Page 72 of Code Name: Grit

“There’s a difference between business and needless bloodshed,” Rafael replied coldly. “Your father never understood that distinction.”

Giovanni’s expression hardened. “Leave my father out of this.”

“You deserve to know the truth,” Rafael continued, his voice dropping lower. “Your father wasn’t killed by the Belcastros.”

The statement hung in the air, all attention focused on Rafael.

“You’re lying,” Giovanni whispered, the gun at Lumi’s temple wavering slightly.

“Anthony was a liability,” Rafael said matter-of-factly. “His greed and ambition threatened our operations. He demanded power he hadn’t earned, and he jeopardized our family with his recklessness. Just like you’re doing.”

“That’s not—” Giovanni began.

“I made the decision,” Rafael interrupted. “Not the Belcastros. Me.”

Giovanni’s face drained of color. “You ordered my father killed?”

“He created his own fate,” Rafael replied without emotion. “Just as you’re creating yours now.”

The gun in Giovanni’s hand trembled visibly. His grip on Lumi loosened fractionally—not enough for an escape, but enough to indicate his focus was wavering.

“This is deteriorating rapidly,” Admiral whispered.

A sudden movement from the side caught my attention. Keller, who had been silent throughout the exchange, was shifting his position—subtle, controlled steps that gave him a clearer angle toward Lumi. His hand drifted toward his jacket.

“Keller’s making a move,” I reported. “Unknown intent.”

Lumi’s eyes darted between the men surrounding her. I could see her body tensing and her weight shifting slightly to her back foot—the same preparation stance I’d taught her during our training sessions.

“She’s going to move,” I warned. “Be ready.”

A loud crack from inside the forest created enough of a momentary distraction that all parties turned their attention away from Lumi.

It happened in that instant; she dropped her weight, twisting away from Giovanni’s grip while simultaneously hooking her foot behind his knee. As he struggled to maintain balance, his gun discharged into the air.

“Now!” I shouted, breaking cover as chaos erupted in the clearing.

Rafael’s men drew their weapons. Cassio’s guards moved into defensive positions. And Keller pulled his gun, aiming not at Lumi, but at Giovanni.

“Take the shot,” I ordered Kodiak, abandoning concealment as I sprinted forward. “All teams movenow!”

Gunfire erupted from multiple directions. The guards at the perimeter returned shots, creating a deadly crossfire that forced us to dive for cover. I rolled behind a fallen log, bullets splintering the wood above my head.

“Admiral, status?” I called into the comm.

“Taking fire from the north side,” he responded, his voice steady despite the chaos. “Atticus is hit but mobile.”

I risked a glance around the log. Giovanni had regained his footing and was now using an overturned picnic table as cover,firing wildly at Cassio. Rafael’s men had formed a protective circle around their boss, exchanging shots with Giovanni’s men. Not ours. Not Cassio’s.

I spotted Lumi behind a stack of firewood, blood streaming from the cut on her forehead, but moving, alert, and alive.

“K19 teams, report,” I ordered, firing three rounds to suppress the nearest shooter.

“Shadow Ops engaged with perimeter guards,” Ranger responded. “Northeast quadrant secure.”

“Kodiak’s team pinned down on the west approach,” came another voice. “Heavy resistance from hostiles.”

I caught movement to my right—Keller was working his way closer to Lumi, using the chaos as cover. His weapon was drawn, but his intent was not as obvious. Would he help or harm her?

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