The Syndicate headquarters buzzed with tension as Alicia and Marco entered the sprawling glass building. The air seemed thicker, the shadows longer. Employees hurried past them, their eyes cast down, avoiding the piercing gazes of their superiors.
Marco walked ahead, his commanding presence impossible to ignore. Alicia followed closely, her sharp heels clicking against the marble floor. Their earlier moment still lingered in her mind, but she shoved it aside. There was no room for distraction now.
Inside the main conference room, a dozen men and women sat around a circular table, their expressions a mix of apprehension and defiance. The room fell silent as Marco and Alicia entered.
"Out," Marco said curtly, his voice leaving no room for argument.
The employees exchanged nervous glances before quickly filing out, leaving the two of them alone in the vast room.
Alicia walked to the head of the table, placing her hands firmly on the surface. "We don't have time for games," she said, her voice cold and calculated. "The traitor's identity is no longer a question. We know who it is."
Marco leaned against the wall, crossing his arms. "And we're not leaving this room until we've decided how to handle it."
Before Alicia could respond, the double doors opened, and to her surprise, her father, Vincent Vega, and Marco's father, Lorenzo Santorini, stepped inside.
"What is this?" Alicia asked, narrowing her eyes.
Vincent gave her a tight smile. "A family discussion. One that's long overdue."
Lorenzo nodded in agreement, his sharp gaze landing on Marco. "You two have been working well together, but it's time we address the future."
Marco raised an eyebrow, his tone laced with suspicion. "The future of what?"
Vincent and Lorenzo exchanged a look before Vincent spoke. "Your marriage."
Alicia blinked, caught completely off guard. "Excuse me?"
Lorenzo stepped forward, his voice firm. "The Syndicate is more than just business, Alicia. It's a legacy. Your union with Marco would solidify the strength of both our families. It's what's best for everyone."
Alicia's hands balled into fists. "So that's what this is about? Politics and power plays?"
Vincent's expression softened slightly. "It's about protecting what we've built. This isn't just a suggestion, Alicia. It's a necessity."
Marco's jaw tightened, his voice calm but steely. "And what if we refuse?"
Lorenzo's gaze turned icy. "You won't. Because you both know what's at stake."
The tension in the room was palpable, but before either Marco or Alicia could respond, an urgent knock interrupted them.
"Come in," Vincent said, his voice clipped.
One of the Syndicate's operatives entered, her face pale. "Sir, we've received a message. The traitor has issued a threat. They're demanding a meeting—alone."
Alicia exchanged a look with Marco, her anger momentarily replaced by determination. "Where?"
The operative hesitated. "The old docks. Midnight."
Lorenzo frowned. "It's a trap."
"Of course it's a trap," Alicia said, grabbing her coat. "But we don't have a choice."
Marco stepped in front of her, blocking her path. "You're not going alone."
She glared at him, her voice sharp. "I wasn't asking for permission."
Their fathers watched the exchange in silence, their earlier conversation about marriage momentarily eclipsed by the looming threat.
Lorenzo finally spoke, his tone heavy. "If you're going, you'd better come back in one piece. Both of you."
Alicia turned to him, her eyes fierce. "We always do."
---
Midnight at the Docks
The air was thick with the scent of salt and rust as Alicia and Marco arrived at the meeting point. The dim light from a single streetlamp cast long shadows across the water, the silence broken only by the occasional creak of the docks.
A figure emerged from the darkness, their face hidden beneath a hood. "You came," they said, their voice distorted.
Alicia stepped forward, her gun raised. "You've got five seconds to explain yourself."
The figure chuckled, their tone mocking. "Always so quick to pull the trigger, Alicia. That's what I've always admired about you."
Marco moved to her side, his voice low and threatening. "We're not here to play games. Start talking."
The figure pulled back their hood, revealing a familiar face. It was someone they both knew—someone they'd trusted.
"You?" Alicia whispered, her voice filled with disbelief.
The traitor smirked, their eyes glinting with malice. "Surprise."