The house was a flurry of motion as the team scrambled to leave. Milan’s face was a mask of focus as he barked out instructions, his icy-blue eyes darting to the windows and doors, scanning for any sign of immediate danger.
“Pack only what’s necessary,” he said sharply. “We’re leaving now.”
Thiago was already upstairs, throwing together a bag for Jade. “Don’t forget Luna,” he called out as he shoved a few of her essentials into the bag. “She’s coming with us.”
Jade stood frozen for a moment, clutching the small gray kitten to her chest. Luna let out a soft meow, her tiny body trembling as she sensed the tension in the air.
“Jade,” Milan said, stepping in front of her, his voice softer now. “We have to move. Can you do this?”
She nodded, her voice steady despite the fear gripping her chest. “Yes. Let’s go.”
Minutes later, they were piled into two sleek black SUVs, Enzo’s men forming a protective convoy around them. The streets blurred as the cars sped away from the safe house, the tension inside the vehicle palpable.
Jade sat in the backseat with Luna in her lap, her hands gently stroking the kitten’s fur to keep herself calm. Enzo was on the phone in the passenger seat, his dark eyes fixed ahead as he gave orders to his team.
“Clear the jet,” he said firmly. “We’re leaving tonight. I want everything ready when we arrive.”
Thiago, sitting next to Jade, glanced at her and offered a small, reassuring smile. “Overseas might be a good idea. We’ll get some distance, figure out what Vivienne’s next move is, and regroup.”
“Where are we going?” Jade asked, her voice quieter than she intended.
Milan, who was driving, answered without hesitation. “Somewhere secure. One of Enzo’s private properties. You’ll be safe there.”
Jade nodded, her grip tightening on Luna. “And what then? Do we just wait?”
“No,” Enzo said, his tone cold. He ended the call and turned to face her. “We don’t wait. We find every last one of Vivienne’s allies and take them down.”
Just as they neared the private airstrip, Enzo’s phone buzzed again. He answered quickly, his face hardening as he listened. “Repeat that,” he said, his voice sharp.
Jade and the others exchanged tense glances, the weight of the moment settling heavily in the car.
When Enzo finally hung up, his jaw was tight, and his eyes burned with anger. “One of our men,” he said, his voice like ice. “They found a mole. Someone inside the organization, feeding information to Vivienne.”
Milan’s knuckles whitened on the steering wheel. “Who?”
Enzo’s lips curled in disgust. “Dario. He’s been with us for years, but he’s been on her payroll this entire time.”
Thiago let out a low whistle, leaning back in his seat. “That explains how she’s been ahead of us at every turn.”
Jade frowned, clutching Luna closer. “What does this mean? How much does he know?”
“Too much,” Enzo replied. “But my men are holding him now. He won’t be able to warn her about our next moves.”
Milan’s eyes flicked to the rearview mirror, meeting Jade’s gaze. “This isn’t over, Jade. She’s losing her grip, and this mole was one of her last plays. We’ll deal with him and use what he knows against her.”
Thiago smirked, his usual playfulness returning despite the grim situation. “Dario picked the wrong side. He’s going to regret it.”