Chapter 64
The Venetti empire was under siege.
Marco sat at the head of the war room table, his face set in a grim mask as Luca rattled off the latest losses. Maps and ledgers lay spread out before them, each one marked with red slashes that indicated another business, another ally, or another operation that had fallen under attack.
“They’ve hit six of our shipments in the past two weeks,” Luca said, his voice tight. “The docks in Naples, the warehouses in Sicily, even the transport lines in Florence. It’s not just sabotage—it’s systematic.”
Marco slammed a fist on the table, making the documents jump. “They’re cutting us off at the knees.”
“It’s what the Consortium does,” Sergio Montini said from across the room. “They don’t fight like we do. They don’t need to. They starve their enemies until there’s nothing left to fight for.”
Marco leaned forward, his eyes blazing. “Then we don’t let them. Double the guards on the remaining routes. Pull resources from the smaller territories if you have to.”
Sergio hesitated. “That will spread us thin, Marco. If they push harder, we’ll—”
“I know what’s at stake!” Marco snapped, cutting him off. “We hold the line, Sergio. We don’t have a choice.”
The room fell into uneasy silence.
Carmen, standing near the door, broke it with a steady voice. “We need more than defense. If we keep reacting to their moves, we’ll lose. We need to go on the offensive.”
All eyes turned to her. Some of the older advisors frowned, but Luca nodded in agreement.
“She’s right,” Luca said. “The Consortium thrives on fear. If we strike back—hit something that matters to them—we show them we’re not just waiting to be picked apart.”
Marco looked at Carmen, his gaze softening slightly. “What do you suggest?”
Carmen stepped forward, placing a folder on the table. “Luca and I have been working on this. It’s a list of Consortium-linked operations—supply hubs, communication centers, safe houses. They’re vulnerable if we move quickly.”
Marco opened the folder, scanning the information. “This is good,” he admitted, his voice quieter. He glanced up at her. “But it’s risky.”
“So is waiting,” Carmen replied.
Marco nodded, his jaw tightening. “Then we move.”
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Later that evening, Carmen stood in the nursery, the soft glow of a lamp illuminating her son as he lay peacefully in his crib. She reached down, brushing a hand over his tiny head, her chest tightening with a mix of love and fear.
The recent attack on the estate haunted her. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the gunfire, the chaos, the danger that had come so close to taking everything from her.
“You’re not safe here,” she whispered, her voice trembling.
The thought had gnawed at her for days, and now, standing in the quiet of the nursery, she couldn’t ignore it any longer. If the Consortium was willing to attack their home, there was no guarantee they wouldn’t try again.
Carmen straightened, resolve hardening in her chest. She pulled out her phone, dialing a number she hadn’t used in years.
“Enzo,” she said when the line connected. “I need your help.”
Enzo, a trusted contact from her past, didn’t ask questions. He simply replied, “Tell me what you need.”
“A safe house,” Carmen said. “Outside of Italy. Discreet, secure, and ready as soon as possible.”
There was a pause before Enzo answered. “I’ll handle it.”
Carmen ended the call, her hand trembling slightly as she set the phone down. She hated the thought of leaving, even as a contingency plan. But her son’s safety came first.
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The next day, Luca entered the study where Carmen was reviewing reports.
“I’ve got something,” Luca said, setting a file on the desk.
Carmen looked up, her interest piqued. “What is it?”
“Alessandra Ricci,” Luca said, his tone heavy. “She used to work with the Consortium as an arms dealer. Fell out of favor with them a few years back. She’s been in hiding ever since.”
Carmen opened the file, her eyes scanning the details. “Why would she help us?”
“She’s desperate,” Luca replied. “She knows what the Consortium does to people who cross them. If we offer her protection, she might be willing to talk.”
Carmen considered this for a moment before nodding. “Set up a meeting. Discreetly.”
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That evening, Carmen met Alessandra in a secluded café on the outskirts of the city. Alessandra was nervous, her eyes darting to every shadow as she sipped her coffee.
“You’re braver than I expected,” Carmen said, breaking the ice.
“I don’t have much choice,” Alessandra replied, her voice trembling slightly. “You have no idea what they’re capable of.”
“I know enough,” Carmen said firmly. “And I know you can help us.”
Alessandra hesitated, her hands gripping the coffee cup tightly. “If I do this, they’ll kill me.”
“They’ll kill you if you don’t,” Carmen countered. “We’re your best chance at survival. Work with us, and I’ll make sure you’re protected.”
Alessandra studied her for a long moment before nodding. “All right. What do you need to know?”
Carmen leaned forward, her voice low. “Everything. Leadership, operations, vulnerabilities. Whatever you’ve got.”
Alessandra took a shaky breath before beginning to talk, her words spilling out in a rush.
As Carmen listened, she felt a glimmer of hope. They finally had a way to strike back.
And this time, they wouldn’t be caught off guard.
