| Glass & Sorrows | 18+ |

Chapter 16 - When the Shadow emerges

- Dante - 

The warehouse was quiet, save for the faint hum of the fluorescent lights that cast a cold, sterile glow over the rows of weapons lined up against the walls. I stood near the entrance, arms crossed, watching Angelo as he moved through the storage area. The smell of gun oil and metal filled the air, a scent I'd long associated with the calm before the storm.

Angelo was meticulously checking the ammunition, his focus evident in the way he handled each box, ensuring everything was in perfect order. He had a particular way of doing things, an attention to detail that matched his personality—serious, precise, and always in control. But that didn't stop him from finding moments to throw in a jab or two, especially when it came to me.

"You know, Dante," he started, not looking up from his task, "for a man who's always so sure of himself, you seem a bit more on edge than usual. Could it be that our dear friend Vladim has you rattled?"

I gave him a sidelong glance, my expression impassive. "If I were rattled, you'd be the first to know. But let's be honest, Angelo, when have you ever seen me rattled?"

He chuckled, the sound low and rough. "Fair point. But I know you, Dante. When you get that look in your eye, it usually means you're plotting something beyond the obvious."

I didn't respond immediately, letting the silence stretch out between us as Angelo continued to inspect the ammo. He wasn't wrong, of course. I was always thinking several steps ahead, particularly when it came to Vladim and the Romanoffs. The upcoming meeting was a delicate balance—part warning, part reconnaissance. If I could glean any information about what Vladim had been up to, it could shift the balance of power in our favor.

"I want to make sure this meeting sends the right message," I finally said, my voice calm but laced with the underlying intensity I couldn't quite shake. "Vladim needs to understand that his men can't just stroll onto Segreto territory without consequences. But more than that, I need to know what he's planning. He's been too quiet lately, and that usually means he's up to something."

Angelo placed the last box of ammunition on the shelf and turned to face me, his expression more serious now. "Vladim's always up to something. The man's a snake, and he's not going to take this meeting lightly. You're right to be cautious."

I nodded, appreciating his agreement. Angelo was one of the few people whose opinions I valued, mainly because he didn't sugarcoat things. If he thought something was a bad idea, he'd say it. And if he thought it was a good one, I knew I could trust his judgment.

"What do you know about the club's layout?" I asked, shifting the conversation to the logistics of the meeting. "I want to make sure there are no surprises. I want to be in control from the moment Vladim and his men step inside."

Angelo's face lit up with a hint of pride, as it always did when his club, Velvets, was the topic of discussion. The club where I'd spotted her again- He ran the place with a level of precision that rivaled even my own operations, and I knew I could count on him to have every detail covered.

"Velvets is fixed up as a fortress," he said confidently. "We've reinforced every entrance, and the meeting room is in the dead center of the building. Soundproof walls, no windows—once you're in there, no one on the outside can hear a thing. There's only one way in and one way out, and I'll have men stationed at both. The rest of the building will be covered, too. If Vladim tries anything, he'll find himself surrounded before he can even blink."

I considered his words, visualizing the setup in my mind. It was solid, exactly what I needed. Angelo's club wasn't just a venue; it was a statement. It showed that we had the power, the control, and the ability to strike back if necessary.