The moment Imara arrived at the shipment site, she knew something was wrong, the air was thick with tension and rusty smell of rain, the kind that made her fingers itch to reach for her gun. The dimly lit dock was surrounded by her men, all standing stiffly, their eyes locked on the group in front of them, her enemy the man she had crossed paths with too many times before Rafael Caro.

He stood there with his usual smug expression, leaning casually against a crate that belonged to her his men were standing behind him, all armed, all ready Imara stepped forward, her heels clicking against the wet pavement.

"Move."

She ordered, her voice was cold and firm on which Rafael let out a low chuckle.

"Hello old friend what's up!!"

"You are not my friend you are standing between me and what's mine I don't like repeating myself."

She said with her jaw clenched and Rafael smirked, pushing off the crate.

"And what if I don't move You gonna shoot me in front of all these people?"

He said in a taunting tone while gesturing towards the men, Imara tilted her head and her lips curled into a slow, dangerous smile she took one step closer.

''I don't need a gun to end you, Rafael but if you want to test me, be my guest."

She said behind her mask, yes she used to cover her face but Rafael had seen him because he was his old enemy. After heard her Rafael smirked widely but he didn't step back, Imara's black eyes were fix into his blue one, unblinking, unshaken, her men were standing behind her, waiting for her command and Rafael's men did the same, it was a standoff, and everyone knew that one wrong move could turn this dock into a battlefield.

"You always take things so seriously Mara."

Rafael said with a dramatic sigh while shaking his head and Imara's eyes darkened at the nickname he used to mock her, she tilted her head slightly.

"Your shipment... I could let it go, but where is the fun in that? unless, of course, you give me something in return."

He said in whisper and step closer towards her and Imara's patience snapped, she moved faster than anyone could react and grabbed Rafael by the collar and slamming him against the cold metal container, a sharp gasp echoed from his men, and in an instant, guns were raised on both sides, but she didn't flinch, her grip tightened around his collar.

"You really want to play this game with me, Rafael?"

She leaned closer and said in sharp tone on which his smirk faltered for a second, but he quickly masked it with a chuckle.

"Feisty as ever, Imara but tell me will you really start a war over this?"

He said in challenging tone and she let out a cold laugh, her black eyes glinting under the dim lights.

"You won't be around to see a war if you don't step away from my shipment now."

She said in warning tone, the metal of her hidden blade pressed against his side, just enough for him to feel the sharpness, a warning, a promise Rafael clenched his jaw, his eyes flicked toward his men, then back at her, he knew her too well Imara didn't make empty threats after a tense pause, he raised his hands slightly in surrender.

"Alright, Mara relax I was just messing with you."

He said, his tone was lace with bitter sweetness and with a sharp shove, she pushed him back, watching as he stumbled slightly before fixing his coat with a forced smirk.

"Let them pass."

Rafael ordered his men, waving them off like this was all just a joke. Imara didn't look away from him because she knew her enemy could attack her at anytime, her men was moving the shipment, securing what was rightfully hers, just as Imara turned slightly, keeping her eyes on her men securing the shipment, she sensed the shift in the air.

The moment of silence before betrayal.

Click.

The sound of a gun being drawn.

Bang!

And a gunshot shattered the tense atmosphere.

Pain exploded in her shoulder as the bullet tore through flesh, sending a sharp, burning sensation rippling through her body, the force made her stumble back, her breath hitching for a split second, but she didn't fall, didn't scream and in a blink, her men immediately raised their weapons, ready to make them silent, but she lifted a hand, stopping them, instead she drew her own gun, spinning around just as Rafael smirked, lowering his smoking pistol. His men braced for a fight, but before they could move.......

Bang!

Imara fired, a single, precise shot, the bullet passed by Rafael's cheek, leaving a thin line of blood.

"You bastard!!"

Imara hissed, pressing a hand to her bleeding shoulder, her sharp gaze locked onto Rafael.

"If you're willingly to end me so you have to shoot properly."

She whispered, voice like ice Rafael exhaled, amusement flickering in his eyes even as he wiped the blood from his cheek.

"You're tough, Imara... but even you can't survive forever."

He said in dangerous tone while glaring her on which she smirked despite the pain.

"Watch me."

And in that moment, the storm truly began, the sound of gunfire roared through the docks the docks erupted into chaos, gunfire cracked through the night, echoing over the water. Imara's men immediately took position, firing back at Rafael's crew. Sparks flew as bullets were hitting the metal containers, and the scent of gunpowder filled the air.

Imara, despite the burning pain in her shoulder, moved swiftly. Her instincts were sharper than the pain and weakness spreading through her body she ducked behind a stack of crates, reloading her gun with gritted teeth.

Rafael had disappeared into the chaos, barking orders to his men. He had started this war, but she would end it.

Alex's voice crackled through her earpiece, because his work was just to monitor situation and help Imara if situation got too worse.

"Boss, you are hit! We need to pull you out, I'm coming...."

"No."

Imara snapped, peeking from behind cover and firing three precise shots, two of Rafael's men dropped instantly but Imara had no time to celebrate. The pain in her shoulder was growing worse, but she pushed through it, her grip steady as she reloaded.

"Boss, we need to get you out of here try to understand!"

Alex's urgent voice came through the earpiece again, but Imara' focus was sharp.

"Not until Rafael is dead or gone."

she said stubbornly and could heard Alex sighed, her eyes were scanning the chaos, she spotted him near the loading area, using a container as cover, his smirk was gone now he knew she was coming for him.

Imara moved like a shadow, slipping between crates, avoiding stray bullets. The rain had started falling harder, mixing with the scent of blood and gunpowder, her shoulder throbbed, but she didn't let it to over power her, Rafael turned to fire at one of her men, leaving himself exposed for just a second and it was all she needed.

Bang!

Her bullet struck his hand, making him growled and drop his gun, he clutched his bleeding hand and turned toward her, Imara stepped out from her cover, gun aimed directly at his head.

"It's over, Rafael."

She said, her voice deathly calm despite the fire in her veins but instead of fear, Rafael laughed and Imara pressed her gun harshly on his forehead.

"You really think I came here alone?"

He taunted while glaring her and before she could react, the sound of screeching tires filled the air, three black SUVs skidded to a stop, more of Rafael's men spilled out, heavily armed Imara's jaw clenched in anger and frustration.

"Boss, there are too many! We need to fall back!"

Alex shouted who had already come there to take her, Imara looked at Rafael who was smirking clearly celebrated her defeat, she could fight, but with a wound slowing her down and Rafael's reinforcements flooding in, it was a death trap.

"Looks like the Mafia Queen finally met her match."

He said mockingly and raised his hand to touch her face, her eyes darkened and she jerked her hand.

"You are still alive, that means I haven't met my match yet."

She said in cold tone and his smirk flattered for a seconds, Imara glanced at her men and then back at Rafael.

"Fall back!"

She ordered calmly yet there was something hidden, she jerked his body and step back Alex was already waiting with a black car, and she sprinted towards it, a wince as pain shot through her shoulder but she knew the pain was not throbbing from bullet it was from defeat she slid into the seat, Alex hit the engine and they sped away, through the side mirror, Imara saw Rafael standing there, watching her escape with that damn smirk and her whole body set on fire.

✧◍✧◍✧

He was standing outside the dimly lit flower shop, his breath visible in the cool night air, the streets were quiet, damp from the earlier rain, and the faint scent of wet earth mixed with the lingering fragrance of flowers, he kept his posture relaxed, but his senses were sharp, eyes scanning the surroundings. Midnight meetings like this were never safe then he heard footsteps, his hand instinctively reaching for his gun the figure approaching was dressed in dark clothing, but then the person stepped under the streetlight, and he finally saw the face, sharp face, thick brows and black eyes just like his family members.

Nichole.

"You're late."

Red said sternly and lowered his hand from the gun, Nichole smirked slightly and hugged him dramatically.

"Ughh just I'm busy dude."

Red rolled his eyes on Nichole's action and pinched his waist.

"Ahm no harm but you smell like black rose any special reason.."

Nichole said with a mocking smirk and Red's eyes darkened.

"Shut up!"

Nichole laughed loudly and took a step back, his gaze scanning the surroundings before settling back on Red.

"Now come to the serious discussion you got my message?"

He asked in serious tone on which Red nodded his head.

"Yeah tell me what's going on with Mafia Imara?"

Red asked in calm yet firm tone Nichole glanced around once more before speaking, his was voice low.

"She has been moving weapons big shipments, high-tech. And the killer has been seen near her territory multiple times in the last few days."

Red's jaws tighten after heard him, he looked at Nichole who was calmly yet coldly looking at him his earlier playfulness was gone, he crossed his arms, studying him from head to toe.

"And whose side are you really on, Nichole?"

He asked his voice was serious leaving no room for argument Nichole met his gaze, his expression was unreadable.

"That depends."

"On what?"

Nichole shrugged his shoulders and ran his fingers in his curly hairs, which were tied in a small ponytail.

"Loyalty dude loyalty."

He said firmly and Red rolled his eyes and before he could say anything else, Nichole's gaze flickered toward the corner of the shop, where a cane was propped against the wall, his lips twitched into a smirk as he turned back to Red

"By the way you are doing a great job by fooling Imara making her fall in love with you? Clever move, but don't get carried away, remember my sister is your wife."

He said everything in a whisper as he was telling a secret on which Red rolled his eyes, clearly unimpressed.

"Don't talk nonsense, Nichole."

"Just saying, playing with fire can get you burned."

Nichole replied calmly while chuckling quitely and he shot him a warning look.

"I know exactly what I'm doing."

Nichole held up his hands in surrender on which Red exhaled sharply and shook his head because his was not the time for jokes.

"Forget Imara, we have bigger problems to handle."

Red said firmly and Nichole' smirk faded as he nodded, and they walked ahead alley, they both share a knowing glance with each other and glanced at the CCTV and then a car which stopped at the end of the alley.

✧◍✧◍✧

The dimly lit room was silent, except for the faint hum of a single overhead light the shadows were clinging to the walls, stretching across the floor like silent witnesses to the secrets buried within, a man was sitting alone at a large metal desk, his fingers tapping against a thick file marked 'Classified', His sharp black eyes were roaming around the worn pages, scanning the information, that Red had mentioned earlier, details about Nichole.

"This file should not exist."

He murmured and with slow, deliberate movements, he closed the file and set it aside, then, he reached into the drawer and pulled out a silver lighter on which the picture of Alpha was carved, its polished surface gleaming under the weak light.

Click.

A small flame flickered to life, casting a warm glow over his expressionless face he picked up the file again, staring at it for a long moment. This file held truths that could change everything but some truths were better left buried and without hesitation, he touched the flame to the edge of the paper.

The fire caught instantly, curling the pages into glowing embers, he held it up, watching as the classified words dissolved into ash, the heat licked at his fingers, but he didn't flinch, he simply let the flames consume the secrets, turning years of hidden information into nothing.

As the last piece turned to ash, he dropped the remnants into a steel tray leaving only a thin trail of smoke, he leaned back in his chair and exhaled slowly.

"Now, Red or no one will ever know."

He thought dangerously, his fingers still tapping the metal desk with slow rhythm but the sharp ring of his phone echoed through the dimly lit room, the sound was heavy, cutting through the silence like a knife, he glanced down at the screen.

Irina.

The name glowed on the caller ID, each ring vibrating in his hand, he inhaled deeply, his fingers tightening around the device, for a moment, he just stood there, staring at the name, his expression unreadable, the phone rang again and again and without a word, he pressed the side button, silencing the call, he slipped the phone into his pocket and exhaled slowly, as if trying to push away the weight pressing down on him, after staring the black ash of the file he grabbed his coat and walked out of the secret room.

Some calls are better left unanswered.

_________________________________________
_________________________________________

...ᴄᴏɴᴛɪɴᴜᴇᴅ...

(Hey friends I hope you would like the today episode if yes then share your reviews and also don't forget to press star, I will post next chapter soon, see you in next chapter)

Thank you. ෆ⁠╹⁠ ⁠.̮⁠ ⁠╹⁠ෆ