Underworld Submission (book 1)

A Brother's Betrayal

Flashback: 

The dim light of the warehouse flickered overhead, casting long shadows on the cold, concrete floor. Dom stood near the center of the massive space, watching as the final crates of weapons were being unloaded from the trucks. His father's voice echoed in his mind: "This is your last test, Dom. Handle this shipment smoothly, and the mafia is yours."It was a moment Dom had spent his entire life preparing for. His father, the powerful leader of the family, had pitted him and his brother, Elias, against each other their entire lives—each one constantly proving their worth, each one seeking their father's approval.Tonight was supposed to be Dom's triumph.Elias stood to his left, silent but ever-present, his sharp eyes scanning the room. Dom had always trusted Elias despite their rivalry, believing that, at the end of the day, blood would prove thicker than ambition. But there had been tension between them lately. Elias had grown colder, more distant, ever since their father had hinted at passing the torch to Dom. Still, Dom never suspected his brother would go so far.He had no idea how wrong he was.The deal was supposed to be straightforward. A group of buyers from overseas was expecting a delivery of high-end firearms. Dom and Elias were sent to oversee the exchange, ensuring that everything went smoothly. Dom, focused on sealing his place at the top, felt the weight of responsibility pressing on his shoulders.Suddenly, a strange unease settled over him.The buyers arrived, stepping out of their black SUVs with briefcases full of cash. Everything seemed to be going as planned—until the silence of the night shattered with the sudden clatter of gunfire.Dom ducked behind a stack of crates as bullets ricocheted around him. "What the hell is going on?" he shouted, his heart pounding in his chest. His mind raced, trying to make sense of the ambush. This wasn't part of the plan. He glanced at Elias, who was crouched nearby, a strange, unreadable look on his face."Elias, what's happening?" Dom barked over the gunfire, but his brother didn't respond. Instead, Elias stood up, calm and collected, as if he had been expecting the chaos all along.And then, it hit Dom.This wasn't just an ambush. It was a setup.His blood ran cold as the pieces clicked into place. Elias had orchestrated this—his own brother. The betrayal cut deeper than any bullet ever could. Dom's chest tightened as anger and disbelief swirled within him. How could Elias do this? After everything they had been through, after all the times they had fought side by side?"Elias!" Dom yelled, his voice hoarse with rage.Elias turned to face him, his expression cold and distant. "You thought you could just take everything, didn't you?" His voice was laced with venom, years of resentment boiling to the surface. "Father chose you. And for what? You're weak, Dom. You don't deserve the power he's handing you."Dom's heart sank. He had always known Elias was ambitious, but he never thought it would come to this. "We're family, Elias," Dom growled, gripping his gun tighter. "This isn't the way."Elias smirked, the look in his eyes unforgiving. "Family means nothing when power is at stake."Before Dom could respond, the gunfire intensified. The attackers moved in closer, cutting off Dom's escape. He could feel the situation slipping out of his control. The buyers had been wiped out, and the warehouse was quickly becoming a war zone. Dom's mind raced as he tried to figure out his next move.But then, just when it seemed all hope was lost, a familiar voice echoed through the chaos."Dom!" Their father's voice was like a lifeline, cutting through the gunfire and smoke. From the corner of his eye, Dom saw his father and a team of elite men storming into the warehouse, guns blazing. The tide quickly turned as the reinforcements decimated the ambushers.Dom locked eyes with Elias, betrayal burning between them."You think you can stop me?" Elias hissed, backing away as his plan crumbled around him. "You'll never have what's rightfully mine, Dom. Never."With one last glare, Elias turned and bolted toward the back exit of the warehouse. Dom's father's men tried to pursue, but Elias was too fast, slipping into the night and disappearing without a trace.Dom stood in the aftermath of the carnage, the weight of Elias' betrayal sinking in. His father approached, eyes filled with both pride and disappointment."You did well, son," his father said, placing a heavy hand on Dom's shoulder. "But your brother... he's a snake. I always hoped you two would stand together, but now I see the truth."Dom clenched his fists, his heart a storm of emotions—rage, hurt, and a deep, simmering need for vengeance. His brother had escaped, but Dom knew this wasn't the end. Someday, he would face Elias again.And when that day came, one of them wouldn't survive.