Sweet Vengeances
Chapter 38: Into the Lion’s Den

Chapter 38: Chapter 38: Into the Lion’s Den

The next morning broke with a dark gray sky, the kind of weather that seemed to portend the peril that lay ahead. As Ethan went over the plan one last time, Lily paced her apartment. With the burden of their task bearing down on them, there was a noticeable strain between them.

"Do you think we’re prepared for this?" With a softer tone than usual, Lily inquired.

Ethan raised his gaze from the tabletop map. "All set? There is never anyone prepared to take on someone like Jack Monroe. Now or never, though. He might vanish, and we won’t have another chance if we wait much longer.

Grasping the back of the chair in front of her, Lily nodded. All I want is to avoid making a mistake. We must be more intelligent than him if he is half as scary as everyone claims.

Ethan approached her and put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "We’ll be. We’re not going in blind, remember. We are aware of his operating location and methodology. We just want answers—and a method to stop him—not a fight.

Lily inhaled deeply, finding courage in Ethan’s composed resolve. "All right. Let’s get this done.

The quiet inside the automobile was anything but tranquil, despite the uneventful journey to the docks. As they approached their destination, the knot in Lily’s stomach grew tighter, and every streetlight they passed seemed to flicker with dread.

The warehouse, a massive building with broken windows and corrugated metal, loomed ahead. On the surface, it appeared deserted, but Lily knew otherwise. Jack Monroe was an expert at concealing his activities in plain sight.

Out of sight from the main entrance, Ethan parked the car in a dark part of the lot. He cut the engine and remarked, "This is it."

With her heart racing, Lily gazed at the building. "It appears to be empty."

Ethan responded, "That’s the point," and took a flashlight out of the glove compartment. However, it’s not. Believe me.

They got out of the car together, walking carefully over the chipped road. The air was thick and humid, with a subtle smell of motor fuel and saltwater.

As they arrived at the warehouse’s side, Ethan indicated a tiny, rusted entrance that was partially obscured by wooden container stacks. "This is most likely the most effective entry. Jack won’t anticipate someone entering through the side if he is present.

Lily nodded while holding onto the tiny pepper spray container she had slipped into her pocket. "Hopefully, you’re correct."

The old hinges creaked as Ethan cautiously pushed the door open. The interior of the warehouse was gloomy and empty, with rows of metal shelves extending into the darkness. Deeper within, the low hum of equipment could be heard, occasionally broken by the clatter of footsteps.

Their footsteps were muffled by the concrete floor as they moved cautiously. With his flashlight piercing the night, Ethan took the lead. Every distant sound sounded dangerous, and every shadow appeared alive.

Despite her strained nerves, Lily made herself concentrate. She was doing this for Cassandra, Ethan, and everybody else that Jack Monroe had harmed, not just for herself.

They discovered evidence of recent activity as they continued their exploration of the warehouse, including a desk covered in paperwork, abandoned coffee cups, and piles of boxes with mysterious codes written on them.

Ethan furrowed his brow as he combed through the documents. He said, "These appear to be shipping manifests." However, the destinations are illogical. They are basically everywhere.

Lily took a quick look behind him. "What does it mean, in your opinion?"

"It indicates that Jack is managing multiple operations," Ethan said somberly. Weapons, drugs, and possibly even people trafficking. He’s moving things under the radar by using this location as a center.

Lily felt a shiver go down her back. Even worse than she had anticipated was the extent of Jack’s crimes.

Her attention was suddenly drawn to a faint sound—a low murmur of voices coming from somewhere close. She signaled for Ethan to listen by tapping his arm.

He heard it too, and his body tensed as he froze. He gestured for her to follow him, whispering, "This way."

They made their way through the tangle of shelves and crates toward the source of the sound. Until they arrived at a partially open door at the rear of the warehouse, the voices became clearer and louder.

Ethan’s face hardened as he peered inside. "That’s him," he muttered.

Leaning slightly closer, Lily could see Jack Monroe standing in the middle of the room, flanked by two muscular men who appeared to belong in a fight club. Tall and broad-shouldered, Jack had keen features and a smile that stopped short of his calculating, hard eyes.

His tone was informal but authoritative as he spoke to someone on the phone. He was saying, "I don’t care how you do it." "Just make sure the shipment arrives on schedule." Additionally, you know how to respond to inquiries.

Ethan drew back, his jaw clenched. "We must leave this place. Right now.

Lily paused, her eyes still on Jack. However, we haven’t yet discovered anything tangible. We require evidence.

"We will return," Ethan emphasized. "But we’re going to be caught if we stay any longer."

Lily nodded reluctantly, and they both started to back away. However, Lily’s foot snagged on a stray metal object as they turned to go, causing it to crash to the ground.

In the silence of the warehouse, the sound reverberated like a gunshot.

"What was that?" Jack’s voice came abruptly from the other room.

Ethan and Lily both froze, their eyes wide with fear.

Jack commanded, "Check it out," and soon after, footsteps could be heard approaching.

Taking Lily by the hand, Ethan dragged her behind a pile of crates. "Remain silent," he said in a barely discernible whisper.

Lily held her breath as the footsteps approached, her heart thumping so loudly that she was certain it would reveal their location.

With his spotlight scanning the aisle, one of Jack’s men emerged. He was huge, had a shaved head, and wore a scowl that gave the impression that he would use violence without hesitation.

Lily clenched her fists, prepared to fight if it came to that, as the beam of light went perilously close to where they were hidden.

However, a huge smash reverberated from the opposite side of the warehouse before the man could look into it further.

"What the devil?" The man turned and hurried toward the commotion, muttering.

Ethan breathed a silent sigh of relief. "We’re heading out. Right now.

Every second seemed to drag on forever as they slithered back toward the side door. The chilly night air felt liberating when they eventually managed to slip outside.

Lily let out a shaky breath and got back in the car. "That was too near."

With a nod, Ethan turned on the engine. However, we now know his location. And we’ll be prepared the next time.

The warehouse vanished from view as they drove away, but the impact of what they had witnessed persisted. Taking down Jack Monroe would be the battle of their lives since his empire was bigger and more dangerous than they had thought.

Lily, however, was not going to back down. Not right now. Never.