Santiago phone was vibrating and jolted him awake he wipes his eyes and picked the phone. On the screen was Viktor name.

Santiago answered on the second ring, his voice low. "Yes"

"Santiago," Viktor’s voice came through, rough and urgent, laced with stress. "We don’t have time to waste anymore. The Emperor wants action tonight. We will kidnap Leon today."

Santiago’s grip on the phone tightened so hard his knuckles turned white, his drowsily eyes opens in shock. "Today? Viktor, that’s too soon. If we snatch him now, he’ll hate us. He’ll never trust me again. We need more time to rebuild the connection."

Viktor let out a frustrated sigh. "There is no more time. The Emperor gave clear orders. He said if you can’t win the boy back with charm and money, we take him by force. He’s losing patience with both of us. I already took a beating because of your slow progress. I won’t survive another disappointment, and neither will you." 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Santiago walked to the balcony, his free hand running through his hair. "This is too risky. Silas has heavy security on Leon. If we kidnap him now, Silas will come after us with everything he has. We’re not ready for open war. Leon is innocent, Viktor. He’s just a scared kid trying to help his brother. Taking him by force will break him completely. There has to be another way."

Viktor’s laugh was bitter and tired. "Another way? The Emperor doesn’t want another way. He wants results. He said the boy is the perfect leverage against Sylvain. If we can’t get Leon to trust you, we’ll make him fear us instead. The plan is already in motion. Our men are positioned near the safe house. All you have to do is lure him out. Call him. Tell him you need to talk about his brother urgently. Make it sound important. Get him to a quiet spot. We’ll handle the rest."

Santiago stopped pacing, his stomach twisting. "Lure him out? He’s not answering my calls. He’s terrified. If I push now, he might run straight to Sylvain or lock himself inside. This could backfire completely."

Viktor’s voice hardened. "Then make him answer. Tell him you have information that can save his brother. Tell him Silas is planning something worse. Lie if you have to, the Emperor wants this done tonight."

Santiago’s voice was strained. "I know. But kidnapping Leon today... he’s just starting to live again. Taking him by force will destroy whatever chances we have with him, he’ll see me as another monster like Silas."

Viktor cursed. "Then be the monster if you have to. The Emperor doesn’t care about the boy’s feelings. If you can’t get him out peacefully, we’ll take him by force anyway. Our team is ready. They’re waiting for your signal, call the boy. We strike today, Santiago."

Santiago closed his eyes, guilt eating at him. "What about Silas? He has men watching Leon constantly. If we move now, it could turn into a bloodbath."

Viktor’s tone was cold. "Then we make it clean and fast. The Emperor said he doesn’t care about the mess as long as we deliver the boy. If Silas’s men interfere, we eliminate them. This is bigger than one boy or one fight. Do your part and call him now. Tell him it’s urgent. We’ll handle the rest."

Santiago was silent for a long moment, staring at the city lights. "I understand. I’ll call him."

Viktor exhaled in relief. "Good. Don’t fail us, Santiago. If this goes wrong, none of us survives this. Call me the moment he’s out. We’ll move immediately."

The call ended.

Santiago lowered the phone, his hand shaking slightly. He stared at Leon’s contact for a long time before typing a message:

"Leon, I know you’re scared, but I need to talk to you urgently. It’s about your brother. I have information that can help him. Meet me near the park in 20 minutes. Please. It’s important."

He sent it, then whispered to the empty night, "I’m sorry, kid. I never wanted it to come to this."

Viktor immediately dialed the Emperor after hanging up with Santiago.

The Emperor answered on the first ring. "Viktor. Has the plan commence."

Viktor spoke quickly, keeping his tone respectful. "My Emperor, Santiago will be luring Leon into our trap. So we will kidnap Leon today, our teams are in position Incase of Silas fighting back."

The Emperor’s voice was cold and satisfied. "Good. I expect a new about him being kidnapped soon. As for you, I will send your pay tonight if I see Leon. Make it quickly and snapping, we don’t have much time today. Do not disappoint me, Viktor."

Viktor bowed his head. "As you command, my Emperor. It will be done."

Santiago’s phone rang again almost immediately after he sent the message to Leon. Viktor’s name flashed on the screen.

He answered, his voice tight with reluctance. "What else again."

"Listen carefully," Viktor said, his tone deep and commanding. "The Emperor wants this done cleanly and fast. Here’s the plan. You call Leon or message him again. Tell him you need to talk about his brother’s safety — make it urgent but unsuspecting. Invite him for a short walk near the park or along the street by his house. Say you have sensitive information you can’t share over the phone. Get him out of the house, our team will be positioned nearby. Once he’s in a good spot, we move in. You don’t have to do the heavy lifting — just get him outside and keep him distracted."

Santiago gripped the railing. "And if he refuses? Viktor. He might call Silas for all we know."

"Leon is a dumb fellow," Viktor replied coldly. "Stay close but not too obvious. Our men will handle the extraction. If he goes home, we take him there. But try to get him out first — it’s cleaner that way. Once Leon is secured, we take him to the secondary location selected. Do not fail this, Santiago."

Santiago closed his eyes. "Understood. I’ll try to get him out for the walk."

"Good. Our team is already moving into position. Call me the second you have eyes on him." Viktor paused, then added, "And Santiago... if things get ugly with Silas’s men, don’t hesitate to take them down. My team will assist you."

Santiago stared at Leon’s contact for a long moment before typing another message:

"Leon, please. I’m really worried about your brother. I overheard something important about Silas. Meet me for a quick walk near the park? Just ten minutes. I promise I’ll explain everything."

He sent it and waited.

Twenty minutes later, Leon stepped out of the safe house, looking nervous and glancing around. He had replied with a short, reluctant "Okay, but only ten minutes."

Santiago waited at the corner, trying to look casual. "Leon," Santiago called softly, offering a small smile. "Thank you for coming. I know things have been weird lately. Walk with me?"

Leon kept his distance, arms crossed. "Sir... I don’t think this is a good idea. I’m sorry, but I can’t. My brother told me to stay away from you. I should go back inside."

Santiago took a careful step forward. "Leon, please. This is about Sylvain. I think he’s in more danger than you know. Just a short walk. I’ll keep my distance if you want. I won’t touch you or anything. I just need to tell you what I heard."

Leon shook his head, backing away. "No. I’m sorry. I can’t. I have to go home."

He turned quickly and started walking back toward the safe house, his steps hurried.

Santiago followed at a distance, heart pounding. "Leon, wait! Just hear me out!"

Leon didn’t stop. He reached the door and fumbled with his keys, clearly scared.

That was when everything exploded.

Two of Silas’s security men stepped out from the shadows near the house, hands near their weapons. "Step away from the house," one of them barked at Santiago. "Now."

Before Santiago could respond, four masked men in dark clothing burst from a side alley. Gunshots rang out — suppressed but loud enough to echo. One of Silas’s men went down with a grunt. The other drew his weapon and fired back, but the masked attackers were faster and better coordinated.

Chaos erupted.

"Get the boy!" one of the masked men shouted.

Leon screamed, trying to get inside the house, but a masked man grabbed him from behind, clamping a hand over his mouth. "Quiet, kid. Don’t fight."

"Let him go!" Santiago yelled, though he stayed back as instructed.

Silas’s remaining guard lunged forward, but another masked man tackled him to the ground. A knife blade flashed and a guard went down.

Leon struggled wildly, tears streaming down his face. "Help! Somebody help me! Sylvain!"

The masked man who had him dragged Leon toward a black van that screeched to a stop at the curb. "Bundle him in! Move!"

Leon was thrown into the back of the van, still kicking and screaming. The doors slammed shut.

Santiago stood frozen for a second, watching the van speed off into the night. One of the masked men gave him a quick nod before disappearing into the shadows with the rest of the team.

The street fell silent except for the groaning of the injured security guard.

Santiago pulled out his phone with shaking hands and dialed Viktor.

"It’s done," he said quietly when Viktor answered. "They have Leon. He’s in the van."

Viktor’s voice was satisfied. "Good. Take a different route and meet us at the location. Stay low — Silas will be coming for blood soon."

Santiago ended the call and looked back at the safe house door, now slightly ajar.

He whispered into the empty street, voice heavy with guilt, "I’m sorry, Leon... I’m so sorry."