Chapter 6 A War Begins

The city was holding its breath. Ever since Carlo Moretti's death, the streets had been eerily quiet-too quiet. No retaliation. No word from Vito Salerno. But Adriana knew better. Silence in the mafia world wasn't peace. It was preparation.

She sat in the dimly lit safe house, her fingers tapping rhythmically on the wooden table as she studied the map in front of her. Her crew was gathered around, the scent of cigarettes and sweat thick in the air.

"We're walking on a knife's edge," Luca muttered, leaning back in his chair. "Salerno won't ignore what we did."

"He's buying time," Enzo said. "Figuring out his next move."

Adriana's sharp gaze lifted from the map. "That's why we strike first."

She tapped a red-marked location on the map.

"This is his largest warehouse at the docks. It's the heart of his supply chain-drugs, weapons, money. If we take it out, we don't just send a message. We cut him off at the knees."

Matteo smirked. "So we're burning millions of dollars tonight?"

"Burning it," Adriana confirmed. "And leaving no survivors."

Luca's lips curled into a wicked grin. "I love it."

---

The Calm Before the Storm

The team prepared in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Rocco sat in a corner, meticulously cleaning his sniper rifle. Enzo loaded his magazines, checking each bullet. Matteo muttered under his breath as he strapped explosives to his vest.

Adriana watched them. She had grown up among men like these-killers, survivors. And now, they looked to her for leadership.

She tightened her gloves, feeling the cool metal of her pistol against her palm.

Tonight, there was no room for hesitation.

---

The Warehouse Raid Begins

The docks smelled of salt and gasoline, the cold wind biting against Adriana's skin. From their vantage point behind a stack of shipping containers, she counted twelve armed guards patrolling the perimeter.

Luca's voice crackled through her earpiece. "Twelve outside. Expect at least twenty more inside."

Adriana exhaled slowly. "We do this clean. No noise until the first explosion."

Rocco, perched on a rooftop, lined up his sniper rifle.

"On your mark," he whispered.

Adriana lifted a hand. "Now."

The silenced shot rang out, dropping the first guard instantly. Before his body hit the ground, Luca and Enzo had already taken down two more.

The remaining guards barely had time to react before Adriana moved, gliding through the shadows like a phantom. She reached the nearest man, wrapping an arm around his neck and dragging him into the darkness. He struggled for a moment, then went limp.

Matteo knelt by the warehouse door, quickly bypassing the security system. The lock clicked.

"We're in," he whispered.

Inside, the warehouse was a maze of stacked crates and metal scaffolding. Workers moved about, completely unaware of the danger creeping toward them.

Adriana signaled to her team. "Plant the charges. Five minutes."

Luca and Matteo split off, moving toward the far end of the warehouse, while Enzo covered their backs.

Adriana moved toward the main office, where she knew the real prize would be. Information.

---

A Dangerous Discovery

The office was cluttered with papers, cash, and a safe in the corner. She forced it open with a crowbar, her heart pounding.

Inside were documents detailing every bribe, every deal, and every person Salerno had in his pocket.

Politicians. Cops. Judges.

Adriana's breath caught. This wasn't just power.

This was leverage.

She stuffed the files into her bag just as a voice sounded behind her.

"Well, well... didn't expect to see a lady snooping around."

Adriana spun, gun raised. A broad-shouldered man stood in the doorway, a smirk on his scarred face.

Salerno's right-hand man.

Her finger tightened on the trigger.

"I won't ask twice," she said coldly. "Move."

The man chuckled. "Or what?"

A second later, Adriana fired. The bullet ripped through his knee, sending him crashing to the ground with a scream.

She strode forward, kicking his gun away.

"Where's Salerno?" she demanded.

The man groaned, clutching his bleeding leg. "You think I'd tell you?"

Adriana pressed the barrel of her gun against his forehead. "Yes."

The man panted, his cocky smirk fading.

"He's expecting you," he rasped. "This... was a trap."

Adriana's stomach clenched. Shit.

"Adriana!" Luca's voice crackled through the earpiece. "We've got company-a lot of it!"

She grabbed the files and sprinted out.

---

Ambush

The moment she stepped onto the warehouse floor, gunfire exploded from all sides.

Salerno's men stormed in, bullets ripping through crates and metal beams.

"Get to cover!" Adriana shouted, diving behind a stack of boxes.

Luca and Enzo returned fire, taking down enemies with brutal efficiency. Matteo ducked low, pressing the detonator into her hands.

"Charges are set," he said. "We either blow this place now or we die here."

Adriana's mind raced. If they left now, Salerno would still have resources.

No. She had to cripple him.

She grabbed a nearby Molotov cocktail, lighting the rag.

"Change of plans," she growled. "We make sure Salerno feels this."

She hurled the Molotov toward a stack of fuel barrels.

The explosion tore through the warehouse, sending flames roaring into the night sky.

Adriana turned, firing two shots into a guard's chest before sprinting for the exit.

Outside, the team piled into the getaway vehicles, tires screeching as they sped away.

The flames behind them painted the night in shades of orange and red.

Adriana clutched the stolen files, her breath coming fast.

This was no longer about revenge.

This was a declaration of war.