Crimson vows

ing Marco Vitale's hard silhouette. Overhead, recessed lights glinted off framed photographs of past deals and str

zo's dark eyes were razor‑sharp beneath his smooth brow; Dante's posture trembled ever so slightly, the weight of his earlier hesitation still fresh

rge satellite image of the docks projected onto the wall. Shipping containers stretched like monoliths across concrete, cranes arched overhead like metal

-trained to subdue any threat silently." He flicked a laser pointer to a cluster of containers. "Isabella's lead told us they're staging the boy behind Con

rvice door. Enzo, your men hold the west side. I'll lead. We neutralize guards

every Serpent operative-dismantle their chain of command to

team to the container location. None of you know these docks like I do. I spent month

ow. "You sure you wa

yes. "I'm the mother. I'm going in. I won't let

cover your tracks. Do not get caught." His voice held gratitude and warning

pressed togeth

traffic feeds, and a large table held tactical gear: night‑vision goggles, suppressed pistols, lock‑picks, and earpieces. The air smelled of gun oil and

y twenty minutes. After that, only the shipment doors-weak latch mechanism." He tapped another spot. "The Serpents keep

l have my team breach that hatch. They'll drop in

e wrong side-overhead, yes, but it ov

. "What do y

in red. "Here. The vents lead behind the container block. I spent a week mapping the air duc

risky-ventilation shafts ge

Risky is better than walki

he route. "We'll go with Isabella's way in. Dante, you'll lead the insertion team throug

cross his face. Enzo's eyes narrowed but he s

ne: insertion. Phase Two: secure child. Phase Three: extraction."

nchor and his betrayal-and allowed himself a

clang of a forklift punctuating the night. They wore dark tactical gear-Isabella's blazer replaced by a fitted black jacket, earpiece

thermal scope. "Everything looks

a nod with Isabe

rance. Marco paused at the grate, shining a small flashlight through the mesh. Isabella knel

she murmured. "

. Isabella followed, her chest tight but steady; Marco dropped in las

narrow tunnel. The duct walls scraped their shoulders. Isabella led, drawing on every memory of her

eper, dependent on her knowledge. Two minutes later, they halted above the conta

lla breathed. "Tw

ck, extracting a smal

y. Dante placed the charge against the grille and retreated. A s

crates. Isabella followed, crouching beside him. Below, tw

ainer's door, her knife at the ready. The latch was old and unlocked; she twisted it open. Inside, a single bare bulb cast

oice cracking. He scrambled f

ms, kissing his curls. "Shh

, then one. Extraction code. Enzo's voice crackled

he corridor entrance. He raised his weapon, about to shout. Marco was already moving-fluid, unstoppable.

whirled. Dante and Enzo opened fire, silent rounds cutting the

Marco

close behind. Marco paused long enough to fire a single shot at a distant spotlight, plunging th

ealing the vent. On the docks below, lig

aline subsided. The boy's small arms tight

rehead. "I'm here

ext junction, voice a rou

glistening in night‑vi

g across his features. "Th

ises' secure wing. Enzo met them with a first‑aid kit; Marco carried Isab

standby," Dant

beside them, brushing back curls. He looked to Isabella,

e whispered. "

s hand. "We di

e, a mother watched with fierce relief, and two lieutenants stood guard-bo