Mission

~ William’s POV ~

My eyes snapped open as cold sweat plastered my shirt to my chest. The loud ringing of my alarm clock was the only thing that had managed to drag me out of the suffocating darkness of my nightmare. I scrambled out of bed as the images from the dream replayed in my mind. The screams, the scratching and struggling.

I stumbled down the short hallway as I found the door to Stephanie’s room was slightly open. I pushed it open just enough to see her. She was still asleep as her soft brown hair fanned out on the pillow.

She was safe. She was still here.

A shaky breath escaped me, and my legs gave out. I slid down the wall until I was sitting on the floor, burying my face in my hands.

It had been seven years since my sister was murdered and I still couldn’t close my eyes without seeing her face. Seven good years, and there was still no justice. Just an open case file and a memory that haunted me like a ghost.

I clenched my fists in anger. The culprits were still out there running free but I couldn't do anything because the higher ups had considered her case an accident. The only thing I could do was mourn her and take care of her daughter Stephanie, who had become my only family left.

I got to my feet and made my way to the kitchen. Steph would be up soon for school and I needed to make breakfast. As I was about to get started, I got a call from my work phone. I frowned as I stared at it for a quick second before picking up.

“Hello.”

“Agent,” the voice came from the other end and it was obviously from the chief. “I need you back for a quick meeting.” He said casually.

My frown deepened. “Sir, it's my day off. Can I come in tomorrow?”

“It's urgent. I expect to see you in the next hour.” And he hung up.

“Fuck!” I muttered under my breath. They wouldn't just let me catch my breath. I sighed as I looked at the eggs on the counter.

I scrambled two eggs, made toast, and poured a glass of orange juice, setting the plate on the counter. Next to it, I scribbled a quick note on a sticky pad for Steph.

-Eat before you go. Don't forget your homework. I love you-

I grabbed my keys and my jacket and headed out.

As I pulled into the parking lot, my eyes fell on three men walking out of the front entrance, their postures arrogant, as they laughed crudely. They were rough, with tattoos peeking from under their clothes and it was clear they were from the mafia.

I slammed the car door and strode up to agent Davis, who was standing by the entrance.

“Who are those guys?" I asked.

Davis shrugged. "Tiger Fangs. They were picked up last night at a port for smuggling. They were already processed, but we got a call from the higher ups this morning telling us to release them. Said it was a jurisdictional error or some bullshit." He rolled his eyes, a clear sign he didn't buy it either.

My fists clenched at my sides. It was the same song every fucking time. Every time we got a lead, every time we got close, something like this happened. The higher ups, the system…they always protected these bastards. Things like these were the reason my sister’s case was still unsolved.

I was still fuming when a hand landed on my shoulder. I turned to see Emily, looking at me with concern in her soft brown eyes.

"William, the chief is looking for you," she said softly.

"I'll be right there," I said, already starting to walk past her.

"Hold on." She pulled me back, her hand lingering on my arm. "You look like a mess. Your hair's all over the place." She reached up to smooth it down, but I recoiled, taking a step back.

"Don't," I said, my voice sharper than I intended. "We already broke up so don't do unnecessary things.” The words came out harsher than I had intended.

She dropped her hand, a flicker of hurt crossing her face. "I'm just trying to look out for you William." She sighed. "Forget it."

I didn’t look back as I walked away, because I didn't need to. She already made her choice to walk away from my life so she shouldn't act like we could still be friends. I couldn't do that, knowing she chose someone else because she couldn't deal with me obsessing over my sister's death.

I got to the office and knocked, then pushed the door open. The chief’s office was even more crowded than usual. I stepped inside and saw two high ranking officials from headquarters sitting with him.

"Ah, William," Chief Robert said, gesturing to me. "Come in.”

“You called for me sir?” I said with a serious tone.

“Ah yes,” he smirked, it was that same damn expression he had on his face whenever he was going to send me on some devilish mission. “I was just telling these gentlemen that you're one of our best. One of the best we've got for a job like this."

I straightened my posture . "What job?”

Robert leaned forward, his expression grave. "We need an undercover operative. Someone with your skill set. Someone who can go in and retrieve a classified file for us.”

One of the officials leaned in on the desk as he stared at me. “The target is the Tiger Fangs."

Tiger fangs again? I know they are currently the most dangerous gang and no one can dare touch them. They are involved in all kinds of things but no one dares say a thing to them. Not even the government.

"The head of the gang is a very dangerous man named Dante Giordano,” chief continued. “We have sent previous agents but they got discovered and you can already tell the fate they suffered,” his brows furrowed as he spoke. He looked at me again. “From our intel, he’s starting a new front. A wine import business. And he needs a personal secretary, so this is where you come in.” He gave that smile again.

“So you want me to take the job and steal the file?” I asked.

“Exactly.”

My mind immediately flashed to Stephanie. "I appreciate the confidence you have in me sir, but this is a high risk assignment. I can't. I have a niece to take care of. Stephanie..."

"We’ve considered that and she would be under our protection," one of the men from headquarters said, "But think about it. This is the chance you've been waiting for. The file we need is rumored to contain everything from names, locations and the financial network that's been protecting them for years. It's the key to bringing down the entire organization and also other gangs alike. And it's our belief that this gang is tied to your sister's murder."

My brain short circuited at the mention of my sister. The idea of justice, of finally getting the closure I had been starving for... My hesitation vanished immediately, replaced by a hard resolve. This wasn't just a job. This has become personal.

"I’m in," I growled.

Chief Robert smiled with a satisfied look on his face. "Good. We knew you would be. This is his file." He pushed a folder across the desk. "Dante Giordano. He’s like a ghost. Never photographed and always in the shadows. He's called the devil by those in their circle.” He mused. “The eldest out of the three Giordano brothers and he's extremely ruthless."

I opened the folder, flipping through documents filled with red tape and classified warnings. “The devil huh?” I scoffed. I stopped at a blurry photograph of a man in a crowd at some event. It was nothing more than a silhouette. He sure had a reputation for avoiding cameras, since this was the only shot of him the federal agency was able to get.

I stared at the ghostly figure, my mind painting a portrait of the man who ran the gang that caused so much fear. He must be a monster. Ugly and scarred, with a soul to match his ugly appearance. He had to be.

I closed the file, “When should I start?” Roberts' smile widened. “Immediately.”

Dante Giordano. This is the devil I'm going after, and I'll be the hunter who puts him in the ground.