Chapter 176: Snatch and grab

Gustavo crouched in the dense foliage, his eyes narrowed as he surveyed Malachi Vex's sprawling mansion in the dark. Beside him, Mordred and the rest of their team waited in tense silence. They all were wearing large black trousers and brown armless shirts."Damn," Gustavo muttered, noticing about ten guards at the entrance, all dressed in black coats. "Security's tighter than a miser's purse."

Mordred shifted uneasily. "You think Malachi's onto us? We've been here all night and it's only hours from sunrise!!"

Gustavo nodded grimly. "Wouldn't put it past the old snake. But we're not backing down now."

"So what's the plan?" Ratface whispered, his fingers twitching nervously on his dagger.

Gustavo turned to face his assembled men. "Listen up," he said in a low, authoritative voice. "We strike tonight. Matilda's in there, and we're getting her out, come hell or high water."

He pointed to a group of men. "You 37, circle around the back. Create a diversion if needed, but stay quiet until you hear the signal."

Gustavo continued, "The rest of you, you're with me. We're taking the main entrance."

"Frontal assault?" Mordred raised an eyebrow. "It's a bit risky, isn't it?"

"Sometimes the boldest move is the least expected," Gustavo replied with a wry smile. "Mordred, Brutus, Ratface, and you ten," he gestured to a group of hardened fighters, "you're with me on point."

Ratface swallowed hard. "Right into the lion's den, eh?"

"Got cold feet?" Brutus teased.

"Nah," Ratface shot back, mustering his courage. "Just making sure my boots are laced tight."

Gustavo allowed himself a small chuckle. "Alright, lads. Remember, we're here for Matilda. In and out, quick and quiet if we can manage it. But if it comes down to it..."

"We'll paint the walls red," Mordred growled, cracking his knuckles.

Gustavo nodded solemnly. "Let's move. And may fortune favor the bold."

With that, the team dispersed, melting into the shadows, while Gustavo and the other thirteen men headed straight to the entrance already crowded with guards dressed in black coats.

As the group of 14 approached the entrance, Gustavo whispered, "Act natural, guys. Keep those weapons hidden."

They were about 20 paces from the entrance when one of the guards noticed them. In an instant, blazing blades materialized in the guards' hands, their ethereal light casting long shadows.

"Halt!" a guard shouted. "State your business!"

'These aren't the guards I met here yesterday,' Gustavo realized, his eyes narrowing as he studied their unfamiliar faces. 'There's definitely been some shuffling of personnel. I don't think we can pass through these new guards as easily.'

Gustavo stepped forward, hands raised placatingly. "Easy there, friends. We're not here to cause any trouble. Just here to see Malachi, is all."

A burly guard with a scar across his cheek frowned. "Lord Vex isn't expecting any visitors tonight."

Gustavo chuckled, trying to ease the tension. "Come now, surely you recognize me? I was here just yesterday. Don't tell me you've forgotten old Gus already?"

The guards exchanged uncertain glances.

"That may be," the scarred guard replied, "but why are you here with this... entourage?"

Gustavo shrugged casually. "Just some business associates. I assure you, we mean no harm." S~eaʀᴄh the nôᴠel Fire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

A younger guard stepped forward. "I'll go inform Lord Vex—"

"No need for that," Gustavo interrupted quickly, perhaps too quickly. "We wouldn't want to disturb him if he's busy. How about you just let us through, and we'll announce ourselves? You know how Malachi hates to be bothered unnecessarily."

The guards' suspicion visibly grew. The leader shook his head firmly. "I'm sorry, but Lord Vex's instructions were clear. No one enters without his express permission. Not even you, 'old Gus'."

Mordred's patience snapped. "Gustavo..... This is a waste of time," he hissed, his voice laced with frustration.

In a fluid motion, he extended his arm, and a obsidian blade materialized in his grasp. Before the guards could react, Mordred struck with lethal precision.

The black sword whistled through the air, a graceful arc of death that found the necks of three guards in rapid succession. For a heartbeat, they stood frozen, eyes wide with shock, before crumpling to the ground in a lifeless heap.

The remaining guards reached for their blazing blades, but the other men were already upon them. Strong hands clamped over mouths, silencing cries of alarm.

Brutal, efficient strokes of sharpened steel pierced skulls and severed spines. The guards' struggles were brief and futile, their lives extinguished in moments.

As the last body hit the ground, Gustavo's keen ears caught a faint sound from within the mansion – a whisper of movement, a hint of alarm.

His eyes narrowed. "Quick," he whispered urgently to his team, "the guards inside might have heard."

No sooner had the words left his lips than a mechanical whir filled the air. Brilliant lights blazed to life, bathing the entrance in harsh illumination.

Gustavo, Mordred, Brutus, and Ratface maintained their composure as they stood up and made their way through, moving casually despite the tension.

The lights lingered on them for a moment before shifting to the main entrance, where ten men in black coats stood guard. After a brief pause, the lights went dark, seemingly satisfied with their inspection.

Ratface exhaled softly, his British accent evident as he whispered, "Blimey, that was a close shave. Good thinking on your feet there."

Gustavo nodded slightly, keeping his voice low. "Quick thinking is what keeps us alive. Let's hope our guys can keep up the act."

As they walked through the mansion, the interior guards eyed them suspiciously. Gustavo, sensing the tension, turned to Ratface and whispered, "Give the signal."

Ratface nodded subtly and let out three exaggerated sneezes. "Achoo! Achoo! Achoo!"

The nearby guards looked at him with raised eyebrows.

"Terribly sorry, chaps," Ratface said, sniffling. "Seems I'm a bit allergic to something in the—"

Before he could finish, a shrill whistle pierced the air from behind the house.

"Intruders!" a guard shouted, his voice echoing through the halls.

In an instant, the mansion erupted into chaos. Guards seemed to materialize from nowhere – emerging from flowerbeds, rising from beneath the ground, and rushing in from hidden alcoves.

Gustavo clenched his jaw, muttering angrily under his breath, "Bloody hell, can't those idiots handle a simple distraction?"

Mordred's hand instinctively moved to his concealed weapon. "So much for the element of surprise," he growled.

Brutus tensed, ready for action. "What's the play, boss?"

Gustavo's eyes darted around, assessing their options. "Stick to the plan. We find Matilda and get out. Fast."

I instinctively, he lifted his head and noticed that the light in one of the rooms was briefly turned on before being switched off. 'I believe that's Malachi. He knows we're here.'

As the guards rushed past them towards the commotion behind the mansion, a guard approached Gustavo and his team, his face stern and voice authoritative. "You lot, stay right where you are. Don't move a muscle, you hear me?"

Gustavo opened his mouth to respond, but the guard had already turned away.

"Hey! You men at the entrance!" the guard shouted. "Lock it down! No one in or out!"

One of the men by the entrance called back, "Right!" without turning around.

The guard's brow furrowed, a look of confusion crossing his face. He muttered to himself, 'That's odd. Why didn't they turn around?'

Raising his voice again, he called out, "Where's Ralph? I need to speak with him!"

The men at the entrance shuffled uncomfortably, exchanging glances.

Ratface leaned in close to Brutus, whispering, "This could get messy. Be ready."

The guard's suspicion grew as he observed the strange behavior at the entrance. He started walking towards them, his hand moving to rest on his holstered weapon.

"Something's not right here," he said, his voice laced with growing concern. "You there! Face me when I'm talking to you!"

"You know what? Fuck this act.... Let's get down to business..." Mordred sneered, as he rushed towards the guard who was making his way towards the entrance.