Meanwhile, somewhere in the world...

Voices in a dimly lit conference room echoed with tension. However, there was not a single person in the room. Only tablets, connected and placed on the round table in front of each empty seat. There weren’t any cameras or anything — just voices from each device.

"Hector fell because he had gone foolish and asinine," came a stern voice. "He is not in his right mind for agreeing that getting Luciano’s left hand would go into his side that easily. If he had played his cards better, he would’ve managed to cut off a limb."

"That fool," came another voice laced with ridicule. "Did you think he tattled? Luciano left a clear message that he did."

Meaning, Lucian knew the reason some people were entertaining silly ideas of ousting him—Lucian’s health.

Even though greed and betrayal were part of the underworld’s culture, this was not an easy subject to touch on. It was not only their lives on the line — everything and everyone was at stake.

"Had you not come up with the plan of abducting his little wife —"

"That is not my fault!" the second voice roared. "Do not put this on me! We all agreed with that plan."

"We only did because you kept taking things too personally."

"Personally?"

"Enough," came a third voice, putting a halt to the argument. "What this council has discussed and agreed on is a shared responsibility. What happened with Patrick and Martin was something this council approved and planned thoroughly. However, the outcome is not a surprise."

The third person paused for a moment. "We are dealing with Luciano. He wouldn’t be the Black Dragon if he could be brought down easily."

"I agree," a fourth voice chimed in. "There is no point in arguing among ourselves. We need a resolution, not wasted breath. We have no idea whether Hector tattled or whether Luciano is bluffing."

"Of course, he is bluffing," the first person spoke again. "Otherwise, he would’ve dealt with us one by one."

"No," the second person argued, his voice calmer now. "We all know Luciano and his sick mind games. Just as he could’ve assassinated the late madam directly — just as he had the former don assassinated — he takes his time."

He paused, and no one spoke. "He takes his time to execute his plans, and when he does, no one can even tell what he has done. Let’s not forget how he deals with people in his own way."

"He’s right," the third person hummed. "We have already failed twice, and we cannot fail a third time. We are not certain whether he is waiting or bluffing. Either way, we must wait until the perfect opportunity arises."

"Since we’re already on the topic, do not forget that woman," the fourth person added. "I am not certain if she has simply been lucky, but I don’t like how she keeps interfering with everything."

A moment of silence fell over the room.

There were other plans they had already laid out aside from the failed ambush. The abduction had not been part of their initial plan. It was only proposed because Ashley’s presence had been interfering heavily with their operations.

For instance, Lucian had moved his side of Dominion to another location — one they couldn’t directly touch, as there were too many variables to consider.

They had also learned that it was Ashley who befriended Tommy’s wife, earning Tommy’s good graces in the process. That, in turn, led Lucian to secure an undisclosed deal with a powerful leader of an established nation.

Those were the reasons they wanted to take Ashley out of the picture. She influenced Lucian in ways no one could predict, and that unpredictability was making everything harder for them.

"For now, let’s lie low."

After a long silence, the third person’s measured voice broke through.

"Lying low is what Luciano wants," the first person remarked. "If we do that, it buys him time to plan his next move. If he knows more than he’s let on, we’ll find out only if we strike again."

"Then do it on your own." The second person’s response came almost immediately, drawing a brief but heavy silence. "Just like Hector — do it on your own and be a sacrifice for our cause."

He paused before adding, "That is, if you’re willing to put everything on the line."

Because all of them knew that if Lucian wasn’t bluffing, he would take everything. It wasn’t death that terrified them most.

It was the thought that all their efforts would be for nothing, and that their loss would only make Lucian more untouchable than he already was.

Lucian’s power was fueled by blood.

He wouldn’t just kill them. He would drain every advantage he could to the last drop.

"Hector lost, and now Luciano has a firm hold on the Southern Branch of Dominion," the fourth person said calmly. "He has already chosen who to appoint to fill the vacant positions."

A sharp sound rang out from the first person’s side before he hissed, "God damn it!"

"It’s alright," the third person said evenly. "A tactical retreat does not mean we’ve lost. It is necessary in battle, especially in war. We are up against a man like him — there is nothing shameful in stepping back."

Another wave of silence settled over the room.

"We’ve tried to create opportunities to hasten Luciano’s decline," the third person continued. "But this time, we will have to wait for an opportunity to present itself. When it does, we take it — and we strike hard."

He drew a slow breath before adding, "Let’s not be impatient. In a fight like this... the one with the most patience will win."

"See you at our next meeting."

With that, the line went quiet. One by one, they disconnected, each carrying the same thought:

They could not repeat the mistakes of the two failed attempts — or the mistake Hector had made. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

The next time they moved, they would make certain they would win.