Dominic

20

_________

The weight of the message settles heavily between us, every word a calculated taunt. "You’re too late, . The deal dies at dawn."

The SUV speeds through the city, the tension inside thicker than the night air pressing against the windows. Eva’s hands are clenched in her lap, her green eyes scanning the phone screen again and again as if the message might change.

“It’s Falcon,” she says finally, her voice low but resolute.

“They’re always Falcon,” I reply, my grip tightening on the armrest. “But this time, we’re closing in.”

Eva’s gaze sharpens as she turns to face me. “Are we? Because right now, they’re leading, . Every time we get a step closer, they’re already three steps ahead.”

“They think they’re ahead,” I snap, meeting her eyes. “But they’ve underestimated me before, and that’s always their mistake.”

Adrian’s Revelation

My phone buzzes in my hand, Adrian’s name flashing across the screen. I answer immediately.

“What do you have?” I demand.

Adrian’s voice is crisp, though an edge of urgency bleeds through. “We’ve confirmed the Berlin location is tied to Falcon’s network. The accounts traced to that address have been linked to Reyes’s shell companies and multiple other offshore accounts. This isn’t just a base of operations—it’s a hub.”

“Are we sure Falcon is there?” Eva asks, leaning closer to the phone.

“We can’t confirm Falcon’s presence,” Adrian replies. “But if we take out this hub, we cut a major artery of their operation. They’ve been using it to funnel resources, coordinate communications, and deploy assets.”

“How secure is it?” I ask.

“Fortress-level,” Adrian says grimly. “Multiple layers of encrypted networks, physical security detail, and surveillance. This isn’t a smash-and-grab, . You’ll need precision.”

Precision. I can do that.

“Send me everything you have,” I say. “We’re not waiting. If this hub is as critical as you think, we dismantle it tonight.”

A Shifting Dynamic

As the call ends, I glance at Eva. Her jaw is set, her gaze focused, and I know the argument before it starts.

“You’re not going alone,” she says.

“I’m not taking you into a warzone,” I counter.

Her brows knit together, fire sparking in her eyes. “I’ve been in this fight since the beginning, . You don’t get to bench me now.”

“Eva—”

“No,” she interrupts, her tone firm. “You keep saying this isn’t just about me, that it’s about the company, the merger, everything you’ve built. Fine. But don’t you dare act like you’re the only one with something to lose.”

Her words hit harder than I expect, but I don’t have time to unpack the truth in them.

“We’ll need a plan,” she continues, softening slightly. “Adrian said it’s secure. If we go in without a strategy, we’ll be walking into their hands.”

I exhale sharply, running a hand through my hair. “Adrian’s team will handle the perimeter. I’ll go in and secure the data.”

Eva folds her arms, tilting her head in defiance. “ We’ll go in and secure the data.”

The Plan

By the time we reach the airstrip, Adrian’s team has sent over schematics of the Berlin hub. The building is a multi-story office complex disguised as an ordinary financial firm, but the deeper we dive into the files, the clearer it becomes that it’s anything but.

“They’ve got a server room on the fourth floor,” Adrian says, his voice cutting through the tension as we study the layout. “That’s where you’ll find the core of their operation. If you can breach it, I’ll be able to extract the data remotely.”

“What about security?” Eva asks, scanning the blueprints.

“Armed guards,” Adrian replies. “Minimal on the lower levels, but it ramps up the closer you get to the fourth floor. Surveillance on every entrance and corridor.”

“We’ll need a distraction,” I say, my mind already working through the logistics.

Adrian hums in agreement. “We’ll create one. My team can trigger a power fluctuation—just enough to disrupt their security system for a few minutes. It’ll give you an opening, but you’ll need to move fast.”

“Fast is all I know,” I reply.

The Infiltration

The Berlin hub looms in the distance, its sleek glass facade reflecting the city lights. From the outside, it looks like any other corporate office, but I know better.

Eva adjusts the comm in her ear, her gaze steady as we approach the side entrance. Adrian’s voice crackles through the line. “The power surge will hit in three... two... one.”

The lights flicker, and a faint hum vibrates through the air as the building’s systems stutter. It’s subtle—enough to buy us time without raising immediate alarms.

“Go,” I say, pulling open the door.

We move quickly, the quiet hum of the building amplifying every sound. Eva stays close, her movements precise as we navigate the maze of hallways.

The first two floors are deserted, but as we approach the stairwell leading to the fourth floor, I catch the faint echo of voices.

“Guards,” I whisper, holding up a hand to stop Eva.

She nods, her eyes scanning the hallway. “How many?”

I listen carefully, my senses honed. “Two, maybe three.”

Adrian’s voice cuts in. “You’ve got a clear path to the server room if you can bypass them. They haven’t spotted you yet.”

I glance at Eva. “Stay here. I’ll handle it.”

Before she can argue, I slip into the shadows, my movements silent as I approach the guards.

The Breach

Taking down the guards is quick, precise. I’ve done this before—too many times to count—but this time, the stakes feel different.

When I return to Eva, her expression is a mix of relief and determination. “Let’s move,” she says.

We reach the server room without further resistance, the faint glow of monitors casting an eerie light across the space. Adrian’s voice crackles through the comm. “Plug in the drive I gave you. I’ll handle the rest.”

Eva moves to the server, her fingers deft as she inserts the drive. “It’s in,” she says.

“Good,” Adrian replies. “It’ll take a few minutes to extract the data. Hold your position.”

The minutes stretch like hours, the silence around us feeling heavier with each passing second. I keep my focus on the door, my gun steady in my hand.

“Almost there,” Adrian says. “Just a little longer—”

The sound of footsteps interrupts him, and my grip tightens on the gun.

“They’re coming,” I say, moving to block the door.

The Fight

The first guard bursts in, his weapon raised. I fire before he has a chance to react, the shot echoing through the room. Eva ducks behind the server, her hands flying to the comm in her ear.

“Adrian, we need that data now,” she says, her voice sharp.

“Almost there,” Adrian replies, his tone tense.

Another guard appears, and I take him down with a swift shot. The third catches me off guard, his fist connecting with my side as I turn.

The impact knocks the wind out of me, but I recover quickly, slamming him against the wall. He slumps to the ground, unconscious.

“Data’s secured,” Adrian says finally. “Get out of there.”

The Escape

We move quickly, the weight of the flash drive in Eva’s hand feeling like a victory and a curse. The building is alive with activity now, guards flooding the lower levels as alarms blare.

Adrian’s team covers our exit, their precision providing just enough distraction for us to slip away. By the time we reach the getaway vehicle, my adrenaline is still surging.

As the car speeds away, Eva hands me the flash drive, her expression unreadable. “We did it,” she says softly.

“For now,” I reply, my focus already shifting to the next move.

The Cliffhanger

Back at the penthouse, we plug the drive into Adrian’s system, the data spilling onto the screen. Names, accounts, communications—all of it points to one thing.

“Falcon’s network,” Adrian says, his voice filled with awe and dread.

leans closer, his blue eyes scanning the screen. “We have them.”

But before we can celebrate, the screen goes black. A single message replaces the data:

“You’re playing with fire, . And fire always burns.”

The room falls silent, the weight of the message pressing down like a final warning.

Eva breaks the silence, her voice steady. “Then let’s burn them first.”

The black screen taunts us, the ominous message hovering like a phantom in the dim light of the penthouse. "You’re playing with fire, . And fire always burns."

Eva sits beside me, her fingers gripping the edge of the table so tightly that her knuckles turn white. Her green eyes are locked on the screen, defiance warring with unease.

“This wasn’t just a taunt,” she says quietly, breaking the silence. “They’re warning us. They know we’re close.”

“They know more than that,” I reply, my voice low and taut. “They wanted us to see this. To know they’re watching.”

I push back from the desk, the chair scraping against the floor, and begin pacing. The air feels heavier, as though the walls are closing in. Adrian’s voice crackles over the speakerphone, cutting through my thoughts.

“They’re trying to rattle you,” Adrian says. “But the data is still intact. We pulled everything before they triggered the override.”

“Then we’re not finished,” I say, stopping mid-step. “What did you find?”

Adrian pauses, the silence on the other end stretching uncomfortably long. “It’s not just Falcon,” he says finally. “The network connects to multiple high-level players—shell companies, government contractors, even private security firms. This isn’t just about Reyes or Conrad anymore. It’s bigger than we thought.”

“How much bigger?” Eva asks, her voice steady despite the gravity of Adrian’s words.

Adrian exhales sharply. “We’re talking global reach. Whoever Falcon is, they’ve built an empire. And you, , just became their primary target.”

Tensions Rise

The weight of Adrian’s revelation settles over the room like a storm cloud. Eva rises from her seat, crossing her arms as she stares at the darkened screen. “If this is as big as you’re saying, how do we even begin to fight it?”

“We don’t back down,” I say firmly. “No matter how far their reach goes.”

Her gaze snaps to mine, frustration flickering across her face. “You keep saying that, but this isn’t just about you anymore, . It’s about everyone they’ve hurt—everyone they will hurt if we don’t stop them.”

“And we will,” I reply, my tone hard. “But we do it strategically. We can’t afford mistakes.”

Eva steps closer, her voice rising. “And what happens when they come after us again? Or worse—what happens when they target the people around you? Your employees, your friends?”

Her words hit harder than I want to admit. She’s right, of course, but admitting that feels like conceding defeat.

Before I can respond, Adrian’s voice cuts in again. “We might have a way to hit them where it hurts.”

“What do you have?” I ask, seizing the lifeline.

“The Berlin hub was connected to another location,” Adrian explains. “A server farm in Zurich. If we can breach it, we might be able to dismantle Falcon’s communications network entirely. It’s their nerve center.”

Eva looks at me, her expression a mix of resolve and apprehension. “Then that’s where we go next.”

A Fragile Alliance

The following hours are a blur of preparation. Adrian sends over schematics of the Zurich facility, detailing its security measures and vulnerabilities. It’s a fortress, guarded by both digital and physical barriers.

“We’ll need a coordinated approach,” Adrian says during a video call. “This isn’t a two-person job. You’ll need a team to breach the perimeter and access the servers.”

“I have people for that,” I reply, my mind already assembling the pieces.

Eva studies the schematics, her brows furrowed. “The facility is isolated, but there’s a weak point here,” she says, pointing to a loading dock. “If we can get past their exterior defenses, we could use this to access the lower levels undetected.”

“It’s a gamble,” Adrian warns. “If they catch you inside, you won’t have a way out.”

“Then we don’t get caught,” I say.

Eva’s gaze lingers on the plans, her fingers tracing the edges of the paper. “This is dangerous, . Even for you.”

“It’s the only way,” I reply, meeting her eyes. “If we want to take Falcon down, we have to be willing to take risks.”

“And what if those risks cost us everything?” she asks softly.

I step closer, my voice lowering. “Then we don’t lose.”

The Zurich Operation

The flight to Zurich is tense, the hum of the jet engines doing little to quell the weight pressing on my chest. Eva sits across from me, her laptop open as she reviews Adrian’s latest updates.

“You don’t have to come,” I say, breaking the silence.

Her eyes snap up to meet mine, a flash of anger in their depths. “We’re not having this conversation again, . I’m not staying behind.”

I nod, knowing better than to argue. There’s no stopping Eva when she’s made up her mind.

By the time we land, the plan is set. Adrian’s team will monitor the facility’s systems remotely, creating a window of opportunity for us to breach the perimeter. Once inside, we’ll extract the data from the servers and get out before Falcon’s network can react.

“Timing is everything,” Adrian reminds us during a final briefing. “You’ll have a ten-minute window before their backup systems kick in. After that, you’re on your own.”

The Infiltration

The Zurich facility is a monolith of glass and steel, its sleek exterior giving no indication of the secrets hidden within. Eva and I move under the cover of darkness, the cold night air biting at our skin.

Adrian’s voice crackles in our earpieces. “The loading dock is clear. You’re good to go.”

We slip inside, the dimly lit corridors eerily silent. The tension is palpable, every creak of the floorboards setting my nerves on edge.

As we approach the server room, Eva stops abruptly, her hand brushing my arm. “Do you hear that?” she whispers.

I pause, straining to listen. Footsteps. Heavy and deliberate, heading in our direction.

“Adrian,” I murmur. “We’ve got company.”

“Hold your position,” Adrian replies. “I’ll reroute them.”

The footsteps fade, and I exhale slowly, motioning for Eva to follow me. We reach the server room without further incident, the hum of machinery filling the space.

“Get the drive,” I say, pulling it from my pocket.

Eva moves to the console, her fingers flying across the keyboard as she inserts the drive. “Adrian, we’re in,” she says.

“Good,” Adrian replies. “Extracting the data now. Hold tight.”

The Unexpected

As the data uploads, the door bursts open, and armed guards flood the room. I react instantly, shoving Eva behind me and drawing my gun.

“Don’t move,” one of the guards barks, his weapon trained on me.

I calculate my options, but before I can act, Eva steps forward, her hands raised.

“Wait!” she says, her voice steady. “We’re not here to hurt anyone. We just want the truth.”

The guards exchange glances, their hesitation giving me the opening I need. I disarm the nearest one, using him as a shield as I take down the others.

“!” Eva shouts, her voice laced with urgency. “The data’s almost done!”

I dispatch the last guard just as Adrian’s voice crackles through the earpiece. “We’ve got it. Get out of there.”

The Escape

The building is in chaos as we make our way back to the loading dock. Alarms blare, and red lights flash, casting an ominous glow over the corridors.

“We’re almost there,” I say, gripping Eva’s hand as we sprint toward the exit.

But as we reach the final stretch, a figure steps into our path.

“Conrad,” I growl, my gun snapping up to aim at him.

He smirks, his expression infuriatingly smug. “You’ve come a long way, . But this is where it ends.”

Eva steps beside me, her voice steady. “Not today.”

Before Conrad can react, I fire. The bullet grazes his shoulder, and he stumbles back, giving us the opening we need to escape.

The Cliffhanger

Back at the safehouse, the tension doesn’t dissipate. Adrian’s team combs through the data, their expressions growing graver with each passing moment.

“This isn’t just Falcon,” Adrian says finally. “It’s a coalition—a network of powerful players all working together.”

I step closer, my fists clenching. “Who are they?”

Adrian hesitates, then turns the screen toward me.

The names listed are a who’s who of global power brokers—CEOs, politicians, military officials.

And at the top of the list is a name I never expected.

“Peter Graves,” Eva whispers, her voice trembling.

The betrayal cuts deep, but I push the emotion aside. “This isn’t over,” I say, my voice cold and steady.

“No,” Eva agrees, her green eyes blazing with determination. “It’s just beginning.”