The moment the location appeared on the screen, the entire warehouse went silent.
Elena stared at the map.
Her chest felt tight.
"That's… impossible."
But Valentina's voice came through the speaker again.
"It's confirmed."
Adrian leaned closer to the monitor.
"Zoom in."
The map expanded, revealing the massive grounds of the De Luca estate.
The mansion.
The gardens.
The security gates.
And dozens of red dots scattered across the property.
Enemy positions.
Adrian exhaled slowly.
"Well… that's bad."
Elena turned to Alessandro.
"How did he get inside?"
Alessandro's voice was calm, but his eyes were burning with controlled fury.
"He didn't."
Valentina answered instead.
"Marco let him in."
The Infiltration
Valentina continued explaining through the radio.
"Marco disabled the estate's outer defense grid an hour ago."
Adrian swore under his breath.
"That snake."
"He also gave Orlov access codes to the inner security systems."
Elena felt sick.
"So our entire home is compromised."
"Yes."
Adrian rubbed the back of his neck.
"You know what the worst part is?"
"What?" Elena asked.
"He probably used our own guards against us."
Alessandro's expression hardened further.
"Not all of them."
Adrian looked at him.
"You still think some stayed loyal?"
Alessandro nodded once.
"They always do."
Elena's Fear
Elena stared at the map again.
Her mother was inside that estate.
Surrounded by enemies.
Surrounded by traitors.
Her voice trembled slightly.
"We have to go now."
Adrian raised an eyebrow.
"Into a fortress full of armed men?"
"Yes."
"That sounds like suicide."
Elena turned to him sharply.
"She's my mother."
Adrian held up his hands.
"Relax. I'm still coming."
Luca Speaks
Behind them, Luca groaned slightly from where he sat against the container wall.
He was still bleeding, but the wound had been patched by one of the medics.
"You're walking into his trap."
Everyone turned toward him.
Elena frowned.
"You think we don't know that?"
Luca shrugged weakly.
"Just making sure."
Alessandro stepped closer to his brother.
"You should stay here."
Luca laughed.
"After ten years?"
He pushed himself to his feet slowly.
"I didn't come back just to watch."
Adrian stared at him.
"You got shot five minutes ago."
"I've had worse."
The Plan
Valentina's voice returned through the radio.
"I'm sending the estate schematics to your devices."
Their phones buzzed simultaneously.
A detailed blueprint of the De Luca mansion appeared.
Adrian studied it carefully.
"Alright… listen up."
He pointed to the map.
"Orlov is most likely inside the main hall."
Valentina confirmed.
"That's where his signal is strongest."
Elena's fists clenched.
"And my mother?"
"Same location."
Adrian sighed.
"Well that makes things simple."
"How?" Elena asked.
"Because we only have one option."
Alessandro answered before he could.
"We go straight through them."
The Ride Home
Within minutes, the convoy was moving again.
This time faster.
More aggressive.
Police sirens echoed across the distant city as authorities began sweeping the docks.
But the De Luca convoy drove in the opposite direction.
Toward their home.
Toward the battlefield waiting there.
Inside the vehicle, Elena stared out the window.
The rain had started again.
Droplets streaked across the glass like tears.
Alessandro reached over and gently took her hand.
She looked at him.
"What if we're too late?"
His grip tightened slightly.
"We won't be."
"But what if—"
"Elena."
His voice was firm.
Cold.
Certain.
"No one touches what belongs to me."
Her breath caught.
He continued quietly.
"And that includes your family."
The Estate
Twenty minutes later, the convoy slowed.
The De Luca estate gates came into view through the rain.
But something was wrong.
The massive iron gates were open.
Wide open.
Adrian frowned.
"That's never a good sign."
Several vehicles were parked inside the courtyard.
None of them belonged to the De Luca family.
Luca leaned forward slightly.
"Well…"
"Looks like the party started without us."
Alessandro stepped out of the vehicle first.
His soldiers spread out behind him instantly.
Weapons ready.
The mansion lights were all on.
But the place felt wrong.
Too quiet.
Too empty.
Elena stepped out beside Alessandro.
Her heart pounded.
"Where is everyone?"
Adrian scanned the courtyard.
"I don't like this."
The Welcome
The front doors of the mansion suddenly creaked open slowly.
Everyone raised their weapons.
But no guards came out.
Instead—
A single man stepped onto the front steps.
Marco.
He looked calm.
Relaxed even.
The rain soaked his jacket as he spread his arms slightly.
"Welcome home."
Adrian groaned.
"Oh good. The traitor."
Elena's eyes burned with anger.
"Where is my mother?"
Marco nodded toward the mansion interior.
"Inside."
"And Orlov?"
Marco smiled faintly.
"Waiting."
Alessandro stepped forward slowly.
"You betrayed your family."
Marco shrugged.
"I chose the winning side."
The Final Invitation
Marco stepped aside from the doorway.
Inviting them inside.
"Orlov asked me to give you a message."
Alessandro's voice was deadly calm.
"What message?"
Marco's smile widened slightly.
"He said…"
"…bring Elena with you."
Elena's stomach dropped.
"And come unarmed."
Adrian laughed loudly.
"That's adorable."
Marco shrugged again.
"Those were the terms."
Alessandro looked at Elena.
Then back at the mansion.
His voice dropped into something darker.
"Tell Orlov something for me."
Marco tilted his head.
"What?"
Alessandro's eyes turned ice cold.
"I don't follow terms."
Then he raised his gun.
And pulled the trigger.