An eerie, suffocating silence settled over the estate after the basement countdown. Arisa sat on the leather sofa, her hands wrapped around a warm mug, still recovering from the adrenaline rush. However, the fear in her eyes had completely vanished, replaced by a cold, burning hatred for Xero and Draco. Standing beside her, Abir stared at his phone, his jaw clenched so tight the muscles rippled.
Suddenly, a video call from an encrypted unknown number flashed across Abir's screen. The moment he swiped to answer, a dimly lit, luxurious room appeared. On the back wall, a massive silver dragon emblem gleamed under neon lights. The man sitting in the leather chair had half of his face heavily scarred from an old fire, his eyes carrying a terrifyingly vacant, psychopathic stare. It was Draco.
"Abir Khan," Draco said, a slow, sickening smile spreading across his face. "Xero just informed me that you missed my countdown by a single, solitary second. I must admit, your reflexes and that Japanese machine—the H2R—are quite impressive."
"Draco," Abir replied, placing the phone on the glass table. His voice was dropped to a dangerous, low whisper. "That was your absolute last mistake. The moment you targeted Arisa, you signed your own death warrant. There isn't a corner on this earth deep enough to hide you from me."
Draco let out a loud, mocking laugh that echoed through the speakers. "Hide? You seem to forget who you are dealing with, boy. Xero was merely a greeting. The real game begins now. My Black Squad has already crossed into your city limits. Within the next twenty-four hours, your estate, your operations, and your pride will be reduced to ash. Get ready, Abir Khan."
The screen went black. The line was dead.
Arisa set her mug down, her expression turning dead serious. "Abir, Draco's Black Squad isn't full of street-level thugs. They are highly trained, international mercenaries. What's our move?"
Abir slowly reached into his holster, pulling out his twin chrome Desert Eagles, placing them heavily on the table. He turned toward the massive glass window, looking out into the pitch-black city skyline, a dark, lethal smirk appearing on his face.
"Let them come, Arisa," Abir said, his eyes flashing with a predatory gleam. "Since Draco wants a war in my territory, I'll make sure not a single soul from his Black Squad leaves this city alive. Tonight, Draco will learn that there is something far more terrifying than the devil ruling these streets."
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