Leo, refusing to be cornered, shot down two of Drew’s men with precise shots. “We push through!” he commanded. “Marco, cover me. Get to the jet!”
Explosions rocked the tarmac as Leo’s men threw smoke grenades, creating a wall of thick, choking fog that engulfed the area. It was their only chance to break free. 
But as the chaos raged on, hidden in the shadows just beyond the fray, a figure watched with cold amusement. Roy, the mastermind behind the stolen diamond, leaned against the metal beams of the hangar, a twisted smile playing on his lips. 
“So predictable,” he whispered to himself, enjoying the spectacle. His plan had worked perfectly—pitting Drew and Leo against each other like puppets on a string. 
Leo, oblivious to Roy’s presence, continued to fight his way through Drew’s men, firing shot after shot with ruthless precision. But Roy remained in the darkness, content to watch his enemies tear each other apart, knowing that by the time the dust settled, he would be the one standing victorious. 
Back on the battlefield, Marco yelled over the cacophony, “Boss! We’re losing time!”
“Keep moving!” Leo growled, reloading his weapon. He knew they had to reach the jet before Drew’s reinforcements arrived. 
As he fired one last shot, Leo's eyes caught a glint of movement in the shadows. For a split second, he thought he saw someone watching—a figure with a chilling smile. But before he could process it, another barrage of bullets forced him to dive for cover.
“We need to move, now!” Marco urged, dragging Leo toward the jet as it roared to life. 
Leo gave one last glare in Drew’s direction, a silent promise of retribution, before he and Marco sprinted up the jet’s ramp. The door slammed shut, and within seconds, the aircraft hurtled down the runway, lifting into the sky just as Drew’s men unleashed a final, desperate volley of shots.
In the distance, Roy watched the jet disappear into the night sky. His grin widened. “Let the games begin,” he murmured, turning away as the sirens of approaching police cars filled the air.
The war between Leo and Drew was only beginning, and Roy intended to reap the rewards of the chaos he had sown.
                                 *
The sound of gunfire and explosions gradually died down, replaced by the heavy breathing of exhausted men. Smoke hung thick in the air, the remnants of their fierce battle still smoldering on the scorched tarmac. Drew’s and Leo’s forces were locked in a tense standoff, weapons still drawn but now hesitating. Too many of their men lay wounded on the ground, and both leaders knew the cost of prolonging this fight.
Leo, chest heaving but eyes unwavering, raised his hand to signal a ceasefire. “Enough,” he called out, his voice cutting through the stillness. Drew, standing amidst his own injured men, reluctantly nodded.
Drew’s eyes narrowed, still filled with suspicion. “You’ve got one last chance to explain yourself, Leo,” he warned. “Why the hell was your emblem found at the scene? Are you telling me that was all just a coincidence?”
Leo stepped forward, slowly lowering his weapon. “Think about it, Drew,” he said, his voice steady, calm, but with an edge of frustration. “If we really wanted to steal that diamond, do you honestly believe we’d leave such an obvious trail? Black Salvatore is known for precision, not stupidity. Leaving a calling card? That’s not our style.”
Drew’s jaw clenched, his mind racing. The man in front of him was no fool, and Leo’s words had a ring of truth that was hard to ignore. “Then who?” Drew demanded. “Who else would have the motive?”
Leo took a deep breath, glancing around at the bodies strewn across the ground—men who had fought and bled for nothing more than a misunderstanding. “I don’t know who set this up, but I swear it wasn’t us,” he said, his tone sincere. “We were here to do business, not to steal. If you really think we’re responsible, you’d find more than a piece of torn fabric.”
Drew’s gaze flickered with uncertainty. Leo was right: if the Black Salvatore had truly planned a heist, it would’ve been executed flawlessly, without a trace. The whole situation reeked of a setup, a deliberate attempt to pit them against one another.
Reluctantly, Drew signaled his men to stand down. “Ceasefire!” he barked, and his men slowly lowered their guns, though their eyes remained wary.
Leo knew he had to do something more to prove his sincerity. Without a second thought, he holstered his gun and started walking forward, leaving behind the safety of his own men. He crossed the scarred battlefield, the ground still hot from explosions, his hands raised to show he was unarmed.
Marco, watching nervously, hissed, “Boss, are you sure about this?”
Leo shot him a sideways glance. “If we’re going to end this, I need to show him we mean no harm.”
As Leo approached Drew’s line, the tension was palpable. Drew’s men tensed, fingers twitching over their triggers, but Drew raised a hand to stop them.
When Leo was close enough, he reached into his jacket slowly, carefully—every eye was on him. He pulled out a small, velvet pouch and held it out in the open. “This is the other Blue Diamond you’re looking for,” Leo said. “We found it on one of our own, who was bribed to frame us. I’m returning it to you as proof of our innocence.”
Drew’s eyes widened in surprise. He motioned for one of his men to retrieve the pouch. The diamond inside glimmered, untouched and as brilliant as ever.
For a long moment, Drew stared at Leo, weighing his options. Then, with a slow nod, he extended his hand. “Perhaps I was too hasty,” Drew admitted grudgingly. “You’ve shown your honesty, Leo.”
Leo clasped Drew’s hand in a firm shake. “Let’s not waste more lives on a game someone else is playing,” he said quietly. “I suggest we find the real culprit. Together.”
Drew’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “Agreed,” he said finally. “But if I find out you’re lying…”
Leo’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “You won’t,” he promised. And with that, an uneasy truce was forged, though both knew that in their world, trust was a fragile thing—one that could shatter with a single misstep.
In the distance, Roy watched the scene unfold with a smug grin, hidden in the shadows where no one could see him. “Perfect,” he whispered to himself. “Now, let’s see how long this alliance lasts.”
Before boarding the waiting jet, Leo paused at the top of the steps, turning back to face Drew one last time. The engines roared behind him, the wind whipping at his coat, but his gaze remained steady.
“Drew,” Leo called out, his voice cutting through the hum of the aircraft. “If you find anything that still doesn’t add up, if you still believe we had anything to do with this, I swear—” He placed a hand over his chest, a gesture of solemnity. “I will come back, personally. And I will clear my name. No tricks, no excuses.”
Drew’s eyes were hard, arms crossed over his chest as he stood amidst his men. The suspicion hadn’t fully left his face, but there was a flicker of something else—reluctant respect, perhaps.
“Fine,” Drew replied with a grudging nod. “But you’d better hope there’s no reason for me to call you back, Leo. Because if there is—” His voice lowered, edged with a threat. “I won’t show you mercy next time.”
Leo gave a sharp nod. “Deal,” he said simply. With that, he turned and disappeared into the jet, Marco following closely behind. The door sealed shut, and moments later, the aircraft lifted off, disappearing into the darkening sky.
As the jet ascended, Leo leaned back in his seat, letting out a slow breath. “That was too close,” Marco muttered, shaking his head. “You sure it’s wise to promise Drew something like that?”
Leo’s expression hardened. “We were set up, Marco. I’m not letting anyone drag our name through the mud. If it comes to it, I’ll return and face Drew again.”
Marco nodded, understanding. “But whoever did this,” he said quietly, his eyes narrowing. “They’re playing a dangerous game.”
Leo’s gaze turned cold, staring out the window at the fading lights below. “And when I find out who’s behind this,” he murmured, more to himself than anyone else, “they’ll wish they never crossed the Black Salvatore.”
                                 *
Author’s Note
Thank you so much for following Mina and Leo’s journey to the very end. Your support and love for their story mean the world to me!
The extended or complete version of this story is now available on Amazon Kindle under my pen name, Dannesya. I hope you’ll check it out and enjoy the full experience!
See you in my next stories! Your support keeps me motivated to write more captivating tales.
Stay connected and explore more through this link: linktr.ee/dannesya.
With gratitude,
Dannesya