Shadows of the Past

The next few days felt like a blur of tension and anticipation. Dante had given me the task of finding Alina, but I was also aware of the fact that time was not on our side. Every hour spent searching for her was an hour Viktor could use to make his next move, and I wasn't about to sit idly by while he came for us.

I spent the majority of the day meeting with my contacts, tracing every lead I could find about Alina's whereabouts. Information was scarce, but it was clear she had been living under the radar for years, distancing herself from her brother's empire. But it wasn't just about finding her—Dante needed to ensure she would be willing to help us, and I wasn't sure how we would convince her to turn on Viktor.

I stood at the window in the office, my thoughts swirling, when I heard a soft knock on the door. I turned to see Dante standing there, his usual intense gaze softening when he saw me.

"I've arranged a meeting with one of my old associates," he said, stepping into the room. "He might have some information on Alina. We need to get to her before Viktor does."

I nodded, my stomach tightening. "What's the plan?"

Dante's expression darkened, his jaw tightening in frustration. "We find her. We make sure she knows that helping us is her best chance at survival. And if she refuses... we'll have to use force."

I had no doubt Dante was prepared for that outcome, but the thought of pushing someone into such a dangerous position made my stomach churn. "Are you sure that's the only option?"

He looked at me, his gaze steady but filled with an intensity that made me uneasy. "Viktor won't stop until he has us cornered. And if Alina knows anything about his plans, then we need her—whether she likes it or not."

I could sense the weight of the decision in his voice, but I knew there was no turning back. I trusted Dante with everything, but this mission felt different. It felt like we were walking on the edge of a razor blade, where one wrong move could send us tumbling into chaos.

I took a deep breath and nodded. "Let's get started then."

Dante led me through the back corridors of the mansion, and we entered the private study where his associate was waiting. The man, dressed in a sharp suit, rose from his chair when we walked in. His eyes flickered between Dante and me before he gave a respectful nod.

"This is Marco," Dante introduced, his voice low. "He has connections in the underground. If anyone can help us track down Alina, it's him."

Marco's eyes studied me for a moment before he addressed Dante. "I've been keeping an eye on Viktor's network for years. Alina's a ghost. But I've managed to uncover something that might be useful."

He pulled out a file from his briefcase and slid it across the table toward us. I leaned forward, my pulse quickening as I opened it. There were several photographs—some blurry, others clearer—of a woman who could only be Alina. It wasn't just her appearance that caught my attention, but the places she had been seen: a quiet, almost forgotten neighborhood on the outskirts of the city.

"Is this where she's been hiding?" I asked, my voice steady despite the unease stirring in my chest.

Marco nodded. "This is the last confirmed location of her. But be careful. She's been hiding for a reason. Viktor's enemies know about her, and they'll want to use her to get to him."

Dante leaned back in his chair, studying the photographs with a calculating look. "I'll send a team. But we'll need to move fast."

I felt a pang of unease settle in my stomach. This wasn't just about finding Alina anymore—it was about making sure we didn't fall into Viktor's trap. But as much as I feared the risks, I knew we had no choice but to press forward.

"We'll need to be prepared for anything," I said, standing up. "If Viktor knows about her location, then he's already planning something."

Dante's eyes met mine, and I could see the determination burning in them. "We'll be ready. But first, we find her. Then we deal with whatever comes next."

Hours later, Dante and I, along with a small team of trusted men, made our way to the location Marco had provided. The area was a quiet residential block, almost forgotten by the rest of the city. As we parked a few blocks away, I couldn't help but feel a chill settle in the air, like we were being watched from the shadows.

Dante gave me a sharp look, his hand on the hilt of his gun as we made our way toward the building where Alina had been spotted last. We moved quickly, covering our tracks and staying out of sight. The air was thick with tension, and every corner we turned felt like we were walking into a trap.

"We're getting close," Dante whispered as we reached the building's entrance. His voice was calm, but there was a tightness to it that suggested he was on edge.

I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest. I couldn't shake the feeling that Alina might not be as innocent as we hoped. And even if she was, there was no guarantee she would be willing to help us—not when her brother was a force of nature.

With a quick nod, Dante gestured for the men to fan out, and we entered the building cautiously, ready for whatever awaited us.