Page 180 of My Sweetest Temptation

Just then, Luca and Lo swung open the safe, revealing an arsenal of weapons: machine guns, knives, and pistols.

Luca grinned, his eyes alight with the same vengeance that burned within me. "We have all the backup we need."

I had the car’s engine roaring and peeling out before Lo had even shut his door.

"FUCK! Nico, are you trying to break my goddamn legs?!" Lo shouted as he was shoved back into his seat.

I ignored him, my eyes fixed on the road ahead as I pushed the car faster and faster. I took the corners sharp, the tires screaming in protest.

"Goddamnit, Nico! Slow the fuck down!" Luca's voice cut through my rage-filled daze. "We're almost there. Take it easy and turn off your lights."

I forced myself to ease off the gas, my hands tightening on the wheel as the car's headlights flicked off. The car's speed dropped, but my heart still raced, my breath coming in short, angry bursts. We pulled off the main road and onto a dirt track, the trees closing in around us.

"Would you relax, for fuck's sake," Luca snapped. "I know you're angry, but we need to plan this. We go in hot-headed, and we risk Winter getting hurt. We need to be smart about this."

The sound of her name blurred my vision with rage, burning like wildfire.

I shot him a glare. "We do this now. I'm not waiting," I ground out.

“The longer we wait, the harder it will be to find her and bring her back to the US if she’s already been sold.” I turned to face the backseat, my eyes narrowing at Lo. “Stay here if you want. I don’t give a shit. But I’m not waiting for any goddamn backup.” With that, I pushed my way out of the car and walked to the trunk.

Luca and Lo tumbled out of the car and joined me in gathering our gear.

I slammed the trunk shut. "Let's go."

We made our way down the uneven terrain, the trees swallowing us in shadows until the warehouse came into view.

“How many guards?” I whispered, dropping to one knee and pulling out my night vision binoculars.

Lo pulled out his thermal camera, his brow furrowed in concentration. “There are four on the ground guarding the front of the building. Two snipers positioned high up, and three more lurking near the tree line.”

Lying flat on my stomach, I carefully set up my rifle on the bipod. Luca and Lo took their positions beside me, their eyes scanning our surroundings, ready to cover me if things went south.

I needed to maintain a clear line of sight. If they caught wind of our presence, we were fucked.

Not wasting any more time, I adjusted my scope. I took a deep breath and squeezed the trigger, sending a round through the first sniper's head.

“I’m taking out the ones closer to the trees,” I said, my voice low but firm. “Once they’re down, you two head for the front door and finish the rest. Use the silencers.” I kept my eyes trained on the next target, blood roaring in my ears.

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

“Go, now,” I hissed, and they sprang into action.

I quickly packed up my gear, slinging my rifle over my shoulder and drawing my pistol as I advanced toward the door.

Lo and Luca worked efficiently, taking out the remaining guards. I wasted no time, pushing through the steel doors. The moment we stepped inside, I noticed two guards a few feet away from the front door, their backs turned to us, and a third guard lingering near the mayor.

In a fluid motion, Luca drew his gun. The first guard barely had time to register what the hell was happening before the bullet struck him between the eyes. The guard crumpled, his body hitting the concrete.

The second guard spun around, eyes wide. “What the?—”

He was cut off mid-sentence, a strangled gasp escaping as Lo's knife found its mark, plunging deep into the guard’s throat. Blood erupted from the wound as the guard’s hands flew to his neck in a frantic attempt to stop the flow. But it was too late. Lo yanked the knife free, and the guard fell to the ground, his body twitching until it stilled.

Lo wiped the blade on the guard’s uniform. “Let’s move. We don’t have much time.”

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