Chapter 85: The First Strike

Evelyn moved swiftly through the safe house, her mind racing. They had the information, they had the leverage—now they needed a plan. The Council wasn’t just going to sit back and let them dismantle their empire piece by piece. Retaliation was inevitable.

Lucian was already making calls, securing new safe locations, while Nathan sat on the couch, his fingers tapping anxiously against his knee. He was still recovering from his injuries, but they all knew there was no time to rest.

“We need a direct hit,” Lucian said, his voice steady but laced with tension. “Something to shake them.”

Evelyn turned to him, her eyes cold and determined. “Their finances. If we cripple their money flow, they’ll be too busy trying to keep their operations afloat to come after us right away.”

Nathan exhaled sharply. “That’s easier said than done. These guys don’t keep their money in one place.”

Lucian smirked. “But they do need to move it.” He turned his laptop toward them, showing a series of transactions linked to offshore accounts. “They’ve got a major transfer happening tomorrow night. A shipment of bearer bonds—hard to trace, easy to liquidate.”

Evelyn leaned closer, scanning the details. “Where?”

“A private airstrip just outside the city,” Lucian answered. “Minimal security, but if we intercept it, we send a message loud and clear.”

Nathan shook his head. “That’s not just a message. That’s war.”

Evelyn met his gaze. “We’re already at war.”

Silence settled over the room. They had crossed too many lines to turn back now.

Lucian shut the laptop with a decisive snap. “Then let’s make sure we win.”

The room buzzed with tension as Evelyn, Lucian, and Nathan finalized their plan. The private airstrip was a prime target, but hitting it meant exposing themselves. The Council wouldn’t take an attack lightly, and retaliation would be swift.

“We’ll need a clean exit,” Nathan said, rubbing his temple. “If they trace this back to us, we’re dead.”

Evelyn crossed her arms. “Then we don’t give them the chance.” She turned to Lucian. “What kind of security are we dealing with?”

Lucian pulled up surveillance footage on his laptop. “Light for now. Two guards posted at the entrance, another two patrolling the hangar. The real security arrives an hour before the transfer.” He tapped a key, highlighting the schedule. “That gives us a narrow window to hit them before reinforcements show up.”

Nathan frowned. “And if things go south?”

“Then we improvise,” Evelyn said, her tone sharp.

Nathan let out a breath. “Great. Because that always goes well.”

Lucian smirked. “We’ll make sure it does.”

Hours Later – Private Airstrip

The night was thick with humidity as Evelyn crouched behind a stack of shipping crates. The airstrip was quiet, save for the occasional hum of a distant generator. Lucian was positioned near the hangar, rifle at the ready, while Nathan set up an escape route near the outer fence.

Through her earpiece, Lucian’s voice came through. “Two guards at the gate, just like we expected. They’re relaxed.”

Evelyn smirked. “Let’s fix that.”

She moved like a shadow, slipping up behind one of the guards. Before he could react, she struck—swift, precise. His body crumpled silently to the ground. Lucian took care of the second guard with equal efficiency.

“Clear,” he murmured.

Nathan’s voice crackled in her earpiece. “You’ve got three minutes before the transport team arrives.”

Evelyn wasted no time, slipping into the hangar with Lucian. The bearer bonds were stored in a locked case near the back, unguarded for the moment. Lucian got to work bypassing the security while Evelyn kept watch.

A low hum filled the air.

Evelyn’s eyes snapped to the entrance as headlights cut through the night.

“They’re early,” Nathan’s voice came urgently through the comms.

Lucian cursed under his breath. “I need another thirty seconds.”

Evelyn’s grip tightened on her weapon. “Then we hold them off.”

The first vehicle rolled to a stop, and doors swung open. Armed men poured out, scanning the area. Their leader stepped forward, his gaze sweeping the hangar.

Something in his stance made Evelyn’s stomach tighten.

“They know,” she whispered.

Lucian’s fingers flew over the lock. “Almost there—”

The leader raised a hand. “Sweep the area. Find them.”

Evelyn’s heart pounded. Their window was closing fast.

“Lucian,” she hissed.

With a final click, the case unlocked.

Lucian grinned. “Got it.”

“Then let’s move.”

Evelyn grabbed the case, and they slipped toward the exit—just as the first shots rang out.

Gunfire erupted as bullets pinged off metal crates, sending sparks flying. Evelyn ducked behind cover, gripping the case tightly. Lucian pressed against the hangar wall, rifle raised, his eyes sharp with focus.

Nathan’s voice crackled through their earpieces. “They’ve got reinforcements incoming—black SUVs, at least two.”

Evelyn clenched her jaw. Their window was shrinking fast. “We need to move. Now.”

Lucian took a deep breath and swung out from cover, firing three quick shots. Two guards dropped instantly, but the third dove behind a stack of barrels, returning fire.

Evelyn felt the heat of a bullet whizz past her cheek, close enough to make her ears ring. She didn’t hesitate. Twisting low, she moved swiftly, raising her gun and firing twice. The third guard went down before he could call for backup.

Lucian grabbed her arm, eyes flicking toward the SUVs speeding onto the tarmac. “Time to go.”

She nodded, gripping the case tighter as they bolted toward the side exit where Nathan had prepared their escape. But the sound of tires screeching to a halt sent her stomach twisting. The SUVs had cut off their route.

“Shit.” Nathan’s voice came through. “They’re blocking the fence. I’m pinned down.”

Evelyn scanned their surroundings. They had two choices—fight their way out or find another exit. The hangar wasn’t a viable option anymore, and the airstrip was too exposed.

Lucian pointed to the fuel truck parked near the runway. “We use that.”

Evelyn’s eyes widened. “You want to blow it?”

Lucian smirked. “Just enough for a distraction.”

Bullets rained down around them as more guards advanced. Evelyn crouched low and ran toward the fuel truck, ripping a small charge from her vest. She planted it quickly against the fuel line and set a ten-second timer.

“Move!” she shouted as she sprinted away.

The explosion ripped through the night, sending flames and debris into the air. The shockwave knocked several guards off their feet, giving Evelyn and Lucian just enough cover to slip around the wreckage.

Nathan was already waiting by the fence, breathless. “Took you long enough.”

Evelyn tossed the case over to him before vaulting up and over the fence. Lucian followed seconds later.

The sound of sirens in the distance made her pulse quicken. “We need to disappear.”

Nathan gestured toward a waiting car. “Already on it.”

They piled inside, and the vehicle peeled away from the scene just as floodlights lit up the airstrip behind them.