Chapter 25

• The night air smelled of salt and gunpowder as three blacked-out SUVs cut through the industrial district toward the uncle’s main stronghold—a converted old cannery fortress on the waterfront. Leo sat in the lead vehicle, rifle across his lap, jaw locked. Kai drove, calm and lethal, eyes scanning every shadow. In the back, Luca checked his magazines while Elena loaded a shotgun with steady hands. None of them knew Leo had seen the photos yet. He kept that knife close to his chest for now.
• “Lights out in sixty seconds,” Kai said quietly. “We hit hard, we hit fast. Leo, you stay on me.”
• Leo chambered a round. “I’m not hiding behind you tonight.”