The fire crackled in the ruined theater's hearth, casting flickering shadows across Luca's face as he sat wrapped in a tattered blanket, his wound still throbbing beneath layers of hastily applied bandages. Snow continued to fall outside, soft and silent, like the world itself was holding its breath.
Sarah sat across from him, sharpening a blade with slow, deliberate strokes. Each rasp of steel against stone echoed through the hollow space like a countdown.
Enzo stood near the broken window, peering out into the storm-lashed night. "They'll find us," he muttered. "Vince won't stop until we're buried."
Luca exhaled sharply, pressing his palm against his shoulder. "Don't worry, we won't stay here for much longer anyway."
She looked up from her work. "You need rest."
"I've had enough," he snapped. "We move tonight. Locating those who were loyal to the Varga will take time. It's time for plan B."
She studied him for a long moment before setting the knife aside. "And go where?"
Luca didn't hesitate. "Rocco's estate."
Enzo turned sharply. "You're insane."
Luca met his gaze without flinching. "No. I'm tired of running. It's time we end this."
She rose slowly, wiping her hands on her coat. "That house is a fortress. You'd never make it past the gate."
Luca reached into his jacket and pulled out the notebook. "Anton knew how to get inside. He left instructions."
She frowned. "What kind of instructions?"
He flipped through the pages until he found what he was looking for, an old map of Brooklyn, marked with a red X near the East River. Beneath it, written in Anton's precise hand:
"The ice will break before the walls do."
She read it aloud, then looked at him. "What does that mean?"
Luca traced the mark on the map. "There's an underground tunnel system beneath the river. It connects to Rocco's estate. Used during Prohibition."
Enzo raised an eyebrow. "You think it's still there?"
Luca nodded. "It's gotta be but I'm not using my grandfather's tactics this time around."
She shook her head. "This is suicide."
Luca stood, wincing slightly as pain shot through his shoulder. "Maybe. But if we wait, Vince finds us first. And next time, he won't miss."
Silence settled between them like snowfall.
Finally, she sighed. "Then we leave now."
An hour later, they were moving.
The streets were empty, the city blanketed in white. They navigated alleyways and side roads, avoiding main thoroughfares where Rocco's men might be watching. Enzo led the way, weapon drawn, scanning every shadow.
They reached a parking lot thay was nearly empty, lit only by flickering overhead lights and the occasional passing car. The trio stood in the shadow of a delivery truck, eyes fixed on a sleek black sedan near the far exit.
Enzo broke away first, slipping a gloved hand into his coat. He reached the driver's side in seconds and popped the lock with practiced ease. Sarah slid into the passenger seat while the Luca took the back.
The engine started with a low growl, and they pulled out smoothly, vanishing into the night without drawing attention.
They drove for nearly an hour, weaving through side roads and dirt paths until city lights gave way to dense forest.
Eventually, the trees opened to reveal a long, winding driveway leading to a Rocco's estate. The estate was surrounded by a steel fence and patrolled by armed guards. Cameras swept across the grounds, and a pair of vehicles blocked the entrance.
Enzo leaned forward. "On my mark," he said calmly.
The car lurched forward. Just before the checkpoint, Luca threw open the door and rolled out, gun in hand. Before the guards could react, two of them dropped. The woman, Sarah, shot from the window, picking off the others near the gate. Alarms didn't even have a chance to sound.
They ditched the car just inside the fence, disappearing into the treeline. Moving fast and low, they worked their way up the slope, eliminating guards along the perimeter. Silencers kept it quiet. When one patrol came too close, Enzo stepped out from the shadows and handled it with ruthless efficiency.
Eventually, they reached the outer courtyard. Bodies of the last two guards crumpled near the hedges. With weapons raised and nerves steady, they walked across the gravel drive and stopped in front of the mansion's towering double doors. A single porch light flickered above them. Inside, they knew the Rocco was waiting, but so were more men.
No one spoke.
They checked their magazines one last time.
Then they stepped forward.