Sweet Vengeances
Chapter 27: Unveiling the Enemy

Chapter 27: Chapter 27: Unveiling the Enemy

There was a noticeable sense of tension within Marcus Langston’s lavish home. The polished marble floors were shadowed by elaborate chandeliers, and the echoes of distant footsteps down the long hallways gave the place a foreboding feel. The enormity of it all made Lily feel insignificant, but the stakes were too great for her to back down now.

Marcus’s keen eyes were focused on Ethan as he leaned against the edge of his mahogany desk. There was no mistaking his steely face, but there was no denying the weight of his power. He was obviously a man who was used to being in charge.

"Victor Kane is not a name you throw around carelessly," Marcus said in a measured tone. Ethan, what precisely are you requesting of me?

Ethan confidently looked him in the eye. We are requesting your resources and your men in order to form an alliance. Before Kane takes any more lives, we must defeat him.

Marcus’s lips curled into a slight smirk as he lifted an eyebrow. "What gives you the impression that I would jeopardize my empire for your small cause?"

With a calm yet forceful voice, Lily took a step forward. Since Kane is more than simply a danger to us. You are also at risk from him. He will eventually find you, just as he has found everyone else who has stood in his way. This is your battle, not just ours.

Marcus’s gaze strayed to Lily, drawn to her audacity. "Are you, too?"

Despite her nervousness buzzing in her chest, she stood upright and said, "Lily Harper." "Kane’s men will not stop until I’m dead; they have already attempted to kill me. But for me, this is about preventing him from harming anyone else, not simply getting even. Include you.

Marcus gave a gloomy laugh. "I’ll give you that you have fire. But Miss Harper, fire isn’t enough to win a battle.

Ethan cut in, his voice piercing. "Fire is not the only issue here. We have intelligence on Kane’s activities and weaknesses. We can defeat him with your resources and our expertise.

For a minute, Marcus said nothing. His analytical eyes lingered on each member of the group as he observed them. He then pushed the desk aside and made his way to the big window that looked out over his expansive property.

With a tone that was almost contemplative, he remarked, "Kane and I go way back." Together, we once established an empire. But he was constantly craving more—more authority, more command. He wanted to own the game, not simply control it. And he attempted to have me removed when I refused to bow to him.

Marcus’s remarks lingered in the air, and the room became quiet.

Marcus turned back to them and added, "Obviously, he failed." But I paid for it. I lost trustworthy and decent people. And I made a vow to never allow anyone to get that close to defeating me again.

Ethan remarked, "Then you realize why we’re here." "Kane will not give up until he achieves his goals. It won’t be long until he comes for you once more if you don’t accompany us.

After examining Ethan for a while, Marcus turned to look at Jack and Monica, who had been silent but attentive the entire time. His gaze finally fell upon Lily.

"You think you can pull this off?" he questioned her bluntly.

After hesitating, Lily nodded. Indeed. We can with your assistance.

A little, hardly noticeable smile curved Marcus’s lips. "All right. I’ll assist you. It’s important to remember that this is business, not charity. I won’t follow you down if you fail.

Ethan gave a nod. "Comprehensive."

Ethan, Jack, and Lily collaborated with Marcus’s team to create a plan over the course of the following several hours. Modern technology was available on Marcus’s estate, including a safe war room where they could plot their course of action.

Ethan pointed to a computerized city map on the big screen and said, "We’ll hit Kane where it hurts the most—his supply chain." His operations depend heavily on these warehouses. We will severely impair his capacity to sell goods and raise money if we remove them.

"What about his ability to lead?" Marcus inquired. Kane has lieutenants in charge of several divisions inside his kingdom. If the supply chain is still in charge, eliminating it won’t have much of an impact.

Jack stated, "That’s where we come in." One by one, we will eliminate his lieutenants. Slice off the snake’s head.

Lily listened carefully, taking in all the information. Although the plan was hazardous, dangerous, and ambitious, it was also their greatest chance.

She broke her stillness and asked, "What’s my role in all this?"

Ethan paused, looking into her eyes. "You’ll accompany me. We’ll sneak into Kane’s inner circle to learn what he plans to do next. We will have the opportunity to put an end to this once and for all if we can get near enough to him.

The idea of confronting Kane head-on made Lily’s stomach turn, but she nodded. "I’m on board."

Marcus drew Ethan away as the group worked out their strategies.

"She’s brave," Marcus remarked, gesturing to Lily. "But do you think she’s prepared for this?"

Ethan’s mouth clenched. "She appears weaker than she actually is."

Marcus grinned. "Hopefully, you’re correct. Because we could all lose if she makes a mistake.

Marcus’s comments weighed heavily on Ethan’s shoulders, but he didn’t answer.

The group was prepared to move by nightfall. They divided into two groups and departed Marcus’s estate in the dark. While Ethan, Lily, Jack, and Monica headed off to carry out the first part of the plan—infiltrating one of Kane’s warehouses—Marcus remained behind to coordinate from the war room.

The car remained silent during the stressful trip, only sometimes disturbed by Monica tapping her fingers impatiently against the door. Sitting in the passenger seat, Lily’s thoughts were racing with a mixture of terror and resolve.

"Are you alright?" With his eyes darting to her, Ethan asked softly.

She gave a nod. "I’m all right. Just... concentrated.

A small smile curved Ethan’s lips. "All right. Remain concentrated. Tonight, we’re going to need your fire.

Despite her anxieties, Lily couldn’t help but smile back.

Tension was in the air when they got to the warehouse. Ahead, the dark, ominous windows of the skyscraper loomed.

After Jack parked the car far enough away, the party approached the entryway with caution.

Ethan muttered, "Remember," in a voice that was hardly audible. "In and out." No needless dangers.

Grasping the tiny earpiece Marcus had given her, Lily nodded. It was linked to the war room, where Marcus’s group kept a real-time eye on their progress.

The air became even more dense as they stepped into the warehouse. The smell of metal and oil permeated the moist air. The walls were lined with rows of containers, each bearing Kane’s symbol.

While Ethan and Lily looked for the cargo manifest—evidence they could use to follow Kane’s operations—Jack and Monica proceeded to seal the perimeter.

Ethan gestured to a desk in the corner and said, "Over here." Lily watched the shadows around them, her heart racing as she followed him.

Abruptly, footsteps reverberated throughout the warehouse.

With a tense voice, Lily murmured, "Someone is coming."

Ethan squinted his eyes. "Stay hidden."

As the sound of footfall increased, the two of them hid behind a pile of crates, breathing shallowly.

Ethan whispered, "Remain composed," as his palm touched hers.

The footsteps halted a few feet away, and Lily’s heart raced. Her fingers clenched around the crate’s edge as she held her breath.

Would they be facing Kane’s soldiers for the first time?

She was certain that there was no going back now, regardless of what was ahead.