MARCOThe silence inside the narrow hallway was almost unbearable. The dim, flickering light above me buzzed faintly, casting eerie shadows that danced along the walls. My boots clicked softly on the metal floor as I moved further in, my breaths shallow and controlled. Every step felt heavier than the last, each one carrying me deeper into uncertainty.“Petrov,” I whispered, pressing a finger to the mic in my ear. “Petrov, can you hear me?”Nothing. Just static.I paused, my heart thudding harder as the realization hit me. The connection was dead. Whether it was deliberate or accidental, I was on my own now.“Dammit,” I muttered under my breath, scanning the hallway for any sign of movement. My hand instinctively drifted toward the gun hidden beneath my jacket. I didn’t pull it out yet, but just feeling its presence steadied me a little. Whatever was waiting for me here, I wasn’t about to face it unarmed.The hallway stretched further ahead, leading to an open door on the left. The sh
MARCOThe goons gathered my weapons with smug satisfaction, tossing them onto the floor like trophies. My knife. My Glock. The backup pistol. Each piece felt like a part of me being stripped away. I clenched my jaw as the masked man stooped to pick up my gun. He held it up to the dim light, turning it over in his hand like he’d just found buried treasure.“Nice piece,” he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he inspected the setup. “Who’s your plug, Marco? This stuff’s top-tier. Custom job? Or do you just know the right people?”I didn’t respond, glaring at him in silence. My hands itched to grab it back, to feel the weight of it in my palm, but my wrists were bound tightly behind my back.“Not much of a talker, are you?” he continued, pacing slowly in front of me. He raised the gun and mimed aiming it, letting out a low whistle. “Damn. This feels good. Might keep it. Hope you don’t mind.”I didn’t take the bait. Instead, I focused on what they hadn’t found—the tiny chip in my boo
MARCO The ropes around my wrists burned as I strained against them, my jaw tight enough to crack a tooth. Danzo paced back and forth like a predator toying with its prey, his smirk wide and arrogant. His voice dripped with satisfaction, every word landing like a calculated blow. “You really don’t get it, do you?” he said, pausing to glance at me. “All this… it’s personal, Marco. You made it personal the moment you threw me to the wolves.” I stared him down, refusing to let the venom in his words show any effect. “You think I’m afraid of you?” “Oh, I don’t need you to be afraid. Not yet, anyway,” he said, laughing softly. “But you should be. You always underestimated me, Marco. Always thought I’d stay in your shadow, didn’t you?” I said nothing, focusing instead on Sarah, who sat just a few feet away, bound and trembling. Her eyes met mine, and the fear in them sliced through me like a blade. Danzo followed my gaze and chuckled darkly. “Ah, yes. The princess. Don’t worry, Ma
MARCOThe sound of gunfire outside was getting closer, louder. Each shot echoed like a drumbeat of inevitability, and I could see the panic setting in on Danzo’s face. His eyes darted around the room as though searching for an escape that wasn’t there.“You hear that, Danzo?” I said, leaning back in my chair. My wrists were still tied, but my voice was steady. “That’s the sound of your grand plan crumbling. Everything you set up here? It’s falling apart. And you’re dying here today.”Danzo’s head snapped toward me, his jaw tightening. For a second, he looked like he was going to lunge at me, but he held back. Instead, he pulled a walkie-talkie from his belt, his fingers gripping it so tightly his knuckles turned white.“Status!” he barked into the device, pacing in tight circles like a cornered animal. “What’s going on out there?”There was a pause on the other end, filled with static and the faint sound of chaos—shouting, gunfire, something heavy crashing to the ground. Finally, a vo
MARCOThe air in the room crackled with tension as I leveled the gun at Danzo, my finger firm against the trigger. He took a step back, his eyes darting between me and the scattered bodies of his men. For a second, I thought I saw fear, but it vanished just as quickly, replaced by that damn smirk he always wore, like he still had the upper hand.“It’s over for you, Danzo,” I said, my voice steady despite the adrenaline pumping through me. “You might want to think twice before doing anything stupid.”He scoffed, a dry, humorless sound. His hand twitched near his side, hovering too close to the gun strapped there.“I mean it!” I barked, raising my voice. “You even so much as look at that gun, and you’ll die here, right now. No last words. No bargaining. Just done.”Danzo froze for a heartbeat, his hand still dangerously close to his weapon. “You don’t have it in you, Marco,” he sneered. “You think you’re the tough one, don’t you? You think you’re the hero in all of this?”“Shut up.” My
MARCO“Tony!” I choked out, the word barely escaping my lips as I turned toward the source.He was on the ground, his body crumpled awkwardly, blood pouring from his side. The crimson stain spread across the floor, pooling beneath him like some sick painting. My heart stopped as I stared at the scene, every ounce of air in my lungs evaporating.“No… no, no, no,” I stammered, stepping back instinctively, my boot catching in the slick blood pooling around him. I staggered, almost falling, my mind spinning.“Tony!” I called again, my voice cracking as if saying his name louder would wake him, make him look at me, make him respond. But he didn’t. His chest rose and fell in shallow, uneven breaths, his eyes fluttering as if he was fighting to stay conscious.Danzo’s laugh broke through the chaos—a guttural, maniacal cackle that made my blood boil.“Ah, the mighty Marco. Look at you now,” he sneered. His voice was sharp, cutting through my panic like a razor. “I told you, didn’t I? You thin
MARCOI stared at the scene before me, my mind a whirlwind of thoughts and regrets. Tony lay crumpled on the floor, motionless, and Petrov wasn’t faring any better. My eyes darted back to Danzo, standing tall and smug, his expression carved with triumph. His words echoed in my head, striking me like a hammer with every repetition: This is where your poor planning has gotten you.Poor planning.Was that really it? Was it my fault that Tony and Petrov had been brought to this state? That Sarah was here, caught in Danzo’s grasp, her wide, fearful eyes pleading silently for a rescue I wasn’t sure I could give?You should’ve seen this coming, Marco, I thought bitterly.Danzo had been working against me from the shadows, a viper I had failed to notice until it was too late. But was it just him? Had I been so blind, so arrogant, to think that I had anticipated everything? My chest tightened as my mind spiraled further.Tony’s bloodied face flashed in my mind, followed by Petrov’s ragged brea
MARCOThe flashbang was still working its magic as I stumbled forward, my vision blurry and my ears ringing like an alarm clock from hell. But there was no time to wait for things to settle. The moment the light hit, I felt the chaos erupt behind me—grunts, shouts, the clatter of boots on the floor.Instinct kicked in. The first guy behind me was flailing around, clutching his face like someone had poured hot sauce directly into his eyes. I took the opportunity, jabbing my elbow into his ribs with enough force to knock the air out of him. He let out a strangled wheeze and crumpled like a cheap folding chair.Unfortunately, his buddy wasn’t as incapacitated. The second man had somehow managed to pull out his gun, though he was aiming like he’d never used his eyes a day in his life. The first shot rang out, going wide and hitting a piece of metal somewhere to my left.“Great aim, sharpshooter,” I muttered, yanking the first guy’s body up as a human shield. The next shot hit him square i
The crisp afternoon air greeted me as I stepped out of the café, my heels clicking confidently against the pavement. I felt invincible. Sarah’s defeated expression was seared into my memory, fueling the satisfaction coursing through me.“Too easy,” I muttered to myself, a smirk tugging at the corner of my lips.The sun was warm on my skin, and everything seemed brighter, as if the universe itself was congratulating me. Sarah was finally stepping aside, and soon, Marco would be all mine—just as it should have been from the start.I hailed a cab, deciding on a whim that I deserved something better than my usual routine. Somewhere upscale, somewhere that matched the victorious glow I carried. I gave the driver the name of a ritzy hotel bar I’d been to once before, a place where the drinks were overpriced and the atmosphere exuded exclusivity.As we weaved through the streets, I allowed myself a moment to revel in my triumph. Marco would be waiting for me, clueless as ever, ready to belie
SARAHI signaled the waiter for another cup of coffee, trying to steady my nerves. As I waited, I leaned back in my chair, letting the warmth of the café seep into my skin. Isabella’s smug face was still etched in my mind. She had strutted out of here as if she’d won the lottery, completely oblivious to the trap she had just walked into.The waiter approached, a young man with a polite smile. “Another coffee for you, ma’am?”“Yes, please,” I replied, offering him a quick smile. “Make it strong.”He nodded and walked off to the counter, leaving me alone with my thoughts. My fingers drummed on the table as I tried to process what had just happened. Isabella was so proud, so loud with her lies, it was almost laughable.She really thinks she’s won. I shook my head, a quiet chuckle escaping my lips. That arrogance of hers—how she gloated, how she leaned back in her chair like she was untouchable. She has no idea.The waiter returned with my coffee, setting it down gently in front of me. “H
SARAHAs I sipped my coffee, I tried to calm my thoughts, reminding myself of everything at stake. Marco. My marriage. My dignity. I wasn’t just doing this for myself; I was doing it to protect what we had built before Isabella decided to slither into our lives.“Stay calm, Sarah,” I whispered to myself. “You’ve got this.”I practiced steadying my breathing, rehearsing the conversation in my head. Isabella was going to walk in here, cocky and overconfident, convinced that she had already won. My job was to play the part—defeated, vulnerable, and willing to give up.But I wouldn’t give up. Not until she admitted everything.I didn’t have to wait long. Isabella arrived right on time, sauntering through the door like she owned the place. She was dressed to kill, as usual—a tailored blazer, high heels, and just enough makeup to make her look effortless. She spotted me almost immediately, and a smirk curled on her lips.I held my ground, keeping my expression neutral as she approached. Ins
SARAHThe cab rolled to a stop in front of my house, and I hesitated for a moment before climbing in. I slid into the back seat, pulling the door shut behind me, and gave the driver the address Tony had sent me. The café wasn’t far, but the drive felt like an eternity as I sat there, staring out the window, my mind spinning.This was happening. It was all in motion now. There was no turning back.The driver didn’t say much, which I appreciated. The last thing I needed was idle chatter. My thoughts were loud enough. As the city blurred past the window, I tried to focus, to steady my breathing, to keep my hands from trembling. I needed to be calm, collected, ready for whatever came next.I glanced at my phone, the screen lighting up with the address again. The weight of what I was about to do pressed down on me, but it wasn’t fear. No, it was something else. Determination. Resolve. The knowledge that this was the only way to end it.The driver finally spoke, breaking the silence. “We’re
SARAHI sat on the edge of my bed, staring at the wall in front of me, a small smile playing on my lips. Finally. After all the waiting, all the stress, and all the games, I was about to get the upper hand. Isabella thought she could slither her way into our lives, into Marco’s life, and get away with it. But she was wrong. Dead wrong.I couldn’t stop replaying the plan Tony and I had devised. Every detail, every angle—it was perfect. We had covered everything. And soon, her lies, her manipulations, and her smug little smirk would come crashing down. I could already taste the victory, and it was sweet.“She doesn’t even see it coming,” I muttered to myself, the thought giving me a jolt of satisfaction.I stretched, letting out a sigh. For now, I needed to keep up appearances. Pretend like nothing had changed. No suspicion, no slip-ups. The last thing I wanted was to tip her off.I got up, grabbed my laundry basket, and headed for the door. As I reached the hallway, I gave myself a qui
SARAHI paced around my room, the frustration boiling in my chest like a kettle about to scream. “I can’t do this anymore, Tony,” I said, my voice sharp and shaking as I turned to face him. He leaned against the dresser, arms crossed, his expression calm but wary. “I’m done snooping. We have enough. More than enough. She’s not slipping through this time.”Tony raised a brow, his jaw tightening. “You’re sure? What if we’re wrong? What if she’s got more dirt we don’t know about? Isabella’s crafty—she doesn’t make stupid mistakes.”“Crafty?” I scoffed, throwing my hands in the air. “That’s a polite way of saying she’s manipulative and dangerous, Tony. You’ve seen the files, the emails, the fake documents. Hell, you’ve seen the way she slithers around Marco, poisoning everything she touches. What more do you need?”“I’m just saying,” he said, holding up his hands in mock surrender. “If we act too soon, she might wiggle out of this. She’s good at covering her tracks, Sarah. We can’t risk l
ISABELLAThe door clicked shut behind me, and I leaned back against it, letting out a sharp hiss of frustration. My chest rose and fell, not from exertion but from sheer anger. I had been so close. So damn close to getting Marco right where I wanted him. My fingers curled into fists at my sides as I thought about the way he pushed me away, the way he growled my name like a warning.I’d spent hours getting ready for this. Hours. The makeup, the hair, the dress that hugged me like a second skin—it was all for him. Every step of the plan was perfect, but somehow, she was still in the way.“Sarah,” I spat under my breath, the name leaving a bitter taste on my tongue. I pushed off the door and started down the hall, my heels clicking sharply against the marble floor. “That woman has him wrapped around her little finger.”I gritted my teeth, my jaw tightening as I replayed the scene in my mind. The way Marco’s eyes flickered, the way he hesitated before kissing me back—it was all proof that
MARCOThe car’s engine hummed low as I pulled into the driveway, my grip on the steering wheel tightening. My head throbbed, a dull ache that had been my constant companion these past two days. Work had been relentless—meetings, negotiations, and putting out fires that seemed to spring up faster than I could extinguish them.Handling the family’s affairs was never easy, but the past forty-eight hours had been especially draining. There had been an ambush at one of our warehouses, and while we managed to fend off the attack, the losses were significant. Supplies damaged, men injured—it was chaos. On top of that, there were whispers of disloyalty within the ranks. I had spent hours interrogating, cross-referencing every bit of information, trying to root out the traitor.I exhaled sharply, rolling my shoulders as I parked and stepped out of the car. The cool evening air did little to soothe my tension. As I approached the house, two guards at the front door straightened immediately.“Ev
SARAHThe tension in the dining room was thick enough to cut with a knife. I sat across from Isabella, my fork idly moving the food on my plate. She seemed distracted, her gaze darting between her plate and the glass of water by her side. Marco’s absence was both a blessing and a curse. It gave me the perfect opportunity to speak freely, but it also meant I had no buffer if things went south.I cleared my throat softly and leaned forward, trying to sound casual. “So,” I started, breaking the silence, “how have you been feeling lately? You’ve been keeping to yourself a lot. I hope everything’s okay.”Isabella looked up, her expression unreadable at first. She gave me a small, polite smile, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I’ve been fine. Just… busy with errands, you know. There’s always something to take care of.”I nodded, keeping my tone light. “I can imagine. Especially with the baby on the way. How’s your health? Have you been keeping up with your appointments?”Her smile fa