Chapter 58

Chapter 58
Lina's POV

By noon, I'd already received three phone calls from Maggie.

She asked where I'd gone last night, why I wasn't at school today, and "did you go on a date with Mr. Luca?"

I told her I was sick.

She was silent on the other end for two seconds, then said: "I took notes for you. Coming to school this afternoon?"

"Not sure."

"Alright then, hope to see you tomorrow. Make sure to rest well!"

Hanging up, I stood by the apartment's floor-to-ceiling window, watching the traffic on the street below.

News of Dmitri's capture had already reached Manhattan this morning. Though Luca's people had sealed all exits, word still leaked out.

Dmitri was being held at a safe house in Brooklyn. Luca's people were interrogating him.

But we both knew Dmitri himself wasn't the biggest threat—he could at most be considered a lock. Behind the lock were countless other things.

A power vacuum had appeared in the Raven organization around New York. This was what Luca told me in his study this morning.

"Several senior officers under Dmitri have started operating independently." His finger swiped across the screen, stopping at a codename. "The most threatening is his former deputy—codename 'Crow.' This person has never appeared publicly but has always been coordinating field operations behind the scenes."

I walked over, looking at the blurry photo on the screen.

The photo was taken covertly from a distance, only vaguely showing a man's back.

I'd only seen Crow once, didn't know him deeply, only knew his left leg had been injured and fitted with a prosthetic.

"What did he take?" I asked.

"Raven's remaining operational funds on the East Coast," Luca said. "And a 'cleanup list.'"

He pulled up another file. A column of names appeared on the screen.

My name was at the top. Cecelia's name on the second line.

Then my gaze fell on the third name. The hairs on my nape immediately stood up.

"Maggie?" My voice went cold.

"Because she was inseparable from you on the night of the ball," Luca said. "Intelligence misjudged her as an 'accomplice.' Raven's logic is simple—anyone who helps you break free of control is a traitor."

"Crow's people may already be on their way." Luca closed the screen, looking up at me. "Cecelia may not be safe in Rome. Maggie may not be safe here either. I need you to make a choice."

"What choice?"

"Have Maggie disappear for a while," Luca said. "Or let her be exposed to danger, use her as bait to draw out Crow's people."

My fingers unconsciously tightened. I shouldn't have befriended Maggie. Now I'd dragged her in anyway.

Though Dmitri had fallen, the game wasn't over—just new pieces, and we were still in play.

"I won't let her be bait." I spoke almost immediately.

Maggie was innocent. She shouldn't be dragged into this bloody game—she was just an ordinary girl who liked hanging out in libraries, who'd be happy for half a day over a cup of hot cocoa. Why should she pay for my past?

Luca looked at me. A trace of approval flashed in his eyes, then he nodded. "I can arrange for her to go to Rome, meet up with Cecelia. There's risk there too, but our people have set up covert posts near the Vatican. It's temporarily safe."

"Good." I pulled out my phone, fingertip sliding across Maggie's name on the screen. I took a deep breath and pressed dial.

The moment the call connected, I tried to make my voice sound relaxed, casual as usual with a hint of nonchalance. "Maggie, I just talked with Mr. Luca. He said he can arrange a trip to Rome for you. Cecelia's there too. Haven't you always wanted to see the dome of St. Peter's Basilica?"

Maggie on the other end indeed shrieked excitedly. "Really? But I have a linear algebra quiz tomorrow..."

"Take leave," I interrupted her. "Say there's a family emergency. I'll have Luca's assistant book your ticket. Three PM flight today, direct to Rome."

Maggie hesitated two seconds but still agreed. "Alright then... I'll pack right now!"

Hanging up, I turned to Luca, fingers unconsciously rubbing the edge of the holster at my waist. "Crow's side—I'll handle it."

Luca frowned. "He's cunning. The prosthetic on his left leg is his weakness, but also his disguise—he's used to using the prosthetic as an attack weapon. Be careful."

"I know." I took the tablet Luca handed over. The screen showed three coordinates, all safe houses Crow had used in the past. "He took the funds and the list, so he must pay the price. Also..." I paused, my gaze cooling. "He dares touch my friends, he'd better be prepared to face the consequences."

Luca didn't try to dissuade me further, just patted my shoulder. "Contact me anytime you need support."

I pulled open the door. The corner of my mouth couldn't help lifting slightly.

"Got it," I said.

The door closed behind me. I touched the inside of my chest. The silver rose brooch gave me a sense of security.

Dmitri's era had ended.

But my story had just begun.