"I decrypted the rest of Hargrove's files," Rory says. "It’s not just bribes. There's a calendar file. Encrypted separately. Higher grade security."
"What's in it?" Alessandro asks.
"A meeting. Single entry. Thirty-six hours from now." Rory points to the screen. "Location: The old shipyard. Drydock 4. It’s abandoned. Perfect for a private landing."
"Who is he meeting?" Killian asks.
"The notation is in Russian," Rory says. "It translates to 'The Principal.'"
Alessandro goes still. "Volkov."
"Kazimir Volkov," Rory confirms. "He's coming to the city. To inspect his investment. To finalize the takeover."
The implications hit us all at once.
The head of the snake. The man behind the money, the shell companies, the dead drivers, and the sniper rifles. The man who ordered the hit on Marco and the surveillance on Rory.
"He'll be there," Killian says. "In person."
"With a security detail the size of a small army," Rory adds. "He doesn't travel light. Spetsnaz veterans. Heavy weapons."
"Doesn't matter," I say.
I look at Killian. He looks at me.
The question doesn't need to be asked.
We know what happens next. We have spent the last week reacting. Running. Bleeding.
Now, we act.
"We take him," Killian says. His voice is cold steel.
"We take him," I agree.
Rory looks between us. He sees the resolve. He sees the terrifying unity of a Falcone and a Kavanagh aimed at the same target.
"Okay," Rory says. He cracks his knuckles. "I'll get the blueprints for the shipyard. I'll hack the port authority cameras. If a seagull flies over that drydock, you'll know about it."
Killian walks to the window. He pulls back the blackout curtain an inch. He looks out at the city. The rain has stopped. The streetlights are reflecting off the wet pavement.
"Thirty-six hours," he says.
"Thirty-six hours," I repeat.
We are going to war. And this time, we are going to finish it.
I walk over to Killian. I stand beside him at the window.
He glances at me. He reaches out and takes my hand.
"Ready?" he asks.
"Ready."
We watch the city together.
It doesn't know what's coming.
