Chapter 22 The Shipment
The next morning, the desert was quiet again. Smoke still rose in the distance where The Oasis had burned through the night. The sun climbed higher, painting everything gold and white.
Elena stood at the edge of the wreck, the sand hot under her boots. Rafael’s body was gone — buried by the wind. Only twisted metal and fire remained.
Luca came up behind her. “We should leave before someone finds us. The Moroccan army will come once they see that smoke.”
Elena nodded slowly. “We’re leaving. But first, we find out where that shipment went.”
Anna walked toward them, holding a cracked tablet she had pulled from the debris. “I found this in the control room. It still works a little.” She wiped dust off the screen. “There’s a tracking system here — look.”
On the display, a red dot blinked on the map of North Africa. It moved slowly across the sea, heading north.
Luca leaned closer. “That’s a cargo ship.”
“Heading to Spain,” Elena said softly.
Anna zoomed in. “Port of Almería. ETA — nine hours.”
Elena looked up at the horizon. “Then that’s where we’re going.”
They got back in Samir’s SUV and drove fast toward Marrakesh. From there, they caught a small plane to Gibraltar — the nearest airport before Spain. The flight was short but tense. Elena stared out the window, watching the sea glisten far below.
Luca sat beside her, arms crossed. “You realize we just destroyed an international base and killed your uncle. Half the world’s going to be looking for us.”
“I don’t care,” Elena said. “I didn’t come this far to stop now.”
Anna gave a tired laugh. “You sound like someone who’s forgotten what rest means.”
Elena smiled faintly. “Rest is for people who aren’t running out of time.”
By the time they landed, night had fallen again. The air smelled of salt and diesel from the docks. The port of Almería stretched ahead — massive cranes, stacked containers, and the dark sea whispering against the ships.
They found a spot on a hill overlooking the harbor. Through binoculars, Luca watched the cargo ship approach. “That’s her. The Santa Lucía. No flags, no name on the side. Classic cartel style.”
Anna shivered. “Do you think there are people inside? Like the ones at the Oasis?”
Elena nodded grimly. “That’s why we’re here.”
They waited until the ship docked. Trucks began moving, workers shouting orders in Spanish. Guards in black uniforms walked the perimeter.
“This won’t be easy,” Luca muttered. “That’s at least twenty men.”
Elena checked her weapon. “We’ve done worse.”
They moved down from the hill, sticking to the shadows. The air buzzed with tension and the hum of machines.
At the far end of the dock, a man in a white suit stepped out of a car. His sharp features and calm stride made Elena freeze.
Anna whispered, “Who’s that?”
Luca narrowed his eyes. “That’s not Rafael. He’s too young.”
Elena’s stomach tightened. “That’s his son.”
The man smiled as he spoke with the guards, his voice low but confident. He had the same eyes as Rafael — cold, sharp, calculating.
Anna whispered, “I thought Rafael didn’t have kids.”
Elena shook her head slowly. “None that he admitted to.”
The young man turned suddenly, as if he sensed them watching. His eyes met Elena’s from across the dock — and he smiled.
“Damn,” Luca muttered. “He saw us.”
Elena grabbed Anna’s arm. “Move!”
They ducked behind the containers as guards started shouting in Spanish. Gunfire broke the silence. Sparks flew as bullets hit metal.
Luca fired back, covering their movement. “We need to get on that ship!”
Elena nodded. “Anna — the tablet! Can you connect to the ship’s system?”
Anna opened her bag, fingers flying across the screen. “I can try! It’s encrypted but—wait—yes! I can unlock the cargo doors!”
“Do it!”
The alarms on the ship began to wail. Red lights flashed as the huge steel doors at the side opened. Inside, rows of crates filled the bay — and behind them, cages.
People.
Men, women, and children stared out with hollow eyes.
Anna gasped. “Oh my God…”
Elena clenched her jaw. “We get them out.”
They ran inside. The guards were distracted by the alarms, shouting orders and trying to seal the exits. Luca took down two with quick shots. Elena grabbed a crowbar and smashed the first lock.
“Go!” she shouted to the captives. “You’re free!”
One by one, people began to climb out, weak but alive. Some cried, some ran.
Anna guided them toward the dock gate. “This way! Hurry!”
But then, a voice echoed from the deck above. Calm. Cold.
“I must say, Aunt Elena, you have a habit of ruining family business.”
Elena froze. The young man stood at the top of the stairs, holding a pistol.
“Who are you?” she demanded.
He smiled. “My name is Adrian Cruz. Rafael’s blood. And now, the new head of the family.”
Luca aimed his gun. “You won’t live long enough to enjoy it.”
Adrian laughed softly. “I’m not here to fight. I just came to see the woman who burned down my father’s empire.”
Elena’s eyes narrowed. “You’ll end up just like him.”
“Maybe,” Adrian said. “But not today.”
He pressed a button on a small remote in his hand. The ship’s engines roared, and the deck began to shake.
Anna screamed. “He’s rigged it!”
Elena shouted, “Everyone out! Now!”
They ran as explosions ripped through the hull. Fire burst from the cargo hold. The ship tilted, creaking loudly.
Luca grabbed Anna, pushing her toward the dock. Elena turned one last time — Adrian was gone. Only the flames remained.
They jumped onto the dock just as the Santa Lucía exploded behind them, fire lighting up the sea. The shockwave knocked them down, but they were alive.
Sirens wailed in the distance — police, coast guard, maybe even Interpol.
Anna coughed, looking up at Elena. “He escaped.”
Elena stood slowly, watching the burning ship. “I know.”
Luca groaned, wiping blood from his arm. “You think he’s continuing his father’s business?”
Elena nodded. “He’s not continuing it. He’s rebuilding it.”
The wind carried the smell of smoke and salt.
Anna whispered, “Then what do we do now?”
Elena looked toward the fire, her eyes cold and steady. “We hunt him. Every country, every deal, every name — until there’s nothing left of the Cruz empire.”
The flames reflected in her eyes like a promise.
The empire had changed hands.
But Elena Cruz wasn’t done fighting.
Not yet.