Chapter 64: So close yet so far

Dante
The first light of dawn painted the sky in shades of pink and orange as I prepared for the mission. The air was thick with tension and anticipation. Each of my men understood the importance of what we were about to do. They knew we weren’t just rescuing Ana and baby Paolo, but also restoring order to our lives.
Ricky, our newest member, was checking the equipment with an efficiency that impressed me. He was young, but his talent and ability to stay calm in the most tense situations made him a valuable addition to the team.
“Ricky, everything ready?”
“Yes, boss. All the equipment is in place and functioning. We’re ready to board the jet as soon as Mateo gives the signal.”
Mateo, our tech expert, was working on the logistics of stealing the private jet. We had to ensure everything went perfectly; any mistake could mean the difference between success and failure.
“Mateo, any updates for us?”
Mateo looked up from his screens and gave me a nod of approval.
“I’ve hacked the hangar’s security system. We have a twenty-minute window to get in, board the jet, and take off without being detected. Everyone, get ready to move.”
As we prepared, my thoughts turned to Ana and our son. The image of Ana, trapped in darkness, drove me forward. I couldn’t fail. Not this time.
The team moved silently and precisely, each knowing exactly what to do. Ricky led the group, his calming presence helping to maintain focus. We slipped through the hangar’s security like shadows, moving quickly toward the private jet.
“We go in three, two, one… Now!”
With perfect synchronization, we boarded the jet, taking control of the cockpit and ensuring everything was ready for takeoff. Marco took the pilot’s seat, checking the controls and preparing the plane for flight.
“All clear. We’re ready for takeoff.”
The jet’s engine roared to life, and I felt a knot of nerves and excitement in my stomach. This was just the beginning, but every second brought us closer to Ana and Paolo.
The takeoff was smooth, and soon we were in the air, leaving everything familiar behind and heading into the unknown. Hover, Steelney—a place promising dangers and challenges we couldn’t yet imagine.
Ricky approached, sitting beside me.
“What are you thinking, boss?”
“I’m thinking about Ana. About everything we’ve been through. And what’s ahead. We don’t know what we’ll find in Hover, but I know we can’t fail. Not this time.”
Ricky nodded, his face serious. “We’ll do whatever it takes to bring them back. We’re all here for that.”
Silence fell over us as the jet cut through the sky. Each of us lost in our thoughts, mentally preparing for what lay ahead. We knew facing Luisa and her allies would be a challenge, but we were ready to give it our all.
Marco turned from the cockpit, looking at us with a serious expression.
“We’re on course. We’ll reach Hover in a few hours. It’s time to review the plan and make sure everyone is prepared.”
We gathered around an improvised table, going over the details once more. Every step, every move, everything had to be perfect. We couldn’t afford any mistakes.
“Ricky, you’ll handle perimeter security. Mateo, you’ll stay with the jet and ensure we have an escape route. The rest of us will move in teams and cover the ground. The priority is to find Ana and Paolo and get them out safely.”
The atmosphere in the jet was charged with determination and tension. We knew this mission was life or death. Not just for Ana and Paolo, but for us too. We were risking everything that mattered to us.
Time passed slowly as we flew toward Hover. Each minute felt like an eternity, and my thoughts kept returning to Ana, to the last time I’d seen her, to the promise I’d made.
“Ricky, have you ever been to Hover?”
“No, boss. But I’ve heard Steelney is a tough city. It won’t be easy to move around undetected.”
“I know. But we’re ready for this. We have no other choice.”
The jet continued its flight into the unknown, each of us lost in our thoughts, preparing for what was to come. The mission was clear, but the risks were high. Still, we were ready to face them—for Ana, for Paolo, and for everything we’d lost.
As the sun began to set on the horizon, I knew we would soon be landing in Hover, ready to face whatever challenges awaited us. No matter what we had to confront, I was determined to bring Ana and Paolo back, no matter the cost.
“Get ready. We’re about to arrive,” Mateo’s voice echoed in the cabin, breaking the silence.
We stood up, ready for whatever came next. The mission was underway, and there was no turning back.
The jet landed smoothly at Hover’s private airstrip. Night had fallen, enveloping everything in an ominous darkness. As we disembarked, I felt a mix of anticipation and anxiety. We didn’t know what awaited us in Steelney, but we were prepared for anything.
We headed to a vehicle we had prepared. Ricky, Mateo, and I settled into the seats while one of our local contacts took the wheel. We began the journey to Steelney, a city I didn’t know but would soon learn to fear.
I pulled out my phone and dialed Martin’s number. The line took a few moments to connect, and when I heard his voice, I felt a momentary relief.
“Martin, we’re in Hover. We’re heading to Steelney now.”
“Everything okay so far?”
“Yes, the landing was smooth. But I want to know more about the situation in Steelney. Do you have any new information?”
“Steelney is a tough city. Luisa has moved a lot of pieces to ensure they have control. But don’t worry, we’re ready to face it.”
As I listened to Martin, I noticed a change in the atmosphere. The car began to slow down abruptly, and I felt a knot in my stomach. I looked outside and saw several vehicles blocking our path.
“Martin, something’s wrong. There are several cars blocking the road.”
“Dante, be careful! It could be an ambush.”
Before I could react, armed men emerged from the cars and surrounded our vehicle. The driver tried to reverse, but it was too late. I felt a sharp blow to my head, and everything went black.
I woke up with a sharp pain in my head and the feeling that something was very wrong. We were in a dark, damp room. Ricky, Mateo, and I were tied to chairs, each showing signs of having been beaten. I tried to move, but the ropes were too tight.
“Is everyone okay?” Ricky’s voice echoed weakly in the darkness.
“Yes, but I don’t know where we are or who has us.”
The door burst open, and an imposing figure entered the room. His eyes gleamed with cold, calculated cruelty.
“Welcome to Steelney, gentlemen. I see you arrived without much trouble.”
“Who are you? What do you want from us?”
“I’m someone who follows orders. And my orders are to make sure you don’t interfere with Luisa’s plans.”
A wave of fury washed over me. Luisa had orchestrated all of this. I knew she wouldn’t welcome us with open arms, but I didn’t expect an ambush so soon.
“Luisa won’t get away with this. You can’t keep us here forever.”
The man laughed.
“And who’s going to stop us? You? Don’t make me laugh. You have no idea what’s at stake here.”
I tried to stay calm, but the situation was desperate. We didn’t know where we were or how long they planned to keep us here. But one thing was certain: I wasn’t going to give up.
“Listen, you don’t know who you’re messing with. Let us go now, and we might consider not coming back for revenge.”
“You’re in no position to make threats. But your spirit is admirable. Let’s see how long it lasts.”
The figure left, plunging us back into darkness. Desperation began to take hold, but I knew we couldn’t give up.
“Ricky, Marco, we need to think of a way to get out of here.”
“I’m working on it, boss. Just need a bit of time to loosen these ropes.”
Patience was key. Every second felt like an eternity, but we couldn’t afford to lose hope. I had to find Ana, I had to make sure she and Paolo were safe.
Hours passed, maybe more. Time blurred in the darkness. Finally, Ricky managed to free one of his hands and started working on our bindings.
“I’ve got it. Just a little more and we’ll be free.”
The door opened again, and this time, several men entered the room. They roughly lifted us and took us to a more brightly lit room. There, we were met with an unpleasant surprise: Luisa was sitting in a chair, watching us with a satisfied smile.
“Dante, I’m glad to see you. I regret the circumstances, but you must understand this is for everyone’s good.”
“Luisa, what the hell are you doing? This makes no sense.”
“It does, even if you don’t see it yet. There’s a greater purpose in all of this. Ana has a destiny to fulfill, and you’re complicating it.”
“You don’t know what you’re doing. You’re playing with fire, Luisa.”
“No, Dante. You’re the one who doesn’t understand. Ana must lead, she must take control, and to do that, she needs to be free of distractions. Including you.”
Fury burned inside me. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Luisa had planned all of this from the beginning, and now she had us trapped in her web.
“No matter what you think, I won’t give up. I’ll find Ana and Paolo. And when I do, I’ll make you pay for this.”
“I doubt that, Dante. But for now, I’ll enjoy watching you try and fail.”
They took us back to the dark room, but this time, we weren’t going to stay still.