Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 2568

A crowd of over a hundred stood behind him, anxiety and confusion etched on every face.

Across the warehouse, Mario had long since lost all trust in Giles. He was already on edge, tense and ready for betrayal. So when a shot rang out, panic and fury surged through him. In a flash, he swung his rifle up and unleashed a wild barrage of bullets at Giles.

Giles’ men surged forward, shields of flesh and will, hustling him backward. With that single blast, chaos erupted—a brutal firefight ignited, echoing through the abandoned factory.

Retreating, Giles shouted over the gunfire, “Mario, listen to me! Someone wants us to tear each other apart. Don’t fall for it!”

But Mario was blinded by rage and ambition. This was his chance to wipe Giles out and claim everything for himself. Any hope of reason was lost—he drove his men forward, attacking with even greater ferocity.

No cover, no safety—the warehouse offered nothing but open ground. Bullets ricocheted as both sides fought and fell back, step by desperate step.

A cold dread settled in Giles’ chest. He didn’t want to get mired in a pointless battle with Mario; all he wanted was to escape this death trap. But every attempt to break out was met with silent, ruthless gunfire from mysterious assailants. Giles’ crew was forced back inside, dodging bullets and scrambling for shelter, waiting for a chance to strike back.

Mario stoked his men’s fury, shouting that this was their chance to avenge Jay. Like madmen, they charged, determined to wipe out Giles’ crew once and for all.

But Giles hadn’t survived this long in the Citadel by being reckless. He quickly realized there were more players in the factory than just Mario’s gang. Instead of throwing his men into a pointless brawl, he started using Mario’s people as a shield, subtly shifting the balance of power.

*

Mario could practically taste victory. He pressed the assault, determined to finish Giles then and there.

Suddenly, a deafening roar split the air overhead. A squadron of fighter jets thundered in, circling the factory like a pack of wolves.

A sly, triumphant grin crept across Giles’ face at last.

Heavy machine guns opened up from above. Bullets rained down like a storm of locusts, tearing the ground to shreds, filling the air with smoke and screams.

Mario’s forces were decimated in seconds—half his men fell before they could even run. Panic-stricken, Mario led a frantic retreat, ducking and weaving for any scrap of cover.

Gab stared at the fighter jets circling in the sky, a cold, murderous glint in his eyes. “If they dare set foot in Tripe, they’ll learn soon enough whose territory this is.”

Bruce let out a low, nasty chuckle. “Blackwater’s about to find out they’ve crossed the wrong line.”

Checking his watch, Bruce added, “Gab, Sean’s here.”

Gab nodded, his eyes colder than steel.

The wind howled across the plain, carrying with it the scent of blood and death.

*

Mario was completely outgunned—Blackwater’s firepower was overwhelming. In the chaos, he had no choice but to run for his life.