Chapter 30
~Dominic~
“The truck has left the warehouse.” Dario’s voice crackles in my earpiece. He and my men are on the rooftop opposite, watching. Our source couldn’t pinpoint the site of attack. So, their job is simple: track the truck from the warehouse, to confirm the area is clear, then follow to the docks.
All teams have their orders: converge on the docks if the truck passes without incident.
Checkpoints line the Brooklyn route, each manned and waiting.
I’m stationed here, eyes fixed on the road, every shadow a threat.
With no intel on where the strike might come, we’ve locked down the entire path.
One mistake and the shipment is gone—and I can’t afford that.
Dario’s tech team has already hacked into the CCTV along the route, monitoring for any suspicious activity. Dante, Nico and I, are currently viewing the feed in a van parked behind one of several shipping containers. Camouflaged in the shadows.
Dante taps his foot impatiently, Nico is leaning forward with narrowed eyes.
. Ignoring the hum of generators in the dockyard and the faint creak of the metal containers.
Our eyes are on the monitors set up by the tech team—the flicker of static on the monitors, making every shadow look suspicious.
The cameras allow us a view of the dock yard.
The truck has finally made its way into the compound without incident. So far, no suspicious activity has been detected. Anticipation builds, as it becomes obvious that this is where they’ll make their move.
“I’m going to scout around and check with the men on lookout.
” Dante says, before disappearing into the shadows outside the van.
It’s way past midnight. "Thank you for letting Serafina keep Elle company tonight, she was antsy about what might be going down tonight.” I look briefly away from the cameras to tell Nico.
“I know that your wife will be able to help allay her fears.”
“Sure man, Sera likes your wife……she herself has had to navigate being married to a mafia man. It’s an indescribable feeling knowing that there’s a woman waiting at home—who gives a crap and worries if you’re in danger.
” I’m prevented from answering Nico, when I look back to the monitors.
A figure appears briefly from the blind spot between two cameras.
. The truck had come to a stop. This is where the crates will be loaded onto containers.
Then lifted onto the vessel to be shipped.
“Shit!” I detect movement again this time at the far side of the dock.
At a spot, currently not in view of my men, situated at the opposite end of the lot.
I almost missed the dark figure disappearing under one of the containers.
He's closer to the van. The sneaky bastard is midway between us, and the stationary truck.
“Target spotted: far right, under the yellow container.” I announce to the team through our communication device. We’re all wearing black tactical gear and are hooked up to personal communication devices with a secure line.
We checked our weapons, just before slipping out of the van to intercept the bastard.
Nico and I noticed several more figures dressed in dark clothes, faces covered by ski masks creeping towards the docking area.
They’re using the containers to cover their position.
They move like amateurs, not putting much effort into remaining hidden.
I get a niggling feeling that I can’t quite decipher.
They don’t fit the mold of the type of men, who Alban Berisha, usually sends when he wants a job done.
“Several more are heading towards the truck. We’re intercepting.” I relay with hushed tones so that my voice doesn’t carry to the slithering bastards. “Let the fun begin.” Dante’s voice comes through laced with gleeful anticipation in response. Causing soft chuckles from the men.
As I creep stealthily along the sea of containers, Nico covers my back.
Checking below as we slowly make our way towards the parked truck.
Midway to our destination, one of the fuckers suddenly appear in front of me, pointing his gun.
Dropping unexpectedly to the ground, I sweep out a foot, knocking him off balance as Nico puts a bullet between his eyes. He falls with a thud at my feet..
After the crack of the first shot, chaos follows.
Our men, by far, outnumber those who attempted to ambush our shipment.
A couple of the fools open the door of the truck trailer only to be ambushed by five of my soldiers, who jump out at them.
Hidden among the merchandise waiting for the signal of gunfire.
Within minutes, we’ve dispensed them all.
Ten men. To our twenty. With the number of men that Alban has at his disposal, I’m surprised at how little he sent.
And, at their inexperience to boot. They were too easily dispatched.
A niggling of unease returns. These men were quite inept and were barely a challenge.
Why didn’t Alban use more seasoned soldiers for this task?
It was almost as if he dispatched only those that he was willing to sacrifice. Recruits.
“Something feels off.” I say to Nico, who also appears to be puzzled. Their clumsy movements, their hesitation—it felt less like an assault and more like a sacrifice.“I know, it makes no sense that he would send his most inexperienced men..” Nico frowns at the aftermath.
“Brother this one is still breathing.” Dante says. He's holding the bastard by his collar. His face is pale and full of fear. Blood runs down his arms from a shoulder wound. He looks young.
“Did Alban fucking send you, why did you come here tonight?” He remains silent.
“You can choose whether you get a quick, or a slow and painful death. No one lives who tries to steal from me.” I growl.
Withdrawing my favorite knife, the coward pisses himself and starts to beg. My men look on in disgust.
“I…I’m sorry, we weren’t here to steal from you.
” He stammers. “We were supposed to keep you busy while they snatched the woman.” He blurts out.
“What woman?” Motherfucker! There’s a knot of unease in my chest, my heart is racing and my hand tightens on my gun.
I already know the answer. At that moment both my cellphone and Nico’s started ringing.
I don’t have time to deal with this shit, so I put the coward out of his misery.
One shot. His head snaps back and he falls to the ground.
“Darling……” I hear Nico say as I grab my phone already running to where my vehicle is parked. “Yes!” I bark. “Boss, the mansion is under attack!” Jimmy's voice crackles through the line.
“Jimmy, get the women to the safe room now. I’m on my way, let me speak to my wife.
” There’s a shuffle then her voice comes on—one that I’ll know anywhere.
“Dominic, I don’t know what’s going on. There was an explosion.
” I detect panic in her voice.“Listen to me Angel, Jimmy is going to take you and Serafina to the safe room. Stay there until I arrive. Do you hear me?” I could hear the faint sounds of gunfire through the line.
“Okay… Dominic? Are you okay.” Elle asks.
“Yes Angel, please go with Jimmy.” I urged.
I hang up and panic slams into. They set a trap, and I walked blindly into it.
It all makes sense now. They wanted me to split forces, thinking that I would leave the mansion vulnerable.
Dante, Nico and Dario, barely throw themselves into the car before I’m tearing away from the docks.
I don’t even register the headlights trailing us back to the mansion.
I fling my phone onto the dashboard, curse, and slam both palms onto the steering wheels.
“It’s okay, Dom. Jimmy will get the women to the safe room.
” Nico says, steady but tense. “Our men will hold the bastards off until we get there.” Dante adds.
“As my wife, she was supposed to be protected!” I say through clenched teeth with barely controlled rage. They dare attack my home and go after my wife. Since she’s been in my life, she’s been in danger. I promised to protect her but I’ve been doing a shit job of it.
I tear through red lights, pushing past the speed limit to get to the mansion.
The streets are deserted, the city asleep, only my headlights are cutting through the dark.
Thank God, I had the foresight to increase security at the mansion.
I grip the wheel, my knuckles white—I whisper a silent prayer that my men can keep the intruders at bay until I get there.