THE DEVIL HERSELF
Chapter 40

#0000 DAY'S LATERDOOD

Gloria has been brought to Italy, after that day.. But still there's still more danger because Lord Ace is in Italy with Stone and Smith is still missing and has not visited his Clan in a long while. #DOGLORIA'S RESIDENCE 00

Gloria stepped through the door of her modest home, the exhaustion of a long workday evident on her face. She set her purse on the table and slipped off her shoes, relishing the quiet that filled her house. The aroma of the dinner she had just prepared wafted through the air, a reminder of the small comforts that made the end of her day bearable.

Her peace was shattered by the sudden sound of the front door being thrown open. A group of young men burst into the house, their faces a mix of urgency and determination.

"What's going on? Who are you?" Gloria demanded, her voice trembling as she backed away from the intruders.

One of the young men, a tall figure with a calm demeanor, stepped forward. "Gloria, we're here to help. Scarlet sent us. You're in danger, and we need to get you to safety."

Before Gloria could fully process his words, her phone rang. It was a video call from Scarlet, her daughter. Gloria's hands shook as she answered, seeing Scarlet's familiar face fill the screen.

"Mom, you need to leave now," Scarlet said urgently. "You're no longer safe there. These men will take you to a secure location. Pack a few essentials quickly. I'll explain more later."

Gloria's eyes widened with fear and realization. She had always known that Scarlet's life was fraught with danger, but she had never expected it to reach her own doorstep. She nodded, swallowing hard. "Okay, I'll be quick." Scarlet gave her a reassuring smile. "I love you, Mom. Stay strong. We'll see each other soon."

With that, the call ended. Gloria hurriedly packed a small bag with a few clothes and personal items, her mind racing. She left the pot of food simmering on the stove, the last thing on her mind now that her life was at stake.

The men escorted her out to a waiting car, urging her to move quickly. They sped away just as another car pulled up to the house. Stone and his men emerged, their faces grim and determined. They stormed into the house, searching every room, but found it empty. Stone's eyes fell on the still-hot pot of food on the stove.

"Scarlet is very smart," he muttered angrily. "She was one step ahead of us."

Stone gestured for his men to follow him back to the car. "Let's move. We need to regroup and replace another way to get to her."

### HOSPITAL ###

Elias sat upright in his hospital bed, his face pale but determined. Dracula stood by his side, his imposing figure a comforting presence. They were waiting for Scarlet and Diego to return with the discharge papers so they could leave the hospital. The tension in the room was palpable, each second feeling like an eternity.

Elias's phone buzzed with a message. He glanced at it, his eyes widening as he read the urgent text from Scarlet: ***Leave now. Lord Ace and his men are on their way to the hospital. Get out immediately."**

Dracula saw the change in Elias's expression and moved closer. "What's wrong?"

Elias showed him the message. Dracula's face hardened. "We need to go. Now."

They moved quickly, Dracula supporting Elias as they made their way out of the room. Downstairs, they met up with Rachel, Vincento, and the rest of the team. Rachel's eyes widened in alarm when she saw them. "What's happening?" she asked.

"No time to explain," Dracula said tersely. "Lord Ace is coming. We need to get out of here."

The team sprang into action, helping Elias into a wheelchair and moving swiftly through the hospital's corridors. They exited through a side door, slipping away just as a convoy of black SUVS pulled up to the front entrance.

Inside the hospital, the staff and patients were unaware of the impending danger. Lord Ace and his men stormed the building, their movements precise and threatening. They searched the rooms methodically, their expressions growing more frustrated with each empty room.

Stone's face twisted with anger as they reached Elias's empty room. He smashed his fist against the wall. "Damn it! They were here. We just missed them."

Lord Ace remained calm, his eyes cold and calculating. "They can't have gone far. Sweep the area. Find them."

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Outside, Scarlet's team moved quickly through the shadows, keeping to the less-traveled paths. They reached their vehicles and piled in, peeling away from the hospital just in time. Diego, who was driving the lead car, glanced in the rearview mirror, his eyes sharp with focus.

"We've got to lose them," he said. "They'll be on our tail any minute now."

Dracula, sitting beside Elias, nodded. "Head for the safe house. We'll regroup there."

Scarlet's voice crackled through the comms. "Everyone stay sharp. We need to make it to the safe house without drawing attention."

The convoy of vehicles sped through the streets of the city, taking back roads and alleys to avoid detection. In the lead car, Elias leaned back, his face strained but resolute. "Thanks for getting me out of there," he said quietly. Dracula nodded. "We'll keep you safe. Scarlet has a plan."

Elias managed a small smile. "She always does."

They arrived at the safe house, a nondescript building on the outskirts of the city, designed to blend in and provide maximum security. The team moved quickly, securing the perimeter and setting up a makeshift command center inside. Scarlet and Diego entered last, their faces grim but determined. Scarlet went straight to Elias, her eyes filled with concern. "Are you alright?"

Elias nodded. "Thanks to you. But what's the plan now?"

Scarlet's expression hardened. "We're going to hit Lord Ace where it hurts. But first, we need to ensure everyone's safety. This safe house is secure, but we can't stay here forever."

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Diego stepped forward. "We need to split up. Keep moving to avoid detection. We'll rotate locations every few hours until we're sure we've lost them."

Rachel, ever the strategist, nodded. "And we need to counterattack. Make it clear that we're not just running. We need to take the fight to them."

Scarlet agreed. "Dracula, Rachel, you stay with Elias. Make sure he's safe. The rest of us will create diversions and draw their attention away from here." Vincento grinned. "Sounds like a plan. Let's give them a run for their money."

As the team executed their plan, they moved with the precision and efficiency of a well-oiled machine. Scarlet led a small group to set up traps and distractions around the city, using their intimate knowledge of the terrain to outmaneuver Lord Ace's men.

Meanwhile, Diego and the others created chaos, engaging in hit-and-run tactics that kept the enemy on their toes. They struck at key points, targeting supply lines and communication hubs, crippling Lord Ace's operations.

Back at the safe house, Dracula and Rachel remained vigilant, their eyes never leaving Elias. They had fortified the location, setting up defensive measures to ensure that if anyone tried to breach their sanctuary, they would be met with fierce resistance.

### LORD ACE'S HIDEOUT ###

At his temporary command center, Lord Ace fumed as reports of his men's failures came in. Every step he took seemed to be anticipated by Scarlet and her team. His frustration grew with each passing hour.

"How do they always stay one step ahead?" he demanded, slamming his fist onto the table.

Stone, standing nearby, shook his head. "Scarlet knows us too well. We underestimated her."

Lord Ace's eyes narrowed. "Then it's time to change the game. We'll replace her mother and use her to draw Scarlet out. Stone, I want every resource we have dedicated to replaceing Gloria." Stone nodded. "Understood. I'll make the necessary arrangements."