My phone buzzes again with an encrypted message from Zeke. He's identified my media contact as legitimate. Time to put the next phase in motion.
I catch Angel's eye and give her a subtle nod. We're in this together until the end. And when it comes time for the killing blow, Tane will never see it coming.
I crack my knuckles, my mind racing with possibilities. Tane's empire is vast, but even giants have weak spots if you know where to aim. The trick is finding the right pressure points.
"Okay, so I'll reach out to my media contacts again," I say. "We'll keep dropping hints about the mass graves, stir up speculation. I can also float some doctored financial records, make it seem like Tane's lost money on shady investments and imply a link."
Aidan grins. "Now you'rethinking. Make him look reckless in business and sloppy with cleanup. At the very least, it’s likely to sabotage this big deal he’s apparently so busy working on."
Brick giggles from his perch on the arm of the sofa. "Ooh, I love watching empires fall. It's like Jenga!" He mimes pushing over a tower of blocks.
Angel playfully swats his leg. "Don't get too excited yet. Tane won't go down easy."
“Okay okay. But that gives me an idea for naked Jenga… stay tuned, Angel.” Brick winks at Angel lasciviously and wiggles his brow, and we all laugh.
Angel’s caution is valid, but I know with these latest developments, we have the opportunity to place Tane firmly on the ropes.
The game is on. Every empire has its breaking point, and we're about to find Tane's. All those bodies buried on the island are just the beginning. By the time we're through, his entire operation will be dug up and left in the light.
I clap my hands together. "Alright, let's get to work. We all know the drill."
The team springs into action, gathering equipment and dividing up tasks. Angel grabs a duffel bag full of hair styling supplies. Even in the midst of a mafia war, she insists on maintaining her cover as a hairdresser.
"I'll head to the salon, keep my ear to the ground for gossip. We really do hear everything in my line of work," she says with a wink.
Aidan pulls up a map on his laptop, studying our surveillance grid. "I'll coordinate the field teams from here. Brick, you take the docks. Roman, the casino. Stay invisible. Slade, you stay here with me."
We nod, already moving toward the weapons lockers to gear up. I turn to Aidan.
"You ready to stir up some digital chaos?"
He grins. "Born ready. I'll work with Zeke to infiltrate Tane's servers, and we’ll leave some nasty surprises in his financials."
Brick briefly perches on Aidan's desk, peering at the screen. "Ooh, can you make it look like he spent ten grand at an alpaca farm? Embezzle money for llama feed? Oh man, we can imply he owns animals and treats thempoorly… and I’ll get my vegan groups onto him. There’s nothing louder than an angry vegan, let me tell you!"
I chuckle. Even in tense times, Brick’s mischief lightens the mood. We have our assignments. Now it's time to dismantle Tane's empire, brick by brick, no pun intended.
He won't know what hit him until it's too late.
Chapter twenty-one
Afew days later
The jungle comes alive around me as I push my body to its limits. Leaves and branches whip past in a blur of green, my lungs burning with each ragged breath. Today, everything changes. I have to be ready.
I'm not sure what the future will bring, or if our mission to eliminate Tane will require any physical skill on my behalf. But when I feel physically prepared, I feel mentally stronger, and that's what I need right now.
Just as well I have several guys more than happy to teach me everything I need to know.
My feet pound down the winding trail, each footfall precise and focused. A fallen log appears in my path and I vault over it effortlessly, never breaking stride. I'm faster, stronger than I've ever been. I hurtle through the steamy air, using rocks and vines as stepping stones to test my agility. A misstep could mean disaster, but I simply won't let that happen today.
I round a bend and the facility emerges through the trees. My heart thunders in my chest. Almost there.
With a final burst of speed, I sprint into the clearing surrounding the combat ring.
Dom stands with his arms crossed, his mountainous frame casting a long shadow in the morning light. Our eyes meet and he gives me a single nod. He knows what today means to me. What I have to prove.
I circle the ring, visualizing my opponent, every muscle coiled and ready. I take a breath, centering myself. A bead of sweat trails down my back. I clench my fists and step into the ring.