The moment the line with Draco disconnected, Abir transitioned into pure military precision. He unlocked his encrypted satellite phone and dialed a restricted number—a frequency he reserved strictly for absolute warfare. It rang twice before a deep, gritty voice picked up.
"Boss. Give the order," Rider said from the other end.
"Rider, Draco has deployed his 'Black Squad' into our territory," Abir commanded, his tone clipped and cold. "They're hunting. Put the entire network on a Red Alert status. I want eyes on every entry point into this city. If a stray cat crosses the perimeter tonight, I want to know about it."
"Understood, Boss. Sniper teams are moving to elevated positions. Lockdown protocols for the primary estate are initiating now," Rider replied.
As Abir cut the call, Arisa was already stationed at the glass table, her fingers tearing across her high-end laptop keyboard. Within ninety seconds, she had breached the city's central traffic grid and synchronized it with the estate's localized thermal imaging system.
"Abir! Look at this," Arisa called out, pointing at a flickering red radar screen. "Three matte-black SUVs just bypassed the northern toll gates. No license plates, heavy window tints, and they're moving in a tactical delta formation. They're heading straight here."
Abir didn't say a word. He strapped on his carbon-fiber tactical vest and picked up his twin chrome Desert Eagles. The rhythmic, mechanical *clack-clack* of the magazines locking into place echoed through the room.
"Perfect," Abir said, a chilling, predatory smile dancing on his lips. "Draco thinks he has the element of surprise. He forgets this city belongs to me. Arisa, get to the reinforced server room in the basement and feed me real-time telemetry. Tell Rider to let them clear the outer gates. Since they want to walk into my trap, let's make sure they don't walk out."
Outside, the midnight sky turned heavy with rolling storm clouds, lightning ripping through the dark as if preparing the earth for a bloodbath. Abir walked down the grand staircase alone, stepping out into the massive, open courtyard of the estate.
Right on cue, the three black SUVs drifted into the courtyard, their tires screeching against the gravel. The doors flew open simultaneously, and a dozen heavily armed mercenaries in black tactical gear and ballistic masks stepped out, their sub-machine guns raised.
The leader of the Black Squad stepped forward, leveling his weapon at Abir. "Abir Khan! Lord Draco sends his regards. Your head is coming back with us to Mexico."
Abir tilted his neck, a dark, mocking chuckle escaping his chest. "Mexico is a long flight, brother. Tonight, your graves are right beneath your feet."
Before the mercenary leader could pull the trigger, Abir dove laterally behind a concrete pillar, his right Desert Eagle barking into the storm!
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