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Dean's POV

The moon hung high in the sky as I led Luca through the winding path behind my property. The forest was eerily silent, save for the crunch of leaves under our feet. My heart pounded in my chest, but my face betrayed none of my inner turmoil. This was all part of the plan, and I wasn’t about to let Luca suspect a thing.

After a few minutes, I stopped abruptly. “It’s here,” I said, pointing to a spot on the ground.

Luca stood back, arms crossed, his piercing gaze fixed on me. I ignored him and picked up the shovel I’d brought along, plunging it into the earth. The damp soil gave way easily as I dug, my muscles straining with each movement. Minutes felt like hours as the hole grew deeper until finally, the edge of a metal box came into view.

I pulled it out, brushing the dirt off the surface before unlocking it. Inside was a gun—clean, shiny, and deliberately placed. I held it up for Luca to see.

“Here it is,” I said, my voice even.

Luca’s eyes narrowed as he stepped closer. “This is the gun?”

“This is the gun,” I confirmed.

Without another word, I walked back to my car and retrieved a hammer from the trunk. Placing the gun on a flat rock nearby, I lifted the hammer high and brought it down with a resounding crack. The sound echoed through the forest as the gun’s frame bent under the force. Strike after strike, I ensured the weapon was nothing more than a mangled mess of metal.

Luca watched in silence, his expression unreadable. When I was done, I straightened and turned to him. “Satisfied?”

He tilted his head slightly. “And what about the gun you used to frame Lia? Is this it?”

I met his gaze without flinching. “This is the same gun. There’s no other.”

For a moment, he just stared at me, as if trying to decipher some hidden meaning in my words. Then, he gave a small nod. “Good.”

We walked back to our cars in silence. The tension was thick, but I kept my composure, knowing this encounter was far from over.

As I climbed into my car, I glanced in the rearview mirror, watching Luca drive off into the darkness. A slow smile crept onto my face, followed by a low chuckle that grew into full-blown laughter.

He actually believed it.

I started the engine and took a long, winding route to a location only I knew. This was my sanctuary, my secret place where I kept things I couldn’t afford to lose.

The hideout was small and unassuming, tucked away in a dense thicket of trees. I parked the car and walked inside, the weight of the evening’s events finally lifting as I approached a hidden panel in the wall. Behind it was another safe.

I entered the code with practiced ease, the lock clicking open to reveal the real prize: the gun.

The weapon gleamed under the dim light, its significance heavy in my hands. This was the gun that could destroy Lia’s life—or save it, depending on how I chose to play my cards. I turned it over in my hands, a triumphant smile spreading across my face.

“Nice try, Luca,” I murmured to myself, placing the gun back into the safe and securing it tightly.

The night was far from over, but for now, I allowed myself a moment of satisfaction. Luca thought he’d outsmarted me, but this game was mine to win.

As I stepped out of the hideout and locked the door behind me, the cool night air filled my lungs. I felt invincible, the weight of the evening’s charade fading into the background.

This wasn’t just a game of survival—it was a game of strategy, and I had just made my move.

_____

Luca's POV

The moment the call connected, Jenny's voice came through, steady but tinged with urgency.

“Did you get the video?” I asked, gripping the steering wheel tightly as I navigated the dark streets.

“Yes, we did,” Jenny confirmed. “It’s clear as day. He’s digging something out of the ground. What’s the next move?”

I glanced at the small tracker display on my dashboard, which showed Dean’s location in real time. The chip I had planted on his coat was working flawlessly. “Keep watching for any new movements. I have a feeling this isn’t over yet. That bastard might think he’s smart, but he doesn’t know who he’s messing with.”

“Got it,” Jenny replied before hanging up.

As I pulled up in front of Benedicta’s house, I took a deep breath, centering myself. I had to get her and Merlin out of here immediately. Dean was unpredictable, and with the way things were escalating, there was no telling what he might do next.

I stepped out of the car and walked briskly to the door. The tension in the air was palpable as Benedicta opened it, her eyes widening in surprise.

“Luca? What are you doing here?”

“We need to go. Now,” I said firmly, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. “Dean’s getting desperate, and it’s only a matter of time before he makes a move. You and Merlin need to be somewhere safe.”

Benedicta hesitated, glancing toward the living room where Merlin was playing with his toys. “Is it that serious?”

“It’s worse than you think,” I replied, lowering my voice. “Dean knows we’re close to exposing him. I can’t risk him coming after either of you.”

She nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. “Give me a moment.”

Minutes later, Benedicta and Merlin were bundled up and ready to leave. I carried Merlin’s bag while Benedicta held his hand tightly, her face etched with worry.

Once they were settled in my car, I drove straight to my house, my mind racing. As soon as we arrived, I ushered them inside and locked the doors behind us.

“Stay here,” I instructed, pointing to the living room. “I’ll handle the rest.”

Benedicta nodded, sitting down with Merlin, who was too distracted by his surroundings to notice the tension.

I went straight to my office and pulled up the live feed from the chip I had placed on Dean. The grainy footage showed him walking into what looked like a small, hidden structure. My gut twisted as I watched him retrieve another gun—a different one this time—from a secret compartment.

I leaned back in my chair, a slow smile spreading across my face. “Got you.”

Benedicta walked in quietly, her expression curious. “What’s happening?”

I pointed to the screen. “He destroyed the wrong gun. But now we know where he’s keeping the real one.”

Relief flickered across her face. “So what’s the plan?”

I picked up my phone and dialed a number. “We’re going to take it from him.”

When the call connected, I spoke quickly, giving my men the coordinates of the hideout. “Get there quietly. Take the gun, but make sure no one sees you. I don’t want Dean catching wind of this until it’s too late.”

After hanging up, I leaned back in my chair, exhaling deeply. The pieces were finally falling into place.

Benedicta sat down across from me, a small smile playing on her lips. “You’re really something, Luca. I don’t know how you manage to stay two steps ahead.”

I smirked. “It’s not about being ahead. It’s about knowing your opponent. Dean thinks he’s clever, but his arrogance is his biggest weakness.”

She nodded, looking more at ease. “So, what happens now?”

“Now,” I said, standing up, “we wait. Once we have the gun, it’s game over for Dean.”

As I walked back into the living room, I found Merlin curled up on the couch, fast asleep. Benedicta sat beside him, her expression softening as she stroked his hair.

“We’ll be safe here,” I assured her. “Dean won’t know what hit him.”

She looked up at me, her eyes filled with gratitude. “Thank you, Luca. For everything.”

I nodded, my resolve hardening. “I’m not doing this just for Lia or Benedicta. I’m doing this for everyone Dean’s hurt. And when the time comes, he’ll have no one to blame but himself.”

As the night stretched on, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction. The tide was turning, and Dean’s downfall was only a matter of time.