Chapter 81: Into the Shadows

The cold night air clung to the streets of Zurich as the team made their final preparations for the mission ahead. Inside the dimly lit command center, the atmosphere was thick with tension. Every planning detail had been meticulously reviewed, and every possible outcome was considered. Yet, unease lingered in the air—this mission felt different. It was personal, not just for Ava and Lucas, but for all of them. Nikolai Pavlov wasn’t just another Meridian operative. He was one of the highest-ranking enforcers within the organization, overseeing their most dangerous and lucrative black-market operations. If they could take him down, it would send shockwaves through Meridian’s leadership. But Pavlov wasn’t going to go down quickly. Near the Montenegro border, his compound was a heavily guarded fortress, with security systems designed to keep out even the most skilled operatives. “We’ve run through the plan a dozen times,” Jess said as she stood at the front of the room, her eyes scanni