Dante smirked. "But he didn't. That means we're not just lucky—we're good."
Jillian didn't share his confidence. She paced near the table, chewing on the inside of her cheek. "This is only the first step. Victor isn't stupid. He's going to retaliate."
Dante's smirk faded. "Yeah. And we need to be ready."
Before they could discuss further, Leo's phone vibrated against the table. He grabbed it, reading the message before his expression darkened.
"Well, we don't have to wait long to see his next move." He turned the phone so they could see the message from an unknown number.
You think you're clever? That was just a truck. Next time, it'll be something you care about.
A chill ran down Jillian's spine.
"He knows," she whispered.
Dante clenched his jaw. "And he's making it personal."
The words barely had time to sink in before a loud BOOM echoed in the distance. The walls of the warehouse shook, and the light flickered violently before stabilizing.
Leo's eyes widened. "What the hell was that?"
Jillian ran to the warehouse's broken window and peered outside. In the distance, against the dark countryside horizon, she saw it—a bright orange glow.
Flames.
Her stomach dropped. "That's near where my grandmother is staying."
Without another word, she bolted for the door.
"Jillian, wait!" Dante called, but she didn't stop.
She sprinted through the night, her legs burning with exertion as she closed the distance between her and the burning structure. The moment she got close enough to recognize it, her breath hitched.
It wasn't just a random building. It was the house her grandmother had been relocated to.
The fire raged, devouring the wooden frame, smoke curling into the night sky. Villagers were already gathering, some throwing buckets of water, others calling for help. Jillian shoved through the crowd, her pulse hammering.
"Where is she?!" she shouted desperately. "Where's my grandmother?"
An elderly woman grabbed her by the shoulders. "She's safe. Someone got her out before the fire spread too far. She's with the doctor."
Jillian exhaled sharply, relief crashing over her, but it was quickly replaced by white-hot rage. Victor did this. He wasn't just threatening her—he was showing her that he could take everything from her.
Dante and Leo arrived seconds later, both panting from running after her. Dante took one look at the burning house and let out a low curse.
"That bastard just declared war," he muttered.
Jillian turned to them, fists clenched. "No more small moves. We hit him where it hurts."
Leo nodded. "Then let's make a plan. Because after this? There's no turning back."
As the fire crackled behind them, Jillian made a silent promise. Victor Holloway would regret ever crossing her.
With nowhere to take the two old ladies, Jillian, Dante and Leo decided to take the to their warehouse to rest. It had being a tiring night for them. After settling the two old ladies, Jillian, Dante, and Leo sat around a rusted metal table inside the abandoned warehouse, their minds heavy with frustration.
Every move they had made so far had been countered by Victor, as if he anticipated their plans before they even acted. Jillian clenched her fists, the recent attack on her grandmother's house still fresh in her mind. They needed an edge—something Victor wouldn't see coming.
Just as Dante was about to suggest a new strategy, Jillian's phone vibrated. A message flashed on the screen from an unknown number:
"If you want to stop Victor, meet me at the old train yard. Midnight. Come alone."
Her heartbeat quickened. Could this be a trap? Or was someone from Victor's own ranks finally turning against him? She showed the message to Dante and Leo, who exchanged wary glances.
"This could be a setup," Leo muttered. "Victor's men could be waiting to take you out."
"Or it could be our only chance to get ahead of him," Jillian countered.
Dante leaned forward, his eyes locked on hers. "We go with a plan. You won't be alone. We'll be watching from a distance."
As midnight approached, Jillian made her way to the old train yard. The air was thick with tension, the distant sound of metal creaking in the wind. She spotted a hooded figure standing between two abandoned train cars. She hesitated, every instinct on high alert.
"You're late," the figure said, voice low and masked by the shadows.
Jillian crossed her arms. "I don't walk into traps easily."
The figure chuckled. "Smart. You'll need that if you want to take Victor down."
"Who are you?" she demanded.
The hooded person lifted their head slightly, revealing sharp eyes that darted around as if checking for danger. "Someone who's been close to Victor for a long time… but not by choice."
Jillian narrowed her eyes. "Why should I trust you?"
"Because Victor's been keeping secrets. You're fighting him, but you don't even know what you're really up against." The figure pulled a folded piece of paper from their pocket and handed it to her. "This is just a piece of what I know. If you want the rest, you'll have to play this smart."
Jillian unfolded the paper, her breath catching at the names listed—people Victor had bribed, locations tied to his operations, even a mention of her own family. Before she could ask more, the figure took a step back.
"This meeting never happened. If Victor finds out, we're both dead."
Then, just like that, they disappeared into the shadows, leaving Jillian gripping the paper—her mind racing with the possibilities.
This wasn't just about revenge anymore. This was bigger. And now, she had the first real lead to bring Victor down.
Jillian stood frozen, gripping the paper in her hands as she spotted two old women sitting on a worn-out bench near the abandoned train yard. They were whispering to each other, their eyes occasionally glancing in her direction. Something about them felt off—like they had been waiting for someone.
Dante and Leo, who had been watching from a distance, moved in closer. "You see them too?" Leo whispered.
Jillian nodded. "They're not just random bystanders. They were watching the whole exchange."
Before she could decide what to do next, one of the women rose slowly and called out, her voice eerily calm. "Child, you're looking for answers, aren't you?"
Jillian hesitated. "Who are you?"
The second woman smiled, her eyes dark with something unreadable. "Just two people who know the past better than you do."
Dante stepped forward. "We don't have time for riddles."
The first woman chuckled. "And yet, time is exactly what you need. You think you can take Victor down with brute force? You're playing a game he's already mastered."
Jillian clenched her jaw. "Then what do you know?"
The second woman sighed. "Victor didn't build his empire alone. He's tied to something much older, much deeper. If you want to win, you need to stop fighting like an angry child and start thinking like a strategist."
Jillian felt a chill run through her. "And why would you help me?"
The first woman's smile faded. "Because someone we loved suffered under Victor's hand, just like your family has. If you're willing to listen, we might just give you the key to ending this."