Falling For The Mafia Boss

Raven's POV

I sat in the car watching out the window as the rain slowly pattered on the roof of the car in the cold still night. Right now, we were currently parked outside the front of a warehouse owned by one of the most influential men in the country. Don Tito Gonzalez, formerly the head and leader of the Gonzalez Cartel. A man whom I sought so much to destroy.

"Five minutes left now." Lucas said beside me. " You ready?"

"I was born ready." I replied him almost immediately.

Lucas nodded, and then picked up his burner phone from the dashboard. He dialed a number and after a few rings, it connected. The call was picked up by the other people in our group who were all stationed at various places around the warehouse.

"Five minutes left, get ready." He said and then cut the call. He then proceeded to dial another number and after a few seconds that too was picked up.

"We're going in, in five. How's things on your end?" Lucas asked.

"We're good to go, boss." A voice responded from the other end of the line. With that, Lucas put down the burner phone and then picked up his mask, which was also on the dashboard. After putting on his, he stretched out another one towards me.

"Here," he said, with a hint of urgency in his voice. I collected the mask from him and he quickly turned his attention to his wrist watch.

I stared at mine intently, as I carefully assessed the designs on it. The face of the mask was that of a skull, artistically printed all over the face area. The design was sleek and modern, with a slight tint to the lenses that seemed to be a combination of sunglasses and a face mask. The mask and our custumes seemed to be a perfect fit for the night's operation. Tonight wasn't just any night, this was a night of outmost importance.

Our entire fate as a group, soley depended on the outcome of the operation which we were about to carry out in the next few minutes.

"Here, you two." Franca said, stretching her hands from the back seat as she extended an open box with two tiny ear phones on it towards us. "I'm about to jam all communications devices available in the warehouse immediately you guys step inside. This will enable you communicate with me and the rest of the team, when that happens."

I took one of the ear phones and placed it in one of my ears, while Lucas took the other.

After putting on the ear phone in my ear I swiftly secured the mask over my face, feeling the soft material conform to my features. I glanced over at Lucas, who was already checking his watch for what felt like the hundredth time.

The plan was simple. We infiltrate the warehouse undetected, by going in through the east entrance, which we were parked in front of and currently staring at right now. According to Franca's intel, the security guards change their shifts every five hours each day. This will gives us room to move in as there is an additional time between each shift change by the security guards.

After carefully vetting this shift change system for months now, we discovered that the time between each shift change was five minutes at minimum. This was more than enough for us to get in and secure what we came here for.

And although, it was no easy task discovering this falter in his biggest and most priced warehouse security system, who would have expected Tito Gonzalez, to have a crack in his security system?

Tito was a very paranoid and cunning man. But his unwavering cautiousness was indeed something that needed to be studied. Even before going into hiding and aside from having the entire policing department on his payroll, he had been very security cautious making him an invisible target for his rivals.

Now his son Mario Gonzalez, an even more ruthless and calculating person with a cold and domineering persona, was the head and leader of the Cartel. While Tito, his father operated from the shadows, he was the front runner and face of his father's empire.

"Thirty seconds left, now." Lucas said once more as he glanced at his wrist watch again.

"How's that camera coming, Franca?" I asked.

"Oh, that? Piece of cake." Franca reaponded gleefully as she rapidly operated the keys on her laptop. "I'm in." She added, smiling.

"Contact the others, Lucas. Inform them that we'll be moving in soon." I said firmly, staring at the gaurds standing in front of the warehouse ahead.

Lucas picked up his burner phone once more and after a few taps on the screen he replied. "Done."

"We need to move quickly if we're going to make it in undetected." I said once more. "Franca, you will take point from here then move on to join Carter's truck."

"Noted." She replied,. "Ready to deactivate all cameras in the east wing of the building once you give the order."

I nodded, feeling a surge of adrenaline as I prepared for the mission.

Just then, the watch on my wrist beeped twice. Signalling that it was time for the shift change. Lucas and I glanced at each other, before shifting our gaze to the two men in front of the warehouse. It was time to move in now, and

One of the security guards stood there taking a smoke under the rain, heavily armed, while the other two security guards patrolled the surrounding area.

As I watched, the other two security guards who were previously patrolling the area left, leaving the one who was still smoking all by himself.

Taking him out wouldn't be a difficult task of course, but we- i couldn't risk any compromise, most especially not on this night. I glanced at the wrist watch on my left hand and the time read 00:03, and before I could even utter a word I heard Lucas's voice beside me.

"We can take him out, you know?" He asked, with a hint of impatience in his tone.

"No." I replied immediately, knowing that was the question he wanted to ask. "It's not worth the risk. Tell everyone to remain still."

Lucas picked up his burner phone and sent the message across once more, just as I had instructed.

I stared at the security guard through the car's windshield with contempt, as even I was becoming a bit impatient too. What the hell was going on? I thought. Why decide to take a smoke just now?

Just then, his gaze fell upon me. It felt as if he could see me through the glasses, clearly. And I in turn, didn't hold back; I returned the gaze. We both stared at each other for a while, his gaze threatening and interrogative.

He drew a hit from the cigarette he held on one of his hands, then squinted his eyes as if trying to pick us out from the dark. But to no avail.

You've probably got a family to fend for, you fool. I said inwardly as I stared at him from distance. Hurry up and don't get caught up in someone else's business.

"Five minutes past twelve o'clock." Lucas complained. "You know how much we've prepared for this, Rave."

I said nothing. I just remained silent, watching- if watching was the right word the right word to use, at the security guard.

Move for god's sake! I cried inwardly once again.

And then, as if he could hear my thoughts clearly. He slowly threw the cigarette to the far corner, some metres away from where he was standing. He slowly backed out and after a few foot, turned around and walked away.

Phew! I sighed inwardly again. That was close, too damn close. For a moment I thought- well it doesn't matter anymore, what matters right now is that we're going in.

"Kill the cameras." I said to Franca, almost immediately. "We're moving in."

Raven's POV

The moment the words left my mouth, everything shifted. The calm, calculated tension that had been hanging in the car turned into raw, adrenaline-fueled motion. It was time to execute, time to move from the waiting game into the action. The clock was ticking, and every second felt like a lifetime.

Franca's voice crackled in my ear. "Cameras are down. You're good to go."

"Copy that," I responded, my voice steady despite the pressure mounting.

I was already out of the car, my boots hitting the cold, damp concrete with a muted thud. The rain had picked up, but that didn't matter. The wet ground was our friend, it muffled our steps, concealing our presence as we went. I moved with a ghost's grace, slipping through the shadows towards the east entrance of the warehouse.

Lucas was close behind me, his silhouette blending with the darkness, his mask making him look like a predator-silent, lethal, and focused. I could feel his presence just inches away, his readiness almost palpable.

We made it to the east entrance. The warehouse loomed before us like a dark, brooding fortress. Inside, there were millions of dollars at stake, but it wasn't just money we were after.

I signaled to Lucas. He pushed open the rusted door with a quiet creak. The smell of old metal and stale air greeted us, but I didn't pause to take it in. We were on a clock, and that clock was ticking fast.

"Franca, camera feeds are down?" I whispered into the comms.

"Like they were never there," she replied. "You've got five minutes to do what you came for."

Inside the warehouse was a maze of narrow hallways, all leading to the heart of the operation. But tonight, we weren't after information or files. We were here for something more tangible-something that would cripple Gonzalez's empire if we pulled this off.

Thirty million dollars in cash.

We had intel that the money was stored in a high-security vault, hidden in the deepest part of the warehouse, guarded by layers of security. But we had studied every corner of this place for months, and tonight, everything was falling into place.

"Franca, we're moving to the vault," I said, keeping my voice low. "Give us the layout one more time."

The plan was simple. The vault was located in the back room, past a series of guarded checkpoints. But once inside, there was a catch. We had intel that the room wouldn't just contain money-it would also house something far more dangerous.

"Stay sharp," Lucas muttered, his eyes scanning the shadows ahead. "You know what's in there."

I nodded, the taste of metal on my tongue. "Yeah, I know."

We kept moving through the dim-lit hallways, turning corners with practiced precision. Finally, we reached the door to the back room.

I raised my hand, signaling Lucas to stop. I could hear the faint hum of ventilation and the low murmur of voices behind the thick door. We crouched down, peering through a small window in the steel door. What we saw made my stomach tighten.

Stacks of cash, piled high in the corner. But that wasn't what caught my eye.

The room wasn't just a vault-it was a storage for the Cartel's entire operation. Along with the cash, the room was filled with dozens of barrels, their contents easily identifiable from the white powder leaking out. Cocaine.

The Cartel's prized product. The very thing that fueled the empire I intended to bring crashing down.

But tonight, the focus was the cash. I turned to Lucas. "The vault is behind that door. But it's locked tight, and I'm guessing the security isn't just for show."

"I'll get it open," Lucas said, pulling out a set of high-tech tools. "But we need to move quickly. Once those cameras reset, we're exposed."

I nodded and watched him work, the soft clicking of his tools as he hacked into the vault's system. Every second counted. The cocaine barrels were still there, but they didn't matter right now. We couldn't afford to get distracted.

"Done," Lucas muttered as the door to the vault clicked open.

Inside, the sight of the money made my pulse spike. I couldn't help but feel a rush. Thirty million dollars-although not a humongous amount, it was still enough to shake the Cartel. Enough to fund our operations for years.

But as we stepped inside, I took a long look at the room. The cash was stored in a high-tech vault, its digital locks flashing green. But it was the other contents that made my skin crawl.

The barrels of cocaine lined the walls, stacked high like trophies. The room smelled of chemicals, of power, of violence. It was a monument to everything I hated.

Lucas moved toward the cash, his hands steady as he began to pack the stacks into bags. But we couldn't be too greedy. We had to take only what was necessary and leave. We didn't have the luxury of getting caught up in the Cartel's operations.

I looked over at the cocaine barrels again. The temptation to burn them all, to destroy what had fueled so many lives, was strong. But tonight was about the money.

"Franca, status?" I said into the comms, my voice even.

"I'm still in control of the cameras," Franca replied. "But the guards will start noticing soon. You've got two minutes before everything goes to hell."

"Two minutes. Copy that," I muttered, turning back to the vault.

Lucas finished loading the last of the cash into the bags. We were nearly there. Thirty million dollars in cash. And all we had to do was get out.

But just as I was about to signal the all-clear, the sound of approaching footsteps reached my ears.

"Guard," I whispered to Lucas. "Time to go."

We slammed the vault door shut, our hands moving quickly as we gathered the bags of cash. But we were running out of time. The guards would be here any second.

I grabbed the duffel bags, throwing them over my shoulder. "Franca, we're on our way out."

The sound of footsteps grew louder. We moved quickly, retracing our steps, heading back toward the exit. But the walls seemed to close in around us. The weight of the money was heavy in my hands, but the tension in my chest was even heavier.

And then, just as we reached the door, the alarm blared.

Raven's POV

The moment the alarm sounded, the world shifted from precision to chaos.

The high-pitched wail cut through the air like a knife, signaling the end of our quiet operation. Every corner of the warehouse was alive with movement now, guards rushing to secure their posts, weapons drawn, their feet pounding against the concrete floor. We were no longer invisible shadows. We were now a target.

I didn't waste a second. "Move!" I barked at Lucas, already making my way back down the corridor we had just come through. Every step felt like it was echoing louder than the alarm itself.

Lucas was right behind me, a quick glance telling me he had the duffel bags slung over his shoulder. Thirty million in cash. The weight of it, both literal and figurative, was something I had to push aside. Right now, I had to think-plan-survive.

I sent my hands into my pockets and brought out a sheet of paper. Written on it was a note and our contact address. Yes, we wanted them to know who was behind this. I wanted them to know who had the audacity to break into their most secured facility and move out 30 million dollars in cash.

"I DID IT! A BIT SHOCKING RIGHT? HOWEVER, I HAVE NO INTENTIONS OF KEEPING THE CASH... I'VE GOT SKILLS AND TALENT, AND I'M LOOKING FOR A PARTNER WHO APPRECIATES BOTH. MEET ME AT THE OLD WAREHOUSE AT MIDNIGHT IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN DISCUSSING A POTENTIAL COLLABORATION."

I placed the written note on the floor, centralizing it to make it an easy find. Then turned to look at Lucas, who in turn glanced at me.

The sound of the approaching guards was getting louder, their boots slamming against the ground like the ticking of a bomb. We had no time for subtlety now. We needed to get out fast-and quietly.

I scanned the hallway, eyes flicking between the exits, and then the familiar sound of the comm in my ear buzzed.

"Franca," I said, keeping my voice level despite the rising panic. "Where the hell are the backup routes?"

"Third door on your left, Raven," came her calm reply, a sharp contrast to the pandemonium surrounding us. "I've already disabled the internal alarm system, but they'll still have backup coming from the east exit. Move fast."

"Got it," I said, my heart pounding. The third door. I could already see it in my mind-the emergency exit hidden behind a stack of crates.

"Lucas, follow me," I said, not waiting for him to respond. We darted to the left, my boots slipping slightly on the slick ground as I reached for the door handle.

It wasn't locked. I flung it open and motioned for Lucas to follow. The dark alleyway beyond was a godsend-an unmarked escape route that led to the back of the warehouse, where Carter's truck was waiting for us.

But even with the alarm cut, we still had to move fast. No one could know we were out yet.

"Go," I whispered to Lucas, barely catching the edge of his expression as he nodded and fell into step behind me. We ran, pushing through the rain-soaked alley as fast as our legs would carry us.

The truck was parked just around the corner, its engine running low, ready to go. Carter was behind the wheel, his face hidden in shadow as we approached.

I didn't look back. I didn't need to. Every instinct in my body was tuned into the world around me, the sound of footsteps fading into the distance, the sense that something was just off. Someone was going to find us. Someone had to.

As soon as I reached the truck, I threw open the passenger door and jumped inside, the bags of money landing heavily beside me.

"Go," I told Carter, my voice firm. "Now."

The truck's engine roared to life, and we peeled out of the alley, tires screeching on the wet road. It wasn't until we turned the corner that I allowed myself to breathe again. But even then, my mind was racing, my heart still pounding in my chest.

"Franca," I spoke into the comm, eyes scanning the rearview mirror. "Status?"

"Nothing on the radar yet," she replied. "But you know that won't last. They've already started reviewing the footage. The clock's ticking, Raven. You need to get off the grid, now."

I nodded, my grip tightening on the seat. "We're heading to the safe house. Get the extraction team in place."

"Already done," Franca said. "Carter, you better drive like you're being chased. It'll be a few minutes before they realize you're in the wind."

Carter didn't need any further encouragement. He floored the gas pedal, sending the truck lurching forward, the tires kicking up water as we sped through the city streets. We were heading for the back roads now, where the traffic was lighter and the chances of a pursuit slimmer.

But I wasn't naive. I knew the Cartel's reach. And I knew they wouldn't let this go.

"How much time do we have?" Lucas asked, his voice tight, the bags of cash still clutched in his hands.

"Two minutes," I replied. "Once we hit the back roads, it'll give us a little more room. But after that, we'll need to move fast. We can't let them find us before the extraction point."

"You think they'll follow?" Lucas asked.

"They will follow," I said, my voice like steel. "They'll have a team on our tail by the time we hit the outskirts. I need everyone in place. No mistakes."

The truck's engine growled as we turned onto a narrow side street, the darkness of the city swallowing us whole. I glanced behind us, watching for any sign of pursuit, any headlights flashing in the distance. But there was nothing yet.

We made a hard right, taking us onto a road that led toward the old industrial area on the edge of the city. It was the perfect spot for an exchange. Low traffic, a maze of warehouses, and most importantly-nowhere the Cartel would think to look.

"Franca," I said again, "are we clear?"

"Clear for now," she answered. "But they'll be sweeping the city soon. You've got about five minutes before they hit the outskirts. After that, they're going to start checking all routes."

We were getting close. My pulse was steady now, my mind focused. We had thirty million in cash and a few minutes to spare. It was enough to make this mission a success-if we didn't screw up.

"Once we make the drop, we're clean," Carter muttered, glancing at me.

I didn't reply immediately. Instead, I stared out the window, watching the rain blur past, the city streets rolling by like a film in slow motion.

This was the moment. We were now one step closer towards the destruction of the Tito's empire. If we could pull off the next part without anyone noticing...

...We'd have the entire Gonzalez Cartel group in our fingertips.