The Gale family's financial empire was vast, but Carrick knew something crucial, money is power. If he wanted to cripple Domino Gale, he had to take away his wealth before making his next move.

And he had the perfect target.

11:45 PM.

Carrick stood at the center of a dimly lit room, a detailed blueprint of the Valerian Private Bank spread across the table. Around him sat his most trusted allies, Jack Harris, Elias, Kasper, Lila, and Alex.

Carrick tapped the vault's location with his index finger.

"This is where we strike."

Jack leaned forward, rubbing his stubbled chin. "The Valerian Bank? That's not just any bank, kid. That's where the biggest crime families stash their money. Breaking in is like declaring war."

Carrick smirked. "War's already coming, Jack. Might as well fund it with their own money."

Elias chuckled. "I like the way you think."

Alex adjusted his glasses, studying the security layout. "This place is a fortress. We're looking at high-level encryption, biometric locks, motion sensors, and armed guards. If we trip even one alarm, the whole place locks down in under two minutes."

Lila, sitting in the corner cleaning her sniper rifle, finally spoke. "Then we don't trip the alarm."

Carrick nodded. "Exactly. We go in silent, take what we need, and get out before they even know we were there."

Jack cracked his knuckles. "Alright. What's the plan?"

Carrick's eyes darkened with focus.

"We take the bank. Tonight."

01:30 AM.

The city was asleep, but the Valerian Bank never was. Its towering marble facade gleamed under the streetlights, guarded by armed sentries and hidden security cameras.

From his vantage point across the street, Lila spoke through comms.

"Four guards at the front. Two more on the side entrance. And... one sniper on the rooftop. Give me the word."

Carrick's voice was calm. "Take them out."

Pfft. Pfft.

Two silenced shots echoed through the earpiece. The rooftop sniper slumped forward, his rifle slipping from his grasp.

Pfft. Pfft. Pfft. Pfft.

The front guards crumpled to the ground before they could react.

Jack gave an impressed nod. "Damn, Lila. Remind me never to piss you off."

Carrick motioned forward. "Move in."

Kasper and Elias slipped toward the side entrance, their footsteps silent as shadows.

One of the remaining guards turned, but before he could react, Jack clamped a hand over his mouth and slit his throat.

Alex sprinted forward, pulling out a hacking device the size of a flash drive. He plugged it into the security panel.

Beep. Beep. Click.

The light turned green.

"We're in."

Inside the Bank

The air was thick with tension. The team moved swiftly through the marble corridors, their weapons ready.

The vault was downstairs, deep in the basement.

As they reached the elevator, Carrick spoke. "Alex, can you override the security?"

Alex grinned, tapping his tablet. "Watch and learn."

A second later, the elevator doors slid open.

"Easy."

The group stepped inside, descending into the belly of the beast.

01:45 AM..

They stepped into a massive underground chamber, where a thick steel door loomed before them. The vault of the Valerian Bank.

Elias whistled. "That's a big-ass door."

Jack cracked his knuckles. "How do we get through?"

Alex kneeled beside the electronic keypad, plugging in another hacking tool.

"This is a high-level security lock. I can crack it, but we'll only have three minutes before the system realizes something's wrong."

Carrick's voice was cold. "Then we work fast."

Alex's fingers flew over his tablet, streams of code flashing across the screen.

Beep. Beep. Click.

The vault door groaned open.

Inside, stacks of cash, gold bars, and bearer bonds glowed under the dim security lights.

Elias let out a low whistle. "Jackpot."

Carrick moved first, grabbing a leather briefcase filled with sensitive documents.

"Forget just the money.. this is what we need."

Jack frowned. "What is it?"

Carrick flipped open the case. Inside were offshore account details, transaction records, and blackmail material on nearly every powerful criminal in the city.

"If we control this, we don't just take Domino's money. We control his entire network."

Kasper grinned. "I'm liking this more and more."

"Two minutes left." Alex warned.

Lila and Elias stuffed duffel bags full of cash, while Jack lifted a stack of gold bars into a reinforced case.

Alex's voice suddenly turned urgent.

"Shit. Someone triggered a silent alarm."

Carrick's expression hardened. "We move. Now."

02:00 AM..

The second they stepped into the hallway, alarms blared.

Jack cursed. "So much for quiet."

Guards poured into the hallways, weapons drawn.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Carrick rolled behind cover, firing his silenced pistol with deadly accuracy.

Two guards dropped instantly.

Elias pulled out a flashbang, tossing it down the hall.

Boom!

The explosion of light and sound disoriented the enemy, giving Jack enough time to rush forward, tackling a guard into a glass case.

Lila's voice crackled over comms. "I have eyes on the main exit. Covering you."

Pfft. Pfft.

A guard aiming at Kasper collapsed, his head snapping back from a clean sniper shot.

Carrick sprinted forward. "Go! Go! Go!"

Alex hacked the emergency doors, opening the side exit.

Just as they reached the exit..

A black SUV screeched to a halt outside. More security poured out, blocking their escape.

Kasper grinned. "Guess we're doing this the hard way."

Gunfire erupted.

Carrick lunged behind a parked car, reloading his pistol.

Elias fired from the hip, taking out two more men.

Jack, ever the brute, ripped a metal pipe from a nearby fence and swung it straight into a guard's skull.

"Lila, we need an opening!"

Lila's calm voice responded. "On it."

A second later..

Boom!

An explosion ripped through the security line.

"Move!" Carrick shouted.

The team jumped into their getaway car, tires screeching as they tore through the streets.

02:30 AM. Safehouse

Back at The Black Lotus Casino, the group gathered around the stolen documents.

Jack exhaled. "That was insane."

Elias laughed. "And worth every second."

Carrick flipped through the files, his eyes gleaming.

"We didn't just take Domino's money. We took his empire."

Lila smirked. "So what's next?"

Carrick leaned back, his voice deadly calm.

"Next, we make Domino Gale watch his world burn."

The stolen documents lay scattered across the table, their secrets unraveling before Carrick's eyes. Offshore accounts, laundering routes, shell companies, this was the Gale family's financial skeleton, and now, it was in his hands.

Jack lit a cigar, exhaling slowly. "Alright, kid. We just robbed the most dangerous criminal bank in the country. What's the next move?"

Carrick's lips curled into a smirk. "We bleed Domino dry. Not just his money, his allies, his connections, his influence. We cut him off from everything."

Elias whistled. "Damn, you're ruthless."

Carrick's expression was stone-cold. "Not ruthless. Just efficient."

Alex, already deep in the files, adjusted his glasses. "If we want to cripple Domino, we need to start at the heart of his empire, his business partners."

Carrick nodded. "Who's the biggest?"

Alex tapped his screen. "Two names stand out.. Carter Holdings and Maxwell Industries. Both are heavily tied to Gale operations. Without them, Domino's businesses crumble."

Jack leaned forward. "Maxwell Industries, huh? I know those bastards. Military-grade weapon suppliers, deep connections with the underworld."

Carrick smirked. "Then we hit them first."

Lila, polishing her sniper rifle, finally spoke. "You're planning another job? So soon?"

Carrick's eyes glinted dangerously. "Not a job. A war."

*

The industrial district was quiet, except for the occasional hum of passing freight trucks. The warehouse stood tall, its steel exterior barely illuminated by flickering streetlights.

Carrick and his team crouched behind a stack of shipping containers.

Elias adjusted his earpiece. "Lila, you in position?"

Her voice crackled through comms. "Rooftop. Got clear visuals. Eight guards patrolling outside, two at the entrance."

Jack smirked. "Easy."

Carrick held up a fist. "We do this silent and fast. No alarms."

Alex typed furiously on his tablet. "I can disable the security cameras for five minutes. After that, they'll know something's up."

Carrick nodded. "Five minutes is more than enough."

"Go."

Lila's silenced rifle whispered in the night.

Pfft. Pfft.

Two guards crumpled before they even knew what hit them.

Jack and Elias moved fast, blades flashing under the dim lights as they silently dispatched the outer guards.

Carrick approached the warehouse door, pressing his hand against the cold metal.

Alex whispered, "Keypad lock. I'm hacking it now."

Beep. Beep. Click.

The door unlocked, sliding open.

Carrick stepped inside first. The air smelled of oil and metal. Rows of wooden crates were stacked to the ceiling, marked with military codes.

Weapons.

Jack's grin widened. "Looks like we hit the jackpot."

Carrick didn't respond. His eyes were on the center of the warehouse, where a massive metal vault stood.

Elias cursed under his breath. "That's no regular safe. That thing is reinforced. What the hell is inside?"

Carrick's jaw clenched. "Let's find out."

Alex moved quickly, plugging his device into the vault's electronic lock. "This will take a minute."

Jack stood watch by the entrance. "Hurry up. We don't have all night."

Suddenly..

"Intruders detected. Security lockdown engaged."

The warehouse lights blazed on, alarms screeching.

Jack spun around. "What the hell?"

Alex's fingers flew over his tablet. "Shit! The system has an auto-lock! I need more time!"

Lila's voice came through the earpiece. "You've got company. Three SUVs just pulled up outside."

Carrick pulled out his pistol, eyes cold.

"Then we fight."

*

The first wave of guards stormed through the side entrance, guns drawn.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Carrick dropped behind cover, firing with deadly precision.

Jack roared, lifting a metal crate and throwing it straight into two guards, knocking them out cold.

Elias flipped over a stack of barrels, landing behind a stunned enemy. He pressed a blade to the man's throat.

"Bad night to be you."

Slice.

The body collapsed.

More guards rushed in, fully armed.

Carrick ducked as bullets tore through wooden crates, sending splinters flying.

Lila's voice crackled through comms. "Stay low. I've got you covered."

Pfft. Pfft.

Two more enemies dropped, taken out by Lila's deadly aim.

Alex shouted, "Vault is open!"

Carrick didn't hesitate. "Move!"

The team sprinted toward the open vault, guns blazing as they pushed through enemy fire.

Inside, stacks of money, classified files, and crates of high-tech weapons lined the walls.

Jack's eyes widened. "Damn. This is worth a fortune."

Carrick didn't even glance at the money. His focus was on the sealed metal case in the center of the vault.

He grabbed it. "This is what we came for."

Elias, stuffing cash into a duffel bag, frowned. "What's in it?"

Carrick's voice was dark. "Something Domino doesn't want the world to see."

Jack shouted, "We need an exit, now!"

Lila's voice came through comms. "The side alley is clear! Go!"

Carrick grabbed a grenade from his belt.

Pulled the pin.

Tossed it.

Boom!

Smoke and flames erupted as the team vanished into the night.

*

The team was breathless but victorious.

Carrick placed the sealed case on the table.

Elias exhaled. "What the hell did we just steal?"

Carrick slowly unlatched the case, flipping it open.

Inside, a black USB drive sat on a bed of velvet.

Alex leaned closer. "This better be good."

Carrick plugged it into his laptop. A single video file appeared.

He played it.

The screen flickered to life.

A grainy security feed showed Domino Gale standing in a dimly lit room.

Across from him-a politician. A senator.

The conversation was brief but damning.

Domino: "We own you. Do as you're told, or you and your family disappear."

Carrick leaned back, his smirk widening.

Elias let out a low whistle. "Holy shit."

Jack laughed. "We just stole the biggest blackmail in the city."

Lila grinned. "Domino's empire is crumbling."

Carrick's eyes burned with vengeance.

"Not crumbling."

He clenched his fist.

"I'm burning it to the ground."

Zenith Safehouse.

The air in the safehouse was thick with tension. The stolen USB drive sat in the middle of the table, a small object that held the power to destroy Domino Gale.

Carrick leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers against the wooden surface. His mind raced, calculating his next move.

Jack exhaled a cloud of smoke. "So, what's the plan, boss? We've got Domino's balls in a vice. Time to squeeze?"

Carrick smirked. "Not yet."

Elias raised an eyebrow. "What? We've got blackmail on a senator,hell, probably dozens of them. We could burn Domino down tonight."

Carrick shook his head. "Burning him down isn't enough. I want to watch him suffer first."

Alex, typing furiously on his laptop, glanced up. "I did a deep dive into the files on the USB. Domino has dirt on half the city, politicians, police, even CEOs."

Carrick's eyes darkened. "Which means he'll fight tooth and nail to get it back."

Jack cracked his knuckles. "So we make him come to us."

Carrick smirked. "Exactly."

Domino Gale stood in his father's office, his fists clenched.

Zachary Gale sat behind a massive oak desk, sipping a glass of whiskey. His cold, calculating eyes regarded his son with mild amusement.

"You're telling me," Zachary said, swirling his drink, "that someone broke into Maxwell Industries, stole classified files, and walked away clean?"

Domino gritted his teeth. "Not just someone. Carrick."

Zachary's fingers tightened around his glass. "That bastard is still alive?"

Domino's voice was laced with frustration. "Not just alive. He's growing stronger. He's got mercenaries, hackers, and now... he has our blackmail files."

Zachary set his drink down with a sharp clink. "Then we take them back."

Domino hesitated. "It's not that simple. Carrick isn't playing like a rogue rat anymore. He's planning something bigger."

Zachary's lips curled into a sneer. "Then crush him before he becomes a problem."

Domino exhaled sharply. "I need more men. More firepower."

Zachary leaned forward, eyes gleaming with something dangerous. "Use the Butchers."

Domino's breath caught. The Butchers were Gale enforcers, a squad of professional killers who thrived on violence.

"If Carrick wants a war," Zachary said smoothly, "we'll give him one."

A black SUV roared down the quiet streets of Westvale, stopping outside an abandoned church.

Inside, Carrick sat at a dimly lit table, his fingers tapping against his pistol. Across from him sat Maximus Perch, leader of the KWE Mercenary Guild.

Maximus took a slow sip of coffee. "Word on the street is you just pissed off the Gale family."

Carrick smirked. "They should be scared."

Maximus chuckled. "You're playing a dangerous game, kid. The Gales don't just lose, they erase their enemies."

Carrick's eyes glinted. "Not this time."

Maximus leaned back, studying him. "I like your confidence. But confidence doesn't win wars, strategy does."

Carrick slid the USB across the table. "This... is my strategy."

Maximus picked it up, raising an eyebrow. "And what do you want me to do with it?"

Carrick smirked. "Leak it."

Maximus let out a low whistle. "You want me to burn their entire operation?"

Carrick nodded. "Not all at once. Just enough to make them desperate. I want Domino running in circles, trying to put out fires."

Maximus grinned. "You're more ruthless than I thought."

Carrick's voice was deadly cold. "I learned from the best."

Maximus slid the USB back. "I'll leak bits and pieces. Keep the city in chaos."

Carrick's smile widened. "Perfect."

*

Domino stormed into his private office, his phone ringing nonstop.

"We have a problem," his security chief growled through the line.

Domino's fingers twitched. "What now?"

Files are leaking. Some of our offshore accounts.. they're getting frozen. The police are sniffing around our businesses."

Domino slammed his fist against the desk. "Carrick."

His phone buzzed again, an unknown number.

He answered. "Who the hell is this?"

A smooth, dangerous voice filled the line.

"You're slipping, Domino."

Carrick.

Domino's grip tightened. "You little bastard. You think this is over?"

Carrick chuckled. "Oh, it's just beginning. I hope you're enjoying the financial hell I've put you in."

Domino's blood boiled. "You have no idea what you've started."

Carrick's voice remained calm, mocking. "Oh, I do. And I'll finish it. See you soon, big brother."

Click.

Domino hurled his phone across the room, breathing hard.

Then, his office door swung open.

His father stood there, arms crossed. "You look like you just lost a war."

Domino's jaw clenched. "Not yet."

Zachary smiled coldly. "Then I suggest you stop playing defense."

Domino's eyes darkened. "Agreed."

Carrick stood by the window, watching the city below. He could feel it, Domino was preparing a counterattack.

Jack lit another cigarette. "You think he'll send men after us?"

Carrick's smirk was sharp. "He'll do worse."

Elias checked his pistol. "Then let's be ready."

Lila adjusted her sniper scope. "If he sends a kill squad, they won't make it past the first block."

Carrick turned to Alex. "How much of their dirty money is frozen?"

Alex grinned. "Over twenty million."

Carrick's eyes gleamed. "Good. That's just the start."

Jack exhaled. "Damn, kid. You really want to gut them, huh?"

Carrick's smile was pure ice.

"I don't just want to gut them."

He turned to his team.

"I want to erase them."

Across the city, powerful men scrambled. Politicians panicked. Business leaders distanced themselves from the Gales.

And Domino?

He prepared for war.

Because this time..

Carrick wasn't running.

He was hunting.