The night had never felt so heavy. Every minute that passed without news weighed on me like a lead blanket. Back at the compound, the hum of the radio carried updates from the dockyard where Dante's men clashed with Lorenzo's forces. The tension among the men left behind was palpable, their eyes darting toward the main gates as though they expected trouble to spill over at any moment.
I sat in Dante's study, staring at the clock. My fingers drummed against the armrest of the chair, a rhythm born out of my growing anxiety. The compound felt like it was holding its breath, waiting for a storm to hit.
---
The Radio Goes Silent
Nico's voice had been steady earlier in the night, issuing commands and reporting their progress. But now, there was only static. My stomach twisted as I leaned closer to the receiver, adjusting the knobs as if it would magically bring his voice back.
"Anything?" Adrian, one of Dante's trusted guards, asked as he stepped into the room.
I shook my head. "Nothing. It's been silent for the past ten minutes."
Adrian frowned, glancing toward the window. "That's not a good sign."
I couldn't argue. Dante had been so certain about his plan, but we both knew Lorenzo wasn't a man to be underestimated. My mind raced with worst-case scenarios, each one more terrifying than the last.
"Should we send reinforcements?" I asked.
Adrian hesitated. "That's not my call to make."
Frustration bubbled up inside me. "Then whose call is it? If we wait too long, it might be too late!"
"Dante gave strict orders to stay put unless he gave the signal," Adrian reminded me, his tone firm but not unkind. "We have to trust him."
Trust. The word felt like a bitter pill. I trusted Dante with my life, but that didn't make the waiting any easier.
---
A Sudden Intrusion
The silence was shattered by the sound of gunfire outside the compound. I jumped to my feet, my heart pounding. Adrian was already reaching for his weapon, his face grim.
"Stay here," he ordered, moving toward the door.
"Like hell I will," I shot back, grabbing the handgun Dante had insisted I learn to use.
Adrian didn't have time to argue. The sound of shouting and more gunfire grew louder, echoing through the walls. The compound was under attack.
---
The Fight for Survival
The hallways were chaos. Men rushed past, weapons drawn, shouting orders. I followed Adrian, my grip on the gun tight. The adrenaline coursing through my veins dulled the fear, replacing it with a single, burning thought: survive.
We reached the main courtyard just as Lorenzo's men breached the gates. The compound erupted into a full-blown battlefield. Bullets flew in every direction, and the air was thick with the acrid smell of gunpowder.
"Fall back to the inner defenses!" Adrian shouted, his voice cutting through the noise.
I ducked behind a pillar, my breath coming in short, sharp gasps. From my position, I could see the attackers pouring in, their sheer numbers overwhelming Dante's men. It was clear this wasn't just a diversion; Lorenzo had planned this assault with precision.
My mind raced. If Lorenzo was here, it meant he'd anticipated Dante's ambush at the dockyard. Had Dante walked into a trap? Was he even still alive?
---
A Glimmer of Hope
As I watched the chaos unfold, a familiar voice crackled over the radio clipped to Adrian's belt. "This is Nico. We're pulling back. Lorenzo's forces were waiting for us. We need backup!"
Relief and dread collided in my chest. Dante was still alive, but they were in trouble. Adrian grabbed the radio, shouting back, "The compound is under attack! Lorenzo hit us here too."
There was a pause, then Nico's voice came back, tight with urgency. "We're on our way. Hold the line until we get there."
I turned to Adrian. "How long will it take them to get back?"
"Too long," he said grimly.
---
The Enemy Within
As the battle raged on, it became clear that Lorenzo's men had inside information. They moved with alarming precision, targeting weak points in the compound's defenses. Someone had betrayed us.
"We need to secure the safe room," Adrian said, pulling me toward the inner building.
I resisted. "I'm not hiding while everyone else fights!"
"You're Dante's priority," he snapped. "If something happens to you, he'll kill me himself."
Before I could argue further, a group of Lorenzo's men rounded the corner, their weapons raised. Adrian shoved me behind him, firing off several shots. The attackers returned fire, forcing us to retreat.
We barely made it into the study before Adrian slammed the door shut, locking it behind us. "Stay here," he said, moving toward the desk where Dante kept a hidden stash of weapons.
I opened my mouth to protest, but the sound of footsteps outside the door silenced me. Adrian raised his gun, motioning for me to stay quiet. The door burst open, and chaos erupted.
---
A Narrow Escape
Adrian fought fiercely, taking down two of the attackers before a third managed to shoot him in the leg. He fell to the ground with a cry of pain, blood pooling around him. I didn't think—I just reacted. Raising my gun, I fired at the remaining attacker, my hands shaking but my aim true. The man dropped to the floor, and the room fell silent.
Adrian groaned, clutching his leg. "Nice shot," he muttered through gritted teeth.
I rushed to his side, tearing a strip of fabric from my shirt to bind the wound. "We need to get you out of here."
He shook his head. "You need to get out of here. There's a tunnel behind the bookcase. It leads to the forest outside the compound."
"I'm not leaving you," I said firmly.
"You don't have a choice," he said. "Lorenzo's men won't stop until they find you. If you stay, you're as good as dead."
---
The Tunnel
Reluctantly, I helped Adrian to his feet and moved toward the bookcase. Behind it was a narrow passage, dimly lit and barely wide enough to walk through. Adrian leaned heavily on me as we made our way through the tunnel, the sound of the battle growing fainter with each step.
When we finally emerged into the forest, the cool night air hit me like a slap. Adrian collapsed against a tree, his face pale from blood loss.
"You need to keep moving," he said weakly. "Find Dante. He'll know what to do."
Tears blurred my vision as I knelt beside him. "I'm not leaving you here."
"You have to," he insisted. "Dante would never forgive me if something happened to you."
---
A Desperate Gamble
I didn't have time to argue. The sound of footsteps in the distance told me Lorenzo's men were closing in. With one last glance at Adrian, I turned and ran, my heart pounding in my chest.
The forest was a labyrinth of shadows, and every rustling leaf sounded like a threat. I stumbled over roots and branches, my breath coming in ragged gasps. But I didn't stop. I couldn't.
Somehow, I made it to the edge of the forest, where the faint glow of headlights in the distance caught my attention. It was a convoy of cars—Dante's men returning from the dockyard.
I ran into the road, waving my arms frantically. The lead car screeched to a halt, and the door flew open. Nico stepped out, his face a mask of shock and relief.
"Elizabeth? What the hell are you doing out here?" he demanded.
"The compound," I gasped. "It's under attack."
Nico's expression darkened. "Get in the car. We're going back."
As I climbed into the passenger seat, my mind raced. The battle wasn't over yet, and I wasn't sure if we'd survive the next round.