Chapter 322: The Extraction Team

"Let him try," Dimitri said flatly. "Mike will coordinate defensive operations while I’m executing the extraction. We have enough personnel to handle both the extraction and any counter-attack."

"And if he’s monitoring the warehouse?" Marco asked. "If he sees the breach coming and moves Eve?"

"Then we move faster," Dimitri said. "We get in, we get Eve, we get out before he can react. That’s why speed is critical."

Marco nodded, accepting the reality.

"I’ll have everything ready," Marco said. "Briefing materials. Warehouse schematics. Real-time surveillance feeds. Communication protocols. Everything the extraction team needs."

"Good," Dimitri said, turning to leave.

"Boss," Marco called out as Dimitri reached the door.

Dimitri stopped.

"We’re going to get her back," Marco said. "The warehouse location is locked in. The extraction parameters are clear. Your father’s team is experienced. We have everything we need."

"I know," Dimitri said. "That’s why we’re going to move."

He left the operations center, heading toward his office.

His mind was already running through the extraction scenarios, already calculating contingencies, already preparing for the moment when he would see Eve again.

***

Dimitri stood at his window, looking out at the Manhattan skyline as the sun began to rise.

The city was waking up. Traffic was building. The business day was beginning.

But for Dimitri, the only business that mattered was getting Eve back.

His phone rang.

Father.

"My extraction team is landing in New Jersey within the hour," Antonio said without preamble. "They want a full briefing on the warehouse and extraction parameters."

"Tell them I’ll brief them personally within two hours," Dimitri said.

"Good," Antonio replied. "These men are the best I have. When you give them the go-ahead, they’ll get your woman out."

"I know," Dimitri said.

"And Dante?" Antonio asked.

"Will be handled," Dimitri said. "But first, we get Eve. Then we deal with everything else and i’ll contact you when the extraction is complete," Dimitri said, ending the call.

***

7:15 AM

The safe house in Manhattan was a nondescript brownstone in a quiet residential neighborhood. From the outside, it looked like any other expensive property in the area.

Inside, it had been converted into a tactical operations center.

Marco was standing in the main briefing room when Dimitri arrived. Three men in tactical gear were positioned around a large table displaying satellite imagery of the Jersey City warehouse.

The men looked exactly as Dimitri expected: hardened, professional and dangerous.

"Boss," Marco said, acknowledging Dimitri’s entrance. "Giancarlo and his team just arrived. They’ve been briefed on the situation and are ready for the detailed tactical briefing."

Giancarlo stepped forward.

He was Italian, mid-forties, with the kind of weathered face that came from decades of operating in hostile environments. His eyes were cold and calculated, the eyes of a man who’d made difficult decisions and lived with the consequences.

"Mr. Valentino," Giancarlo said, extending his hand. "Your father speaks highly of your operational capabilities. I’m Giancarlo Rinaldi. I command this extraction team."

Dimitri shook his hand briefly, assessing the man in seconds. Professional. Respectful. Competent. Exactly what his father would send.

"Giancarlo," Dimitri acknowledged. "Your team?"

"Three specialists," Giancarlo said, gesturing to the men behind him. "Nate....entry and tactical assault. Paolo....logistics and contingency planning. And Henry....communications and real-time coordination. All former Italian special forces. All specialized in extraction operations. Between the four of us, we have over one hundred years of operational experience in hostile environments."

"Good," Dimitri said. "Because we have approximately six hours to plan and execute an extraction that has no margin for error. The woman we’re extracting is my priority. Her safety is non-negotiable."

"Understood," Giancarlo said. "Your father made that extremely clear."

Mike entered the room, moving directly to stand beside Dimitri.

"This is Mike Thorne," Dimitri said. "He’ll be coordinating defensive operations while we execute the extraction. Any questions about roles should be directed to him."

Mike nodded at the Italian team, his expression absolutely focused.

"Alright," Dimitri said, moving to the table. "Let me walk you through what we’re dealing with."

He pulled up the warehouse schematic.

"The target location is a warehouse in Jersey City," Dimitri said, pointing to the satellite imagery. "Three levels. Ground level is the warehouse proper. Basement level one is storage and operational space. Basement level two is where Eve is being held. The warehouse is currently occupied by approximately ten security personnel with Luca Moretti commanding them."

Giancarlo leaned closer to the schematic, studying the layout with the precision of a man who’d memorized dozens of similar facilities.

"What’s the security infrastructure?" Giancarlo asked.

"Electronic locks on all basement access points," Marco said, pulling up detailed security schematics. "Motion sensors on the basement stairs. Cameras covering the primary entrance and the loading dock. Guard rotation is every four hours. Current shift ends at 8 AM."

"Current time?" Paolo asked.

"7:15 AM," Marco confirmed. "We have approximately forty-five minutes before the shift change."

"That’s tight," Paolo said, already running calculations.

"We’re not breaching during the shift change," Dimitri said flatly. "We’re breaching now, while they’re expecting a quiet morning. We move during the shift overlap when attention is focused on the changeover, not on the perimeter."

"Bold," Giancarlo said, and there was something almost like respect in his tone. "But effective. What are we looking at for entry?"

Marco pulled up two detailed schematics.

"Two viable entry points," Marco said. "Option one: We breach the loading dock on the east side. Direct access to basement level one. From there, we navigate to the basement stairs and reach level two where Eve is being held. Time estimate: eight to ten minutes from breach to extraction."

"Casualties?" Henry asked.

"Dante’s security team would engage us immediately," Marco said. "We’d be fighting through the entire extraction. Our team would likely take casualties. Eve would be at risk if the firefight escalates."

Giancarlo nodded, already visualizing the scenario.

"Option two?" Giancarlo asked.

"We breach the reinforced basement door from the ground-level storage room," Marco continued. "More direct access to Eve’s location. Fewer guards on that route based on thermal imaging. We extract her and immediately exit back through the same entry point. Time estimate: five to seven minutes. Less exposure. Fewer guards to engage."