Underworld Submission (book 1)

Face-Off in the Warehouse

The air was thick with tension, the cold steel of the warehouse casting shadows across the dimly lit space. Dom stood at the entrance, his heartbeat steady yet forceful as he surveyed the scene ahead. His men were already in position, scattered around the perimeter, their eyes trained on the enemy within. The plan was in motion. Every angle had been calculated, every escape route blocked. Now, it was just a matter of time.

His grip tightened on his gun as he thought of Adrian, still locked in that cold cell, held hostage by Elias—his own brother. The thought was enough to send a surge of anger through his veins, but he pushed it down. He had to stay focused. Any wrong move now could cost Adrian his life.

Dom gave the signal.

The warehouse erupted in chaos as his men stormed the building, gunfire echoing through the vast, hollow space. The sharp crack of bullets ricocheted off metal beams, and the air became thick with smoke and the acrid scent of gunpowder. Dom moved through the chaos with precision, his eyes scanning for any sign of Adrian or Elias.

Bodies fell, shouts rang out, and the battle raged on. His men were taking control, but Dom knew this wasn't over yet. Not until he found Adrian. Not until he ended this once and for all.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Dom reached the center of the warehouse. There, in the middle of the chaos, stood Elias. His brother was holding Adrian by the arm, a gun pressed tightly to his head, the crazed glint in his eyes more pronounced than ever.

"Drop the gun, Dom!" Elias shouted over the gunfire, his voice carrying a wild edge. "Or he dies right here!"

Dom stopped in his tracks, his gun still raised. His eyes locked on Adrian, who was pale but standing firm. The look in his eyes told Dom everything—he wasn't giving up, but time was running out.

"Elias," Dom said, his voice calm but commanding, "this is between us. Let Adrian go. He has nothing to do with our past."

Elias laughed, the sound harsh and unhinged. "Nothing to do with it? He's everything to do with it! You always took what was mine. Father, the family, and now him. But not anymore, Dom. This time, I win."

"You're not thinking straight, Elias," Dom said, inching closer but careful not to provoke him further. "This isn't the way to settle this. You want me? Fine. I'll give myself up. Just let Adrian go."

Elias' grip on the gun tightened, pressing harder against Adrian's temple. Adrian winced, but he stayed silent, his eyes still locked on Dom.

"You'd sacrifice yourself for him?" Elias spat, his voice laced with disbelief. "Why? What does he have that I don't?"

Dom's eyes darkened, his jaw clenched. "You'll never understand, Elias. You were so consumed by jealousy that you lost sight of what mattered. Father saw it, too. That's why he chose me. Because you only cared about power. I care about people."

Elias' face contorted with rage, his hand shaking. "Shut up! You don't know anything about me! I was always in your shadow. Always the one overlooked. Well, not anymore!"

Dom slowly lowered his gun, his eyes never leaving his brother. "I'm not your enemy, Elias. But if taking me is what it takes for you to let Adrian go, then do it."

For a long, agonizing moment, everything went still. The gunfire had quieted, the chaos fading into a tense, breathless silence. Adrian's heart pounded in his chest as he watched the standoff unfold, his life hanging by a thread.

Finally, Elias sneered, his eyes wild with triumph. "Fine. You want to play the hero, Dom? You can have that. But say goodbye to your precious detective."

With a rough shove, Elias pushed Adrian forward, releasing him from his grip. Adrian stumbled, catching his balance just as Dom rushed to him, pulling him behind for protection.

But the moment of relief was short-lived.

In the blink of an eye, both brothers raised their guns, their eyes locked in a deadly stare. Time seemed to freeze as Dom knew what was coming next. There was no other way this could end.

Without hesitation, they fired.

The deafening sound of gunshots rang through the air, the bright muzzle flash illuminating the space for a split second. Adrian's heart dropped as he watched the two brothers pull the triggers simultaneously, their bullets hurtling toward each other with lethal intent.

And then, the world went dark.