I walked out of the living room without saying a word to anyone and headed straight upstairs.
Silence followed like a shadow.
I couldn’t bring myself to speak, not when my mind was drowning in one thought.
Lena.
Pregnant.
Alone.
With kidnappers.
My jaw tightened as I pushed open the door to my room. I refused to accept it. Refused to picture her in that situation, helpless, scared... suffering.
But the more I tried to suppress it, the more vivid it beca.
I clenched my fists.
I didn’t even know what I was feeling anymore.
Was it anger?
Pain?
Or sothing darker?
No... it was both. A dangerous combination that burned through my veins like fire.
This was war.
And whoever dared to cross like this... had just signed their death warrant.
I moved straight to my office, my steps steady but heavy with purpose. Once inside, I locked the door behind and walked toward my personal vault.
Without hesitation, I reached under the desk and pulled a hidden lever.
A low chanical sound echoed as a section of the wall slid open, revealing a concealed room behind it.
My arsenal.
I stepped inside.
The familiar scent of tal and oil filled the air as my eyes scanned the neatly arranged weapons. Everything was exactly where it should be, organized, precise... deadly.
Just how I liked it.
I exhaled slowly and began to gear up.
Black on black.
I pulled on a fitted tactical outfit, the fabric hugging my body like a second skin. Then ca the vest—heavy, reinforced, designed to take damage.
Next, I strapped a holster around my waist.
Two Glock 17 pistols.
I picked them up one after the other, checking each with practiced ease. Loaded. Ready.
I slid them into place on both sides of my waist.
Then I reached for an assault rifle, inspecting it carefully before slinging it over my shoulder. The weight was familiar. Comforting.
Reliable.
I grabbed a few grenades and secured them around my waist.
Just in case.
When I was done, I picked up my glasses and slipped them on, my reflection staring back at from the mirror, cold, composed... lethal.
Finally, I took my cane in my left hand.
Anyone who didn’t know would think it was just for support.
They’d be wrong.
I stepped out of the secret room and sealed it shut behind before heading downstairs.
By the ti I got there, everyone was already prepared.
Liam.
Damon.
And the rest of the crew.
Fully dressed. Fully ard.
I already knew I couldn’t tell Liam and Damon to stay behind. They wouldn’t listen even if I tried.
And truthfully...
I was glad they were here.
My gaze shifted slightly.
The won stood not too far away, watching us silently.
Their expressions said everything.
Worry.
Fear.
Uncertainty.
"Well... one last round wouldn’t hurt anyone," Damon said, attempting to lighten the mood.
But his words fell flat.
The tension in the air was too thick to cut through.
Still, I looked at both of them, my brothers, not by blood but by bond.
"Thank you," I said quietly. "I won’t forget this."
Liam gave a small nod.
"You’d do the sa for us."
Damon and I nodded in agreent.
No words were needed beyond that.
"Is everything ready?" I asked.
Liam stepped forward slightly. "Everyone’s in position. They’re waiting outside."
I gave a short nod.
"Let’s go."
Just as we were about to leave, Mama approached us.
Her presence alone made the mont heavier.
"You must all co back safely," she said, her voice filled with concern.
I gave her a small, wry smile.
"We will."
She hugged each of us tightly before stepping back.
Then Sylvia walked forward.
Her eyes lingered on us, emotions swirling within them.
"You’ve all been my childhood friends," she said softly. "Even though we grew apart... I still care about all of you."
She paused.
"I don’t want to lose anyone... so please... co back safely."
She hugged .
Then Damon.
But when it ca to Liam...
She didn’t.
And that didn’t go unnoticed.
I saw the flicker of anger in Liam’s eyes, brief but intense. His jaw tightened, his expression hardening for a split second before he masked it.
I tapped his back lightly, grounding him.
He looked at but said nothing.
We didn’t have ti for this.
Without another word, we turned and walked out.
Outside, the entire team was already assembled.
Fully equipped.
Ard and ready.
The mont they saw , the murmurs died down instantly.
Silence fell.
I stepped forward, standing before them as their leader.
Their eyes were on .
Waiting.
"All I’m asking from you," I began, my voice calm but firm, "is that when we get to that island... you show no rcy."
A ripple of tension passed through them.
"An insult to my na is an insult to all of you," I continued. "The respect you’ve enjoyed over the years... is because of ."
I paused, letting my words sink in.
"People fear you... because of ."
Their expressions hardened.
"So I’m asking you, when was the last ti we went to war like this?"
No one answered.
"Too long," I said, my voice rising. "People are beginning to forget who we are."
A murmur of agreent spread.
"It’s ti we remind them."
Now their energy shifted.
"It’s ti we remind them why they fear us... and why disrespecting our leader is not tolerated."
A roar erupted from the crowd.
"I’m not promising that we’ll all co back alive," I said bluntly.
That silenced them again.
"But if you fight with precision... if you show no rcy... then maybe, just maybe, we all make it back."
I let that linger.
"One thing we have that they don’t... is numbers."
"And experience."
A grin tugged at my lips.
"So let’s show them how it’s done."
This ti, their response was deafening.
Cheers.
Shouts.
Pure adrenaline.
I raised my hand, signaling for silence.
"There’s a change of plan."
They quieted imdiately.
"I’ll go in with a small crew, ten n."
Their expressions shifted slightly.
"Damon and Liam will each lead separate teams."
I gestured toward them.
"We take the helicopter in. Make it obvious. Loud."
Understanding dawned in their eyes.
"A distraction," I continued. "They’ll think that’s all we brought. They’ll focus on us."
A slow smile spread across a few faces.
"And that’s when the rest of you infiltrate the island... and dismantle everything."
Now they were fully locked in.
"The police will co in last," I added. "I want their leader alive... and one witness."
My gaze turned cold.
"The rest?"
"Kill on sight."
"And do it silently."
A unified chorus of agreent followed.
Within monts, they began moving.
Fifteen SUVs.
Four transport vans.
Nearly two hundred n.
The rest remained behind to guard the mansion—I
wasn’t foolish enough to leave it unprotected.
I boarded the helicopter alongside Roman, Eric, and selected mbers of the Silent Team.
The blades roared to life.
As we lifted off, the scale of our movent beca evident.
Traffic below ca to a standstill, roads clearing as instructed. People stood by the roadside, phones raised, recording.
It didn’t matter.
The network had already been shut down.
Nothing would leave the city.
Not today.
In less than thirty minutes, we reached the island.
The mont we landed, I could feel it.
Eyes on us.
Watching.
Waiting.
But interestingly...
The locals didn’t react the way I expected.
They glanced at us, but then went about their business like nothing had happened.
That told everything.
They were used to this.
Used to danger.
Used to n like us.
We split up imdiately.
But instead of heading into the woods or isolated areas, I made my way toward the local market.
I wasn’t going to walk into their trap.
No.
I would draw them out instead.
I stopped at a small stall filled with shiny trinkets.
One necklace caught my attention.
"How much is this?" I asked casually.
"Two pounds," the woman replied, studying .
"You’re not from around here, are you?"
"Is it that obvious?" I said absentmindedly.
She gave a small laugh.
"The gangs here only co to collect money... not buy things."
Gangs.
So that’s how it was.
"There are gangs on this island?" I asked, feigning surprise.
Her expression darkened.
"Yes. Horrible people. This place used to be
peaceful... until they ca."
She gestured around.
"They kidnap girls... impose taxes... do whatever they want."
My interest sharpened.
"Why not report them?"
She leaned closer.
"The police are in on it."
My eyes narrowed.
"They let them operate," she whispered. "And take a share of everything."
Silence stretched between us.
"Why are you telling this?" I asked.
She smiled faintly.
"Because you’re different."
I studied her for a mont.
Then nodded.
"Thank you."
I picked up the necklace.
"I’ll take this."
"It’s free," she said. "Consider it a gift from ."
I tried to pay, but she refused.
So I accepted it.
For now.
As I walked away, I pulled out my radio.
"Change of intel," I said. "The police are compromised."
I relayed everything.
Then I contacted Liam directly.
"Inform everyone," I ordered. "Including Detective Patrick."
This wasn’t just a rescue anymore.
This was sothing much bigger.
And whoever was behind it...
I was about to regret ever crossing .
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