Have one eye open

7| ATTACK

Coco (NYC)

For the past week, I had been doing nothing but observing. Watching everything unfold before my sharp eyes, assessing each and every detail. Being able to see my family's mansion from a distance offered me a perspective that was both eerie and strategic, a vantage point where the dangers seemed ever closer but the risk, somehow, manageable. It wasn't that hard to stay concealed, though. In this massive city, shadows had their own identity, and I was the master of hiding within them.

It wasn't just about watching anymore. I could feel things shifting. The air grew heavier, thick with suspense. News traveled fast. It didn't take long for the rumors to spread like wildfire—one of the bosses' princes had returned home. Naturally, my family wasn't stupid enough to let this information slip. However, I had to find out who the hell started this ridiculous rumor before it spread further. If someone—anyone—connected it to me, things could escalate quickly, and I couldn't afford that right now. I needed to shut it down before it became a problem.

Was it a careless guard? One of them overhearing me talking, even though I had told my family to keep quiet? Guards, no matter how trusted, always had their weak spots. Their loyalty was important, but there was always the risk of betrayal.

The answer came to me like a blade in the dark—them. The ones I used to trust.

The organization had a far reach, and I was their biggest mistake. They thought I would be like the others—some princess in their twisted game. But I was different. A rogue subject that escaped their control. I wasn't going to be the puppet they envisioned.

And now, I was their worst nightmare.

How many knew the truth? That wasn't something I had the privilege of knowing fully. What I did know was that some were still brainwashed, too terrified to betray them, but others... Well, that was a question I couldn't afford to answer. For all I knew, many had died without learning the truth about who they really were.

I glanced over at my phone, which was buzzing non-stop. Martin had sent me a few updates, trying to help me stay one step ahead of them. He wasn't bad at this research thing—he was quick, efficient—but there was no way he knew the full scope of the situation. After all, some things were too dangerous to share.

Time was my ally, for now. With my whole life dedicated to getting the perfect revenge, I didn't have to rush. But the only problem was that waiting made the air feel like it had turned to quicksand. The longer I stood still, the harder it would be to move when the moment arrived.

It became clear: the best option was to monitor the mansion from afar. Waiting for the inevitable attack wasn't going to solve anything. I couldn't risk them outsmarting me. So, I hacked into some local surveillance equipment, placing monitoring devices around strategic points. I'd get to see every single move they made in my territory. Nothing could escape me now.

The final step was having a reliable getaway plan in place. Martin—after much persuasion and frankly annoying arguments about my ability to drive—finally got me a car. At two in the morning, as the night hung heavy with tension, the car was waiting for me outside my motel.

Now, with my supplies packed—daggers, an Ak13, handguns, and plenty of ammo—I was ready for whatever came my way.

The sound hit me first: a helicopter. Then, distant engines. Lots of them. Too many for my liking. As I checked the monitor, I cursed under my breath—helicopters and a convoy of SUVs. At least thirty men. This wasn't just a search mission, it was an all-out assault.

I swiftly dialed my father's number. The phone rang for what felt like eternity.

"Who is this?" asked my father, thankfully, as I knew my mother and the twins were safe, being out of the house.