Alina stared out over the city skyline, the rain now a soft drizzle that painted the streets with a sheen of silver. The West End was a hive of activity, always alive with people looking to make their mark. In a place like this, you didn't just survive — you fought for every inch. And Alina had fought harder than anyone, but even she knew this wasn't a game that ended with one strike.
Tonight had been a success, but she couldn't shake the feeling that it was only the beginning of something much bigger. Damian Cole's empire wasn't built on a few smuggling runs; there were deeper ties, hidden connections, and people who had their fingers in every dirty deal in New Marseille.
She had to go deeper. And that meant dealing with people who weren't afraid to get their hands bloody.
Nix had sent word that Cole's network was showing signs of strain. Their operations were becoming increasingly erratic, and his top lieutenants were starting to panic. The team had already hit one of his smuggling routes, but that was just one part of the puzzle. The real money, the real power, was in the West End's underground economy — the drugs, the guns, and the people who were willing to do anything to stay on top.
Alina's phone buzzed on the table in front of her, pulling her out of her thoughts. It was a message from Nix.
"Meeting at 6. Bring the tech. We need to talk."
She didn't hesitate. Grabbing her jacket and the small crate of electronics, she headed out. The rain had stopped, but the air was thick with tension. This was the part of the game where things got murky — where alliances were tested, and loyalties could be bought or broken with a single move.
The meeting was set at a warehouse on the outskirts of the city. It was one of Nix's old spots — a place that had been abandoned long ago but still held a sense of familiarity to him. Alina was the first to arrive, her boots clicking on the concrete floor as she entered. The dim overhead lights cast long shadows, making the room feel more like a crypt than a place for business.
Nix was waiting inside, standing next to a stack of crates, his arms crossed as he studied the crate of electronics that Alina had brought.
"You're early," Nix said, his voice low.
"I don't like to waste time," Alina replied, her eyes scanning the room as she set the crate down on the table. "What's the plan?"
Nix didn't immediately answer. Instead, he walked over to the crate, his fingers brushing over the top of one of the tech devices. He didn't seem impressed, but there was a flicker of curiosity in his gaze.
"I've been looking into these," he said, his voice almost too casual. "And I'm starting to think Cole's got some connections we didn't anticipate. These are high-end comms equipment. Military grade. Not the kind of thing a street-level gang should be handling."
"So he's playing with bigger players than we thought," Alina said, folding her arms across her chest.
"Exactly," Nix replied. "This isn't just about turf wars anymore. If Cole's dealing with military-grade tech, he's got more than just local influence. He's got global connections."
Alina felt a chill run down her spine. This wasn't just a simple power grab anymore. Cole had ambitions — ambitions that could bring the whole city, maybe even the country, into chaos.
"What does that mean for us?" she asked, her voice steady despite the rising tension.
"We need to get to the source," Nix said, turning to face her. "We can't just take down Cole; we need to take down the people backing him. And that means infiltrating his inner circle."
Alina's mind immediately went to work. "How do we get close to him?"
Nix smiled, though there was no warmth in it. "We don't go directly after Cole. Not yet. First, we get his people. We play their game, gain their trust, and then we bring the whole house down."
"And you think I can do that?" Alina asked, arching an eyebrow.
"I know you can," Nix replied. "I've got a few contacts who owe me favors. One of them's an inside man working with Cole's right-hand woman, Ivy Drake. She's the one pulling the strings on the ground — dealing with the muscle, managing the operations. If we can get to her, we can get to Cole."
Alina nodded, her thoughts already spinning. Ivy Drake. She had heard of her before — a ruthless enforcer who had built her reputation by breaking necks and making deals with the city's most dangerous players. She wasn't someone you could just walk up to and ask for a favor.
But Alina wasn't afraid of difficult odds. In fact, she thrived on them.
"I'll get close to Ivy," Alina said, her voice steady, no hint of doubt in it. "And once I do, we'll take her down from the inside."
Nix gave her a nod of approval. "I knew you were the right person for this. But be careful. Ivy's no joke. She's got her own people watching her back, and they'll be watching you, too."
Alina smiled, a small, confident curve of her lips. "I don't make mistakes."
The next few days were a blur of preparation. Alina had to shift gears completely, transitioning from her usual stealth operations into something far more complex. She spent hours tracking Ivy's movements, learning her habits, studying her patterns. It wasn't just about finding her, though. It was about gaining her trust.
Alina knew how to play the game. She had done it before. But getting close to Ivy was going to take finesse. Ivy didn't trust easily, especially not someone like Alina — a woman with her own reputation. It wasn't just about impressing her with power. It was about understanding what made Ivy tick, what motivated her.
Alina's chance came when she intercepted a message intended for Ivy — a meeting between her and one of Cole's rivals. It was the perfect opportunity to slip into the fold.
The night of the meeting, Alina arrived early, disguised as a low-level mercenary looking to make a name for herself. She kept her head down, her movements calculated, her eyes scanning the room for any sign of danger. The last thing she wanted was to draw attention to herself.
And then, Ivy walked in.
She was every bit as imposing as Alina had imagined. Tall, dark-haired, with an air of confidence that bordered on arrogance. She didn't look at anyone as she entered, her eyes only for the business at hand. But Alina knew she had to make an impression, and this was her moment.
Ivy sat at the head of the table, her gaze flicking over the group before locking onto Alina for a brief moment. A brief moment was all it took for Ivy to decide that Alina was worth considering.
"Sit," Ivy said, her voice low and commanding.
Alina complied, offering a nod of respect, but nothing more. She was ready. This was her chance to get inside.