21

The night air outside the warehouse was thick with the scent of blood and gasoline. Matteo’s words echoed in my mind, circling like a predator waiting to strike.

"You’re next."

Dante walked ahead of me, his strides steady, controlled. He had killed Matteo without hesitation. No second thoughts. No remorse. And yet, something about the way his shoulders tensed, the way his grip tightened around his gun, told me that Matteo’s warning had sunk deeper than he wanted to admit.

I climbed into the SUV behind him, my pulse still racing. Dante didn’t say a word as Luca pulled out onto the main road, the city lights blurring past. The silence stretched, heavy with things neither of us wanted to say.

But I couldn’t stay quiet.

“You believe him.”

Dante exhaled slowly, tilting his head against the seat. “I believe dead men don’t lie.”

A chill ran through me. “Then we have a problem.”

His smirk was slow, dangerous. “We always have a problem.”

I turned to him, searching his face for any sign of doubt. “You think Moretti wasn’t the top of the chain?”

Dante’s expression darkened. “I think Moretti was just the beginning.”

My stomach twisted.

I had wanted to believe that taking Moretti out would be enough. That we could burn his empire to the ground and walk away. But if there was someone else, someone bigger, waiting in the shadows.

Then this wasn’t over.

Not even close.

Luca’s voice cut through the tense silence. “We have movement.”

Dante straightened. “Where?”

Luca adjusted the rearview mirror. “Been trailing us since we left.”

My heart pounded. “Moretti’s men?”

Dante’s smirk returned, but there was no humor in it. “Let’s find out.”

The SUV turned sharply down a deserted street, the tires screeching against the pavement. The second vehicle followed, their headlights flashing through the darkness.

Dante pulled his gun from the holster at his side, checking the clip. His movements were smooth, practiced, like he had done this a thousand times before.

I reached for my own weapon, my fingers tightening around the grip.

Dante glanced at me. “Stay low.”

I met his gaze. “I can handle myself.”

His smirk widened. “I know. That’s what worries me.”

The words sent a strange thrill through me, but I didn’t have time to process it.

Because the second Luca slammed on the brakes, all hell broke loose.

Gunfire erupted, bullets tearing through the air as Dante shoved me down, shielding me with his body.

Glass shattered.

Metal groaned.

The world tilted as Luca jerked the wheel, maneuvering us into position.

Dante moved fast, firing out the window with precision, every shot landing exactly where he wanted it to.

I pushed up, aiming at the second vehicle, my heart hammering as I squeezed the trigger.

A scream rang out.

One down.

Dante grinned. “Nice shot.”

I rolled my eyes. “Focus, Castelli.”

His chuckle was low, approving. “You’re starting to sound like me.”

I didn’t respond.

Because the second SUV rammed into us from behind, I barely had time to brace before the impact sent us skidding across the pavement.

Luca cursed, jerking the wheel, barely keeping control.

Dante’s voice was calm despite the chaos. “End this.”

Luca didn’t hesitate.

He spun the wheel sharply, sending us crashing into the other car, metal screeching as the vehicles tangled together.

Dante kicked open the door, gun in hand, moving before the dust even settled.

I followed, adrenaline pumping, my grip steady as I scanned the wreckage.

Three men.

All armed.

All bleeding.

Dante took down the first with a single shot. The second didn’t even have time to react before my bullet found its mark.

The third.

He was different.

He didn’t reach for his weapon. Didn’t try to run.

He smiled.

And then...

He whispered, “Too late.”

A click.

My breath caught.

Dante’s body slammed into mine just as the explosion ripped through the street, fire engulfing the wreckage, heat searing my skin.

The world blurred.

Ringing filled my ears.

And then...

Darkness.

When I came to, everything hurt.

The air was thick with smoke, the scent of burnt metal clinging to my skin. I groaned, pushing up onto my elbows, my head throbbing.

Dante’s voice cut through the haze. “Olivia.”

I turned, my vision swimming before locking onto him. He was crouched beside me, his expression unreadable, blood streaking his temple.

He reached out, his fingers grazing my cheek. “You good?”

I exhaled shakily. “Define ‘good.’”

His smirk was faint. “Still breathing?”

“Barely.”

His fingers brushed lower, his touch lingering against my jaw. “That’s enough.”

I swallowed hard. “Dante.”

His expression darkened. “I know.”

Because we weren’t just dealing with Moretti’s leftover men.

We were dealing with something bigger.

Something planned.

Something inevitable.

I forced myself to stand, ignoring the way my legs threatened to give out. “We need answers.”

Dante rose beside me, his gaze unreadable. “Then let’s get them.”

I exhaled, nodding, my body still buzzing with adrenaline.

Because Matteo had been right.

Moretti had been a distraction.

And the real war?

It was only just beginning.