Dark Desires: A Thrilling Web Novel of Action and Magic! THE DOG MAN: DO OR DIE. Chapters Two and Three

Chapter 2: Web of Deception

Author: Abrar Nayeem Chowdhury

The night air felt cold as it brushed against Hasib’s skin, though the rush of adrenaline still pumped through his veins, keeping him alert. They had made it out of the warehouse alive, barely. The explosion had left a smoking ruin behind them, and the message to Alexander was clear: they weren’t afraid to fight back. Hasib, Nafisa, Newton, and Shagor hurried away from the scene, sticking to the shadows as they moved deeper into the heart of Kolkata. The narrow alleyways and quiet streets provided temporary refuge, but Hasib knew they couldn’t stay out here long. “Where to now?” Nafisa asked breathlessly, her hand still tightly gripping Hasib’s. She glanced over her shoulder, her eyes scanning the darkness for any sign of pursuit. Hasib wiped the sweat from his brow, trying to think. “We need to lay low for a while. Alexander’s men will be crawling all over the city after what we just did.” Shagor, who had been walking ahead, stopped and turned to face them, his expression cool but serious. “There’s a place we can go. It’s not far from here, but it’s safe. No one knows about it except me.” Newton, panting slightly, grinned. “Man, you always have some secret hideout up your sleeve. Why am I not surprised?” Shagor didn’t smile. “This isn’t a game, Newton. Alexander’s going to be furious. You saw what we did back there; we crippled one of his main supply routes. He’ll retaliate, and when he does, it won’t be subtle.” Hasib nodded, his jaw clenched. “Then let’s move before they find us.” Shagor led them through a maze of narrow streets until they reached an old, rundown building on the edge of town. It looked abandoned from the outside, just another forgotten structure in the chaos of Kolkata. But as they approached, Shagor pulled out a small key from his pocket and unlocked a hidden door tucked behind a stack of crates. “Welcome to my little hideaway,” Shagor said as he pushed the door open, revealing a small but functional room inside. The walls were lined with maps, photographs, and notes pinned to boards about Alexander. A few weapons were scattered across a table, and a laptop sat humming quietly in the corner. Hasib raised an eyebrow. “You’ve been planning this for a while, haven’t you?” Shagor shrugged. “Let’s just say I’ve had my eye on Alexander for a long time. I knew eventually someone would try to take him down.” Nafisa glanced around the room, her arms crossed. “And why didn’t you do it yourself?” Shagor’s eyes darkened. “I had my reasons.” There was an uncomfortable silence. The tension between Nafisa and Shagor was palpable, and Hasib could feel it lingering like a storm on the horizon. He knew their past was complicated, but now wasn’t the time to dig into old wounds. They had bigger problems to deal with. Newton broke the silence with a nervous laugh. “Well, at least we have a place to crash for the night. Better than hiding in some alley.” Hasib nodded, grateful for the change in tone. “Yeah, we’ll regroup here and figure out our next move.” They spent the next hour going over the events of the night, piecing together what they had learned and how they could use it to their advantage. Alexander’s supply chain was crippled, but it wasn’t enough. They needed more information, details on his operations, his connections, and most importantly, his whereabouts. Shagor leaned over the table, studying a map of the city. “There’s another place we can hit. It’s riskier, but if we pull it off, it’ll send an even stronger message to Alexander.” Hasib’s eyes narrowed. “Where?” Shagor pointed to a mark on the map. A nightclub in the center of the city. “This is where his lieutenants hang out. If we take them down, we’ll cripple his leadership.” Nafisa frowned. “Won’t that be too dangerous? Alexander’s lieutenants are bound to have protection.” Shagor’s smirk returned. “That’s why we’re not going in guns blazing. We go in quietly, get close, and gather information. If we play it smart, they won’t even know we’re there.” Newton leaned forward, his face serious for once. “And what if they do?” Shagor’s grin widened. “Then we improvise.” Hasib considered the plan, his mind racing with possibilities. It was dangerous, no doubt about that. But if they could gather intelligence on Alexander’s key players, it might give them the upper hand. “We’ll do it,” Hasib said, his voice firm. “But we need to be careful. One mistake, and we’re dead.” The next evening, the team made their way to the nightclub. The neon lights flickered brightly against the dark streets, and the thumping bass of music could be heard from blocks away. The place was packed, people spilling out onto the sidewalks, laughing and talking as they waited in line to get inside. Hasib, Nafisa, Shagor, and Newton approached cautiously, blending in with the crowd. They had dressed the part: Hasib in a sleek black jacket, Nafisa in a tight, red dress that turned heads as she walked, and Shagor and Newton looking like they belonged in the chaotic nightlife of the city. “We’re not here for fun,” Shagor reminded them, though his eyes couldn’t help but linger on Nafisa for a moment. “Stick to the plan. Get in, find the targets, and get out.” Hasib nodded, though the sight of Shagor’s gaze on Nafisa didn’t go unnoticed. He felt a brief flash of jealousy but quickly pushed it aside. This wasn’t the time to let emotions cloud his judgment. Inside, the club was a blur of lights and sound. The music was deafening, and the dance floor was packed with people. Hasib’s eyes scanned the room, searching for anything out of place. Shagor had told them what to look for; Alexander’s lieutenants were notorious for their expensive taste and unmistakable presence. They would be sitting in one of the VIP sections, surrounded by bodyguards and reveling in their power. Hasib spotted them first, three men in suits, sitting in a private booth overlooking the dance floor. They were laughing, drinking, and talking loudly, completely unaware of the danger lurking just a few feet away. “There they are,” Hasib whispered, nodding toward the booth. Shagor’s eyes followed his gaze, and a slow smile spread across his face. “Perfect.” Nafisa leaned in closer to Hasib. “What’s the next move?” Hasib’s heart pounded in his chest. This was it, the moment they had been planning for. If they could get close enough, they might be able to overhear something, anything, that would give them an edge over Alexander. “We get closer,” Hasib whispered. “We need to hear what they’re talking about.” Nafisa nodded, her expression serious. “I’ll distract them. You two get close and listen.” Before Hasib could protest, Nafisa was already moving toward the VIP section, her hips swaying seductively as she approached the booth. The lieutenants’ eyes immediately locked onto her, and Hasib felt another surge of jealousy, but this time, he knew it was part of the plan. Shagor grinned. “She’s good, huh?” Hasib shot him a look. “Focus.” They moved quickly, slipping through the crowd and positioning themselves near the VIP section. Nafisa was talking to one of the lieutenants now, her voice soft and flirtatious. The man was clearly enthralled, his attention fully on her. Hasib and Shagor crouched low behind a partition, straining to hear the conversation. “She’s something, isn’t she?” one of the men laughed, his voice loud and arrogant. “Yeah, but don’t get distracted,” another one muttered. “We’ve got bigger things to deal with.” “Like what?” the first man asked. “The boss is pissed,” the second man said, his voice lowering slightly. “That hit on the warehouse last night? He’s putting out bounties on whoever did it. If we don’t find them, he’ll make sure we pay for it.” Hasib’s heart raced. They were already being hunted. “We’ll find them,” the first man said confidently. “Nobody pulls a stunt like that and gets away with it.” Shagor’s eyes narrowed as he listened. “They don’t know it’s us yet.” Hasib nodded, but his mind was already racing. If Alexander was putting bounties on their heads, it was only a matter of time before someone figured out who was responsible. They needed more information, something they could use against him. The third man, who had been silent until now, spoke up. “We’ve got another shipment coming in tomorrow night. High-value stuff. If anyone messes with that, we’re done for.” Hasib’s ears perked up. A shipment. That could be their next target. “We need to move quickly,” Shagor whispered. “If we can hit that shipment, we’ll cripple Alexander’s operation even more.” Hasib nodded, his mind already working through the plan. “We’ll need more than just the four of us. We’re going to have to bring in help.” The rest of the night passed in a blur. They gathered what information they could and slipped out of the club without raising suspicion. Nafisa rejoined “We got it,” Hasib said. “They’ve got a shipment coming in tomorrow night. If we hit it, we can deal a serious blow to Alexander’s operation.” Shagor nodded in agreement. “But we’re going to need more people. We can’t pull this off alone.” Newton, who had been unusually quiet, spoke up. “I know some guys. They’re not exactly the most trustworthy bunch, but they’ll help if there’s money involved.” Hasib considered it. They didn’t have many options. “Fine. Get in touch with them. We need to be ready by tomorrow night.” Nafisa frowned. “This is getting more dangerous by the minute. Are you sure we’re ready for this?” Hasib took her hand, his grip firm but gentle. “We don’t have a choice, Nafisa. If we don’t stop Alexander, he’ll keep coming after us. We have to finish this.” She nodded, though her eyes were filled with worry. “Just promise me one thing.” “What?” “Promise me you’ll be careful.” Hasib smiled softly. “I will.” That night, as they returned to Shagor’s hideout, Hasib felt the weight of what was coming press down on him. They had made progress, but the danger was growing with every step they took. One wrong move, and they could lose everything. But there was no turning back now. Alexander was coming for them. And they had to be ready. Chapter 3: Operation Special Economic Zone The night was unusually silent as Hasib, Nafisa, Shagor, and Newton drove through the dimly lit streets of Kolkata, heading toward the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) on the outskirts of the city. The streets were empty, with the occasional flicker of headlights cutting through the darkness. The air was thick with anticipation, and Hasib could feel the weight of what was about to unfold pressing down on him. Their target tonight was one of Alexander’s most valuable shipments. According to the intel they had gathered from the nightclub, this was no ordinary cargo. If they could disrupt it, Alexander’s empire would take a severe hit. But Hasib knew it wouldn’t be easy. Alexander had upped the stakes, and his men would be ready for anything. As the car slowed to a stop near the SEZ, Hasib glanced at Nafisa sitting beside him. She looked calm, but he could see the tension in her eyes. “You ready for this?” he asked, his voice soft but serious. Nafisa nodded, her jaw set in determination. “I’ve been ready since the moment they tried to take Tommy. We end this tonight.” Hasib smiled, though it was laced with worry. “Stay close to me, alright?” She met his gaze, her eyes softening. “Always.” Shagor, who had been sitting in the front seat with Newton, turned around, his trademark smirk plastered across his face. “Alright, lovebirds. Let’s get to work.” Hasib shot him a look but said nothing. This wasn’t the time for Shagor’s usual banter. The team climbed out of the car, moving silently through the shadows as they approached the gated entrance to the SEZ. The area was vast miles of warehouses, offices, and shipping containers stretching out as far as the eye could see. It was the perfect place for an illegal operation. Remote, heavily guarded, and isolated from the rest of the city. “Security’s tight,” Shagor muttered as they crouched behind a stack of crates near the entrance. “Alexander’s men are everywhere.” Hasib scanned the area, counting at least ten guards patrolling the perimeter, all armed and alert. “We’ll have to take them out quietly. One by one.” Nafisa nodded, her hand resting on the gun strapped to her thigh. “I’ll cover you from the east side.” Shagor grinned. “I’ll handle the west. You two lovebirds can take the middle.” Hasib ignored the comment, his focus sharpening. “We meet at the central warehouse. That’s where the shipment will be. Stay low, stay quiet, and don’t get caught.” With a final nod, the team split up, each moving silently through the shadows, blending in with the darkness. The SEZ was eerily quiet as Hasib and Nafisa made their way toward the center of the complex. The sound of their footsteps was barely a whisper as they navigated the maze of shipping containers and storage units. Every so often, they would stop, holding their breath as a guard passed by, their flashlights cutting through the night. Hasib’s heart pounded in his chest, but his mind was focused. He could feel the tension radiating from Nafisa as she moved beside him, her every step precise, calculated. They reached the central warehouse without incident. Hasib crouched behind a stack of metal barrels, his eyes scanning the area. The warehouse loomed before them, its large, rusted doors slightly ajar. Inside, they could see the silhouettes of crates and shipping containers. The shipment was here. Nafisa moved closer to Hasib, her voice barely a whisper. “What’s the plan?” Hasib’s jaw tightened. “We get in, plant the explosives, and get out. Quick and clean.” Nafisa nodded, her hand resting on his arm for a brief moment. “Be careful.” Hasib smiled faintly, his eyes locking with hers. “You too.” But as they prepared to move, the sound of footsteps echoed from behind them. Hasib’s heart sank as he turned to see two guards approaching, their flashlights sweeping across the ground. “We’ve got company,” he muttered. Nafisa’s grip tightened on her gun. “What do we do?” Hasib’s mind raced. They couldn’t afford to be seen. Not now. “We take them out,” he whispered. In a flash, Hasib sprang into action, moving swiftly and silently toward the first guard. Before the man could react, Hasib was on him, delivering a sharp blow to the back of his head. The guard crumpled to the ground without a sound. Nafisa, quick on her feet, took down the second guard with equal precision, her gun pressed to the man’s temple as she knocked him unconscious. Hasib let out a breath, wiping the sweat from his brow. “Nice work.” Nafisa smiled, her eyes gleaming. “You’re not so bad yourself.” They moved toward the warehouse entrance, slipping inside unnoticed. The air inside was thick with the smell of oil and metal. Rows of crates and containers filled the space, and in the center, surrounded by guards, was the shipment they had come for. Hasib’s eyes narrowed. “That’s it.” Nafisa nodded. “How do we get to it?” Before Hasib could respond, the sound of gunfire erupted from outside. His heart skipped a beat. “Shagor,” Nafisa whispered, her voice tense. Hasib cursed under his breath. “The plan’s blown. We need to move. Now.” They rushed toward the shipment, planting the explosives as quickly as they could. But just as they were about to finish, a guard spotted them. “Hey!” the guard shouted, raising his weapon. Hasib reacted on instinct, tackling the guard to the ground. A shot rang out, and Hasib felt a searing pain in his side. He gasped, the world spinning around him as he fell to the floor, clutching his wound. “Hasib!” Nafisa screamed, rushing to his side. The guard was still moving, his gun raised again, but Nafisa was faster. She fired a single shot, taking him down before he could pull the trigger. “Hasib, stay with me,” Nafisa whispered, her voice trembling as she knelt beside him, pressing her hands to the wound to stop the bleeding. “You’re going to be okay. You hear me?” Hasib’s vision blurred, the pain overwhelming. He could barely make out Nafisa’s face through the haze. “Go... finish the job,” he rasped, his voice weak. “I’m not leaving you,” Nafisa said fiercely, her eyes brimming with tears. “I’ll get you out of here. I promise.” With a strength he didn’t know she had, Nafisa lifted Hasib to his feet, half-carrying, half-dragging him toward the exit. The sound of gunfire and explosions echoed around them as Shagor and Newton continued their assault outside, but Nafisa’s focus was solely on Hasib. “Just hang on,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “We’re almost there.” Hours later, Hasib woke up in a hospital bed, the sterile smell of antiseptic filling his nose. His body ached, and the pain in his side was a dull throb, but he was alive. He blinked, trying to focus, and his heart leaped when he saw Nafisa sitting beside him, her eyes red from crying. “Nafisa…” he murmured, his voice hoarse. She looked up, her tears spilling over as she leaned closer, her hand gently stroking his face. “You’re awake. Thank God.” Hasib managed a weak smile. “Told you... I’d be fine.” Nafisa let out a shaky laugh, wiping her eyes. “You idiot. You scared me half to death.” He reached up, brushing a tear from her cheek. “I couldn’t let anything happen to you. Not after everything.” Nafisa’s breath hitched as she leaned in closer, her lips brushing against his. “I thought I was going to lose you,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. Hasib’s heart pounded as he kissed her back, his hand resting on the small of her back, pulling her closer. The kiss deepened, their emotions pouring into each other as the fear, the relief, and the love they felt for one another swirled around them. Nafisa pulled back slightly, her forehead resting against his. “You’re not allowed to scare me like that again, okay?” Hasib chuckled softly, wincing slightly from the pain. “No promises.” She kissed him again, slower this time, her hands cupping his face as she poured all of her love into the kiss. “I love you,” Nafisa whispered, her eyes locked with his. “I love you too,” Hasib replied, his voice soft but full of conviction. “More than anything.” They stayed like that for a long moment, the world outside fading away as they held each other, the intensity of the night’s events giving way to the raw emotion between them. Meanwhile, outside the hospital, Shagor stood leaning against the wall, his eyes scanning the dark street. He lit a cigarette, the orange glow briefly illuminating his face. His mind was elsewhere on the mission, on Hasib’s injury, and on the beautiful woman he had met at Alexander’s club. Sohana. The memory of her lingered in his mind, the way she had moved, the way her saree had clung to her figure, and the way her navel had been visible every time she shifted. There was something about her that had drawn him in, something dark, mysterious, and intoxicating. He hadn’t expected to find someone like her in the middle of all this chaos, but now she was all he could think about. Shagor took a long drag from his cigarette, exhaling slowly as he thought about their brief interaction. She was no ordinary woman. There was a dangerous allure to her sensuality that made him want more. But she was also Alexander’s assistant. That complicated thing. He tossed the cigarette to the ground, crushing it under his boot. As much as he wanted to pursue Sohana, he knew she was part of Alexander’s world. And getting involved with her could spell disaster for their plans. But Shagor had never been one to back down from danger. Inside a dimly lit room in the heart of the city, Sohana sat cross-legged on a silk rug, her eyes closed as she muttered ancient incantations under her breath. The room was filled with the scent of incense, the smoke swirling around her like a living thing. Her saree, draped elegantly over her curvaceous figure, revealed the soft curve of her navel, a detail that had caught the attention of many men, including Shagor.

She smirked to herself as she finished the incantation, her eyes slowly opening. She knew Shagor was intrigued by her. She had seen it in her eyes at the nightclub. And she had to admit, there was something about him that intrigued her as well. But for now, she had more pressing matters to attend to. Alexander’s empire was under attack, and it was her job to ensure that those responsible paid the price. But as she stood up, her mind wandered back to Shagor, and she wondered how much fun it might be to play with him for a little while.