UNBROKEN BONDS OF LOVE

10 years had passed "Captain, are you returning? We have a prized jewel to safeguard here in Riverton. The jewel is overseeing the groundbreaking ceremony for a new high-rise development," Zanaya's subordinate murmured through her concealed earpiece. Zanaya stifled a shameless yawn as she exited the sleek town car that had ferried her to the airport. She was set to board a private jet bound for home after a weeklong security detail at Riverton's elite Crimson Talon Command. "A Cerberus Protocol mission? I don't recall receiving any briefing," she replied, her brow furrowing. Zanaya was conversing with Malik, a lower-ranking Crimson Talon operative like herself, but her underling. "No, Captain. It's a Sentinel assignment, but they requested our expertise due to the complexity. Since we have a partnership with Sentinel, here we are," Malik divulged. Sentinel was Riverton's premier private security firm, but they had forged an alliance with the elite Crimson Talon forces to provide top-tier protection for high-profile clients. In exchange, Crimson Talon was obligated to lend their operatives to Sentinel when needed. "Well, as long as the compensation is substantial," Zanaya muttered, adjusting her leather jacket. "Absolutely, Captain. It's triple our usual rate," Malik revealed with a hint of excitement. "What? How was I not included in this operation?" Zanaya groaned, her jaw clenching. "I could certainly use the extra funds!" Malik chuckled in response. "You're hardly strapped for cash, Captain. Sometimes, I wonder why you even enlisted with us in the first place." "Hah, you know me – a born adrenaline junkie. I was a rebellious hellion back then, and I suppose some things never change," Zanaya said with a wry smile. "Anyway, I'm about to board. Stay sharp out there, and keep the team safe." Just before disconnecting, Zanaya inquired, "By the way, how complex is this mission, exactly?" "Level three assassination threat," Malik replied, his tone sobering. "What!" Zanaya exclaimed, her face flushing. "Level three?" They rarely dealt with level-three assassination threats. This signified a highly trained, illegally dispatched group was gunning for the "prized jewel." "Who the hell is this jewel?" Zanaya demanded, her shock palpable. "A politician? Royalty? A prosecuting attorney?" "Hah!" Malik laughed dryly. "No, just a business tycoon. He's probably made more than a few enemies, but strangely enough, he only took over the company three months ago." "Must be a massive enterprise," Zanaya remarked, her interest piqued. "Yeah, it's a conglomerate – the Andresson Corporation," Malik confirmed. Upon hearing the company's name, Zanaya froze. It had been ages since that name had graced her ears. She stuttered as she asked, "The – the Andresson Corporation. Who – who is the jewel?" "Enzo Andresson, the new CEO. Gotta run, Captain, duty calls," Malik said abruptly before disconnecting the call, leaving Zanaya reeling. Enzo Andresson. How could she possibly forget that name? Her throat constricted, and her face drained of color. The queue at the check-in counter surged forward, but she remained rooted to the spot, oblivious. "Enzo," she murmured under her breath. "So the bastard's alive after all." A chill ran down her spine as Zanaya felt her eyes threatening to bulge with a resurgence of anger. She clenched her jaw, memories of the man who had shattered her heart into countless shards flooding back. 'How long has it been? Nine? No, ten years,' she mused. A decade had elapsed since Enzo Andresson had vanished without a trace. Enzo was no ordinary man. This man had been her best friend. For five years, she and Enzo had been inseparable, and she had truly believed they were destined for each other. She had given him everything, only for him to leave without warning, departing with a vague, relationship-ending note. He had never called, never hinted that he was alive. "So, he's back," Zanaya muttered, her voice laced with disbelief. She vividly recalled the first year after Enzo's disappearance – the hurt, the denial, the eventual acceptance, but truthfully, because Zanaya had never confronted Enzo, she had never achieved full closure. In the back of her mind, she had always wondered why he had left. "Miss, are you in line or not?" A young man's voice broke through Zanaya's reverie. She ignored him, rejoining the queue to check in for her flight. Through security checks and the walk to the airport's VIP lounge, she remained lost in thought, her mind a whirlwind of memories. An hour before boarding, Zanaya's phone rang again. Malik was calling. "Captain! We've been ambushed! We're pinned down on Highway 35. Are you still interested in some extra cash?" Malik's voice boomed through the receiver. Zanaya froze, anger sweeping across her features. Why would she want to save the prized jewel who had trampled on her heart? Her hands turned icy as she gripped the phone tightly against her ear. Amidst the mechanical noise of suppressed gunfire on the other end – a silencer never truly eliminated the sound of shots, merely muffling them – she could make out her colleague's frantic voice. "Tai is hit! I repeat, Tai is down!" The words snapped Zanaya back to her senses. She abruptly stood, her expression hardening as she spoke into the phone, "I'm on my way. Hold your position, soldier." "S-sure, Captain. We'll try to stay alive," Malik responded nervously before disconnecting. After ending the call, Zanaya bolted for the airport's exit, leaving most of her belongings behind in the VIP lounge. She carried only her phone, her wallet tucked into her trouser pocket, her Bluetooth earpiece, and a Glock 22 pistol concealed beneath her leather jacket. As she sprinted, she was already on the phone with her contacts in Riverton City, "I need the fastest motorcycle you can get me nearest to the airport, and clearance for Highway 35." From the airport road to the main highway, Zanaya's lithe frame moved with lightning speed. Her determined eyes focused on the path ahead, her long, raven hair streaming behind her with every stride. Finally, a police motorcycle intercepted her along the way. The officer aboard called out, "Captain Zanaya Vega? Your ride." She hopped on without a word, donned the helmet, and peeled out. The motorcycle sliced through the streets like an arrow in flight. As Zanaya maneuvered her ride, she leaned into the turns. With each twist of the throttle, she synchronized her response – hands gripping, fingers adjusting, subtle weight shifting. Zanaya arrived at the scene in ten minutes, cutting the travel time by more than half. She spotted two vehicles entrapping three Lexus sedans. One was a blue SUV, and the other a ten-wheeler truck deliberately blocking the highway exit. In total, she counted ten gunmen firing upon the three Lexus cars carrying her team and the "prized jewel." She targeted the truck and drove past the SUV, evading the hail of bullets coming her way. Zanaya accelerated before sliding the bike down and rolling off it. After the bike collided with the truck, the attackers scattered in panic. Zanaya's associates immediately provided cover as she rose into a kneeling position. She drew her pistol, took aim at the assailants, and pulled the trigger. BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! Five shots. Five targets down, both alive and unidentified. When Captain Zanaya Vega locked onto her prey, she never missed.