"I asked him," Nadia took a deep breath and called Ethan on the last number. "I am talking about Ardrin."
The line crackled briefly before Ethan's voice came through, sounding weary but attentive. "What did he say?"
Nadia closed her eyes, gathering her thoughts as she sat down on the edge of her bed. "He tried to brush me off at first, said I was imagining things. But I pressed him. I told him I knew something was off, and I wasn't going to let it go."
Ethan sighed heavily, the sound conveying both frustration and resignation. "I've always had a bad feeling about him. He was so close to my father that I tried to chalk it up to jealousy. But I guess my instincts were right."
Nadia could hear the tension in his voice and felt a pang of sympathy. "He didn't outright admit anything, but the way he reacted... It was clear he's hiding something. And it's not just a minor secret."
Ethan's silence spoke volumes as he processed her words. "So, he's after me specifically?"
"Yes," Nadia confirmed, her voice steady but laced with concern. "He implied that things would get worse if you didn't back off. He's definitely targeting you."
Ethan exhaled deeply, a sound that resonated with the weight of the situation. "Did you talk to anyone else about this?"
"I did," Nadia replied, her brow furrowing. "But no one else seems to know anything about the accident. It's like it never happened."
Ethan sighed again, this time with a mix of exhaustion and determination. "I'll return tomorrow. We need to deal with this head-on. There's no time to waste."
Nadia's heart clenched at the thought of him being in danger, but she knew he was right. "Just be careful, Ethan. Ardrin's dangerous. We can't afford any missteps."
"I will," Ethan assured her, his voice softening slightly. "Thank you for telling me, Nadia. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Take care," Nadia whispered before the call ended.
She sat there for a moment, staring at the phone in her hand, the gravity of the situation sinking in. She had done her part, but the real battle was just beginning. The villa felt eerily quiet, the shadows in her room seeming darker than usual. She knew that until Ethan returned, she would have to be vigilant, watching every move Ardrin made.
Nadia took a deep breath, steeling herself for what lay ahead. She had to stay strong, not just for Ethan, but for the safety of their family. As she prepared for the night, her mind raced with plans and contingencies. She knew that this was just the beginning, and they had a long, difficult road ahead.
On the other side,
Ardrin stood in his room, his fists clenched and his face flushed with fury. He wanted to scream, to throw everything within reach and let his rage consume him, but he knew better. Making a scene would only attract unwanted attention. Taking several deep breaths, he forced himself to calm down, though the effort left him trembling. He needed to think clearly, to act decisively.
Quietly, he slipped out of the villa, moving like a shadow through the darkened hallways. Once outside, he hurried to his car, the cool night air doing little to soothe his anger. He drove through the deserted streets, his thoughts a whirlwind of frustration and fury.
Ardrin arrived at a dilapidated warehouse on the outskirts of town, its once-gray walls now blackened with grime and age. The building stood as a monument to decay, its windows broken and its structure barely holding together. Inside, however, was a different story. The dark mafia lair thrived with a sinister energy, a place where the law had no reach and deals were made in blood and money.
He pushed open the heavy, creaking door and stepped inside. The air was thick with the smell of smoke and sweat, the dim lighting casting long shadows that seemed to move with a life of their own. Men in dark clothing lounged around, their eyes cold and calculating, weapons casually displayed on tables and belts. This was a place where only the ruthless survived.
Ardrin walked through the main room, his presence acknowledged with nods and murmurs. He had earned his place here, though respect was given sparingly in this world. At the back of the room, in a corner shrouded in deeper shadows, sat the men he had hired. They were a rough-looking group, their faces hardened by years of violence and survival in the underworld.
One of them, a tall man with a scar running down his cheek, looked up as Ardrin approached. "You're late," he said, his voice a low growl.
Ardrin ignored the comment, his mind focused on the task at hand. "What's the status?" he demanded, his voice cold and authoritative.
The scarred man leaned back in his chair, studying Ardrin with a calculating gaze. "We sent eight of our best men. They're already on their way to the target. If they fail, we have a sniper in position to take him out."
Ardrin's eyes narrowed. "And you're sure they won't fail?"
The man shrugged, a lazy, almost mocking gesture. "Nothing's ever certain in this line of work. But our men are professionals. They know what they're doing."
Ardrin's temper flared again, but he kept it under control. "I don't pay for uncertainties. Make sure this is done."
The man smirked, his scar twisting grotesquely. "Relax, Ardrin. We've got this covered. Your problem will be taken care of."
Ardrin clenched his fists, barely able to contain his frustration. "It better be. Or you'll be the one paying the price."
The man laughed, a harsh sound that echoed through the room. "You don't scare me, Ardrin. But don't worry. We know our business."
With a final glare, Ardrin turned and left the warehouse, the laughter of the men ringing in his ears. As he drove back to the villa, his mind was a storm of anger and anticipation. He had put everything in motion, and now all he could do was wait. The men he had hired were the best, and he trusted them to handle the situation. But even the best could fail, and the thought gnawed at him.