"How do you know all this?" Dante asks from somewhere behind me.
"Because I was tasked to spend two weeks planning the extraction nine years ago. Tasked by you, while you werechecking all the other options. I studied every detail of that building. I walked it three times before we went in. I know it."
And because I've gone back to it in my head a thousand times since then. Because when I close my eyes I see that basement. Because Isabella was there once and the thought of her being there again is my nightmare.
"Then we go," Luca says flatly and completely determined. It’s obvious he is just eager to get his sister back. He's looking at the map, not at me. "Right now. We can sort out everything else after she's home."
Matteo is quiet for a long moment, just looking at the map, and I'm trying not to think about what Isabella is doing right now, if she's scared, if she's hurt, if she's?—
Stop.
I dig my nails into my palm hard enough to hurt and use the pain to pull myself back.
One thing at a time.
Get Matteo to agree. Get to the warehouse. Get her out.
Everything else can wait.
"Rafael," Matteo says without looking away from me. "Get everyone mobilized. Three teams. One on the loading dock, one on the side entrance as backup, one holding the perimeter. I want this done in under ten minutes from breach to extraction."
Relief hits me so hard I almost stagger.
"On it." Rafael moves immediately, shouting orders.
The room explodes into activity. Men grabbing weapons, checking magazines, pulling on tactical gear, moving with practiced efficiency.
Matteo is still looking at me.
"I'm going with you," I say before he can speak.
"No."
"Yes. I know the layout. I know the blind spots. I know where she'll be. You need me there."
"I don't need?—"
"Let him come." Luca's voice is quiet but final. "He knows that building. We don't." He looks at Matteo directly. "Isabella is my sister too and she’s what matters. Not this. Enough with this, Matteo."
Something flickers across his face.
"This doesn't change anything between us," he says quietly. "You help me get her back and we're still done. You understand that?"
"I understand."
"You're not forgiven. You're not welcomed back. This is one operation and then you're gone."
"I know."
"And if you do anything that puts her in more danger, if you make one wrong move, I will put a bullet in you myself."
"I wouldn't expect anything less."
He stares at me for another long moment and then nods once.
"Get a vest and a weapon. You're with my team. We leave in five minutes."
I move to the equipment wall and start gearing up, pulling on a tactical vest, checking a rifle, loading magazines with mechanical precision even though my hands want to shake, even though my mind wants to spiral into what-ifs and worst-case scenarios.
