Chapter 40

*Gray*

The air at the base was thick with tension and urgency. People dressed in black were rushing around, trying to complete their tasks as quickly as possible. Amidst all the chaos, Marietta stood out like a beacon of authority, her commanding voice cutting through the noise as she barked out orders. I've had the privilege of working alongside Marietta on many occasions, and I can confidently say that she is one of the most competent and reliable colleagues I have ever had. Her professionalism and efficiency have been invaluable to me on numerous missions, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have had her by my side.

Thinking back on those missions, I realized that without Marietta's unwavering support, many of them would have been impossible to complete. Her contributions were truly invaluable, and I knew that I could always count on her to get the job done, no matter how difficult or challenging the situation. Marietta's presence on any mission was always a comforting and reassuring one, and I felt confident in her abilities to help us achieve our goals. I am truly grateful for her unwavering dedication and support, and I can't imagine having accomplished any of our missions without her.

As I turned my attention to Josh, I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. Their words had resonated with me and I agreed with them wholeheartedly. The sudden appearance of the black-clad men and women had been a shock, but Smiley's situation had brought a new level of urgency to our already dire circumstances. The safety of Angel, my most precious treasure, was now my top priority. In this unforgiving world, she was the one thing that gave me purpose and hope.

My thoughts were consumed with her well-being and I couldn't help but wonder what she was doing at this very moment. Was she surrounded by loved ones, laughing and smiling without a care in the world? Or was she sleeping soundly, dreaming of happy memories and blissfully unaware of the danger that lurked outside? Both scenarios brought a sense of comfort to me and I wished with all my heart that they were true.

As I stood there, my mind racing with thoughts of Angel, I was reminded once again of just how precious life was. In a world filled with danger and uncertainty, her happiness was the one thing that truly mattered to me. As I approached Josh, I couldn't help but notice the chill in the air that made my thumb feel cold and lonely. As I walked down the dimly lit hallway, I couldn't help but feel a sense of coldness and loneliness seeping in. My hands were tightly clasped together in an attempt to warm them up, but it seemed like the chill had seeped into my bones. Desperate to find some warmth, I quickly brushed my hands under my nose and trudged on.

Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw two figures standing in the distance. Despite the urgency of my task, I felt compelled to make a connection. Approaching them, I reached out and placed a firm hand on one of their shoulders. They turned to face me, and I looked deeply into their eyes, trying to read their expression.

For a brief moment, we stood in silence, and I couldn't help but wonder what they might be thinking or feeling. But as quickly as the moment arrived, it passed, and I continued on my way. They were a pair of highranked men from one of the Allied gangs I worked with. Who decided to help me in protecting Angel. As I trudged passed them, one man took my hand in theres, leaving only a note behind as they nodded their head.

Josh, one of my colleagues, followed me as I left the base and made my way towards the sleek SUV that brought me there hours ago. As I settled into the comfortable seat, my mind turned to the many more tasks that awaited me. I would be joining other bases to speak with leaders who played similar roles to Marietta's but in different capacities. Some were mercenaries, some were planners, and many other roles were fleshed out across the map in the various bases I claimed.

It was a daunting task, but one that I was more than willing to take on. I knew that the fate of many people rested on my shoulders, and I was determined to do everything in my power to ensure their safety and well-being.

As the sleek SUV glided towards the grand House B, I let out an exhausted sigh of relief. It had been a grueling day, and I was looking forward to unwinding in the comfort of my luxurious home. However, just as I was about to let my guard down and relax, I felt a niggling sensation in the back of my mind. The cause of my unease was a small piece of paper that had been tucked away in my trouser pocket all day.

As we rolled to a stop on the curved driveway before the opulent house, I quickly retrieved the crumpled paper from my pocket and unfolded it. The message was short and cryptic: "Smiley is a traitor. Meet me at base AC23."

I was stunned and disbelieving. My underboss and good friend Josh, who was sitting next to me, looked at me with concern as I stared at the note in shock. As the full weight of the message hit me, my suppressed anger and stress resurfaced, and I was left feeling bewildered and on edge.

I looked up from the paper and rapped on the window to get the driver's attention. I gave him the new destination: base AC23. As we drove, my mind raced, trying to make sense of what I had just read. The air felt thick and suffocating in my lungs, and I knew this was only the beginning of a long and trying night.

As we pulled up to Base AC23, I couldn't help but feel a creeping sense of dread slowly washing over me. The night seemed never-ending, and I felt powerless to escape its grasp. I wished I could fast forward through time like in a movie, past all the misery and betrayal. My lungs felt heavy with each breath as I struggled to speak, my throat constricting in fear.

"It's true...what we hoped, what we wished wasn't true, is true Josh," I managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper. Even Angel, who usually had a calming presence, couldn't do much to soothe my rage this time. We stepped out of the sleek SUV, and I adjusted my shirt, trying to compose myself before we entered the all-black interior of the base.

The room was filled with all kinds of weapons and gadgets, and the dimly lit hallway felt ominous. Every step we took echoed in the silence as we made our way towards the center of the room. An old man's voice greeted us as we walked down the hallway, his voice deep and rough.

"Glad you could finally make it, Scar," he said. I slumped into my seat at the large table in the center of the room, staring down the old man on the other side. Calvin was the third strongest boss in the game and the half-brother of Cayla's father. Unlike his brother, Calvin stayed in shape, not letting his old age be his downfall.

"Calvin, get to the point. You've ruined my schedule with this bullshit news," I said, my anger evident in my voice. I couldn't believe he had dragged us all the way here for something that could have been resolved over the phone or email.

"Very well, I have a scoop for you. One I'm sure you'll like, but also dislike at the same time," Calvin said, his eyes locking onto mine. My heart skipped a beat as I waited for him to reveal what he had in store for us.

The old man, who appeared to be the leader of the group, gestured for a figure dressed in black to approach us. His command was clear: "Please provide the lady with a refreshing drink, and the underboss with the same." The man in black nodded and quickly disappeared into the shadowy corners of the room. As he left, the silence in the room became more oppressive, and the already thin air felt suffocating.

Moments passed, and the young man finally returned with a glass for me and Josh. However, Josh was already on edge and quickly gulped down their drink, hoping that it would calm their nerves. I couldn't blame them for that, given the situation we found ourselves in.

For years, Smiley, Josh, and I had been close friends, despite a rough start as children. Josh had always looked up to Smiley as an older brother, and I hoped that this was all just an elaborate prank. As I sipped my drink, I massaged my temples, trying to make sense of everything that was happening.

How did Calvin, the old man, know more than Marietta? Why would Smiley betray his own family, and what was the real truth behind all of this? These questions raced through my mind, and I could feel the tension in the room mounting with each passing moment.