Chapter 9 - The Counter-Offensive Against the Syndicate
The rain had cleared by the time the armored SUV pulled into the sprawling industrial container yards of the Moretti maritime port.
Towering stacks of steel shipping containers cast long, menacing shadows under the amber glow of overhead floodlights.
In the center of the yard, Marco Moretti’s private office building blazed with light.
Parked outside were half a dozen tactical vans carrying the remaining members of the mercenary strike team.
Luca killed the engine of the SUV, cutting the headlights as they rolled to a silent stop behind a row of empty crates.
“Matteo, take the rear loading dock and cut off their vehicle exit,” Luca ordered quietly, checking the magazine of his rifle.
“Claire, stay inside the vehicle with the doors locked.”
“I’m coming with you,” Claire stated immediately, opening her door before Luca could stop her.
“Luca, your heart rate is stabilizing, but you still need monitoring under high-stress combat conditions.”
“If you experience a secondary reaction to the lingering toxins while taking fire, you’ll collapse within minutes.”
“I am your physician, your nurse, and your tactical shield tonight.”
“You cannot leave me behind.”
Luca looked at her with an intensity that could have melted steel.
He knew she was right; his body was still recovering from months of systemic poisoning.
Without her steady hand and medical vigilance, a sudden spike in adrenaline could trigger a fatal cardiac arrhythmia.
“Fine,” Luca sighed, grabbing her hand and pulling her close behind the cover of a steel shipping container.
“Stay directly behind my shoulder.”
“If anything happens to me, you run for the water.”
“I don’t run, Luca,” Claire whispered, her eyes shining with fierce determination.
May you like
“I fight.”
Together, they moved out from the shadows and advanced toward the brightly lit office building where Marco Moretti was preparing to celebrate his victory.
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