My First, My Last, My Everything

Chapter 12

Gabriella

The private jet touched down in Chicago, and the three of us—Jeremy, Liana, and I—jumped into one of the black BMWs waiting on the private runway.

Our driver pulled onto the road, heading straight for the hideout of the rebel gang that had attacked my parents.

Liana had done her homework—they called themselves THE XXO and were just a bunch of high school dropouts trying (and failing) to play gangster. No wonder they couldn't get anything done right.

We pulled up near an abandoned warehouse, their so-called hideout. A faint light flickered from the massive structure up ahead.

Parking a little ways back, we kept an eye out for any unexpected bystanders who might notice us. Stealth was the key here—I didn't want to blow our cover. The sooner we handled this, the sooner I could go back and deal with the two idiots I left in charge.

As soon as we got out of the car, the five guys who came with us followed suit. Jeremy popped the trunk, handing out firearms, including a small silenced handgun for me.

"Here," he said, passing it over.

I checked the bullets, then slid an earpiece into place. Liana was glued to her iPad, tracking the warehouse's security feed.

"All set," she confirmed, her voice crackling in my ear.

I turned to the crew. 

"Monty and Cyrus, stay with the cars. If anyone tries to run, you take them out. Matteo and Kirill, cover the back entrance and wait for my signal. Jeremy, sniper position. Lee, you're with me. Liana, disable any cameras so they don't tip off the gang. Got it?"

"Yes ma'am," they answered in unison.

We all moved into position. Lee and I headed for the main entrance.

"All cameras are down. I'm in," Liana reported.

Leaning against the doorframe, I asked, "How many inside?"

"Hold on... this camera's glitching. Wait—what the hell? Someone hacked my feed! I'm locked out!"

My brows knitted together. 

"What? How? Is it them? Do they know we're here?"

A garbled noise cut through my earpiece. Lee shot me a confused look—he was hearing the same thing.

"I don't know," Liana muttered. "But whoever it is, they're good."

I tightened my grip on my gun and signaled to Lee.

"On three. One... two... three!"

We kicked the door open.

A cloud of dust rose as the door hit the ground. Guns up, we stepped into pitch-blackness, our footsteps echoing off the concrete floor.

Then—boom. The entire room lit up.

We froze.

A dozen armed men stood in front of us, guns trained our way.

What. The. Hell.

My breath hitched when I saw who was sitting in the middle of it all—the last person I expected.

"Anthony," I spat, raising my gun at him. His men immediately aimed back at me.

He smirked. "I wouldn't do that if I were you, sweetheart. You're outnumbered."

I gritted my teeth. "Yeah, I noticed. What the hell are you doing here?"

He leaned back, completely unfazed. 

"Heard you were in town. Thought I'd stop by."

"Not the time, Anthony. I've got business to handle."

"Yeah?" His smirk widened. "Funny, 'cause so do I."

Gunfire erupted. Two of his men dropped. Jeremy's team had stormed in, guns blazing.

Before I could react, a kick slammed into my gut, knocking the gun from my grip. I hit the ground, gasping. Above me, Anthony loomed.

"So," he said, tilting his head, "I believe we have unfinished business to take of?"

I sprang up, blocking his punch just in time. He wasn't an easy opponent, but I wasn't going down without a fight. Fists flew. I managed to land a solid hit, sending him staggering.

"Is that all you got, Merliah?" he taunted.

"Don't call me that," I snapped, kicking him in the stomach. He stumbled, and I followed up with a roundhouse to his face.

He wiped his lip, grinning. "You used to love it."

I swung at him again, but he tackled me. I hit the floor, arms pinned. His face hovered inches from mine, eyes locked on mine with an expression I couldn't read.

I flipped him over, pinning him instead.

"Eager to get on top of me babe? You could've just asked," he teased.

"Fuck you," I shot back.

His grin didn't waver. The tension between us crackled—until a loud bang shattered it.

We both ducked.

When I looked up, he was gone.

"Damn it!" I cursed, running a hand through my hair.

Surveying the warehouse, I counted two dead bodies and a whole lot of nothing.

Jeremy strode over.

 "Someone threw a gas bomb. Some of them managed to escape."

"Lee?" I scanned the room.

"Here!" Lee called, panting by the door.

Beside him stood a lanky teenager, probably eighteen or nineteen, hoodie pulled low over his face.

Lee shoved him forward. "This one might know something."

The kid stammered, "I-I don't know anything."

I smirked, stepping closer. "What's your name?"

"...Landon."

Matteo grabbed him by the collar. "Start talking."

Panic flashed across Landon's face. "I swear, I don't know—"

I smiled. "Lying won't help. Where's XXO meeting tomorrow?"

His eyes darted between us. 

"There's... there's a shipment. At a private wharf near Krypton. Noon. New weapons coming in from DC."

I tilted my head. "And who's going to be in charge there?"

Landon swallowed. "Alex."

I glanced at Jeremy. 

"Take care of him and make sure there aren't any loose ends." Then I turned to the rest of the boys. "Let's go."

Landon's frantic protests faded behind us, but my mind was already elsewhere.

Anthony.

This wasn't over.