Page 34 of Secret Revenge

“Boss, they’re here,” Riccardo’s voice crackled in my ear, snapping me back to reality.

“Understood. Stand by.”

Marco and Joshua walked into the warehouse, their faces pale and drawn under the harsh glare of the overhead lights. I studied them coldly, my fingers itching with the urge to wrap around the grip of my gun and mete out swift retribution.

“Nicholas,” Marco greeted, feigning warmth. “I didn’t expect you to really come alone.”

“Cut the bullshit, Marco,” I spat, my voice dripping with contempt. “You’re not alone either.”

“Of course,” he replied, a hint of defiance flickering in his eyes. “But let’s discuss this like civilized men, shall we?”

“Nicholas, be careful,” Riccardo warned through the earpiece.

“Fine.” My voice was ice as I gestured for them to take a seat on a crate. “Talk.”

As Marco spoke, his words weaving a web of lies and half-truths, I was amazed by the depths of his treachery. He had played his role to perfection, feigning loyalty while plotting against me. But now the charade was over, and there would be no

“Nicholas, please,” Joshua interjected, his voice trembling. “We didn’t have a choice.”

“Everyone has a choice,” I countered, the weight of my own decisions bearing down on me like an iron shroud. “Choices define us, mold us, make us who we are.”

“Let us explain,” Marco pleaded, his mask slipping to reveal a flicker of desperation. “Give us a chance to set things right.”

“Set things right?” I let out a bitter laugh, feeling the tension coil around me like a noose. “You really think you can fix this, after everything you’ve done?”

“Save it,” I snapped, my hand twitching towards my gun. “You know how this ends.”

“Boss,” Riccardo whispered urgently, “we’ve got company.”

“Take care of it,” I instructed, my senses heightened. The air crackled with tension as I locked eyes with Marco and Joshua, knowing that our dance of deception was about to come to a bloody end.

“Very well,” Marco said, his composure regained. “But first, allow me to introduce you to some... friends.”

As if on cue, a group of armed men emerged from the shadows, their intentions clear as gun barrels glinted in the dim light. My pulse quickened, adrenaline surging through my veins, as I mentally prepared for the ensuing bloodshed.

“Riccardo, now!” I barked, and with that command, chaos erupted around us.

The metallic taste of blood filled my mouth as I gritted my teeth, a sharp reminder that trust was nothing more than a fleeting illusion. The air crackled with tension as Joshua and Marco’s henchmen advanced, their faces twisted into menacing sneers. Riccardo and the others took positions around me, each displaying the loyalty I thought Marco had given me.

“Never thought you’d stoop this low, Marco,” I spat, my voice dripping with contempt. “But I should have known better.”

“Save your empty words, Nicholas,” he retorted, eyes cold and unyielding. “You never cared about anyone but yourself.”

“I would go to the ends of the earth for any loyal Romano soldier, but I have nothing for a traitor.”

Shots rang out. I ducked behind a stack of crates, feeling splinters shower against my back as bullets tore through the wood. My heart pounded, a primal drumbeat urging me forward. Calculating each move, I darted for cover, picking off enemies one by one with ruthless efficiency.

“Riccardo, flank them from the left!” I barked, knowing that his keen instincts would make quick work of our adversaries.

“Got it, boss!” he shouted back, his voice strained but determined.

With each squeeze of the trigger, I felt the weight of responsibility pressing down on me – the need to protect my family, my empire, the people who depended on me. The men who dared to betray me fell like rag dolls, their lifeless bodies testimony to my unwavering resolve.

As the last of Marco’s henchmen crumpled to the ground, a momentary silence settled over the warehouse. I could feel the gazes of my men upon me, their admiration mixed with a quiet respect.

“Is everyone alright?” I asked, scanning the faces of my trusted soldiers. “Any injuries?”

“Nothing we can’t handle, boss,” Riccardo replied, his eyes flicking to the fallen adversaries with a mix of disgust and pity.

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