Chapter 18 – Strike Before Struck
The war room was a frenzy of controlled chaos. Screens flickered with real-time surveillance feeds. Digital maps updated constantly—pinpoints of assets, enemy movements, and financial anomalies blinking like a heartbeat.
Luciano stood at the head of the room, arms crossed, gaze locked on the shifting data. Every move mattered now. One mistake, one slip—and it wouldn't be just him falling. It would be Ariana, his family, his empire… everything.
Sergio walked in, tossing a tablet onto the table. "Boss. We have a problem in Dubai."
Luciano picked it up, scanning. "Talk."
"The Raven's men intercepted our arms shipment to the Middle East. Fifty million dollars in weapons—gone."
Luciano's eyes darkened. "They're moving faster than I expected."
Marco chimed in, "It's not just Dubai. Singapore's offshore accounts were frozen. Someone bribed an entire bank board."
Luciano's jaw tightened. "And the leak?"
Valentina spun from her computer. "Still tracing it. But I found something else. A private jet left Zurich two hours ago, heading for Palermo."
"Who's on it?" Luciano asked.
She hesitated. "The top assassin from the syndicate. Codename: Specter. A ghost. No photos. No identity. No one has ever seen him and lived."
A ripple of tension hit the room.
Sergio cracked his knuckles. "Then it's about time someone broke his streak."
Luciano smirked coldly. "Agreed."
---
Midnight – Private Runway, Palermo
The private jet touched down smoothly. Out walked a figure dressed in all black—silent, calculating, lethal. Specter.
A burner phone buzzed in his pocket. He answered with a single word. "Target?"
A distorted voice replied. "Luciano De Luca. Kill him within forty-eight hours. A bonus if the girl dies too."
Specter said nothing. The call ended.
He adjusted the silencer on his weapon. A ghost among men. Unseen. Unheard. Unstoppable.
Or so he thought.
---
Back at the Penthouse
Luciano sat on the balcony, Ariana curled against him, her head on his chest. His fingers idly traced her hair, but his mind was far from peaceful.
"I know you're thinking about them," she whispered.
"I always think about them," he replied.
"Are you scared?" she asked softly.
He turned, cupping her face. "Scared? No. Focused. Always focused."
Ariana searched his eyes. "If something happens… promise me…"
"No." His voice hardened. "Nothing happens. Nothing touches you. Nothing touches us."
A sharp knock came at the door. Marco entered without waiting. "Boss. It's time."
Luciano kissed Ariana's forehead. "Stay here. Lock everything down."
She caught his hand. "Come back."
"Always," he promised.
---
Underground – De Luca Armory
The lights flickered on, revealing racks of weapons, tactical suits, bulletproof gear, and crates of explosives.
Sergio suited up, loading an M4 rifle. "We hit first. Dubai, Singapore, Berlin. All at once."
Luciano donned a sleek black tactical suit, holstering twin pistols. "Correct. No mercy. No second chances."
Valentina pulled up blueprints. "Dubai's vault—hit by drone strike. Singapore's hacker hub—fried with an EMP. Berlin's cash depot—bombed."
Luciano nodded. "Make it happen."
Sergio grinned. "The Raven won't know what hit him."
---
Meanwhile — Streets of Palermo
Specter moved through the shadows, silent as death. His target: Luciano's penthouse.
He bypassed street cameras, disabled security grids. This was what he did best.
But as he reached the service elevator, a red laser dot appeared on his chest.
Then another.
And another.
"Checkmate," a voice drawled behind him.
Specter spun—too slow.
A suppressed gunshot echoed.
Specter collapsed—shot clean through the knee.
Luciano stepped out of the shadows, pistol aimed at the assassin's head. "You thought you were hunting me. No, ghost. I've been hunting you."
Specter gasped, blood pooling beneath him. "How…?"
Luciano crouched, whispering, "I knew you were coming the moment the jet left Zurich."
Sergio appeared, aiming his rifle. "Boss. Shall I?"
Luciano's cold smile deepened. "No. Not yet. He has messages to deliver."
---
Hours Later – The Raven's Private Estate, Switzerland
A package arrived. Inside it—a phone. It rang once.
The Raven answered.
Luciano's voice came through, low, dangerous, dripping with power.
"You sent a ghost for me. I sent him back broken. Keep sending them. I'll keep burying them."
A pause. Then:
"Seven days? No. You have three. Then I burn your entire world."
Click.
---
Back at the Penthouse
Ariana stood by the window as Luciano entered. His shirt was splattered with blood. Her heart raced, but she ran to him anyway.
He caught her, lifting her into his arms like she weighed nothing.
"It's handled… for now," he murmured against her hair.
She held him tighter. "What happens next?"
Luciano's eyes turned toward the horizon, cold and relentless. "Next… I become the storm."