The industrial district was dark and quiet, the hum of distant machinery the only sound. Enzo’s team had gathered discreetly, setting up their equipment while maintaining a low profile. The hideout they had discovered was an unassuming warehouse, its exterior blending in with the surrounding area. But the intelligence they’d gathered confirmed it was one of Vivienne’s key locations, used to store supplies and facilitate meetings with her network.
Milan stood with Enzo near the perimeter, watching as the men prepared the explosives. “We need to make sure this hits her where it hurts,” Milan said quietly.
“It will,” Enzo assured him. “This isn’t just about blowing up a building. It’s about sending a message.”
Thiago joined them, his usual playful demeanor replaced with seriousness. “The charges are set. We just need to clear the area and wait for the signal.”
Milan nodded. “Good. Let’s move.”
The team retreated to a safe distance, their movements efficient and precise. Enzo’s men communicated through earpieces, ensuring everything was in place before giving the final confirmation.
“Detonation in thirty seconds,” one of the men announced.
Milan glanced at Enzo. “Let’s hope this shakes her confidence.”
“It will,” Enzo replied, his voice steady.
From their vantage point, they watched as the countdown reached zero. The explosion erupted with a deafening roar, flames and smoke shooting into the sky as the warehouse crumbled under the force. The ground shook slightly, and the air was thick with the acrid smell of burning debris.
Thiago let out a low whistle. “That’s one way to make a statement.”
Enzo’s phone buzzed, and he glanced at the screen. It was a message from one of his men: “No sign of Vivienne, but we recovered some documents. They’re being delivered now.”
He showed the message to Milan, who nodded. “Good. Maybe they’ll give us a lead.”
Back at the house, Jade sat anxiously in the living room, waiting for the men to return. The sound of the front door opening made her jump, and she hurried to meet them in the hallway.
“Well?” she asked, her voice filled with anticipation.
“The warehouse is gone,” Milan said, brushing some dust off his jacket. “But she wasn’t there.”
Jade’s shoulders slumped. “So it didn’t work?”
“It worked,” Enzo said firmly. “We destroyed one of her key locations, and we recovered some documents that might lead us to her next move.”
Thiago gave her a reassuring smile. “This is just the beginning, Jade. Every move we make gets us closer to her.”
Jade nodded, though her worry remained. “I just hope it’s enough.”
“It will be,” Milan said, his tone steady. “We won’t stop until this is over.”
As they settled in for the evening, Enzo’s phone buzzed again. He read the message, his expression darkening. “The documents we recovered,” he said, his voice tense. “They include a list of names. And yours is at the top, Jade.”