The notification came through on Milan’s phone just after midnight, the quiet hum of the house broken by the sharp vibration. He glanced at the screen, his icy-blue eyes narrowing as he read the message. A single line of text flashed on the screen: David’s location confirmed. Abandoned hotel off Route 22.
Milan stood abruptly, his chair scraping against the hardwood floor. “They’ve found him,” he said, his tone cold and sharp.
Thiago, who had been reclining on the couch, immediately sat up, his easy grin replaced by grim determination. “Where?”
“An abandoned hotel,” Milan replied, already moving toward the hallway to grab his jacket. “Off Route 22. It’s isolated.”
Enzo, who had been reviewing surveillance footage at the dining table, closed his laptop and stood, his expression unreadable but tense. “We need to move quickly. He’s not going to stay put for long.”
“We’ll need backup,” Thiago said, pulling out his phone. “I’ll call our guys. This could be a trap.”
Milan nodded, his mind already calculating the next steps. “We go in fully armed. No mistakes. No loose ends.”
In her bedroom, Jade sat on the edge of the bed, staring at her phone. She hadn’t been able to sleep, the tension in the house keeping her on edge. When she heard the muffled sounds of the men moving hurriedly through the hallways, she knew something was happening.
She threw on her robe and stepped into the hallway, catching Milan just as he was slipping on his holster. “What’s going on?” she asked, her voice laced with worry.
“We’ve got David’s location,” he said without hesitation. “We’re going to handle it.”
Jade’s stomach twisted. “I’m coming with you.”
“No,” Milan said firmly, his eyes narrowing. “It’s too dangerous.”
Jade crossed her arms, standing her ground. “I’m not staying behind. He’s my problem, too.”
Thiago appeared behind Milan, holding his phone to his ear but lowering it briefly to chime in. “Jade, we appreciate your fire, but this isn’t a spectator sport.”
“I’m not going to sit here and wait while you risk your lives,” she said, her voice rising slightly. “I have every right to be there.”
Enzo entered the hallway, his dark eyes assessing the situation. “She has a point,” he said after a moment. “David has made this personal for her.”
Milan exhaled sharply, his jaw tightening. “Fine. But you stay close to us. You don’t take a single step without one of us by your side. Understood?”
Jade nodded, already moving to her room to get dressed.
Fifteen minutes later, the group gathered in the living room. Milan handed out weapons, his movements precise and efficient. “Thiago, you’ll handle the perimeter with your team. Enzo and I will take the lead inside.”
“And me?” Jade asked, adjusting the leather jacket she’d thrown on over her jeans.
“You’ll stay with me,” Milan said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “And you’ll follow every instruction I give.”
Enzo’s phone buzzed, and he glanced at the screen. “Backup is in position and en route. We’re covered.”
“Good,” Milan said, sliding his weapon into its holster. “Let’s move.”
The drive to the abandoned hotel was tense, the silence in the car broken only by the occasional updates from Thiago’s phone. Jade sat in the back seat, her hands clenched tightly in her lap. The closer they got, the heavier the air felt.
When they arrived, the scene was eerily quiet. The hotel stood like a forgotten relic, its windows shattered, and its once-grand facade now crumbling. The parking lot was overgrown with weeds, and the only sound was the faint rustle of the wind.
The men exited the car first, their movements swift and deliberate. Jade followed, her heart pounding as she tried to steady her breathing. The team of backup operatives joined them, their dark uniforms blending into the shadows as they surrounded the building.
Milan turned to Jade, his expression serious. “Stay close to me. No wandering, no questions.”
She nodded, her throat dry. “Okay.”
The group moved cautiously, their footsteps echoing in the empty lot. Enzo gave hand signals to his men, instructing them to fan out and secure the perimeter. Thiago motioned for the others to check the lower levels.
Inside, the air was damp and musty, the faint smell of decay lingering. Jade stayed close to Milan, her eyes scanning the darkness as they moved deeper into the building. Her pulse quickened with every step, her mind racing with possibilities.
Suddenly, Milan stopped, holding up a hand to signal silence. Jade froze, her breath catching in her throat. She followed his gaze upward, her eyes adjusting to the dim light.
“Oh my god,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Her gaze locked onto the ceiling, and her stomach dropped. Hanging from a rusted pipe was David, his lifeless body swaying slightly in the faint draft. His face was pale, and his eyes were wide open, frozen in an expression of terror.
Jade’s hands flew to her mouth, a strangled cry escaping her lips. “He’s dead.”
Milan stepped in front of her, shielding her view as Enzo and Thiago exchanged grim looks. “It’s a message,” Enzo said darkly. “Vivienne’s cleaning up loose ends.”
Thiago cursed under his breath, his hands clenching into fists. “She got to him before we could.”
Jade’s knees felt weak, and she leaned against the wall for support. “What does this mean? Why would she kill him?”
Milan’s jaw tightened as he turned to her. “Because he knew too much. And now she’s sending us a warning.”
As the team began to regroup, a phone buzzed in the pocket of one of David’s jackets. Enzo retrieved it carefully, glancing at the screen. A single message flashed across it: “You’re next.”