𝗔𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗼 ♡ＦＲＯＺ＄Ｎ

＄ａｆｅ

The drive to the warehouse was filled with a heavy silence. Armando’s mind raced, and he couldn’t help but replay the argument with his father in his head. Mike, focused on the mission ahead, kept his eyes on the road, while Marcus was busy loading his gun in the backseat, cracking a few jokes to lighten the mood.

“Hey, Armando,” Marcus called out from the back, “you ever thought about joining a book club? Might be less stressful than all this crime-fighting stuff.”

Armando couldn’t help but smirk, shaking his head. “Yeah, Marcus, because I’m sure they’d love to have a wanted man discussing the latest bestsellers.”

“Hey, you never know. Could be a niche market,” Marcus replied with a grin.

As they neared the warehouse, the levity dissipated. Armando’s focus sharpened, and he could feel the adrenaline pumping through his veins. They parked a few blocks away, opting to approach the warehouse on foot to avoid alerting Dominic’s men.

Mike handed Armando a spare gun, their eyes meeting for a brief moment. “We get in, we get Maila, and we get out. No unnecessary heroics,” Mike instructed.

Armando nodded. “Got it.”

They moved stealthily towards the warehouse, the night air thick with tension. As they reached the entrance, Marcus gestured for them to take different positions. Armando and Mike flanked the main entrance, while Marcus circled around to cover the back.

Inside, the warehouse was dimly lit, crates and barrels scattered haphazardly. Voices echoed from the far end, where Dominic and his men were holding Maila. Armando could see her, tied to a chair, bruises marring her face but her spirit unbroken.

Dominic paced in front of her, a cruel smile on his face. “You see, Maila, I always get what I want. And what I want now is to make an example out of you.”

Maila, despite her injuries, spat at his feet. “You’re a coward, Dominic. Hiding behind your men.”

Dominic’s smile faltered, and he raised his hand to strike her, but a gunshot rang out, shattering the tension. Marcus had taken his shot from the back entrance, hitting one of Dominic’s men.

Chaos erupted. Armando and Mike burst through the front, guns blazing. Armando’s eyes were locked on Maila, determination fueling his every move. He took down two of Dominic’s men with precision, clearing a path to her.

Dominic grabbed Maila, using her as a human shield. “One step closer and she dies!” he shouted.

Mike, aiming his gun at Dominic, tried to reason with him. “Let her go, Dominic. It’s over.”

But Dominic was unyielding. “It’s never over, Lowrey. Not until I say it is.”

Armando, taking advantage of the distraction, moved swiftly, disarming Dominic with a well-aimed shot to his shoulder. Dominic cried out in pain, dropping his gun and releasing Maila.

Armando rushed to her side, untying her bonds. “You okay?” he asked, concern evident in his voice.

"I am now," Maila declared with icy resolve, her voice cutting through the tension.

Armando, caught off guard, stumbled backward as Maila knocked him off his feet, her swift movements surprising even him. She pressed the gun against his temple, her eyes locked onto Dominic.

Dominic smirked, unfazed by Maila's sudden assertiveness. "You see, me and your mother are so well acquainted, I decided to let you meet my second daughter."

Maila's jaw clenched, her finger tightening on the trigger. "You really thought I was stupid? Of course, I know how to fight."

Armando, now on the ground, couldn't help but smirk at Dominic's stunned expression. "Maybe."

Dominic's arrogance faltered for a split second before he regained his composure. "Yes, and now she's going to fulfill a promise that I made your mother – kill him now."

Maila's eyes narrowed with determination. "You forgot one thing, Dominic. I knew this day would come because I planned it."

With lightning speed, Maila fired the gun, striking Dominic in the leg and then the arm. He howled in pain, staggering back against a stack of crates.

Armando quickly scrambled to his feet, ready to assist, but Maila held up a hand to stop him. She approached Dominic with purpose, her gun trained on him as he crumpled to the ground.

"You underestimated me," Maila said coldly, her voice tinged with triumph. "Just like you underestimated my mother."

Dominic glared up at her, fury burning in his eyes. "You think this changes anything? I have men everywhere. You can't hide from me forever."

Maila's gaze hardened. "Maybe not. But for now, you're done."

As the ambulance attendants tended to Maila's wounds, she and Armando found a moment to talk amidst the chaos.

Armando glanced at Maila with a mixture of concern and curiosity. "So, is he really your dad?"

Maila nodded slowly, her expression somber. "Yes. Turns out my mom had an affair and kept me instead of my long-lost sister."

Armando raised an eyebrow. "Oh, so you knew this whole time?"

Maila sighed, reflecting on the recent revelations. "I found out a week before Layla's death that I had a father, but I didn’t know who. After doing my research, that's when I found out."

Armando nodded thoughtfully. "Are you going to try to find your sister?"

Maila shrugged, uncertain. "Now, that is another question for the future. I don’t know if I want to."

Armando nodded understandingly. "Understandable."

Maila shifted slightly, looking at Armando with concern. "Do you have to go back to jail?"

Armando sighed softly. "Yes, but because of some dealings with how much I helped the government, I only have 4 more months."

Maila's eyes softened with relief. "Oh, that’s great."

Armando shrugged nonchalantly. "I mean, it’s still 4 more months."

Maila smirked, teasingly. "I never said I was going to miss you."

Armando chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Oh, okay. I was just saying."

Maila's expression softened. "I’m playing, but I may miss you a tiny bit."

As they bantered lightly, Mike and Marcus watched from a distance, amused by their interaction.

Marcus nudged Mike with a grin. "Your son really does take after you."

Mike chuckled, reaching into a bag of Skittles. Before he could grab a handful, Marcus playfully snatched them away.

Mike shook his head, laughing. "Now, if I catch your ass trying to sneak some shit again, I'm going to have to deal with you."

Marcus held up his hands innocently. "Mike, I don’t even know how it got in my hand. I’m telling you, it’s the universe trying me."