Elena's POV
The next morning, I wake up feeling well rested. Honestly, the best sleep I've had in a while. Zoe woke me up and told me Hunter wanted everyone downstairs in an hour. He's also going to introduce me to other people from his mafia—The Greys. I'm proud he named it after our parents' mafia back in the day.
My hands run over the leather outfit I found in my newly stocked closet. It's badass and sexy.
I shower and step into it. Leather leggings, a black tight but comfortable corset—also leather and strapless—showing just enough cleavage and teasing my waist, paired with black knee‑length boots.
I strap on the weapons laid out for me on my dresser—nothing dramatic. Two butterfly knives and a loaded pistol.
I tie my hair up in a ponytail and gloss up. I grab my phone and step out, grabbing the leather jacket. The house hums as I walk down the hallway. It's quiet, but I can hear light chatter downstairs, and the scent of fresh pancakes and coffee makes my stomach instantly growl.
I make my way down the steps, and once I step off the last one and round into the kitchen, the chatter dies down. There are four new faces in sight—three boys and one girl.
I spot my brother. He walks forward and wraps me in a warm hug.
"Morning, sis. How you feeling?" he asks, pulling back.
I smile—barely.
"Better," I say.
He moves to my side and slings an arm over my shoulder.
"Guys, this is my sister, Elena," he says, and the strangers step forward.
First, the girl. Tall, curly hair, dark‑skinned, brown eyes, and definitely badass—you can tell from how she's dressed.
She stretches her hand forward with a smile.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Elowen, but you can call me Ellie," she says politely.
I smile, shaking her hand.
Next, a tall, well‑built guy dressed in leather, twirling a knife in his hand. Jet‑black hair and a scar on his brow. He smiles at me.
"I'm Maddox. Nice to meet you," he says, stepping back.
"Theo… you're pretty—shit, sorry—I mean, nice to meet you," the last guy says.
I giggle, taking his hand in mine. He's tall, nerdy—you can tell. Glasses, shy. I'm guessing he's the brains of the group.
"Honored to meet all of you," I say with a smile.
Silence stretches awkwardly for a while before Zoe breaks it.
"Well, don't you look badass. Leather looks amazing on you," she says.
My cheeks redden as I walk further into the kitchen.
"You look great too. Need help?" I ask.
She nods, and the kitchen gets busy and cozy. I get to know everyone better, and I grow comfortable around them.
Hunter tells me this is our inside group—everything goes through them. We all see this whole thing to the end together.
We sit around the table. Hunter clears his throat, and all attention goes to him.
"So, after breakfast… we head out. Operation: get the key," he says, sipping his coffee.
"Theo has already hacked the CCTV cameras around Sam's house. Seems like Rio still has his men keeping an eye on her," he says.
"Or maybe he wants to be notified if you show up again," Zoe says.
"How many?" Eliie asks
"Just one actually..pfft .,"Theo says with an eye roll .
"Well, it doesn't matter. I'll walk in, take what I came for, and walk out. He doesn't own me anymore," I say confidently.
They all nod.
"So the plan is simple. Not all of us go. Theo stays behind—reports security status, checks if anyone tails us. Get the earpieces ready," Hunter orders.
"On it," Theo says, standing and grabbing his laptop.
"Zoe, you'll ride with Elena. All you have to do is be there with her and keep her safe. By the time you get there, Maddox will have taken care of security outside Sam's," Hunter says, standing and finishing his coffee.
"From there, we head to your old apartment, grab the key and come back here. Any questions?"
"What about me?" Ellie asks with a pout.
"You, Zack, and Theo stay here in case we need backup. You move out with our best team—they're on standby," Hunter says, strapping his weapons.
"We move in twenty," he says with finality before disappearing into the backyard, phone pressed to his ear.
"Finally, some action around here," Maddox says, biting into an apple.
He reminds me of Marco—Rio's best friend.
I smile faintly.
"You'll be okay, pretty lady," Theo says, placing my earpiece in.
"Thanks," I say, genuinely grateful.
Twenty minutes later—
"You'll be okay. Zoe will be right there, and I'll be right behind you," Hunter tells me as he walks me to the SUV, Zoe behind the wheel.
I nod.
"Yeah, I'll be okay. You be careful too, okay?"
I hug him briefly. He hugs me back, patting my back.
"Okay," he says, kissing my forehead before walking to his SUV, Maddox behind the wheel. They head out first. Zoe and I follow moments later.
"Seatbelt, princess. It's gonna be a wild ride," Zoe smirks.
I smile, adrenaline rushing as I fasten my seatbelt and she steps on the gas.
The roads are clear—no traffic. My hands start to dampen. I know it's supposed to be in and out, but I have a feeling it won't be that easy.
My earpiece crackles.
"Everyone's in position. Maddox, you're up," Theo says.
"Hell yeah, let's do this," Maddox replies.
Zoe stops. Sam's apartment comes into view. Hunter is already set up with his sniper in the next building.
We watch as Maddox approaches Rio's security guy in the parking lot.
He taps on the window.
"Hey, bro. Can you point me toward the pastry shop? A guy's hungry," he says, his voice suddenly soft.
The window rolls down. Zoe and I hold our breath.
Without blinking, Maddox pulls his gun.
"You're gonna be quiet for me and step out of the car. I don't want to shoot your pretty blond head," he says sweetly—and dangerously.
"Fuck you," the guy spits.
Maddox tsks.
BOOM.
He shoots him.
"Jesus, Mad—anyway, girls, you're up," Theo says.
Zoe and I share a look before stepping out.
"I asked nicely. Not my fault," Maddox shrugs as we walk past him and straight into Sam's apartment.
We take the elevator up. It's Sunday—she's probably home.
I knock.
"Coming," her cheerful voice calls, and my heart melts.
The door swings open. Her mouth drops.
"E‑Elena?" she gasps, wrapping me in a hug.
"Bitch, I missed you—and—oh. You guys know each other?" she asks, eyeing Zoe.
"Yeah, but we don't have much time," I say, stepping inside.
"What the hell is going on?" she asks.
I take her hand.
"Look, I promise I'll look for you and tell you everything. Right now, I really need the key to my apartment—ASAP."
She sighs, almost debates, then nods. That's why I love her.
She rummages through her cabinets.
"Guys, we have a situation. You might wanna hurry. Rio is moving in with his men—eight minutes out," Theo warns.
My stomach drops at his name.
"Here—found it," Sam says.
I thank her, hugging her briefly before leaving with Zoe. We take the stairs—three flights down.
We reach the parking lot and jump in the car.
"Let's go," Hunter yells.
Right on time, I spot Rio's convoy.
His men draw their guns. Our windows are tinted—they don't know which car I'm in.
"DON'T SHOOT!" Rio yells.
Zoe smiles.
"They can't shoot, but I can. Take the wheel, Elena," she shouts, grabbing her gun.
"WHAT? ZOE, ARE YOU CRAZY?" I yell, scrambling.
"Boss, your call," Zoe says.
"DON'T SHOOT!" Hunter barks.
"What? Why?" Zoe complains.
"Head to Elena's apartment. Maddox and I will handle them. GO."
"But ..,"Zoe starts .
"That's an order, Zoe. Now."
She rolls her eyes and takes the wheel again.
"We're being tailed," I say—
Before I can finish, the car behind us screeches and flips.
Hunter must've shot the tires.
Zoe turns sharply and speeds off. Sirens wail in the distance.
"Shit, here comes the popo. Let's move," Maddox says.
I exhale, clutching the key in my sweaty palm.
"Elena, Zoe—you okay?" Theo asks.
We glance at each other.
"Yeah. Heading to Elena's apartment now," Zoe answers.