Shadows in the Night

The mansion was shrouded in a heavy silence as the events from the docks continued to linger in everyone's minds. It wasn't just the battle that left a mark—it was Maria's chilling promise that haunted us.

I sat by the grand window in Dante's study, watching the moonlight cast shadows over the estate grounds. My heart was still racing from the chaos earlier, but my mind wouldn't stop replaying Maria's words: "I'll destroy everything you love before I come for you."

Dante stood by his desk, his sharp features illuminated by the dim lamp. His hands were braced against the polished wood, and his eyes were fixed on a map sprawled out before him.

"Maria's regrouping," he said finally, breaking the silence. "She'll strike again soon, and it'll be worse than tonight."

I turned to face him, my voice steady. "Then we need to strike first."

Dante's gaze flicked to me, a mixture of surprise and approval in his expression. "You're not afraid of her."

"She's trying to intimidate us," I said, rising to my feet. "But if we let her keep the upper hand, she'll only get bolder. We can't let that happen."

A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "You're stronger than I ever gave you credit for."

---

Preparing for the Next Move

The following day, the mansion buzzed with a renewed sense of purpose. Dante called a meeting with his most trusted allies—Victor included. Despite the unease his presence still stirred in some, his knowledge of Maria's tactics had already proven invaluable.

The dining room had been converted into a makeshift war room, with maps, blueprints, and photographs spread across the massive table. Dante stood at the head, his presence commanding as he outlined our next move.

"We know Maria's next likely target is the shipping lanes," he said, his voice sharp and decisive. "We've cut off her supply routes, but she's desperate. She'll try to take them back by force."

Victor leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed. "She won't come through the main routes," he said. "Maria's predictable, but she's not stupid. She'll use the back channels."

Dante nodded. "Which is why we'll set up an ambush there."

I listened intently, my mind racing with possibilities. It wasn't just about the logistics—it was about the risk. Every move we made put us closer to victory, but it also brought us closer to danger.

"What about her alliances?" I asked, my voice cutting through the conversation. "She's not doing this alone. If we can weaken her support, she won't be able to keep fighting."

Victor smirked, his eyes glinting with amusement. "She's learning fast," he said to Dante.

"She's right," Dante said, ignoring Victor's comment. "If we can turn her allies against her, she'll have no choice but to retreat."

---

The Unexpected Visitor

As the meeting broke up, I lingered in the room, studying the map of the back channels. Dante's men filed out one by one, leaving only Dante, Victor, and me.

"You're getting too involved in this," Dante said quietly, his eyes narrowing at me.

"This involves me too," I replied, meeting his gaze. "I'm not just going to sit on the sidelines."

Before he could argue, the door to the dining room swung open, and one of the guards stepped inside. "Sir, there's someone here to see you," he said, his tone hesitant.

"Who is it?" Dante asked, his voice sharp.

The guard shifted uncomfortably. "It's...a woman. She says she has information about Maria."

Dante's expression darkened. "Bring her in."

Moments later, a tall, striking woman stepped into the room. Her long, dark hair framed her angular face, and her piercing eyes scanned the room with an air of confidence. She was dressed in all black, her movements fluid and calculated.

"My name is Elena," she said, her voice smooth and confident. "And I have something you'll want to hear."

Victor straightened in his chair, his eyes narrowing. "Elena Russo," he said, his tone laced with suspicion.

"You know her?" I asked, glancing between them.

"She's one of Maria's former lieutenants," Victor said. "She worked closely with her for years."

Dante's expression remained unreadable as he studied Elena. "What are you doing here?" he asked.

"I'm here because I want Maria gone just as much as you do," Elena replied, her gaze unwavering.

---

A Deal with the Devil

Elena's presence was met with mixed reactions. Dante's men were suspicious, and Victor was openly hostile, but Dante seemed intrigued.

"She betrayed Maria before," Victor said. "How do we know she won't betray us too?"

"I have nothing to gain from helping Maria," Elena said, her tone calm but firm. "She's become reckless and paranoid. She's burning bridges with her allies, and it's only a matter of time before she turns on me too."

"And why should we trust you?" Dante asked, his voice cold.

Elena's lips curved into a small, knowing smile. "Because I can give you something no one else can: the location of Maria's safe house."

The room fell silent. Even Victor seemed momentarily stunned.

"She moves around constantly," Elena continued. "But I know where she's been hiding. If you want to take her down, this is your chance."

Dante leaned back in his chair, his dark eyes studying Elena carefully. "What do you want in return?"

"Protection," Elena said simply. "Once Maria finds out I've betrayed her, she'll come for me. I need your guarantee that I'll be safe."

Dante didn't respond immediately. He glanced at me, his expression unreadable, before turning back to Elena.

"We'll discuss this further," he said finally. "For now, you'll stay here under guard. If you're lying, you'll regret it."

Elena nodded, seemingly unfazed by the threat. "Fair enough."

---

The Calm Before the Storm

Later that night, I found myself back in Dante's study, unable to sleep. The weight of everything was pressing down on me, and I couldn't shake the feeling that we were walking into a trap.

"You're still up," Dante said as he entered the room, closing the door behind him.

"I couldn't sleep," I admitted.

He poured himself a glass of whiskey and took a seat across from me. "You're worried about Elena."

"I'm worried about all of it," I said. "Maria, Elena, the ambush...it feels like we're being pulled in a hundred different directions."

Dante's expression softened slightly. "This isn't your fight," he said quietly. "You don't have to carry this burden."

I met his gaze, my voice firm. "It is my fight, Dante. Maria made it personal when she came after us. And I'm not going to let her win."

For a moment, he said nothing. Then he reached across the table and took my hand in his, his touch warm and steady.

"We'll get through this," he said, his voice low but resolute. "Together."