CHAPTER 307
Ellis Barker and Rang emerged from the room, leaving Messina's lifeless body behind. Tension hung in the air as they traversed the corridors of the imposing Petrov mansion, each step echoing the violence that had unfolded.
Rang looked at Ellis with a mix of admiration and disbelief. “I never thought you'd have the courage for something like this, Ellis.”
Ellis, with determination in her eyes, replied without hesitation, “I would do anything for my family, Rang. Absolutely anything.”
The two moved through the corridors of the Petrov mansion, passing fallen bodies, the result of Rang's ruthless men. Along the way, Ellis, with a firm voice, broke the silence, “Who's here?”
“Everyone, Ellis,” replied Rang, his steady steps echoing in the mansion's shattered walls.
Upon reaching the main hall, they encountered a devastating scene. The Black Axe men had Grigory and Sergei, leaders of the Kurganskaya Bratva, Svetlana and Mikhail, all kneeling, surrendered to Ellis Barker's relentless force. The atmosphere was charged, as if the air itself trembled in the face of the imposing presence of the woman who defied the Petrov.
Ellis, with a cold smile, approached the group. “Finally, a proper meeting with my not-so-beloved relatives.”
Grigory, looking around for Messina, asked suspiciously, “Where's Messina?”
Ellis calmly replied, “Messina has moved on to another plane. Waiting for all of you there.”
Sergei, defiant, warned, “You won't escape unpunished, Ellis. When everyone finds out what you've done, they'll come after you.”
Ellis, turning to Sergei with an icy gaze, retorted, “No, Sergei. Messina did us a favor by handing over each of your partners. Now, everyone is getting what they deserve or has chosen to join us.”
Stepping back slightly, Ellis, in a friendly tone, continued, “I'm not good with speeches, unlike my late husband. When I mention 'husband,' I'm referring to Vittorio Amorielle. But I excel at giving orders. Know that you shouldn't have messed with a Barker family.”
Ellis raised her hand, and the Black Axe men promptly obeyed. They advanced toward the Petrov, like fierce shadows guided by Ellis's will. Grigory, being the first target, barely had time to react. A single precise shot to the back of his head made his body sprawl on the floor, while the other Petrov watched with expressions of horror.
Ellis's gaze turned to Sergei, who, aware of his imminent fate, tried to resist. However, the strength of Ellis's men was overwhelming, and Sergei soon joined Grigory on the cold floor of the hall. Mikhail was next, and his fall echoed through the mansion's empty corridors. Svetlana stared at Ellis, trying to negotiate amidst the carnage.
“It doesn't have to be like this, Ellis. We can join forces, create a female front.”
Ellis, unperturbed, rejected the proposal.
“I'm not open to new partners, especially not with a former sister-in-law who once threatened me.”
She gestured to the man positioned behind Svetlana, and the woman's body fell unceremoniously. Rang, beside Ellis, observed the scene with a cold expression.
“What do we do now?” Rang asked.
Ellis surveyed the surrounding wreckage, her calculating eyes reflecting the decision made.
“Burn it all.”
Rang nodded, receiving the order from his leader. As he commanded the men to set the mansion ablaze, Ellis left the place, her impassive demeanor contrasting with the chaos left behind. The crackling of flames began to echo, creating a symphony of destruction.
In the darkness of the night, Ellis Barker, now shrouded in shadows, walked away from the burning mansion, determined and undisturbed. The future of the Amorielle family was in her blood-stained hands, but she did not falter in the face of the choices made. The Petrov legacy was reduced to ashes, and Ellis Barker, with her unwavering determination, charted a new course for her family.
***
Ellis woke suddenly, her eyes opening to the semi-darkness of the private jet. Her heart pounded in her chest as she tried to orient herself in space. Realizing she was alone in the cabin, the initial tension was replaced by a sense of relief. However, remnants of the nightmare still lingered in her mind, like persistent shadows.
Rang Bone, ever vigilant, appeared in the plane's aisle upon noticing Ellis's agitation.
“Ellis, are you okay?” he inquired, his expression concerned.
She nodded, rubbing her face as if to erase the disturbing images that haunted her. “Just a nightmare. Nothing more.”
Rang settled in front of her, sharing a sympathetic look.
“With time, it'll fade,” he assured, seeking to calm her anxieties.
However, Ellis questioned the truth of that consolation. “Are you sure?”
Rang sighed, revealing a shadow in his eyes that betrayed experiences.
“No. I remember every man I've killed, from the first to the last. The feeling never completely disappears.”
Ellis's curiosity heightened. “How do you live with it?”
Rang pondered for a moment before sharing his philosophy. “I stay focused on the reason that made me kill. Whether it's for revenge, protection, or loyalty. Find your reason and hold onto it.”
Gratitude shone in Ellis's eyes, acknowledging the wisdom in Rang's words.
“You've been very helpful, Rang. I'm grateful for all the assistance.”
Rang, modest, responded, “I just did what Vittorio ordered.”
The atmosphere in the jet changed as Rang, seeking a deeper connection, posed a personal question.
“Can I ask you something?”
Ellis nodded, inviting him to continue.
“How did you know what to do? What was the plan?”
A shrewd smile appeared on Ellis's lips as she shared her reasoning. “It was duplicity.”
Rang arched an eyebrow, intrigued. “Duplicity?”
Ellis unfolded the plot with a confident expression.
“Yes, Vittorio always operated with duplicity. He taught me that everything he did had a hidden motive. The letter announcing his death could only be part of a plan. He wasn't dead; I needed to get Jake off everyone's radar, and for that, I needed an alibi to be recognized as the guardian. Plan B wasn't something Vittorio believed in, so it was duplicity in action.”
Rang's gaze reflected admiration for Ellis's cunning. “Wow, you're good at this.”
Ellis laughed, modest. “I learned from the best.”
The conversation took a more serious turn when Rang, curious, continued the inquiry. “Are you prepared to face them?”
Ellis locked eyes with Rang, a determined smile shining on her lips. “More than ready.”