Liza drove through the winding streets, her mind racing. Viktor's message had been vague, but the implication was clear—they had a lead on Christoph, a breakthrough that could tilt the scales in their favor. As she approached the safe house, tucked away in a quiet part of the city, her heart pounded with anticipation and a hint of fear.
The safe house was a nondescript building, surrounded by towering trees that shielded it from prying eyes. Liza parked her car and stepped out, the weight of their mission settling heavily on her shoulders. She wasn't just seeking revenge anymore—she was walking deeper into Viktor's world, where danger lurked around every corner.
Viktor was already waiting inside, his expression serious as he stood over a table covered in maps and documents. His blue eyes flickered up when he saw her, and a small, almost imperceptible smile tugged at his lips.
"You're on time," he said, his voice low and steady. "Good."
Liza stepped closer, her gaze shifting to the scattered papers. "What's the lead?"
Viktor's fingers brushed over a photograph—one of Christoph's most trusted associates, a man Liza had only seen in passing. His name was Marco, and he had always been at Christoph's side, quietly observing, rarely speaking.
"We've been tracking Marco," Viktor explained. "He's been moving large sums of money through offshore accounts—money that doesn't match Christoph's legitimate business dealings."
Liza frowned, her mind racing to connect the dots. "So Christoph is laundering money?"
"More than that," Viktor replied, his voice hardening. "He's funding something—something big. Arms deals, maybe, or trafficking. We don't have all the details yet, but it's not legal."
Her pulse quickened as she realized the gravity of the situation. Christoph wasn't just a corporate player; he was deeply entrenched in illegal activities, far more dangerous than she had imagined.
"What's the plan?" she asked, her voice steady despite the growing tension in her chest.
Viktor leaned closer, his eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine. "We get Marco to talk. If we can find out where the money is going, we'll have enough leverage to take Christoph down for good."
Liza's stomach churned. "And how do we get Marco to talk?"
Viktor's expression darkened, his jaw tightening. "We make him."
There was no mistaking the implication in his words. Viktor was prepared to do whatever it took to get the information they needed, and Liza knew that this was the point of no return. If they went after Marco, there would be no turning back, no more half-measures.
She took a deep breath, steadying herself. "When do we move?"
"Tonight," Viktor replied, his voice resolute. "We've been tracking his movements for weeks. He's meeting with someone at a private location outside the city. It's the perfect opportunity."
Liza nodded, the weight of their plan settling over her like a heavy cloak. She had come too far to back out now. Christoph's betrayal still burned like a fresh wound, and if Marco was the key to bringing him down, she would play her part.
---
The night was dark and moonless as Liza and Viktor approached the remote location where Marco's meeting was set to take place. The air was thick with tension, the kind that crackled like electricity before a storm. Liza's heart pounded in her chest, every sense heightened as they crept through the shadows.
The meeting spot was a derelict warehouse on the outskirts of the city, surrounded by overgrown vegetation and crumbling walls. It was the kind of place that would go unnoticed, the perfect backdrop for clandestine deals.
Liza's hands were clammy as she clutched the small pistol Viktor had given her earlier. She wasn't accustomed to this world of violence and subterfuge, but she had learned quickly. Viktor had taught her how to defend herself, how to handle a weapon, and now all that training was about to be tested.
"Stay close," Viktor whispered, his hand brushing hers as they moved silently through the night.
They reached the edge of the warehouse, crouching behind a stack of rusted metal containers. From their vantage point, they could see Marco pacing near a black SUV, his phone pressed to his ear as he spoke in hushed tones. Another man stood nearby, his posture tense, scanning the perimeter.
"This is it," Viktor murmured, his voice barely audible.
Liza's breath caught in her throat as she watched Marco, the man who held the key to Christoph's downfall. It was surreal to see him in person, after weeks of hearing his name, of tracking his movements. He seemed so ordinary, yet he was entangled in a web of crime that reached far beyond anything Liza had imagined.
Viktor's hand touched her shoulder, grounding her in the moment. "When I say go, we move in. Be ready."
She nodded, gripping the pistol tightly. Her heart was racing, adrenaline coursing through her veins. This was the moment everything had been leading to—the moment they would take control of the game.
Suddenly, Viktor signaled, and they moved as one, silent and swift. Viktor went for the man standing guard, taking him down with brutal efficiency. Liza's heart pounded as she followed, moving toward Marco, who had just realized what was happening.
Marco's eyes widened in shock, but before he could react, Viktor was on him, pinning him to the ground with a fierce grip. Liza stood nearby, her hands trembling as she watched Viktor take control of the situation with an almost terrifying precision.
"We're not here to kill you, Marco," Viktor growled, his voice deadly calm. "But you're going to tell us everything. If you don't, I'll make sure you wish you were dead."
Marco's face paled, his breath coming in ragged gasps. "I-I don't know anything—"
Viktor tightened his grip, cutting off Marco's protest. "You think I'm playing with you? I know you've been laundering money for Christoph. Now, where is it going?"
For a moment, Marco's eyes flickered with defiance, but the look in Viktor's eyes must have convinced him that resistance was futile. "Alright, alright," he gasped. "I'll tell you."
Liza's heart raced as she listened, her pulse thudding in her ears. This was it—the breakthrough they had been waiting for.
Marco spoke in halting sentences, his voice barely above a whisper. He revealed the locations of several offshore accounts, the names of shell companies, and, most importantly, the details of an upcoming arms deal—one that Christoph was orchestrating.
As the information spilled from Marco's lips, Liza felt a surge of triumph mixed with fear. They had the leverage they needed, but it came at a cost. The deeper they dug, the more dangerous the game became.
When Marco had given them everything he knew, Viktor stood, his expression cold and calculating. "You're done."
Liza felt a pang of unease. "What happens to him now?" she asked quietly, her gaze shifting to Marco, who was trembling on the ground.
Viktor's eyes met hers, and for a brief moment, the cold, ruthless mask slipped. "He's not our problem anymore," he said, his voice flat.
But the truth hung in the air between them. In this world, loose ends didn't survive long.