Chapter 63: Resist

Dante
The cold night air sliced through my skin as I moved stealthily through the city’s shadows. Each completed mission brought me a little closer to Ana, or at least that’s what I wanted to believe. Since she and Luisa disappeared, my life had become an endless series of tasks and orders relayed through intermediaries. I didn’t know exactly who was behind it all, but I suspected Luisa had more control than she let on.
Tonight’s objective was straightforward: infiltrate a rival mafia meeting and gather crucial information. I’d spent weeks tracking their movements, studying their patterns, and waiting for the right moment. This was my chance.
I arrived at the abandoned building where the meeting was taking place. From the outside, it seemed unremarkable, but I knew its interior concealed our enemies’ operational core. I approached a broken window and peered inside. A group of men huddled around a table, their voices low and conspiratorial.
I slid my hand to my gun’s grip, ensuring it was ready. I took a deep breath and prepared to enter. Just as I was about to move, a violent blow struck my back, sending me sprawling to the ground. I tried to turn, but before I could react, another blow hit my side, leaving me breathless.
“Thought you could sneak in here unnoticed?” A mocking voice echoed in the darkness. I looked up and saw a tall man with a scar across his face, grinning cruelly. Several of his men closed in, ready to join the beating.
I struggled to rise, but another blow to the face made me stagger. Blood dripped from my nose, and my vision blurred momentarily.
“Who sent you?” The scar-faced man grabbed my shirt collar, lifting me off the ground. “Speak, or I guarantee you won’t leave here alive tonight.”
“You have no idea who you’re messing with,” I managed to murmur, spitting blood as I spoke. “You’ll regret this.”
He laughed and slammed me against the wall, leaving me dazed.
“Brave but foolish. There’s no one here to save you.”
The blows continued, each one stronger than the last. I tried to fight back, but they overwhelmed me. Rage and desperation churned within me. I thought of Ana, how much I needed to find her and protect her. I couldn’t let this end here.
With one last effort, I managed to push one of the men aside and draw my gun. I fired twice, taking down two of my attackers before they disarmed me and pummeled me again—this time with a brutality that reverberated through every bone in my body.
“Any last words before we send you to hell?” The scar-faced man leaned over me, relishing his victory.
“Yes… I’ll find Ana… and I’ll kill you,” my voice was barely a whisper, but the hatred in my eyes was unmistakable.
Just as the man raised his weapon for the final blow, I heard a distant roar. Flashlights approached, and the sound of vehicles closing in rapidly. It seemed someone had called for reinforcements. My attackers began to scatter, bewildered by the interruption.
Seizing the distraction, I gathered my last reserves of strength and struck the scar-faced man in the jaw, knocking him down. I struggled to my feet, swaying as I fought to stay conscious. The lights drew nearer, and I knew I had a chance to escape.
I stumbled toward the exit, each step a battle against unconsciousness. Just as the vehicles came to a halt, I reached the street. Several armed men descended, and though I didn’t recognize them, I knew they were allies—sent by whoever was orchestrating our operations.
“Dante! Hold on!”
A familiar voice caught my attention. It was one of Martin’s trusted men. I ran toward him, my strength nearly depleted.
“We need to get you out of here. You’re badly injured.”
They helped me into one of the vehicles, and as we drove away, my thoughts returned to Ana. I was more determined than ever to find her, protect her, and destroy anyone who dared harm her.
The journey back was a blur. Pain pulsed through every inch of my body, but I forced myself to stay conscious. Every second counted.
Upon reaching our temporary hideout, they assisted me out of the vehicle and led me inside. The medics were ready, but before allowing treatment, I grabbed the arm of one of the men.
“I need information. Have you heard anything about Ana or Luisa?”
He shook his head.
“Nothing concrete. Just orders and messages through intermediaries. But we’re still searching.”
I nodded, feeling a mix of frustration and hope. No matter how long it took, I wouldn’t stop searching. Ana was all that mattered, and somehow, I would find a way to reach her.
I lay back as the doctors began treating my wounds. The room filled with whispers and rapid movements, but my mind was elsewhere. I recalled the promises I’d made to Ana, and though the path ahead was uncertain, I vowed to fulfill each one.
“Stay strong, Ana. I’ll find you, no matter what it takes.”
The doctors finished examining my injuries, cleaning and bandaging them with precision. Each of their movements served as a reminder of the pain I’d endured, but physical pain paled in comparison to the anguish of knowing nothing about Ana. I rested on the gurney, exhausted yet conscious. The room remained quiet, only the sound of medical instruments and hushed doctor conversations filling the air.
Suddenly, one of my men rushed into the room, holding a phone.
“Dante, it’s Martin. He wants to talk to you.”
I took the phone, feeling a mix of hope and anxiety.
“Martin, what do you have for me?”
“Dante, I have news about Ana. I know you’ve been waiting to hear something.”
Relief and fear intertwined in my chest. I needed to know she was okay, but I dreaded what might have happened.
“Is she okay? Where is she?”
“She’s in Hover, in a city called Steelney. It’s been a few weeks since they arrived. Ana… Ana is changing, Dante. I’m worried about the person she’s becoming.”
Martin’s words hit hard. Ana, my Ana, changing. I didn’t want to imagine her any other way than the strong, brave woman I’d always known.
“What do you mean by ‘changing’?”
“She’s leading the Italian mafia from there, following Luisa’s plan. But there’s something in her eyes, in her decisions. The only solace she has is the baby, Paolo. He’s the only thing keeping her grounded.”
A pang of pain hit me at the mention of her son. I hadn’t seen Paolo since his birth, and now I learned he was the only thing keeping Ana going.
“And the baby? Is he okay?”
“Yes, Paolo is fine. He’s a strong boy, like his mother. But Ana… she’s sinking deeper into the darkness. I’m afraid she’s losing her way.”
My mind spun with every word from Martin. The image of Ana, trapped in the darkness, struggling to stay sane as she led from the shadows, was unbearable.
“We have to get her out of there, Martin. She can’t stay in that place. She can’t continue like this.”
“I know, Dante. But Luisa has her under control. We need a plan, and we need it fast.”
Desperation washed over me. I couldn’t let Ana lose herself. I had to find a way to bring her back, to save her before it was too late.
“Stay close to her, Martin. Don’t lose sight of her. I’ll do whatever it takes to bring her back. No matter how long it takes, I’ll find her.”
“We’re with you, Dante. I’ll do everything I can to keep her safe.”
The call ended, and I remained there, staring at the ceiling, feeling a mix of desperation and determination. Ana was in a dark place, but I wouldn’t leave her there. I’d find her and pull her out of that darkness, no matter what it took.
My thoughts turned to the plan. We needed a strategy, a way to reach Hover, to Steelney, and free her from Luisa’s clutches. But first, I needed to regain my strength. Every second counted, and I couldn’t afford to fail.
I struggled to my feet, feeling pain with every movement. I looked at my men, those who had stood by me in every battle.
“Get ready. We’re heading to Hover.”