CHAPTER 25
The days blurred into weeks, and before I knew it, eight months had passed since I became a part of the Obsidian Knights. It was surreal how much had changed in that time. We‘ d completed three major missions, each more dangerous than the last. Sitting at the long, oak table in the conference room, I couldn’t help but reflect on how far we’d come.
Daniel clinked his glass to get our attention. His sharp blue eyes scanned the room, landing on each of us.
“Congratulations, everyone,” he said, a rare smile breaking across his usually serious face. “Taking down the network of illegal trade run by Whitehall Enterprises was no small feat. You all did incredible work.”
Blake grinned, leaning back in his chair, his recovery from our last mission evident. in the strength returning to his features. Sue, ever stoic, nodded in agreement,
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while Calix and Chlyrus exchanged high- fives.
But as Daniel’s tone shifted, the
celebratory atmosphere dimmed. “Still, the person at the very top remains a ghost. We know this mafia boss operates through proxies, and all we have is the initial-
‘Mr. M.” His gaze landed on me, and I felt the weight of his words.
My mind drifted to Marco Salvani. Could. he be Mr. M? It wasn‘ t far–fetched. He had
the power, the connections, and the ruthlessness. But I didn’t have enough evidence to prove it.
“I think it might be Marco Salvani,” I admitted cautiously.
Daniel nodded thoughtfully. “It’s possible, but we can’t act without solid proof. If we’re going to bring down someone of that magnitude, we need to make every move count. No mistakes.”
The room fell silent, the gravity of our
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mission hanging over us.
Later, Daniel stood up again, clapping his hands to break the tension. “Here” s the plan,” he announced. “We’re taking a three–month break.”
The room erupted into relieved murmurs. “Finally,” Blake muttered, stretching his
arms.
“But,” Daniel interrupted, his voice firm, “no one is to leave the headquarters. The hunt for us is relentless right now, and it’s not safe to be out in the open. We’ll use this time to regroup, recover, and plan our next move.”
The relief turned to collective groans. “Three months stuck here?” Sue asked, crossing her arms.
“You‘ ll live,” Daniel replied dryly.
I stayed quiet, my eyes drifting to a newspaper I’d been reading earlier.
My fingers absentmindedly traced the
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headline about Marco Salvani’s upcoming wedding to Amanda Banes. The audacity of those two, celebrating their love while their hands were stained with blood.
Daniel noticed my distraction. “What’s on your mind, Daphne?”
I looked up, meeting his gaze,” I need to go outside,” I said firmly.
The room went silent.
“Why?” Daniel asked, his voice cautious.
“There’s something I need to deal with,” I replied.
Daniel leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. “If this is about revenge on Marco Salvani
“I need to,” I interrupted, though we both knew it wasn’t entirely true. “I just need to expose something.”
Sue scoffed. “So you get to go out and play vigilante while the rest of us rot in here? That’s hardly fair.”
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Her words stung, but I kept my composure. “This isn’t about fairness, Sue. It’s about doing what needs to be done.”
Daniel raised his hand to quiet the brewing argument. “We’ll take a vote.”
Calix and Chlyrus immediately raised their hands in support of me. Blake hesitated for a moment before doing the same. Sue rolled her eyes, muttering something
under her breath, but she didn’t raise her hand.
“Looks like you‘ ve won the boys over again,” Sue said bitterly.
Packing my bag, I carefully chose my disguise. A simple wig, sunglasses, and a change of clothes were enough to make me unrecognizable to most. Daniel stood by the door, watching me with a mix of concern and resignation.
“Are you sure you don‘ t need backup?” he asked for the third time.
I zipped up my bag and turned to him. “I
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Her words stung, but I kept my composure. “This isn’t about fairness, Sue. It’s about doing what needs to be done.”
Daniel raised his hand to quiet the brewing argument. “We’ll take a vote.”
Calix and Chlyrus immediately raised their hands in support of me. Blake hesitated for a moment before doing the same. Sue rolled her eyes, muttering something under her breath, but she didn’t raise her chand.
“Looks like you‘ ve won the boys over again,” Sue said bitterly.
sy Packing my bag, I carefully chose my
disguise. A simple wig, sunglasses, and a change of clothes were enough to make me unrecognizable to most. Daniel stood by the door, watching me with a mix of
he
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concern and resignation.
“Are you sure you don’t need backup?” he
asked for the third time.
I zipped up my bag and turned to him. “I
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appreciate the offer, but this is something I need to do alone. Trust me, Daniel.
Everything’s already in place. I just need to watch it unfold.”
He studied me for a long moment before nodding. “Be careful out there,” he said quietly.
I smiled faintly. “I will.”
As I stepped outside, the cool air hit my face. Sliding into the driver’s seat of the car I’d prepared, I took a deep breath before starting the engine. The destination was clear in my mind, the location of Marco Salvani and Amanda Banes‘ s
wedding.
The drive was uneventful, giving me too much time alone with my thoughts. My hands gripped the steering wheel tightly as I imagined the smug faces of Marco and Amanda, basking in their celebration.
They didn’t know what was coming.
By the time I arrived at the venue, the sun
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was beginning to set, casting a golden glow over the lavish estate. Guests were already arriving, their expensive cars lining the driveway.
Parking a safe distance away, I pulled out my binoculars and watched the scene unfold from the safety of my car. Marco stood at the entrance, greeting his guests with his signature charm. Amanda was nowhere to be seen yet, likely preparing for her grand entrance.
I smirked to myself, imagining the chaos that was about to ensue. Everything was in place. All I had to do now was wait.
