57

57
Alaric’s POV
The sun was setting when Allesio walked into my study, a grim expression on his face. He looked tired, like he’d been running on fumes, but there was a glint in his eyes that told me he’d found something worth all the effort.
“We’ve got a lead,” he said without preamble, dropping a crumpled piece of paper onto the desk in front of me.
I picked it up, smoothing out the wrinkles. It was an address scrawled in a hasty, almost frantic hand. I could picture the informant Allesio had likely cornered-desperate to save his own skin, stuttering out information in exchange for a chance to breathe another day.
“What’s this?” I asked, even though I already knew. My pulse quickened.
“An old safehouse,” Allesio explained. “Used to belong to one of your former associates before the Nightshade Syndicate took over. It’s not one of their main hubs, but it’s where they’ve been regrouping, lying low while they plan their next move.”
I nodded, standing up and grabbing my coat. “Then I’m going.”
Allesio’s eyes narrowed. “Alaric, I don’t think-”
“I didn’t ask what you think,” I interrupted, pulling on the coat with a final, decisive tug. “If they’re regrouping there, then they’re vulnerable. This might be our best chance to get the upper hand before they strike again.”
He looked like he wanted to argue, but he knew better. Instead, he nodded sharply. “I’ll get a team together-”
“No,” I cut him off again. “I’m going alone.”
He stared at me, incredulous. “You can’t be serious.”
“Do I look like I’m joking?” I shot back. “This is our only chance to catch them off-guard. If I roll in with a full team, we’ll lose that advantage. I need to do this quietly.”
He opened his mouth to protest, but the sound of footsteps behind us made both of us turn. Emilia stood in the doorway, arms crossed, eyes blazing with a defiance that was becoming all too familiar.
“You’re not going alone,” she said, her voice leaving no room for argument.
“Emilia,” I started, exasperated. “This isn’t a discussion. You’re staying here.”
She stepped closer, squaring her shoulders. “You don’t get to decide that.”
“The hell I don’t,” I snapped. “It’s too dangerous. You know what these people are capable of. If something happens to you-”
“If something happens to me,” she interrupted, “then it’s better that I’m there and can defend myself rather than sitting here, waiting like a helpless idiot.”
I clenched my jaw, trying to keep my temper in check. “This isn’t about you being helpless. It’s about not taking unnecessary risks.”
“You’re the one taking an unnecessary risk by going alone,” she shot back. “So either I’m coming with you, or you’re not going at all.”
I stared at her, the words caught in my throat. She was infuriating, stubborn beyond belief, but there was something else in her eyes-something that looked a lot like fear. Not fear for herself, but for me. And that’s what made me pause.
“You can’t stop me,” she said quietly, softer now but just as firm. “And you know it.”
She was right. I hated it, but she was right. I exhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Fine,” I muttered. “But you stay close. You follow my lead, and you do exactly as I say. No arguments.”
“Deal,” she agreed, a flicker of relief crossing her face before she masked it with a determined nod.
Allesio looked between us, clearly not thrilled with this turn of events, but he knew better than to get involved. “I’ll be on standby,” he said, his voice resigned. “If you’re not back in an hour, I’m coming in with the cavalry.”
“Understood,” I replied, already moving past him, Emilia right on my heels.
The drive to the safehouse was quiet. I could feel Emilia glancing at me every so often, like she was trying to read my mind. I kept my eyes on the road, gripping the steering wheel tighter than necessary. Part of me wanted to turn the car around, drop her back at the mansion, and lock her in her room if that’s what it took to keep her safe. But I knew it was too late for that. She was here now, and there was no backing out.
When we arrived, the building looked abandoned-windows boarded up, paint peeling from the walls. It was the kind of place people walked past without a second glance, which made it perfect for what the Syndicate needed. I parked a block away, cutting the engine and turning to Emilia.
“Remember what I said,” I told her. “You stick to me like glue. We get the information we need, and we leave. No heroics.”
She rolled her eyes but nodded. “Got it.”
We slipped out of the car and moved quickly, keeping to the shadows. I could feel the adrenaline kicking in, sharpening my senses. I scanned the area, but it was quiet-too quiet. My instincts screamed that this was a trap, but it was a risk I was willing to take if it meant getting closer to dismantling the Syndicate.
We reached the back entrance, and I motioned for Emilia to stay behind me. I tested the door-it was unlocked, swinging open with a creak that set my teeth on edge. I stepped inside, pulling her in after me, and we crept down a narrow hallway, the air thick with the scent of damp and mold.
The first sign of trouble was the murmur of voices echoing from a room at the end of the hall. I held up a hand, signaling Emilia to stop, and edged closer to the door. Peering through the crack, I could see three men-low-level members, judging by their cheap suits and twitchy demeanor.
“This is a waste of time,” one of them was saying. “We should’ve left already. If Alaric finds out we’re here-”
“He won’t,” another snapped. “We’ve got orders to stay put until the boss gives the signal. You want to go against that?”
The first man scowled but didn’t argue. I turned back to Emilia, my mind racing. This was our chance.
I gestured for her to stay quiet and pushed the door open, stepping inside before they had a chance to react. Emilia was right behind me. They froze, eyes wide with shock.
“Evening, gentlemen,” I said calmly, but my voice carried a dangerous edge. “We need to have a little chat.”
The one who’d spoken first recovered quickly, reaching for a weapon, but I was faster. I slammed him against the wall, twisting his arm behind his back until he yelped in pain.
“You’re going to tell me everything you know about the Syndicate’s plans,” I said, my voice deadly calm. “Or I’ll make sure you regret it.”
The other two looked like they wanted to bolt, but Emilia stepped forward, blocking their path. There was a fierceness in her eyes that surprised even me.
“Don’t try it,” she warned, her voice cold and steady. “You won’t make it far.”
The man in my grip struggled, but I tightened my hold, making him gasp. “Talk,” I ordered.
He spat on the floor but then winced when I twisted his arm further. “Alright, alright!” he panted. “They’ve got a meeting planned. They’re regrouping, trying to rebuild after you tore apart their last operation. The boss thinks you’re vulnerable because you’ve got people you care about now.”
My blood ran cold, but I didn’t let it show. “Who’s behind this?” I demanded.
He hesitated, but when I pressed harder, he yelped again. “It’s Valenti,” he finally blurted out. “He’s the one pulling the strings.”
Valenti. An old ally, now turned enemy. The betrayal cut deeper than I wanted to admit. I released the man with a shove, watching him crumple to the floor.
“You made a mistake coming here,” I told him. “And you’re going to pay for it.”
Emilia grabbed my arm. “Alaric, we need to go. We’ve got what we came for.”
I nodded, but the fury boiling inside me was hard to tamp down. Still, I let her pull me toward the door. I paused before we stepped outside, fishing out my gun and pulling the trigger, shooting the three of them and ignoring Emilia’s wide eyes as I shrugged out of her hold, stalking off.