Chapter 76
The air in the Venetti estate was tense, the weight of impending war hanging over every conversation and movement. Luca burst into the study where Marco and Carmen were poring over maps of Consortium territories. His face was grim, his steps brisk.
“I found him,” Luca announced, his voice sharp.
Marco straightened, his attention snapping to Luca. “Who?”
“The spy,” Luca said. “It’s Gianni.”
Carmen’s eyes narrowed. “Gianni? The one who’s been working logistics?”
Luca nodded. “He’s been feeding Rafael information for weeks—your movements, your plans. That’s how they’ve stayed one step ahead.”
Marco’s jaw tightened, his fists clenching. “Bring him to me.”
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The estate’s courtyard was silent as Gianni was dragged into view by two guards. His face was pale, sweat beading on his brow as he struggled against their grip. Marco and Carmen stood at the center, their expressions hard. A small crowd of their most trusted men gathered, watching intently.
“Gianni,” Marco said, his voice cold. “You’ve been with us for years. How could you betray your family?”
Gianni’s voice trembled as he stammered, “I didn’t have a choice, Marco. They had my wife… my kids. They said they’d kill them if I didn’t cooperate.”
Carmen stepped forward, her tone calm but cutting. “And how many of our people died because of you? How many families lost loved ones because you fed Rafael our plans?”
Gianni looked at her, desperation in his eyes. “I swear, I didn’t want to. Please, Carmen—Marco—I’m begging you.”
Marco stared at him for a long moment before speaking, his voice steady. “You made your choice, Gianni. And now you’ll face the consequences.”
He drew his pistol, the weight of his decision heavy in the air.
“Marco,” Gianni pleaded, tears streaming down his face. “Please, don’t—”
The gunshot echoed across the courtyard, silencing Gianni’s words forever. Marco lowered the pistol, his expression unreadable as he turned to his men.
“Let this be a lesson,” Marco said, his voice carrying over the silent crowd. “Betray us, and you will pay the price.”
The men nodded, their loyalty and fear cemented. Carmen watched Marco closely, her heart heavy with the cost of their fight.
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That night, the estate was quiet again. Carmen found Marco in the nursery, their son cradled in his arms. He looked down at the baby, his expression softer than it had been all day.
“You’re good at that,” Carmen said, leaning against the doorway.
Marco glanced up, a small smile tugging at his lips. “I don’t know about that. He’s the easy part. It’s everything else…”
Carmen stepped closer, resting a hand on his shoulder. “You did what you had to do, Marco. Gianni made his choice.”
“I know,” Marco said quietly. “But that doesn’t make it easier.”
Carmen sat beside him, her voice gentle. “You’re carrying a lot right now. The war, the family, us… You don’t have to do it alone.”
Marco set the baby down in his crib, watching him for a moment before turning to Carmen. His voice was raw as he said, “I’m terrified, Carmen. Of losing you, of losing him. This life… it’s dangerous. I don’t want him to grow up the way I did.”
Carmen reached for his hand, her grip firm. “He won’t. We’ll make sure of it.”
“How can you be so sure?” Marco asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
“Because we’re fighting for him,” Carmen replied. “And for us. We’ve survived everything so far. We’ll survive this too.”
Marco cupped her face, his eyes searching hers. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“You’ll never have to find out,” Carmen said softly.
He kissed her then, slow and deliberate, as if pouring every fear and hope into the moment. When they pulled apart, he rested his forehead against hers, his voice steady.
“No matter what happens, I love you.”
“I love you too,” Carmen replied.
They sat together in the quiet nursery, the weight of the world momentarily lifting as they found solace in each other. The storm loomed, but for now, they had this moment—a promise of hope, love, and strength to carry them through the battle ahead.
