Chapter 10 - The False Victory
Gabriel let out a sharp laugh, stepping fully into the small bedroom.
“We try not to use the 'M' word, kid,” Gabriel smiled charmingly.
“We prefer 'aggressive entrepreneurs'.”
Lily offered a weak, confused smile in return.
Maeve quickly ushered the brothers out of the bedroom, closing the door behind her.
“She needs to sleep,” Maeve warned them, her protective instincts flaring.
The brothers spent the next six hours turning the tiny apartment into a command center.
Roman used Maeve’s outdated laptop to access the dark web, contacting his loyal suppliers to purchase heavy weaponry.
Declan barricaded the front door and window with heavy furniture, creating a fortified choke point.
Gabriel sat at the small kitchen table, cleaning their remaining handguns with ruthless efficiency.
Maeve finally collapsed onto the worn sofa, exhaustion completely overtaking her body.
She fell asleep instantly.
When she woke up, the sun was just beginning to peek through the blinds.
The apartment was filled with the smell of strong, black coffee.
Gabriel was standing at the stove, pouring a cup.
He walked over and handed it to her.
“You’ve been asleep for four hours,” Gabriel said softly.
“The weapons arrive at noon.”
“Tonight, we take back the manor and end Carlo permanently.”
Maeve took a sip of the bitter coffee, her mind finally clear.
“And what happens after that?” Maeve asked, looking up at him.
Gabriel sat on the edge of the coffee table, resting his elbows on his knees.
“After we secure the empire, we secure you.”
“We will pay for Lily’s medical bills in full, and you will never have to scrub another floor as long as you live.”
It sounded like a dream.
It sounded like the perfect, happy ending she had spent her entire life praying for.
A few hours later, a massive crate of weapons was delivered to the back alley.
The brothers geared up, transforming back into the terrifying apex predators she had met on her first day.
They left the apartment, promising to return victorious before midnight.
Maeve locked the door behind them, a profound sense of relief washing over her.
The nightmare was almost over.
She walked into the bedroom to check on Lily.
Lily was sitting up in bed, looking much healthier than she had the night before.
“They’re gone?” Lily asked quietly.
“Yes,” Maeve smiled, sitting on the edge of the bed.
“They’re going to fix everything, Lily.”
“We’re finally going to be safe.”
Lily nodded slowly, reaching under her pillow.
She pulled out a sleek, black burner phone that Maeve had never seen before.
“I know, Maeve,” Lily whispered, a cold, calculating look entirely replacing her innocent demeanor.
Lily pressed a single button on the phone, sending a text message.
She looked up at her horrified older sister.
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“I just sent Uncle Carlo their exact coordinates and their weapon loadout.”
“He promised to pay for a kidney transplant if I delivered them into the ambush.”
