Rome, Italy
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Both worked efficiently, gathering their gear. Bree retrieved a pistol for Mathis, along with extra magazines from a hidden compartment. Mathis couldn't help but smile as he inspected the weapon meticulously, checking the magazines before holstering it with precision. As they put on their jackets, Mathis glanced at Bree.
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"Do we have any vehicles here?"
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Bree's gaze turned teasing, her lips curling into a playful smile as she retrieved a key from a drawer and tossed it to him. Mathis caught it, examining the key with a grin.
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"A Mini Cooper S? Should handle the narrow streets just fine."
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Bree laughed, and they walked out of the apartment together.
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In the dimly lit garage, Mathis uncovered the car beneath a dusty tarp. As he pulled off the cover, a dark blue Mini Cooper S emerged, modified with rugged, round extra lights and shiny sporty rims that complemented the car's sleek undercarriage. Mathis looked at Bree, raising an eyebrow.
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"Modified?"
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She laughed. "Of course. It needs some punch."
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The engine roared to life with a deep, booming tone as they set off. With the garage's address plotted into the GPS, they navigated through Rome's winding, bustling streets. Bree admired the historic landscape bathed in morning sunlight. The sights stirred memories of a simpler time, when her role here had been vastly different—undercover as a model in a city that now felt like a battlefield.
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Mathis, his eyes focused on the road, was less captivated by the city's beauty. The looming threat weighed on him, sharpening his senses. Every passing car, every pedestrian felt like a potential danger. He tapped his fingers rhythmically on the steering wheel, tension coiling within him.
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A sleek black car rolled through a checkpoint ahead. Mathis's eyes locked onto the driver, his pulse quickening. The face was unmistakable—sharp jawline, smooth black hair, and cold eyes that matched a face he had met long ago.
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"Vince Slovek?" Mathis murmured, a mix of surprise and anger in his voice.
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Bree looked over at Mathis, her eyes widening. "You know him?"
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Mathis nodded, his expression tightening. "Yes. He's younger than me, but we were part of a joint operation years ago. We flew two helicopters into hostile territory to stop a guerrilla group. Both were shot down. I was the only survivor but completed the mission alone. How could he have survived?"
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The question lingered, unresolved, as they followed Slovek's car discreetly through the crowded streets. Mathis's hands gripped the wheel tighter, his mind reeling with confusion and suspicion. Bree, noticing his tension, studied his face but said nothing, her concern growing.
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Several stops through the busy city yielded little progress. They trailed Vince closely, snapping pictures of everyone he interacted with. None of the faces brought them closer to their goal. Bree's eyes remained on Mathis, noting his mounting frustration.
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"This isn't just about tracking him down," Bree said, her voice tight. "If Vince is involved, it's bigger than we thought."
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Eventually, Vince parked outside the Colosseum ruins. Mathis and Bree kept their distance, moving stealthily through the maze of ancient stones. The grandeur of the Colosseum loomed over them, its weathered walls whispering of battles fought centuries ago. As Mathis crouched behind a crumbling pillar, he couldn't help but draw a parallel between the ancient combat and their own deadly game in these ruins. It felt as if they were part of some timeless struggle, a battle of survival written into the city's very bones.
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Vince paused by a section of the ruins that had once been a grand staircase leading up to the tribune. A new figure emerged—a man in a long gray coat and a hat. His posture was rigid, his movements precise. Mathis's gaze sharpened, instinctively recognizing this man as a key player.
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Hidden behind the ruins, Bree's heart raced. The stones felt cold despite the warm morning sun. She shot a glance at Mathis, sensing they were missing something crucial, a piece of the puzzle just out of reach. The gray-clad man turned slightly, revealing part of his profile.
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The two men spoke in low tones. The gray-clad man handed something to Vince—a phone. The exchange was brief, but the significance was undeniable. Mathis's gut tightened. This was the break they needed, but it was slipping through their fingers.
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As the gray-clad man walked away, Mathis prepared to follow. Suddenly, Vince spun around, gun drawn. Bullets ricocheted off the stones. Mathis and Bree dove for cover, adrenaline surging.
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Mathis fired back, his shots precise, forcing Vince to duck. He moved quickly, staying low behind the ancient stones as the gunfire echoed through the ruins. Bree, her breath coming in sharp bursts, was rattled but held her ground. She caught Mathis's eye for a fleeting second, the unspoken question clear: Are you okay?
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Another volley of bullets cut the moment short. Two more assailants appeared, closing in. One lunged at Mathis, swinging hard. Mathis blocked the strike, twisting the man's arm sharply until a sickening crunch filled the air. The man's scream was quickly silenced as he crumpled to the ground.
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Bree fought fiercely with her own attacker. Mathis, seeing the struggle, moved in, delivering a brutal blow to the man's side. With a sharp kick to the knee, the man collapsed. Mathis turned to Bree, his hand brushing against her face, searching for signs of injury.
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"You okay?" he asked, his voice low, filled with concern.
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Their eyes met, and for a brief moment, the world around them seemed to fade. Bree took his hand, squeezing it gently. "I'm okay."
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Mathis quickly snapped back to the urgency of the moment. "Let's go!" he urged, pulling her along. They sprinted to the Mini Cooper as Vince's car roared to life in the distance, tires screeching as it sped away.
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Without hesitation, Mathis and Bree followed, weaving through the chaotic Roman streets. The traffic was thick, the noise of the city adding to the tension as they maneuvered between cars, determined not to lose their target.
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"The car's too far ahead," Bree said, her voice laced with worry. "We need another route."
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Mathis's eyes scanned the streets, his mind working rapidly. "We'll catch him. We have to."
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With expert precision, Mathis pushed the Mini Cooper to its limits. As they approached a sharp curve on a winding road, he saw his opportunity. He nudged Vince's car, sending it skidding off balance. The black vehicle slammed into a stone barrier, teetering on the edge of a cliff.
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Mathis stopped the Mini and approached the wreckage slowly. Vince's face was pale, blood trickling from his lips, but his eyes still held defiance.
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"You're done, Kristensen," Vince rasped. "You just don't know it yet. Soon, everything will change."
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"What's going to happen?" Mathis demanded, but Vince only smiled as his car slid off the cliff, tumbling down before crashing violently. His body was flung out, landing with a sickening thud.
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The approaching sirens broke the silence. Mathis stared at the wreck, his mind racing. Bree placed a hand on his shoulder, her voice soft but urgent. "We need to go."
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Mathis nodded, still shaken. "Whatever's coming... we don't have much time."
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They sped off into the distance, the weight of Vince's cryptic warning hanging over them.
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