Page 56 of Bound to the Enforcer

I glance at Alessio, but he doesn't say anything, his face unreadable. This is my moment, my decision.

I look back at Matteo, "We'll get her back. Your sister. I promise you that."

Matteo's shoulders sag just slightly, like the weight he's been carrying has shifted, if only for a second. "Thank you," he mutters.

"But this doesn't make us even," I add sharply, my anger not entirely gone. "Not yet."

He nods, accepting it. "I don't expect it to."

Alessio finally steps forward, his tone clipped as he breaks the tension. "We don't have time for this. What's the route?"

Matteo reaches into his jacket, pulling out a folded map. "They're running the convoy along Route 8, through the industrial district. There's a loading dock at the halfway point where they'll stop for a quick transfer before moving to the port. That's our window."

I step closer, my eyes scanning the map as he spreads it across the hood of the SUV. Alessio stands beside me, his jaw tight as he studies the layout.

"How many men are we looking at?" Alessio asks.

"About eight, maybe ten," Matteo replies. "Armed, but not expecting resistance. Domenico thinks his secrecy is enough to keep the route safe."

"He's wrong," I say quietly, the fire in me burning brighter now.

Alessio straightens, his gaze shifting between Matteo and me. "We'll need to hit them hard and fast. If we take too long, Domenico's reinforcements will be on us before we're out."

Matteo nods. "I can handle the explosives for the barricade. You two focus on the convoy."

Alessio turns to me, his eyes searching mine. "Are you good with this?"

I meet his eyes. "I'm ready."

Because this is more than just stopping a shipment. This is about taking something from Domenico—something he thinks he owns. It's about proving he doesn't get to win.

And it's about keeping my promise to Matteo.

"We'll hit them at the loading dock," Alessio holds my stare. "We move now."

The plan is set, and everything is in place. I should feel confident, but my heart still holds onto that little bit of doubt. It seems that no matter what we try, my uncle seems to be one step ahead every single time. I can only hope that this joker card that we are playing catches him off guard.

The streets are quiet. The only thing that can be heard is the gentle sloshing of the water by the pier. Alessio and Matteo are on the other side of the street, watching and waiting. Matteo has the explosives set, and once they go off, all hell will break lose.

This is risky, but we are not leaving this place without those children in the van.

I look at my watch. 1:32 a.m. Any minute, they will pass this place and?—

I hear the rumbling of vehicles, and then three vans come moving down the street.

Show time.

Matteo gives me a curt nod from the other side of the street, and Alessio, who stands a few feet from him behind another car, remains stoic. My heart pounds heavily in my chest, my stomach drops all the way to floor.

The three vans move closer to where we are. The world seems to still for a moment. The seconds tick by slower than they have been. The blood rushing past my ear is all I can hear.

Come on… come on…

Matteo raises his fingers in the air and counts down from three… two… one…

Boom.

The world spins as the first explosion rips through the air. I'm still behind the truck, crouching low, but the force of it shakes the ground beneath me. The fireball lights up the night sky, casting everything in an orange glow, but I can't focus on that now. My heart's pounding too fast, my blood thrumming in my ears.

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