The screech of metal against metal filled the vault as the drill bit punched through the titanium wall. Emma backed away, her heart thundering as she stared at the door that had seemed so impenetrable just moments ago.
Alexander was already moving, yanking open a hidden panel on the wall. Inside was a compact armory—sleek weapons, tactical gear, and encrypted communication devices. He grabbed a sidearm and tossed another toward her.
Emma stared at the gun. "I've never shot anyone."
His voice was grim. "You might have to."
She picked it up with trembling hands. "Why did they wait until now?"
"They needed to isolate us first. The other buildings were distractions. Matteo wanted us trapped."
Emma gritted her teeth. "And now he's coming to finish what he started."
Alexander checked the magazine in his weapon, jaw tight. "He won't get you. I won't let him."
The drill stopped. Silence followed, eerie and taut. Then a small pop—explosives. The lock detonated in a muted blast, and the door groaned open by half an inch.
A voice filtered through the opening.
"Alex. Let's not make this messy."
Matteo.
Alexander raised his gun. "You should have stayed dead."
Emma's blood chilled. "What is he talking about?"
"Matteo faked his own death two years ago. Made it look like Dante took him out."
Emma blinked. "Why?"
"To build trust on both sides. He embedded himself with Dante's people, fed intel, waited for his chance."
"And now?"
"He wants it all."
Another explosion rocked the outer hall.
Alexander turned to Emma. "We need to run."
But before they could move, the vault door creaked wider—and Matteo stepped into view, flanked by masked gunmen.
And he was holding a detonator.
"Don't move," Matteo said, voice calm but edged with menace. "I press this, and the entire floor goes up in flames."
Alexander's eyes narrowed. "You'd kill both of us?"
"I'd kill anyone who stands in my way."
Emma gripped the pistol tighter. Her palms were slick with sweat. "Why, Matteo? You were his brother."
"Exactly. I was the shadow. The second choice. He inherited the empire, the name, the legacy. And I was left to rot in the dark."
Alexander took a step forward. "We could have built it together. But you wanted blood."
"I wanted respect!" Matteo roared, his composure cracking. "But you made me invisible."
Emma's gaze flicked to the vault's emergency tunnel, partially hidden behind a server rack. Alexander had told her once—only as a joke—that if the world ever ended, there was always a back door.
Now she prayed he hadn't been joking.
Matteo gestured to his men. "Search the room. Bring me the girl."
Emma flinched, her pulse racing.
Alexander moved in front of her. "You'll have to go through me."
"Gladly."
The first shot rang out—then chaos erupted.
Emma dropped to the floor as bullets whizzed past. Alexander returned fire, taking out one of Matteo's men with precise efficiency. Another guard lunged toward her, but she pulled the trigger.
The recoil jolted through her arm, but the man dropped.
Her first shot.
Her breath came fast and shallow. She didn't have time to think.
Alexander reached for her. "Move! To the tunnel!"
They ducked behind the racks, crawling through sparks and smoke. Another explosion rocked the ceiling as Matteo shouted for them to be stopped.
The tunnel door slid open with a hiss.
They slipped inside.
Darkness. Stale air. A narrow corridor stretching endlessly.
Alexander slammed the panel shut behind them. "He can't follow unless he blows the entire compound. That gives us time."
Emma panted. "Where does this lead?"
"Old escape tunnel. It runs beneath the mountain, exits a mile east."
They moved in silence, feet echoing against concrete. Only when they reached a junction did Emma speak again.
"Why didn't you tell me about Matteo?"
Alexander didn't meet her eyes. "Because I didn't want you to think I was like him."
"You mean ruthless? Secretive?"
"Broken."
Emma reached out, placing a hand on his chest. His heart was racing, but so was hers.
"We're all broken, Alex. The question is whether we let the cracks define us."
He stared at her like she was the first light after a long night.
But that moment shattered when a loud boom sounded behind them.
Matteo had found the tunnel.
"Run," Alexander said, pulling her.
They sprinted, the echo of boots and the burn of adrenaline pushing them forward. Gunfire burst behind them, ricocheting off the concrete walls.
They rounded a corner—
And stopped.
The tunnel had caved in.
Emma turned, gasping. "We're trapped!"
Alexander scanned the area. "There's another way out. A ladder. Emergency shaft."
But even as he said it, Matteo's voice echoed behind them.
"You can run, brother—but she won't make it out."
Emma gripped the gun tighter.
"No," she whispered. "I'm not running anymore."
Alexander's eyes widened. "Emma—"
But it was too late.
She stepped into the open, raising the weapon toward the approaching shadows.