The Unseen Face

The time for running was over. Jax tightened his grip on the pistol, feeling the cold steel press against his palm. Romano wanted him dead. But instead of waiting for the hammer to drop, Jax was making the first move.

Tonight, he was sending a message. And it was going to be written in blood.

The warehouse smelled of oil and gunpowder. Jax, Mason, and Luca stood around the open trunk of a stolen car, loading up.

Inside, two handguns, a sawed-off shotgun, extra mags, knives, and a few homemade explosives. Luca smirked, lighting a cigarette. "Let me get this straight. We're about to storm a nightclub full of Romano's men, shoot the place up, and kill one of his top guys?" Jax loaded his pistol. Click. "That's the plan."

Mason groaned, checking his gun. "You ever hear of a thing called subtlety?" Jax smirked. "Not my style." Mason slammed the trunk shut. "If we survive this, you owe me a drink."

Jax chuckled. "Make it two." Luca flicked his cigarette away. "Let's make some noise."

Nico Costa wasn't just another name in Romano's empire. He was one of Romano's top enforcers, the guy who handled the money laundering, drug shipments, and underground fights. Taking him out wasn't just a personal win—it would tear a hole in Romano's business.

The nightclub, The Viper Room, was one of Nico's main spots, a front for illegal operations. Tonight, it would become a warzone.

Mason started the car. "Let's end this." The Viper Room pulsed with heavy bass, neon lights flashing over the packed dance floor.

Jax and Mason walked through the crowd, their weapons hidden under their jackets. Luca took position on the upper balcony, scouting the VIP section, where Nico sat surrounded by four bodyguards.

Mason whispered, "You sure about this?" Jax's jaw tightened. "Too late to back out now." Mason sighed. "Figured you'd say that."

Jax smirked. "Let's say hello." Then he grabbed a beer bottle from the bar—and smashed it into the first guard's face.

The man stumbled back, blood gushing from his broken nose. Jax didn't wait. He grabbed him by the collar and slammed his head into the bar.

Mason pulled his gun and put a bullet into the second guard's knee. The man collapsed, screaming. Chaos erupted. Club-goers screamed, running for the exits as Romano's men reached for their weapons.

From the balcony, Luca opened fire. Bullets tore through the nightclub—glass shattered, people ducked, tables flipped over. Jax lunged for cover behind a couch, Mason beside him. "Subtle," Mason growled.

Jax reloaded. "Told you it wasn't my style." A guard flanked them—Jax spun and fired. The bullet hit him square in the chest. The body hit the floor. Jax turned back to the VIP section—Nico was gone. "Damn it!" Jax cursed.

Mason pointed. "Back exit!" Jax bolted. Jax sprinted through the back hallway, shoving past terrified staff members. Nico was ahead—rushing toward a black SUV. Jax raised his gun—two quick shots.

The bullets ripped through the tires. The driver cursed, trying to regain control—but the SUV slammed into a dumpster.

Nico crawled out, bleeding, panicked. Jax stalked forward, gun raised. Nico gasped. "Mercer—wait! We can work something out!"

Jax didn't hesitate. One shot. Straight to the head. Nico's body slumped against the SUV. Blood pooled beneath him. Message sent. Jax exhaled, lowering his gun. Then Mason's voice crackled in his earpiece. "Jax, we got company!"

Jax turned—a convoy of black SUVs was speeding toward them. Romano's men. Jax's stomach tightened. No time to celebrate. He sprinted back toward the club.

Mason and Luca were pinned down near the entrance. Luca was still on the balcony, sniping targets with precision shots. Mason was firing from behind a flipped table. Jax slid behind a pillar, ducking as bullets whizzed past his head.

Luca yelled, "We need an exit—fast!" Jax spotted a side alley. "Mason! This way!" Mason nodded, firing a few more shots before sprinting after him. They busted through the side door—right into more of Romano's men.

A thug swung a baseball bat at Jax—he dodged and countered with a brutal elbow to the face. The man staggered, blood gushing from his nose.

Jax grabbed him and slammed him into the wall. Another thug charged Mason—He shot him in the stomach. The man collapsed, groaning.

Luca's voice crackled in the earpiece. "Car's ready!" Jax and Mason sprinted outside. A black muscle car screeched to a stop in front of them. Luca leaned out the window. "MOVE!" Jax and Mason dived into the car. Luca hit the gas.

Romano's men weren't letting them go easy. Two SUVs tore after them, headlights blinding in the dark streets.

Luca swerved through traffic, gripping the wheel. "Hold on!" Mason fired out the back window. Bullets pinged off the pursuing SUVs.

Jax rolled down his window, aiming. Pop-pop-pop! One of the SUV's front tires blew—it spun out, slamming into a parked truck.

The second SUV kept coming. A gunman leaned out the window, firing an automatic. Glass exploded. Jax ducked. "Son of a—" Mason grabbed one of the homemade explosives from the backseat. "You serious?" Jax asked. Mason grinned. "Let's find out." He lit the fuse and tossed it.

The small bomb landed under the SUV—BOOM! The explosion flipped the vehicle into the air. It crashed onto its roof, flames erupting. Luca whooped. "Hell yeah!" Jax exhaled. "We're clear."

Mason leaned back. "We just kicked the hornet's nest," Jax smirked. "Good."

Luca pulled into a safe house—a rundown garage on the city's outskirts. They piled out of the car, catching their breath. Jax wiped blood from his mouth. His ribs ached, his knuckles were raw—but he was still standing.

Mason glared at him. "You just declared war on Romano," Jax smirked. "Yeah." Mason groaned. "You're insane." Jax exhaled. "Maybe."

Luca chuckled. "Gotta say, Mercer, you're either the craziest bastard I know or the deadest man walking." Jax's smirk faded slightly. Because he knew this was just the beginning.