Sweet Vengeances
Chapter 65: Cracks in the Foundation

Chapter 65: Chapter 65: Cracks in the Foundation

The air was heavy with unsaid thoughts during the tense drive back from the Santiago conference. As she sat in the passenger seat, Lily’s thoughts were reliving everything she had spoken to Alejandro. Although he had not explicitly agreed, he was at least thinking about it, which was more than she had hoped for.

Silently, Ethan gripped the driving wheel tightly. Since they entered the club, he had been tense since his protective nature conflicted with the need for their strategy.

The silence was finally broken by Lily. "We have a chance."

Ethan let out a loud sigh. "A chance does not equate to a guarantee."

"It’s preferable to nothing."

Ethan took a while to reply. His mouth clenched, he turned down a quiet road that led to the safe home. "You know what happens if this doesn’t work out, Lily."

She gave him a look. "I do." However, we have no other option.

He flexed his hands on the steering wheel. "We have a choice at all times."

Observing the strain in his features, Lily examined his profile. For him, this was not only a strategic issue; it was also a personal one. His concerns extended beyond the plan. He was concerned about her.

She put her touch softly on his arm as she reached across. "Ethan."

His black eyes were unreadable when he finally looked at her.

"I am aware of the dangers," she uttered quietly. And I’m confident you’ll stop at nothing to protect me. However, we must finish this.

Ethan let out a breath, his tense posture slightly relaxed. "I dislike it."

"You don’t need to," she said. "You simply must have faith in me."

Before he nodded, his fingers briefly clenched around the steering wheel. "Yes, I do."

Not much. However, it was sufficient.

Liam was back at the safe home, waiting. His arms were crossed as he stood close to the fireplace, his face impassive.

As soon as they entered, he said, "Well?"

Lily scowled as pain flared in her side and shrugged off her coat. "He’s considering it."

Liam’s eyebrows went up. "That exceeded my expectations."

Ethan lowered himself onto a chair and combed his hair. "It’s still risky."

Liam poured a glass for himself. "In this profession, everything is a gamble. Whether you’re playing to win or merely to survive is the question.

Lily looked up at him. "We are playing for victory."

Liam grinned. "Well done."

However, a phone rang before they could continue.

Ethan picked up his burner phone off the table and answered right away. "Yes?"

His face clouded, and Lily and Liam stared.

"When?" he insisted. A pause. "We’re en route."

Reaching for his jacket, he hung up. "We’re having trouble."

Lily got up. "What is it?"

"Carlisle is aware," Ethan remarked somberly. He was tipped off by someone. He is acting in opposition to the Santiagos.

Lily felt sick to her stomach. "That quick?"

Liam muttered an expletive. "Fuck it. He perceives them as a genuine threat if he is retaliating.

Ethan gave a nod. This implies that they are at risk. We lose our advantage if we don’t take action right away.

Lily reached for her jacket. "Then we stop him."

Ethan’s piercing stare was fixed on her. "Lily, things are going to become worse. Carlisle is defending not only his company but also his authority. He will push back more forcefully if we push him.

Lily’s mouth clenched. "Give him a chance."

After a brief moment of hesitation, Ethan nodded. "Leave now."

When they got there, the warehouse on the docks was already a battleground.

The sound of gunfire reverberated through the night, the air being pierced by the crisp crack of bullets. Shouts echoed in all directions as shadows shifted between the shipping container stacks.

Liam killed the engine by parking behind a line of deserted trucks. "We must act quickly."

Ethan looked at his gun. "We parted ways. I will locate Alejandro. You—Lily—

"I’ll accompany you," she cut in.

He scowled. "It’s too risky."

Lily scowled. "This whole thing is dangerous."

After hesitating, Ethan muttered a curse. "All right. Remain near.

Liam drew his own weapon. "I’ll cover the south side of you."

They went fast, slicing through the confusion. The air was heavy with smoke and the pungent smell of gunpowder, and the shadows formed by the burning crates were unsettling.

Ethan pushed close to Lily as she hid behind a stack of barrels, her heart racing. She took a chance and looked up to see Alejandro trapped down close to the loading docks, his men firing back from behind a truck.

Ethan squinted his eyes. "We must reach him."

Lily gave a nod. "I have a thought."

She picked up a metal rod off the ground and threw it across the lot before Ethan could stop her. It made a loud clattering sound against a pile of crates, grabbing attention for a moment—just long enough.

Ethan didn’t waste the diversion by cursing. After firing rapidly and eliminating two of Carlisle’s men, he drew Lily closer.

They ran in Alejandro’s direction.

Alejandro’s gun was up when he noticed them approaching. His eyes sparked with recognition. "You two chose an extremely inconvenient time to arrive."

Lily knelt next to him. "We came to assist."

Alejandro grinned. "How honorable."

Ethan disregarded the conversation. "Carlisle’s men are overworked. We can remove them if we exert pressure now.

Alejandro gave a nod. "Let’s get this done."

Less than an hour passed during the fight.

The docks were eerily quiet when Carlisle’s last men fell. Around them, the smell of gunpowder and blood was strong, and smoke curled in the night air.

Alejandro put his revolver in his holster. He exhaled and murmured, "Well." "That was quite an event."

Lily dabbed at her perspiration. "Carlisle is not winning."

Alejandro studied her for a moment. Finally, he gave a nod. "I’m on board."

Lily felt a wave of relief.

Ethan took a step forward. "Then this is over."

Alejandro grinned. "Let’s."

Lily realized that Carlisle’s kingdom had started to fall apart as they were leaving the docks.

And it would soon break apart entirely.