Crimson vows

tack of rusted shipping crates. Moonlight shimmered on the water's surface, casting the old warehouse in a pale, spectral glow. Met

gh his comm. He pressed an ear to his radio, scanning the perimeter.

la-lean, focused-pressed a finger to her lips, then tapped her own holster. Enz

unch to the latch, the door shuttered o

amped with faded logos were stacked six feet high; a single overhead light flickered. In the far corner, a faint glow betra

rd the container, weapons drawn. Marco and Enzo covered the rear entran

the steel crate. Isabella sprang into action, weaving behind cover and firing two quick rou

e advanced on Isabella, knife in hand, but she sidestepped, drove the butt of her gun into his temple, and s

bullet ricocheted off metal, shredding a crate nearby. Enzo knocked him unconscious with the butt of his rifle. The sixth guard, s

leaving only the hiss of breathing and the distant lap

r was scattered with discarded blankets, the faint stain of spilled milk on the floor. Her br

she whisper

n, gone?" His pistol remained trained on the container's interior, b

searched this crate. I swear I left him he

r shoulder. "They must've taken him through the northwest

ner?" His voice echoed around the cavernous hall, heart‑poun

ng her stomach. "I had confirmation this

g! You led us into an empty warehouse!" His fingers curled around the coll

ared in her throat. "

unch!" He shook her until she bit back a scre

ying to ease the pressure. Tears spilled down her

killed." Marco released her abruptly; she stumbled back, clutching her jacket. He whirled

lla sank to her knees beside the empty crate, hands trembling. The faint whine

red at the empty crate, then at Isabella. Vulnerability flickered in his eyes-fatherly fear, pater

She reached for her gun, but Dante's hand closed around her wr

bowed. "I... I

t. "We'll get him back. But

t exits," he reported, voice quiet with disappointment. "They m

jaw was set, and though his eyes were stern, the storm within had receded into gr

ed. "Check every camera feed within a

ss," Enz

the floor. His hand tightened on her shoulder-gentle but u

, voice gravel‑rough. "Y

ief mixing with fres

d window, reliving every moment: her first careless miscalculation, the flash of triumph when the crate opened

pain flickering in his expression before he masked it with resolve. When they arrived at the safe ho

will run point on cameras." He released

cks, streets, and back alleys. Dante and Enzo sat before them, eyes strained. Marco joined them, removi

sed through Dock 8 around 1:15 AM-convoy of three black SUVs

edwood Way, then south on Garrick Road. Looks like

rst thing-at sunrise." He turned to Isab

exhaustion weighing heavy. "

e in him, a flicker of the man she'd loved before darkness consumed him. "I

eeting his eyes.

a small couch in the corner. She sank onto the cushions, drawing her knees to her

to do whatever it took to rebuild his trust. Dawn would bring

eyes fixed on the surveillance feeds. And on the couch, Isabella Moretti gathered her resolve, knowing that the nex