Page 6 of Secret Revenge

As the team set about securing their equipment, I allowed myself a moment of introspection. This mission was not only about saving Liliana; it was about asserting our dominance, proving to Bianchi that he could not control us. We were the Romanos, and we would not bow to anyone.

“Boss?” Enzo’s voice jolted me back to the present, his concern etched on his face. “We’re ready.”

I straightened, my resolve steeling itself within me. “Let’s bring her home.”

The darkness engulfed us as we silently penetrated the neighborhood Liliana was being held in. The house seemed like any standard three bedroom, two bath starter home but it wasn’t. The intel had been thorough, but I couldn’t shake the nagging doubt that gnawed at my insides, whispering words of caution. What if we’d missed some of the fortifications and weren’t prepared?

“Stay alert,” I whispered into my mic, my voice barely audible, but I knew it would be loud enough in the men’s earpieces.

We moved through the shadows, each step calculated and precise. Our knowledge of the layout guided us, steering us away from the traps that littered the yard. But even with our preparation, there was no denying the chilling grip of fear as it coiled around my chest, tightening its hold with every step closer to Liliana.

“Guards, up ahead,” Marco whispered, his warning cutting through the silent night like a blade.

I keyed my mic to speak only to Marco. “Use your damned mic. Do you want them to hear us coming?”

I peered around the corner, assessing the situation. Three guards patrolled the area, their footsteps heavy and purposeful. There would be no getting past them undetected. We would have to take them out, one by one.

“Enzo, Marco, flank left. I’ll handle the one on the right.”

“Understood.”

As they slunk off to fulfill their tasks, I focused on the solitary guard, his back turned toward me. My muscles tensed, ready to spring.

“Three...two...one.”

In that moment, I became an instrument of death, my movements swift and lethal with one slash across his throat. The guard crumpled beneath my grasp, his final breath stolen in an instant.

“Clear,” Enzo’s voice echoed in my earpiece, signaling their success.

“Good. Let’s keep moving.”

We pressed on, our presence a whisper in the neighborhood. With luck, none of the neighbors would know what happened here tonight. I couldn’t shake the feeling that we were being watched, as though each shadow hid a malevolent observer. My thoughts raced, consumed by visions of Liliana’s fate should we fail.

“Almost there,” Marco reassured me, his voice laced with determination.

“Damn it.” A locked grate stood before me, an unwelcome obstacle in the path to Liliana. The cold metal was bolted in and would be too loud to remove without alerting the remaining guards.

“Boss, what’s the plan?” Riccardo’s voice was tense, his concern palpable even through the earpiece.

“Can’t go in this way. We’ll have to go through the door,” I answered.

“Mio Dio,” he said.

“Don’t worry. I have this under control.” My fingers searched my jacket pocket for the lock-picking tools I always carried. A twisted sense of satisfaction filled me as I retrieved them - this skill had been honed for situations like these.

“Stay alert and watch our backs,” I ordered my men, my focus shifting entirely on picking the door’s lock. I could not afford to fail now.

The delicate dance between the pins and the tension wrench began, each precise movement driven by the weight of my desire to save Liliana. The seconds ticked on, stretching into eternity. Finally, the lock yielded with a soft click, granting us passage.

“Good job, boss.” Marco’s approval was evident in his tone, but there was no time to acknowledge it.

“Let’s move.”

We continued our infiltration, our steps measured and cautious. The darkness that covered our movements seemed to breathe, its sinister touch seeping into my core. But there was no turning back.

“Wait.” My hand shot out, halting my team. A faint red glow flickered in the distance - security cameras and motion sensors lay ahead, their unblinking eyes waiting to betray our presence. I’d wondered why the door hadn’t been alarmed, now I knew why.

“Time for some rewiring, huh?”

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