Hideout
The cold, dark space seemed endless, except for the harsh, buzzing light above Rodriguez's head. The room was tiny and stuffy, but it felt like the walls were moving, closing in. It was as if the room itself knew about the danger and the tension filling the air.
Rodriguez felt the weight of his situation crushing him. His body hurt from the beatings, and his vision was blurry. His eyes were swollen and almost shut from the brutal attack. But the worst part was that he couldn't move or get away. He was tied to a chair with his arms bound behind him, and the ropes were cutting into his skin, making it hard for the blood to flow.
His mind was fuzzy, drifting in and out of awareness, but he could still sense it-the presence. There was a dark figure just outside the light, watching him like a hawk. It gave him the creeps, and the silence felt suffocating.
Who was it?
He slowly, painfully opened his eyes, only to see the world still dark, except for one beam of light that shone right on him. It lit up his torn, bloodied face and cast harsh shadows over his bruised body. The air was heavy and still, but the tension felt suffocating, like something bad was about to happen. A deep fear churned in his stomach, and that's when he saw him.
Romano.
The figure in the shadows was Romano. He stepped into the room, his footsteps echoing, and there was no mistaking his presence. Rodriguez's heart raced as he watched Romano move closer, slow and steady. Romano's tall, imposing silhouette made him look like a predator stalking his prey.
Romano's eyes stayed locked on Rodriguez, like a hawk watching its injured prey. He stood just beyond the light, looking at his rival a guy who thought he could beat him, who came after him in the middle of the night with a plan that went terribly wrong. Rodriguez was beaten, humiliated, and trapped.
Romano stayed silent for a moment, letting the quiet drag on. The silence was heavy and oppressive, but then Romano's voice sliced through it like a knife.
"You really thought you could play with me, didn't you, Rodriguez?" Romano's voice was calm, but there was a dangerous edge to it that made Rodriguez's heart pound. The words felt toxic in the air. Rodriguez's lips quivered, but he didn't back down. His eyes narrowed through the pain, trying to muster up what little strength he had left.
"Untie me," he whispered hoarsely. "You'll regret this, Romano. You'll see..." Romano laughed, a dark sound, and moved closer. His shadow loomed over the floor like something bad was about to happen. "You really think this will end differently?" He stood right in front of Rodriguez, looking down at him, the bright light above making his face stand out. "You thought you could take me down after all these years and everything I've done? In one night?"
"Your own men betrayed you Rodriguez!" Rodriguez's breathing sped up, pain tearing through his body. He had underestimated Romano, and now he was paying the price. Every part of him ached with frustration, but he couldn't get away. He was stuck, trapped by his own plan, his own betrayal. Romano leaned down, his eyes locked on Rodriguez's, his words cutting like a knife.
"You made a big mistake. You messed with the wrong guy." Romano said softly, almost like he was talking to someone who just didn't get it. "You should've known better than to come after me." He took a slow step back, his eyes cold and hard. Rodriguez was breathing hard, blood still trickling from the cuts on his face and body. He wanted to yell, to make Romano explain how things went so wrong, but his mind was a mess. It felt like everything he thought he knew, everything he had built, was falling apart right then and there.
Romano's voice dropped to a whisper, heavy with emotion. "You came at me with a plan, Rodriguez. A plan to take me down. But you forgot one thing..." He leaned in a bit, and in the dim light, Rodriguez saw the cold satisfaction in his eyes.
"You thought you were the hunter," Romano said, his voice barely above a whisper. "But tonight, you're the prey." Rodriguez flinched, but it didn't help. His body was beaten, and he had nothing left. Romano loomed over him, looking almost godlike, with the shadows of the room swirling around him like a dark cloak.
Rodriguez could only stare back at him, his defiance slipping away. In the silence after the pain, the realization hit him harder than any punch.
This was it.
His plan had failed. His move against Romano, his betrayal-none of it mattered now. He had walked right into a trap, and now he was paying the price. Romano stood up and took one last look at his broken rival. "Next time you try this," Romano said, his voice cold and final, "make sure you're not up against someone who knows the rules."
With that, Romano started using his well trained skill, punched Rodriguez like a punching bag, Rodriguez jerked back with a swift blow with a chair still tied around him, Romano started using his legs giving one after another impact on Rodriguez's fragile body now, the floor become bloody red, with ten minutes of beating without a break.
Romano turned and walked away, leaving Rodriguez in the dim, suffocating light. His footsteps faded as the reality sank in-Rodriguez had been a fool to follow him, and now, in this dark, empty room, he'd have to face the consequences of his mistake. Romano had won. And there was nothing Rodriguez could do about it.
Suddenly a loud several crack, boom was heard outside.
Somewhere in the Darkness
Blaze's black sedan slowed down, the tires crunching on the gravel as it pulled up neatly next to the other sleek, dark cars in the empty parking lot. The night felt heavy, like a storm was brewing. His guys were already in place, standing quietly but ready, almost blending into the shadows, waiting for the go-ahead. They all knew Blaze didn't act unless he was certain. And Blaze? He never rushed anything.
He stayed in the backseat for a bit longer, looking over at Arthur, his secretary and right- hand man, who was in the front passenger seat. The tension between them was thick, but they didn't need to say anything. Arthur knew what was on the line. They were about to go after Romano-someone Blaze had never trusted, someone who had messed with him in ways only the mafia understood.
Blaze gripped the cigar in his hand, the sharp, sweet tobacco smell spreading as he breathed out slowly. He smoothly opened the door and stepped out onto the gravel, moving with the ease of someone who's seen it all. His black sunglasses hid his eyes, but the way he held himself spoke volumes-nothing could surprise him, nothing could shake him. Not tonight.
He stood tall in his black tailored suit, the dark fabric almost melting into the night as he moved toward the front of the car. The faint light from a distant streetlamp caught the silver cufflinks on his wrist, making them shine like polished steel, but everything else about him was dark and focused.
Arthur hurried to keep up with his boss, standing by his side, quiet and watchful.
"Boss," Arthur whispered, his voice steady but urgent, "It's time. Should we go ahead with it now?"
Blaze didn't answer right away. His eyes were fixed on the building in the distance- Romanos' hideout. It was an old, rundown place that looked like it hadn't been lived in for years. Perfect for someone with a lot of enemies. A spot where secrets were hidden and plans were made in the dark. A place where threats get dismissed.
Blaze's jaw tightened, but he didn't seem panicked. He was calm and careful.
"No," Blaze said, shaking his head slowly. "We wait."
Arthur's brow furrowed, but he didn't ask any questions. Blaze was always careful with his plans-never jumping into anything without thinking it through. Arthur trusted his boss's judgment. The boss was clearly waiting for something. Blaze took a slow puff from his cigar, keeping his eyes on the building. He watched the shadows, the quiet, and how the wind rustled the trees. He noticed everything. This wasn't just about taking out a target; it was about making a statement. Blaze was here to finish Romano off for good.
Time ticked by in silence. The wind rustled through the tree leaves, and everything felt still, like the world was waiting. The tension grew until the whole night seemed ready to burst into chaos. Blaze let out a slow breath and glanced at the building one last time. Не dropped his cigar, its tip still glowing faintly as it hit the ground. With a quick stomp, he crushed it under his boot, snuffing out the flame. The crunch was almost satisfying, like the quiet snap of an enemy's spine.
"Move," he said, his voice low and steady, full of the authority from years on the job. His team was ready, and they jumped into action, taking their positions quickly. It felt like the ground shook under their feet. The night had become their battleground. Arthur nodded, his face set. "Right behind you, Boss."
Blaze didn't need to say anything more. His team knew what to do-quiet, quick, and lethal. They spread out, moving fast and smoothly, their dark clothes making them blend into the night like shadows. The plan was straightforward: strike fast, hit hard, and leave nothing to chance. Blaze started walking toward the hideout, his steps steady, his mind already planning ahead. Every move was thought out. Romano had underestimated Blaze, and now it was time for Blaze to make him pay for that mistake.
The rest of the world faded away. It was just him, his men, and that building-Romanos" fortress, where he thought he was safe. Blaze didn't need to say anything else; the tension in the air said it all. Tonight, Romano would find out that Blaze wasn't someone to mess with.
The air was thick with tension, the smell of old wood and concrete heavy in the dimly lit hallways of Romano's hideout. Blaze moved through the darkness like a shadow, each step careful, his senses on high alert. This was the moment he'd been waiting for the chance to finally take down the guy who had caused him so much trouble.
Blaze's black gloves creaked as he adjusted his grip on the pistol, the silencer making his movements even more precise. Each room he passed was a silent battleground. His team had already cleared out Romano's guards without a sound, and now Blaze was here to finish the job. No mercy. No hesitation.
The hallway smelled like stale air and old wood, and the only sound was the soft echo of Blaze's boots on the cold concrete floor. The hideout was eerily quiet-way too quiet for a place that should have been full of Romano's men.
But Blaze knew what was up. His team had already swept through the building, taking out Romano's guys one by one. Their bodies were left behind like broken toys. No one could stop him now. Blaze kept a straight face as he moved deeper into the hideout. The dim overhead lights barely lit the narrow corridor, but the shadows were his real friends. He didn't need to rush he was in charge.
Blaze got to the door at the end of the hall without needing to knock. He didn't want to give Romano the chance to act tough. With one quick kick, the door flew open and slammed against the wall, making a loud noise that echoed through the empty building.
Blaze walked in and immediately spotted the man at the desk. The guard had been sitting with his back to the door, probably waiting for orders, when Blaze came in. But he wasn't paying attention, which was a big mistake. Before the guy could even stand up, Blaze pulled out his silenced gun and fired once. The guard fell to the floor, dead silent.
Blaze didn't even blink. His eyes scanned the room, noticing everything. The dim lights, the dark wooden desk, the shiny shelves filled with legal papers and contracts. But none of that mattered to him. Tonight, he had one goal: not just to take out Romano, but to tear down his entire operation. He walked over to the bookshelves, pulling out file after file. Nothing useful. Just boring business stuff, tax papers, and corporate junk. It all looked important, but Blaze knew better. He'd been at this game too long to fall for someone trying to hide behind paperwork.
Blaze's hand landed on something different-a blue file tucked between two thick binders. His pulse quickened as he pulled it out and flipped it open, moving with the ease of someone who had seen plenty of dirty stuff before.
The file had exactly what he'd hoped for -proof of Romano's illegal dealings, embezzlement, connections to politicians, and a network of extortion, blackmail, and bribes. It was more than enough to take down Romano and all his associates. Blaze felt a surge of satisfaction as he read through it. This was it- the final piece of the puzzle.
As Blaze flipped through the pages, his mind raced, putting all the pieces together. This wasn't just about power; it was about control. Romano had been too careless and too full of himself to keep his secrets safe. Now, Blaze had it all-every name, every account, every shady deal. The idea of what he could do with this info made him grin. This was his win. But just as he was about to head for the door, heavy footsteps stopped him in his tracks.
The door burst open, and there stood Romano, his face white and his eyes wide with fear. He tried to speak, but at first, nothing came out. Seeing the man who caused so much trouble in Blaze's life, now looking scared, made Blaze feel a surge of satisfaction. Blaze watched as Romano's eyes scanned the room, probably figuring out he was in trouble. It was obvious now: there was no way out. Blaze had him trapped.
"Blaze..." Romano stammered, his voice shaking. "You can't do this. You don't get who you're dealing with. You don't know what I've built..." Blaze stood still, his face like ice, showing nothing. He looked totally at ease, like he'd been in this situation before.
He knew the game. Romano, on the other hand, was panicking. His words weren't doing anything. Blaze took a slow step closer, still holding the blue file. He felt its weight, its power, and he savored the moment. Romano was backed into a corner, and Blaze had all the control.
"Long time no see, Romano," Blaze said, his voice low and smooth, almost like he was savoring the moment. He had a grin playing on his lips. "You look surprised. Didn't think you'd be the type to get caught off guard." Romano's face showed a mix of fear and anger.
His hand was shaking as he reached for something-Blaze could see the panic in his eyes. Maybe he was going for a weapon, maybe he was looking for a way out, but it didn't matter. It was all over. "You-you don't get it," Romano stammered, struggling to speak. "I'll give you everything, take them all, Blaze. I can-"
Blaze laughed quietly, a dark and almost affectionate sound. "Everything? Do you think I need money, House or your men Romano? I've always had more than enough, but that's not why I'm here." Blaze's eyes locked onto Romano's with a cold, intense stare.
"I'm here because you went too far. You played this entire game and now it's time to end it." Romano stepped forward, desperate, reaching for something-maybe his last bit of dignity, maybe one last chance to make a deal but Blaze didn't budge. Instead, he leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper.
"So sad," Blaze said, his voice sharp and final. "This is the last time we'll be seeing eachother." Romano's face contorted, his mouth opening like he wanted to speak, but he was too slow. Blaze grabbed Romano by the collar and pulled him close, staring into his eyes, seeing the fear grow. Romano's breathing turned into ragged gasps, and Blaze could see his knees starting to give out. But it was too late. Blaze had the strings holding Romano.
With one last move, Blaze pushed Romano back into the chair behind the desk. Romano tried to get up, tried to close the distance, but Blaze was already ahead of him. In one smooth motion, Blaze pulled out his gun and aimed it with deadly accuracy. Romano froze, his eyes wide and full of fear, but Blaze didn't need to hear any more. He'd already made up his mind. The shot echoed through the room..
Romano slumped forward in his chair, lifeless in an instant, blood gushing out his skull. Blaze stood over him for a moment, looking down at the man who used to be so powerful and untouchable. Now, he was just a small part of Blaze's rise to the top. Holding the file tight, Blaze turned and left the office. He could hear his men cleaning up the rest of the hideout, but it didn't matter right now. The war was over. Romano was finished.
Blaze smiled to himself.
One more to go.
Author's Note :
Happy reading everyone:)
Here's Blaze, I know took too much time to made his entry:(
What is happening with Savannnah?
Find it in the next chapter;)
Stay tuned, if you like the story please add it to your libraries I'd appreciate it:)
Have a good day/night <3<3