Chapter 20 – When Death Comes Knocking
A cold wind swept over Palermo as the city slept under the illusion of peace.
But death was already moving through the streets.
Six black SUVs crept through the shadows, headlights dimmed, engines whisper-quiet. Inside sat men clad in matte-black combat gear, faces obscured by skull-patterned balaclavas. No insignias. No names. No mercy.
The Black Legion.
The Raven's most elite death squad.
These weren't ordinary killers. They were the kind of monsters whispered about in military circles—the kind sent to topple governments, erase crime families, and make entire bloodlines vanish.
And tonight, their target was one man.
Luciano De Luca.
---
De Luca Penthouse – 3:04 AM
Luciano stood in his office, staring at the city beyond the glass. His jaw was tight. His instincts buzzed—a gnawing pull deep in his bones.
Something was coming.
Ariana lay curled on the couch, wrapped in a blanket, watching him. "What is it?" she whispered.
Luciano didn't answer right away. His hand slid under his jacket, fingers grazing the grip of his gun. "Get dressed," he said quietly. "Now."
Her breath caught. "Luciano—"
"Now, Ariana." His voice left no room for argument.
The alarms hadn't tripped yet, but Luciano had survived enough wars to know when death was circling close.
---
Underground – De Luca Security Command
"Sir, motion detected," Valentina's voice snapped through the earpiece. "Perimeter breach. Multiple vehicles. Confirmed hostile signatures."
"How many?" Luciano asked, already strapping on his tactical holster.
"Six cars. Twelve to fifteen operatives. Heavy firepower. Thermal cloaking. It's them, boss—the Black Legion."
A chill swept through the room.
"Lock the building down," Luciano ordered. "No one in. No one out."
"On it."
---
Penthouse Bedroom
Ariana fumbled with her clothes, hands shaking. "Luciano, tell me what's happening."
He moved like liquid shadow, slipping into his tactical gear, loading magazines. "Professional killers. The Raven's best."
Her breath hitched. "And they're coming here."
"Exactly."
A gun slid across the bed toward her. "You remember how I taught you to use it?"
Her fingers hovered over the weapon. "I... yes."
Luciano stepped closer, cupping her jaw. "Listen to me. You aim. You shoot. You don't hesitate. You survive. You hear me?"
Tears threatened, but she forced a nod. "I hear you."
---
Parking Garage – Level B3
The SUVs screeched to a stop.
Doors flung open.
Twelve killers fanned out, checking corners, scanning floors, weapons drawn. Silenced rifles. Grenades. Jammers.
The leader—code-named Viper—held up a gloved fist.
"Penthouse first," he ordered. "Eliminate the target. Burn the evidence."
No mistakes.
No survivors.
---
Penthouse – 3:10 AM
"Marco, Sergio—status?" Luciano barked through the comms.
"Elevator shafts rigged," Marco answered. "Stairwells booby-trapped. They come up, they bleed."
Sergio chuckled. "Locked and loaded, boss. Ready for a party."
Luciano loaded the last round into his Glock, then turned to Ariana, his voice softer. "Stay behind me. No matter what."
---
Boom—
The first explosion rocked the ground floor. Smoke billowed up the stairwells. The Black Legion moved like phantoms, cutting through security teams like knives through silk.
Floor by floor, they climbed.
One killer triggered a laser tripwire—BOOM. His body vaporized, spraying blood across the concrete.
"Trap—reset! Keep moving!" Viper snarled.
---
Penthouse – Entry Hallway
Luciano stood by the elevator, pistol raised, Sergio and Marco flanking him.
Ding.
The elevator doors opened—
RATATATATAT. Gunfire erupted, bullets slicing the air. Luciano dropped to one knee, firing controlled shots.
Pop—pop—pop. Three clean headshots. Three bodies dropped.
Sergio let loose with a shotgun, sending one attacker flying back into the wall.
Marco lobbed a flashbang—BANG. The hallway filled with white light, stunning the next wave.
Luciano surged forward, moving like a predator. His blade slid free, cutting through a man's throat before the attacker could even raise his weapon.
Blood splattered the marble floors.
---
Bedroom – Seconds Later
Ariana crouched behind the bed, gun in hand, breathing hard.
The door burst open—an assassin stormed inside.
She squeezed the trigger.
BANG.
The man crumpled, a bullet through his chest. Her hands shook violently, but she didn't stop. Another figure charged.
She fired again—missed.
Luciano crashed through the doorway, his gun barking—Pop. Pop. Two shots. Two dead.
He rushed to her, grabbing her face. "Are you hurt?"
She shook her head, tears streaking her cheeks. "No... no, but—"
"Good." His eyes burned. "Stay down."
---
Living Room – Final Stand
Viper kicked the door in, rifle raised.
Luciano was waiting.
No words. No hesitation.
BANG. Luciano's first bullet shattered Viper's kneecap.
Viper collapsed with a scream—but lunged anyway, knife slashing.
Luciano sidestepped, grabbed his arm, twisted—snap. Bone broke. Viper howled.
With a cold snarl, Luciano pressed the muzzle to Viper's skull.
"Wrong house."
BOOM.
---
Silence.
The only sound was the crackle of smoke and the dripping of blood.
Ariana stepped into the doorway, gun still trembling in her grip, eyes wide.
Luciano holstered his weapon, strode over, and pulled her into his arms.
"It's over," he murmured against her hair. "For tonight."
Her body trembled against his. "How... how do you live like this?"
His lips brushed her temple. "Because I have something worth living—and killing—for."
---
Meanwhile – Switzerland
The Raven stared at the flashing red alerts pouring across his screens. Failed mission. Twelve operatives: KIA.
His fingers curled into fists.
"So... you want a war?" he growled.
His assistant whispered, "Shall I prepare... Omega Protocol?"
The Raven's smile was ice-cold. "Yes. Burn everything."