HERS TO PROTECT

Chapter 39

Allies in the Shadows

As the door creaked open, Maria Santos's sharp eyes flicked up, assessing the newcomers with skepticism and readiness. She greeted them in a nondescript office building, where she leased a small room for her investigative work. Exuding unwavering confidence, Maria's demeanor revealed her reluctance to trust easily.

"Ethan, it's good to see you," she said, her gaze narrowing as she turned to Lia and Kevin. "And who are these two?"

Lucas introduced them, his voice steady but underlined with urgency. "This is Lia and Kevin. They've been helping me bring down De Vega."

Maria's eyes bore into Lucas, causing him to shift uncomfortably. "You're not Ethan," she stated firmly.

Without warning, Maria retrieved a gun from behind her desk, pointing it at Lucas.

"Maria, wait!" Lia shouted, stepping in front of Lucas with her hands raised. "Listen to us!"

"We'll explain," Kevin added, his voice steady but tense. "He's not Ethan. He's Lucas, Ethan's brother."

Maria tightened her grip on the gun but kept it steady. "Prove it," she demanded.

Lucas took a deep breath, feeling a knot tighten in his stomach as Maria's gaze pierced him. "We were separated as children. Though I'm not Ethan, I need you to believe we're allies."

"Maria, we need your help," Lia pleaded, her voice rising with urgency. "Time is running out. De Vega is closing in."

Maria's eyes flickered with doubt. "How can I trust you?" she asked, her voice softer but still guarded.

"Because we all want the same thing," Lucas said, stepping closer. "Our goal is to overthrow De Vega and secure justice for everyone he has wronged."

A tense silence filled the room. Maria's gaze darted from one face to another, assessing their sincerity. Finally, she lowered the gun, though her expression remained vigilant.

"I'll give you a chance," she said firmly. "But if I find out you're deceiving me, you won't like the consequences."

Lia sighed in relief. "Thank you, Maria. We won't let you down."

"Let's get to work," Kevin said, laying a map on the table. "We need to strategize our next move carefully."

Maria nodded, her gaze sharp and focused. "Alright, tell me everything you know about De Vega and his operations."

Kevin, studying the map intently, spoke up. "We have a plan. We need a bit of help to execute it."

Maria examined the map, her mind racing. "He's expecting a major shipment at the port tomorrow night. Intercepting it could provide the evidence we need."

As they strategized further, Maria shifted her focus to De Vega's financial vulnerabilities. "His financial transactions are meticulous, but I've identified some weaknesses. If we exploit them, we could cripple his cash flow."

Kevin, still pacing, added, "Cut off his supply chains too. No money, no power. He'll be vulnerable."

Lia scanned the room, meeting everyone's gaze. "So we expose his funds, interrupt his supply, and collect proof. What about his network?"

"We'll need a strategy," Lucas asserted, thoughts racing. "Neutralize key players; turn others against him. We can't trust them, but we can compare them."

Maria nodded. "I'll work on the financial angle. Lia, can you gather intel on his supply routes? Lucas, Kevin, see if you can flip any of his men or sow discord."

Over the next few hours, they meticulously planned their assault on De Vega's empire, weighing every detail and calculating every step to maximize impact with minimal risk. The weight of their mission hung heavy in the room, but their drive to bring down De Vega was unwavering.

"Alright, let's finalize this plan. Time's short," Lucas said, his voice steady.

Maria outlined the details. "We'll split into two teams. One creates a diversion at the port entrance while the other intercepts the shipment."

Kevin looked at Lucas. "I'll handle the diversion. Lucas, you and Lia take the interception. Maria will coordinate from here and provide backup if needed."

Lucas nodded decisively. "Agreed. Let's get ready."

As they prepared to move out, Lia pulled Lucas aside. "Lucas, I know it's tough, but we need you sharp out there. No mistakes."

Lucas nodded, his resolve hardening. "I won't let you down, Lia. I promise."

"Be careful," she urged, her heart racing with purpose.

Lucas leaned in, his voice low. "You too, Lia. I can't lose you."

Maria's command interrupted their moment. "Let's move. Time's ticking."

As they stepped out, they carried the weight of their mission. They were ready for whatever came next, determined to destroy De Vega as they had Sinclair. Soon, De Vega would follow.

After the meeting, Maria handed Lucas a crucial document. "This could be the breakthrough," she said.

Lucas took the dossier, his mind racing with the implications. He glanced at Lia, whose eyes reflected both resolve and concern. As they prepared to leave, Maria's phone rang, shattering the tense silence.

Maria answered, her expression shifting from curiosity to alarm. She urgently whispered, her eyes wide with fear. "De Vega's men are on their way here."

Panic rippled through the room. Lucas, Lia, and Kevin exchanged looks of dread and urgency. They needed to act fast, but the danger was closing in.

"We need to move, now!" Lucas commanded, gripping Lia's hand and guiding her toward the exit.

As they hurried out, distant footsteps echoed down the hallway. The shadows of De Vega's men drew nearer, threatening to swallow them whole.

With every second ticking away, they slipped into the shadows, the weight of their mission heavy on their shoulders. Failure was not an option.