Chapter 137
Chapter 137
Everything moved like clockwork
At exactly 11:53 p.m., a low boom rattled the northwest gate. Smoke poured into the sky as guards scrambled in that direction, radios crackling with alerts. Sirens flared Lights snapped on.
Dominic’s men reacted like trained wolves precisely what Nico counted on. He knew their every move, to move on attack.
It was the perfect illusion of an outside breach.
While the chaos funneled toward the smoke, Nico’s team moved.
Four black–clad figures slipped through the south corridor the blind spot. The hidden exit used during emergencies. The estate’s own blueprint turned against itself.
Inside, Nico’s planted man dressed as a kitchen aide cut the power to the east wing and looped the hallway cameras, feeding old footage into the monitors. For fifteen minutes, the estate would be blind.
The strike teams split into two units.
Unit One moved toward the armory, the key target. They had the cloned print, and within two minutes, the lock was overridden. The explosives were planted near the ammo reserves, set to detonate on a ten–minute delay.
Unit Two swept the lower corridor, silencing two patrolling guards and planting thermal charges on the emergency exits.
Nico entered alone.
Through the south courtyard.
Every corner was familiar. Every creak in the floor, every scent of oak and leather. The ghosts of his childhood danced in the dark, and still, he moved like a shadow, expression grim.
He passed the hallway where he and Dominic had once hidden after a brawl with their fathers.
He passed the stairwell where they’d made a blood pact.
Now he was here to end it.
While Nico moved inward, Mikael’s secondary team activated.
At the northwest breach, planted agents detonated another controlled charge–this time near the estate’s backup power grid. Sparks flew. Power across the estate stuttered, then died.
Silence fell.
No lights.
No cameras.
Just shouting. Gunfire. The chaos of confusion.
Dominic’s men scrambled for control–but they were being hunted in their own home, every exit rigged, every route anticipated.
Mikael stood in the shadows outside the east wall, listening through comms. He smiled faintly.
“We own this house,” he murmured.
Nico stopped just outside the main hall, where he knew Dominic would be. His team had done their job. The estate was bleeding.
Now it was time for the personal cut.
He pulled out his gun, checked the chamber, then stepped into the lightless hallway, boots silent.
His heart didn’t race.
His hands didn’t shake.
Because this was never revenge.
This was balance.
And when he saw Dominic’s shadow at the top of the stairs, gun raised–Nico smiled.
“Hey, Dom,” he said, voice low and clear. “Miss me?”
Dominic didn’t respond.
He didn’t have to.
The look in his eyes sharp, black, unflinching and indifferent said everything Nico already knew this wasn’t a reunion. It was
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an execution waiting for its cue. And he loved it. He was onhinged, no rules towards his friend and would hately prom alive if he wanted
“You’re looking a little thinner, Nico added, stepping forward slowly “Did heartbreak shrink pow or you just maning without someone to control?”
Dominic fired
Nico dove left, the bullet slicing across the wall just past his shoulder Plaster cracked and destined down, but foo rolled into the hallway’s blind edge with practiced ease. He laughed once quiet and greatless
“Still quick. But not quick enough.”
Dominic didn’t speak. He was already descending the stairs, boots heavy, his movements silent and pract
By the time Nico emerged, Dominic was already there.
A punch cracked across Nico’s jaw.
He stumbled back, grinning even as blood hit his lip.
*Still hits like a tank,” he muttered.
Dominic didn’t give him time to breathe. He lunged, grabbed Nico by the collar, slammed him against the stone wall with enough force to rattle the pictures hanging behind him.
“You used her,” Dominic growled. “You brought this into my home.”
“I was your home,” Nico spat back. “But you buried me years ago and crowned yourself king”
Dominic’s grip tightened, gun pressed under Nico’s jaw now. “I should kill you.”
“You won’t.”
“Why?”
“Because you have emotions Dominic. Friendship matters to you. Loyalty does and you can’t let me go. Am I right or wrong?
A pause.
Dominic didn’t move.
Didn’t lower the gun.
Nico smirked. “And because you forgot-” He slipped a hand into his jacket.
Dominic pressed the gun harder. “Try it and I end you right here.”
Nico raised his hands slowly, revealing a small silver vial between his fingers.
“You never played dirty, Dom. That was always your problem.”
He flicked the vial forward.
A fine, sparkling mist burst from the capsule as it hit the Dominic fast, scentless, almost invisible if you did not take note.
But Dominic knew the moment it hit him.
He staggered back, gun still raised, but his arms were slower. He blinked, tried to step forward, but his knees betrayed him.
“What… did you…”
Nico caught him as he fell, lowering him carefully so he didn’t make a sound.
“Just a sedative,” Nico whispered. “Nothing fatal. You’ll wake up… eventually.”
Dominic’s jaw clenched, but his limbs betrayed him. His vision was already spinning.
Nico crouched beside him as he fought the pull of unconsciousness.
“You never understood, Dominic. Emotions make you weak. You hold onto people like they’re the reason you breathe You think love is power, but it’s not. It’s a chain.”
Dominic’s breath hitched.
Nico leaned closer. “That’s why I’ll win. Because I cut the chain.”
Darkness finally pulled Dominic under.
And when his head fell back, his body stilling, Nico stood.
He didn’t look triumphant.
He looked calm.
Detached.
Like this had always been inevitable.
Chapter 137
FIFTEEN MINUTES EARLIER
Mikael’s voice hissed through the comms. “Status?*
Nico pressed the earpiece tighter. “Inside East wing secured. Dominic’s occupies”
“Confirm the armory?”
“Destroyed.”
“Good. Phase three. We clear out and burn what’s left. No loose ends.”
Nico was silent for a second too long.
Mikael’s voice hardened. “Did you hear me?”
“I heard you,” Nico said. “But I’m changing the plan.”
“What?”
“I’m not leaving without Aria.”
Mikael froze on the other end. “This wasn’t a solo mission. We had other plans before Aria”
“It never was yours to begin with, this was my plan and I am taking Aria.”
Static cracked between them. “You double–crossing bastard-”
Nico clicked the comm off.
Just like that.
He stood in the dark hallway of the estate, glancing back toward where Dominic lay unconscious. He reached down, slipped the burner phone from Dominic’s pocket, and slid it into his own coat.
One king down.
The other?
Soon.
Mikael had always thought himself untouchable. Thought Nico was his tool. But Nico had never been built to take orders. He had followed Dominic once not because he was loyal, but because it was convenient. Because the De Luca name meant access. Respect. Power.
And now?
Now he didn’t need anyone else’s name.
He was going to build his own empire on the ashes of both.
But there was one loose thread he hadn’t tied off yet.
Aria.
She wasn’t just bait anymore. She wasn’t just leverage. She knew too much. Had seen too much. Her connection to Dominic was deeper than anyone expected and if she survived this, she could unravel everything.
Or worse…
She could inspire Dominic to rise from the ruins.
Nico couldn’t risk that.
He started down the hall, stepping over the debris, the fallen guards, the blood streaking across the polished marble floors. His pace never rushed.
He knew where she would be. Maybe if he was fast enough he would claim her, brainwash her before Dominic have a chance.
Because if he wanted to claim the crown, there couldn’t be any pieces of the past left standing.
Not Dominic.
Not Mikael.
kindu
Nico moved through the corridor like he still owned it. Every step brought back memories the kind that stung, the kind that
didn’t matter anymore. Sentiment was a disease. He’d spent too long infected. Tonight, he was purging it.
The wing she was in had been cleared already. He’d made sure of it. No guards. No interference.
Just her.
He pushed open the door without a sound.
She stood by the window, back to him, but her shoulders tensed.
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“I knew you’d come,” Aria said, her voice flat. No fear. Just fury wrapped in ice.
Nico closed the door behind him.
“You always were the sharp one,” he said.
She turned.
And aimed the gun straight at his chest.
He stopped.
Didn’t flinch.
“Get out,” she said coldly. “Before I put a hole through your fucking skull.”
He almost smiled. “You’ve been practicing.”
“I’m not going to miss.”
He took a slow step forward. “Then shoot me.”
She did.
The shot rang through the room immediately.
The impact hit him square in the chest–but he barely staggered.
Aria’s eyes widened.
“Bulletproof,” Nico said simply, tapping the vest under his shirt.
Before she could fire again, he moved.
Fast.
She fired again, but he twisted just enough. The second shot scraped his shoulder not enough to stop him.
She tried to run.
He caught her by the wrist, slamming her back against the wall. The gun clattered to the floor.
Aria fought–harder than he expected. Kicked, elbowed, clawed at his face. She landed one hit clean across his jaw, and he grunted, grabbing both her arms and twisting her just enough to get leverage.
“You never were a damsel,” he muttered, breathless. “I wish you were. Weak and obedient then we wouldn’t have to go the hard way, vita mia.”
She spat in his face.
He didn’t hesitate. With one hand, he yanked a small injector from his pocket. A quick jab to the side of her neck. She gasped, tried to scream but it was already kicking in.
Her limbs grew heavy.
Her vision blurred.
“You-” she whispered.
He caught her as she started to fall, lowering her to the floor with the ease of someone who’d done this too many times before.
She stared up at him, eyes heavy, lips trembling with what little strength she had left.
“You won’t get away with this,” she said.
Nico leaned down, brushing the hair from her face with a strange gentleness.
“I already have.”
Footsteps echoed behind him.
Two of Mikael’s men entered the room, masked and silent. One carried restraints. The other a black duffel.
“Take her,” Nico ordered without looking at them.
The men moved quickly, lifting her from the floor.
Aria tried to fight it, but her body betrayed her. Her eyes fluttered, lips parting like she wanted to scream, but all that came
was a broken breath.
Nico leaned in close, his voice low against her ear.
“You’ll thank me when this is all over.”
