Shadows and Fire

The woman's laughter echoed in the cavernous factory, sharp and cutting like the blade she wielded. Her dark eyes glittered with amusement as she took a step closer, the knife gleaming in the dim light.

"Such bravery," she sneered, her gaze flicking to the gun in my hands. "But do you have the resolve to pull the trigger?"

I didn't answer, my grip tightening on the pistol. Every nerve in my body was on high alert, the weight of the weapon heavy but strangely grounding. Behind me, Dante groaned, a sharp reminder of how dire the situation was.

"Last chance," I said, my voice firm. "Walk away."

The woman tilted her head, as though considering my words, before lunging toward me with terrifying speed. My body moved on instinct. I pulled the trigger.

The sound of the gunshot reverberated through the factory, deafening in the enclosed space. The woman staggered, her knife clattering to the floor as she clutched her shoulder, blood seeping between her fingers.

"You little—" she hissed, but I didn't give her a chance to finish.

I stepped forward, the barrel of the gun aimed squarely at her chest. My hands were shaking, but my resolve didn't waver.

"Stay down," I ordered, my voice sharp. "Or the next one won't miss."

---

Dante's Struggle

Behind me, Dante tried to push himself up, his movements slow and pained. I glanced over my shoulder, torn between keeping my focus on the threat in front of me and helping him.

"Elizabeth…" he rasped, his voice strained. "You shouldn't be here."

"Quiet," I snapped, my eyes never leaving the woman. "I'm not leaving without you."

The woman chuckled darkly, her free hand raised in mock surrender. "You've got spirit, I'll give you that. But you have no idea what you're up against."

"Then enlighten me," I said coldly.

"Maria's not done with him," she said, nodding toward Dante. "This is just the beginning. Do you think you can protect him? You don't have the stomach for what's coming."

Her words sent a chill down my spine, but I didn't let it show.

"Get out," I said, motioning toward the exit with the gun. "Now."

The woman hesitated, her eyes darting between me and Dante, before she began to back away.

"This isn't over," she said, her voice dripping with malice. "Maria always gets what she wants."

I waited until she disappeared into the shadows before lowering the gun. My hands were trembling uncontrollably now, the adrenaline leaving me shaky and breathless.

---

Escape

I turned to Dante, who was leaning heavily against the pillar, his face pale and drenched in sweat.

"We need to get out of here," I said, kneeling beside him.

Dante's lips curved into a faint, sardonic smile. "You've got good aim."

"Don't distract me," I said sharply, wrapping an arm around his waist to help him stand.

He groaned but didn't resist, his weight pressing against me as we made our way toward the exit. The sound of sirens in the distance spurred me on, and I gritted my teeth as we staggered out into the night.

One of Dante's black SUVs was still parked outside, its windows shattered but otherwise functional. I helped him into the passenger seat, my heart pounding as I climbed behind the wheel.

The drive back to the mansion was a blur, my mind racing as I replayed the events of the night. Dante was silent beside me, his breathing shallow but steady.

---

The Fallout

By the time we reached the mansion, Dante's men were waiting at the gates, their expressions grim as they rushed to help. Matteo appeared out of nowhere, his face a mixture of relief and fury as he helped pull Dante from the car.

"What the hell happened?" Matteo demanded, his eyes darting to me.

"An ambush," I said tersely. "Maria's people were waiting for him."

Matteo swore under his breath, his hands clenching into fists. "She's getting bolder."

"She's not just bold," Dante muttered, his voice hoarse. "She's desperate."

I followed them into the mansion, hovering in the background as the in-house medic was called to tend to Dante's wounds. I wanted to stay by his side, but Matteo's sharp look stopped me in my tracks.

"Let them work," he said, his tone gentler than usual. "He'll be fine."

---

The Confrontation

Later that night, I found Matteo in the study, his phone pressed to his ear as he barked orders. When he saw me, he ended the call abruptly, his expression hardening.

"You shouldn't have been there," he said, his voice low but laced with anger.

"I couldn't sit here and do nothing," I shot back. "He could've died, Matteo."

"And you could've died, too," he retorted. "Do you think Dante would forgive himself if something happened to you?"

His words hit me like a slap, and I looked away, guilt twisting in my chest.

"I couldn't lose him," I whispered.

Matteo's shoulders sagged, and he ran a hand through his hair, his anger giving way to exhaustion.

"None of us can," he said quietly. "That's why we need to be smarter. Maria won't stop, Elizabeth. You saw that tonight."

I nodded, my resolve hardening. "Then we'll stop her first."

---

Dante's Resolve

The following morning, I found Dante in the library, a glass of whiskey in his hand despite the early hour. His shirt was unbuttoned, revealing the fresh bandages on his side.

"You should be resting," I said, stepping into the room.

He looked up, his dark eyes meeting mine. "I've rested enough."

I crossed the room and sat beside him, my hand brushing against his. "Last night was too close, Dante."

"I know," he said quietly. "And it won't happen again."

There was a weight to his words, a quiet fury that sent a shiver down my spine.

"What's the plan?" I asked, knowing there was no point in trying to dissuade him.

His lips curved into a cold, dangerous smile. "Maria made her move. Now it's my turn."