2025-06-13 17:09:00The motel room was cheap and anonymous. Peeling wallpaper, a neon sign flashing through thin curtains, the smell of old cigarettes.
Isabelle Dubois sat on the edge of the bed, her service weapon and badge on the nightstand. She'd been tracking Santino for eight months, building a case that would destroy his organization.
She hadn't planned on caring about him.All this while she has fed him private information.
The door opened as Santino entered cautiously, his eyes scanning for threats. When he saw her, something in his posture relaxed.
"You came," he said.
Previous Chapter
Latest Chapter
Chapter 59: Blood Sacrifice
The warehouse pier stretched into the dark water. Shipping containers stacked three high as it created a maze of shadows and blind corners. Santino counted at least twenty men positioned on rooftops and behind cover.Mia waited at the end of the pier, her silhouette against the harbor lights. She'd changed into a long coat that flapped in the wind off the water."You came alone. I'm impressed.""Where's Claire?""Safe. For now." Mia walked closer. "Did you bring what I asked for?""Isabelle? No.""Pity. That would have made this easier."Santino saw movement in the shadows. More men than she'd claimed. Probably closer to fifty, just like she'd said."Let's talk about your real father," he said.Mia stopped walking. "What?""Francesco Amore. The man Vincent murdered to steal his identity.""I don't know what you're talking about.""You're a terrible liar when you're surprised." Santino took a step closer. "Vincent told me he killed his twin brother. What he didn't tell me was that you
Chapter 58: Smuggler's Tale
The dockside bar in Barcelona was exactly the kind of place Santino needed. Dark corners, no questions asked, and locals who minded their own business. He sat at the back table, nursing a whiskey and watching the door.Tatiana arrived twenty minutes late, just like always. She moved through the bar like she owned it, nodding to the bartender and several fishermen who clearly knew her well."Santino Leandro." She sat across from him, lighting a cigarette. "You look like hell.""Feel worse."Tatiana was in her forties, weathered by sun and salt water. She'd been smuggling everything from cigarettes to people across the Mediterranean for fifteen years. Never been caught, never been betrayed."What do you need?""Safe passage. Tonight.""Where to?""Doesn't matter. Anywhere but here."Tatiana studied his face. "This isn't about money, is it? You're running from something personal."The bartender brought her usual – vodka, neat and she knocked it back without flinching."You know what I l
Chapter 57: Sister's Life
The warehouse was in an industrial district outside Paris. Empty loading docks and broken windows. Santino parked across the street and watched for movement inside.His phone rang."You came alone. Good boy." Mia's voice sounded different. "Where is she?""Safe. For now. Walk to the main entrance. Hands visible."Santino crossed the street. The front door was unlocked. Inside, the warehouse was mostly empty except for some old shipping containers and scattered debris.Mia waited in the center of the space. She wore all black – tactical pants, boots, a fitted jacket. No longer playing the fragile victim.Behind her, Claire Dubois was tied to a chair. Duct tape over her mouth, terror in her eyes. She looked like a younger version of Isabelle."Let her go. Your problem is with me."Santiano whispered. "My problem is with anyone who threatens my position." Mia walked closer. "Did you really think Vincent was the only one with plans?" Mia asked, her face contorted with rage."Are you goin
Chapter 56: Undercover Pact
Santiano had to return to France, so he booked the earliest flight he could find. Ever since he first moved there thanks to Salvatore’s invitation he had been constantly on the move. After a while, traveling became exhausting.He finally landed at the airport and caught a cab straight to Paris, heading to the café Isabella had chosen for their meeting. It was small, bustling, and noisy, perfect for a discreet conversation.Santiano arrived early. He picked a corner table with a clear view of both entrances, just in case.Isabelle Dubois walked in at exactly two o’clock, wearing a simple black coat. She blended in effortlessly, looking like any other professional woman out for a quiet lunch. No one would have guessed she was an Interpol agent not from her calm demeanor, not from her elegant stride. She was beautiful, effortlessly alluring. No wonder Santiano had been drawn to her in the first place.But her eyes scanned the room like a cop's. Alert and Suspicious."You look handsome,
Chapter 55: Sewer Defiance
The sewer tunnel was old and narrow. Water trickled along the bottom, carrying the smell of the city above. Santino used his phone's flashlight to navigate through the darkness.Every sound echoed. His breathing as his footsteps splashed through shallow water. Somewhere behind him, he could hear voices. The police had found the storm drain.The tunnel branched ahead. Left or right? He chose left, following the slight downward slope.His phone battery was dying as the light flickered and dimmed.In the weak glow, he saw something carved into the concrete wall. Names and dates. Graffiti from decades past. People marking
Chapter 54: False Mercy
Mia walked around the chair like a predator sizing up her prey. Her whole body language had changed. Gone was the vulnerable woman who had fake cries in his arms. This was someone else entirely, no this was who she truly was."Surprised?" she asked, running her finger along the rope at his wrists."Not really." Santino kept his voice steady. "Your father trained you well.""He did." Her voice was flat and emotionless. "Taught me everything about manipulation. About playing the long game.""So what am I to you? Another mark?"Mia's hand stopped moving
You may also like
