Chereads / Blooming in shadows / Chapter 34 - Chapter 34: The Final Stand

Chapter 34 - Chapter 34: The Final Stand

Benjamin's team worked tirelessly through the night. The failure to capture Moriarti during the last operation left the Mafia King with a burning rage that refused to be extinguished. He sat at the head of the table in his war room, a dark and brooding presence that silenced the room without effort.

"Elias," Benjamin barked, his voice cutting through the tense atmosphere. "Where's the intel on Moriarti's movements?"

Elias, unfazed by the intensity of Benjamin's gaze, tapped on his tablet. "We intercepted chatter about a private jet scheduled to leave from an abandoned airstrip at dawn. It's Moriarti's escape route."

Benjamin leaned forward, his sharp eyes narrowing. "How reliable is this intel?"

"Very. We cross-checked it with activity in the area—movement of guards, supply trucks, and increased communication. It matches Moriarti's patterns," Elias confirmed.

"Good." Benjamin stood, his commanding presence energizing the room. "This ends now. We strike before dawn."

---

The airstrip was surrounded by dense woods, making it an ideal location for clandestine activities. Benjamin and his team arrived under the cover of darkness, their movements swift and silent. The mission was clear: capture Moriarti and dismantle his network once and for all.

Benjamin's heart pounded as he crouched behind a stack of cargo crates, surveying the area. The plane sat on the tarmac, its engines humming softly. Guards patrolled the perimeter, their weapons gleaming under the harsh floodlights.

"Positions?" Benjamin whispered into his comms.

"West sector clear," Elias replied.

"East secured," another team member confirmed.

"South gate neutralized," a third voice added.

Benjamin smirked. "Perfect. On my signal, we move in."

The signal came in the form of a single, silenced shot that took out a guard stationed near the plane. Chaos erupted as the team stormed the airstrip, their precision and coordination overpowering Moriarti's men.

---

Inside the woods, Clara sat in the surveillance van, her hands clenched into fists. She had insisted on being part of the operation, refusing to stay behind after the close call Benjamin had faced in the last mission.

"Are you sure about this?" Elias had asked her earlier, his tone skeptical.

Clara had nodded, her determination unwavering. "I need to see this through. Benjamin needs me, even if it's from a distance."

Now, as she monitored the feeds from the team's body cams, she couldn't tear her eyes away from Benjamin's screen. His movements were a blend of calculated precision and raw power, each action bringing them closer to their target.

"Come back to me," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the sounds of the operation.

---

Inside the airstrip's hangar, Benjamin found Moriarti. The crime lord was standing near a sleek black car, his signature arrogance unshaken despite the chaos around him.

"Benjamin," Moriarti said, his tone mocking as he adjusted the cuffs of his tailored suit. "You're more persistent than I gave you credit for."

"Your empire ends tonight," Benjamin replied, his voice cold.

Moriarti chuckled. "You really think it's that simple? My network is vast, my reach unstoppable. Even if you take me down, another will rise to take my place."

Benjamin raised his gun, his aim steady. "Then I'll take them down too."

Before Moriarti could respond, one of his men lunged at Benjamin from behind. The Mafia King spun around, dispatching the attacker with ruthless efficiency. But the distraction allowed Moriarti to make a run for it.

---

The chase spilled out onto the tarmac, the roar of the plane's engines filling the air. Benjamin pursued Moriarti, his long strides closing the distance between them.

"Moriarti!" Benjamin shouted, his voice cutting through the noise.

The crime lord turned, his face twisted with fury. "You'll regret this, Benjamin!"

Moriarti drew a weapon, firing wildly. Benjamin ducked behind a stack of crates, returning fire with precision. The standoff escalated, their bullets carving through the night.

---

Clara watched the scene unfold on the screen, her heart racing. She felt helpless, unable to do anything but pray that Benjamin would come out of this alive.

Suddenly, she noticed something on another camera feed. A group of Moriarti's men was sneaking up behind Benjamin's position.

"Benjamin, watch your back!" Clara shouted into the comms.

Benjamin reacted instantly, turning to take out the approaching enemies. His efficiency was brutal, his movements a deadly dance honed by years of experience.

"Thanks, Clara," he said, his voice steady despite the chaos.

"Just come back safe," she replied, her voice tinged with emotion.

---

As the battle raged on, Moriarti made a final dash for the plane. Benjamin saw him and sprinted after him, his determination unyielding.

The two men clashed at the base of the boarding stairs, their fight a brutal exchange of blows. Moriarti fought with the desperation of a man cornered, but Benjamin's strength and skill gave him the upper hand.

With a final, crushing punch, Benjamin sent Moriarti sprawling to the ground.

"It's over," Benjamin said, his voice cold and final.

Moriarti glared up at him, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. "You think you've won? This is only the beginning."

Benjamin didn't respond. He signaled to his team, who moved in to secure Moriarti and his remaining men.

---

The sun was rising by the time the operation was complete. The plane was grounded, the guards were subdued, and Moriarti was in custody.

Benjamin stood on the tarmac, his chest heaving as he surveyed the scene. The fight was over, but the weight of his decisions pressed heavily on his shoulders.

Clara ran to him, her relief evident in the tears streaming down her face.

"You did it," she said, throwing her arms around him.

"We did it," Benjamin corrected, holding her tightly.

As the first rays of sunlight broke through the horizon, Benjamin knew this was a new beginning. Moriarti's reign of terror was over, and the future was theirs to shape.

But even in victory, Benjamin's mind was sharp, his thoughts already shifting to the next battle. For in their world, peace was never permanent.