Echoes Of The Caputo Empire

Chapter 4

CHAPTER 4

ANACA.

I crouch behind the crates, my breath coming in ragged gasps as I check my watch. Giovanni’s voice crackles through the earpiece, cutting through the silence.

“You’ve got ten minutes before the next patrol comes by,” Giovanni says. “The documents should be in a compartment on the north side of the warehouse.”

I nod, my eyes darting around the dimly lit space. “Got it. I’m moving in now.”

I slip into the warehouse, the darkness swallowing me whole. As I navigate through the maze of shelves, Giovanni’s voice guides me through each obstacle. “Careful. There’s a guard near the entrance. Wait until he passes.”

I press my back against a cold metal shelf, holding my breath as footsteps approach. The guard’s shadow passes by, and I silently continue my search. After a tense few moments, I find the compartment and pry it open. The documents are exactly where Giovanni said they would be.

“I’ve got them,” I whisper into the earpiece, relief washing over me. “But I’ve also got company. Two guards just entered the warehouse.”

“Head to the side exit,” Giovanni advises quickly. “I’ll disable the security cameras, but you’ll need to move fast.”

I retrace my steps, but the guards’ voices grow louder. My pulse quickens as I spot the side exit. I dash for it, slipping through just as the guards round the corner. The adrenaline makes every second feel like an eternity.

Once outside, I crouch behind a dumpster, catching my breath. Giovanni’s voice is a calm presence amidst the chaos. “You’re clear. For now. How are you holding up?”

“I’m okay,” I reply, though my voice betrays my exhaustion. “But this is getting harder. Every mission feels more dangerous.”

“You’re doing well,” Giovanni reassures me. “But remember, we need to be extra cautious. The stakes are high.”

I lean against the dumpster, my thoughts turning to Soo-Hyun. “Giovanni, does Soo-Hyun ever ask about me? I mean, does he even care about what’s happening?”

There’s a pause, and I can almost hear Giovanni weighing his words. “He… hasn’t asked about you recently,” he finally admits. “He’s been focused on other things.”

My heart sinks at his words. I had hoped, despite everything, that Soo-Hyun’s interest in me remained strong. The disappointment fuels a fresh wave of determination within me.

“I see,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady. “That just means I need to make this happen. Once he sees how much I am doing for him… well, I’m not giving up. Not now.”

Giovanni’s tone softens. “I know you’re determined, Ana. Just be careful. Sang Hee will not make this easy for you. For us, and thta means we need to stay sharp.”

“I will,” I promise. “I’m heading back to the safe house. Let’s regroup and plan the next move.”

The drive back is a blur of thoughts and resolve. Giovanni meets me at the safe house, his face showing the strain of our shared struggle.

“You did well tonight,” he says, handing me a water bottle. “But we need to be prepared for the next step.”

I take the bottle, my fingers trembling slightly. “What’s the plan?”

Giovanni pulls out a map, marking several locations. “We need to secure more information about Soo-Hyun’s enemies. There are rumors of a major operation planned against us. We have to stay ahead.”

I nod, focused. “Let’s get to work. I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure Soo-Hyun understands my commitment.”

“Where is my next target?”

****

I stagger into the safe house, wincing with each step. Giovanni hurries over, his expression a mix of concern and urgency. “Damn it Ana! You’re hurt!” he says, guiding me to a chair. “Let’s get you patched up.”

I wince as Giovanni starts cleaning my wound. “Giovanni,” I say through gritted teeth,

“What?”

“Is it worth it? Is it worth risking my life every day? What if Soo-Hyun doesn’t even care? He hasn't called. Nor texted. No sign of interest… what if I am just wasting my time?”

Giovanni pauses, his eyes meeting mine with a mix of sympathy and resolve. “Anaca, you’ve already done so much. But if you’re feeling this way, maybe it’s time to think about whether this path is right for you. You’ve got to consider your safety too.”

“I’m too involved now,” I reply, frustration clear in my voice. “But I need to know if my efforts are making a difference.”

Giovanni’s gaze is steady. “Rest. Take a break and think things through. The risks of what you are doing is real, and it’s okay to step back if it’s too much.”

“I’ll rest,” I agree, feeling the weight of his words. “I need to clear my head.”

After Giovanni finishes bandaging me, I head to my room. Exhausted, I lie on the bed and start going through the mission files to distract myself.

Among the documents, I find a small USB drive hidden in a compartment.

Curious, I plug it into the laptop and open the file labeled “Caputo. Pdf.”

The document loads, and my eyes widen as I read the content, my blood turned to ice.

“It’s an assassination,” I whisper to myself. “Against Soo-Hyun.”