My First, My Last, My Everything

Chapter 13

Gabriella

We spent the night at one of our safe houses here in Chicago. The next morning, we got up early, just before noon, and prepared ourselves to head to the Krypton area.

Our aim was to catch those troublesome idiots before they slipped away again. Hopefully, this time, things would go smoothly without any interruptions.

After tying my hair up in a high ponytail, my phone buzzed on the vanity. I grabbed it and checked the caller ID. With a sigh, I rolled my eyes before answering.

"Yeah?"

"Took you a while to pick up, huh?" Noah's voice came through the line.

"I was busy, couldn't you tell? What's up?" I retorted.

"We've got a situation."

"What's the problem?"

"Some of our guys got ambushed yesterday while trying to collect the shipment from Russia. Ten are hurt, and the rest are dead. The shipment never made it back, but we know who's behind it."

My grip on the phone tightened, anger coursing through me.

Why did I think putting those two in charge was a smart move?

"Who?"

"Anthony's men. A few of our men went after them, but they lost track. Also, I've got inside information that the Castillo family mansion is gone. They blew it up, thinking we'd come after them. His parents are gone, and so are the rest of their members, including Anthony. They're laying low."

Not anymore, not now that he's here in Chicago. How the hell did he learn about our operation? If I can identify the rat leaking information from my Mafia, they'll regret it.

He destroyed his own house to erase any leads. Typical coward move. Now he's lurking in the shadows, plotting who knows what to eliminate me.

As if it's that simple, asshole.

"Have you tried finding where his parents might've gone or any new safe houses he might've accessed?"

"I'm working on it."

"Good. Let me know if you find anything or if the Black Army strikes again. Got it?"

"Sure thing."

I ended the call, placing my phone back on the vanity. Staring at myself in the mirror, I realized that Anthony was probably gunning for me now. He wasn't joking when he claimed he'd do anything to steal my Royal title.

Slipping my gun into the back of my jeans, I left my room and headed downstairs. Jeremy and the guys were armed and ready. Liana handed out earpieces, adjusting Jeremy's as well.

"Listen up, everyone. Our main target is that gang. No retreat, no hesitation. Let's take them out swiftly. Ready? Let's go." I commanded.

I took an earpiece from Liana and headed outside. The cars were lined up, and I hopped into the middle one. Liana joined me, and I signaled Kirill to drive.

On the way, I turned to Liana.

"Did you trace the hacker from last night?"

"Yeah, after a lot of hacking, I found their IP address. I'm not surprised that I happened to find one familiar code encrypted in the system." Her expression was serious.

"What code?"

"Code 3O455. Its last location matched the warehouse where we were attacked. It's probably one of Anthony's guys. Wouldn't be surprised if it's Tyson."

"Why Tyson?"

"In college, he and I used to hack our professors' computers for upcoming assignments. He always used code 3O455 for hacking. It makes sense."

I nodded and glanced out the window. As we slowed near large ship containers, I noticed we were stopping.

I frowned, focusing on the situation. As I moved forward, my gun was ready. Faint voices echoed. Peering around the corner, I spotted three boys and an older man near a ship.

An idea struck me. Concealing my gun, I let my hair down and walked toward them casually.

"Hi boys!" I greeted with feigned cheer.

Two boys spun around, guns raised. The older man and the remaining boy stepped back.

"Who the hell are you?" The older guy demanded.

"Just a tourist," I replied, unfazed.

"No tourists allowed here, lady." The boy next to him sneered.

I glared. "Correct. I'm not a tourist. I'm here to fucking kill you."

I shot the older guy, disarmed one boy, and wounded another. The last one fumbled for his gun.

"Looking for this?" I held up his weapon.

"Who the hell are you?" He glared.

"Alex, right?"

"What do you want from me, bitch?"

"Not a very nice way to talk to a lady, Alex." I mock-whined.

"And not a very nice thing to call a lady too, Alex." A familiar voice chimed in behind me.

Both guns was wrenched from my hand, and I jerked forward. Turning around, I saw Alex sprinting away to escape and Anthony slipping behind a container to take cover.

"Gabby, we're under attack again! Anthony and his men are here. We need to retreat!" Jeremy's voice rang in my ear.

"Deal with them. I'm coming." I swiftly dispatched one of Anthony's men, grabbed his gun, and dashed off, dodging bullets.

Suddenly, Anthony emerged, gun ready while scanning the area for me

"Just come out Merliah so we can make this nice and easy darling!" Anthony yelled from the other side. 

 "You really don't know me that well Castillo! I'm not the type to give up so easily!" I yelled back and at the same time I turned around and start shooting at him but he hid behind one of the metal containers as well. 

"Oh I know that very well about you Merliah! Trust me I do!" I rolled my eyes at nothing in particular.

I got shot at, took cover, and fired back. Our banter exchanged as bullets danced.

"Gabby, we need to go!" Liana's voice urged.

I sprinted to the cars, bullets trailing behind. Jumping into one, we sped away. Anthony's pursuit was futile.

"Damn it!" I slammed the seat, frustrated.

"How did they know?" Liana pondered.

"Somebody's been feeding him information behind our backs." I grimaced.

"We need to find them, or Anthony will keep messing things up for us."

I sighed, glancing at the trailing cars. "Did we get any of them?"

"A few, one alive. We'll make him talk."

"Thank God. Let's finally end this once and for all."