everything.

Domenico sighed. "Well, that could've gone better."

Luca turned to Madeline. "He got away."

Madeline didn't respond, staring at the fire.

Hugo approached. "We didn't get him, but we hit him where it hurts. His empire is in ruins."

 "Not enough."

Catherine closed her laptop. "We did find something before the files burned. A location."

Madeline turned to her. "Where?"

Catherine's eyes met hers.

"His final stronghold."

Madeline clenched her fists.

This wasn't over, but at least Ivan had been rescued and some of his men are now the past..

Now the fight to keep Ivan save from more troubles is now Domenico's top priority.

Madeline is now happy that justice had been served over Ivan's kidnapp.

The battle is now between Madeline and Domenico to fight internally...

Would Madeline go back to him because he saved their son?