Chapter 53
The Venetti estate bustled with activity. Couriers came and went through the gates, men gathered in quiet groups strategizing, and the faint sound of construction echoed as repairs to the damaged eastern outposts were underway. Inside the grand hall, Marco stood at the head of a long table, surrounded by his closest advisors. Carmen sat to his right, her sharp eyes scanning the room as she listened to the latest reports.
“The southern territories are stable for now,” Sergio Montini said, his voice measured. “But there’s unrest among the smaller factions. With Arianna gone, they’re questioning whether we can maintain control.”
Marco nodded, his expression unreadable. “And what’s their alternative? Chaos?”
Sergio shrugged. “Some are testing their limits, seeing how far they can push.”
“We can’t afford weakness,” Marco said firmly, his voice cutting through the murmurs. “Reward the loyal families. Make it clear that siding with us will benefit them. For anyone thinking of stepping out of line…” He paused, his gaze sweeping the room. “Send a message. Quietly, but firmly.”
Carmen leaned forward, her tone calm but authoritative. “Brute force won’t be enough. The smaller factions are opportunistic—they’ll respond to stability and clear leadership. We should focus on shoring up resources, ensuring supply lines are secure, and showing them that siding with us is in their best interest.”
Pietro, one of Marco’s older advisors, frowned. “With all due respect, Mrs. Venetti, these men don’t care about supply lines. They respect strength.”
“And strength means nothing if you can’t hold it,” Carmen replied smoothly. “Control the resources, and you control the power. They’ll fall in line when they see we’re not just surviving—we’re thriving.”
A murmur of agreement rippled through the room, though Pietro’s expression remained skeptical. Marco glanced at him, his tone sharp. “She’s right. Execute her plan.”
Pietro gave a curt nod, though his lips pressed into a thin line.
The meeting continued, but Carmen could feel the tension simmering beneath the surface. Marco’s older allies weren’t used to taking orders from her, and she knew they resented her growing influence. But there was no time to dwell on their discontent. The empire had to come first.
***
Later that evening, Marco found Luca waiting for him in his office, a folder in his hand and a grim expression on his face.
“What is it?” Marco asked, shutting the door behind him.
Luca placed the folder on the desk. “A faction of mercenaries survived the compound’s destruction. They’ve gone underground, regrouping. I’ve got men tracking them, but they’re moving carefully—whoever’s leading them knows how to stay hidden.”
Marco’s jaw tightened as he flipped through the papers. “Do we know how many?”
“Enough to cause problems,” Luca replied. “And that’s not the worst part.”
Marco looked up sharply. “Go on.”
Luca hesitated, his tone dropping. “We think someone inside your circle is feeding them information.”
The weight of the words hung in the air. Marco’s eyes darkened as he leaned back in his chair, his mind racing. “You’re sure?”
“No,” Luca admitted. “But the way they’re moving… it’s like they know exactly where our men are. It’s too precise to be a coincidence.”
Marco clenched his fists, his voice low and dangerous. “Find out who it is. Quietly. If there’s a traitor in my house, I want their name.”
Luca nodded. “I’m on it.”
***
Carmen sat in the nursery, her newborn son cradled in her arms. The soft glow of the evening sun streamed through the windows, casting a warm light over the room. For a brief moment, the chaos of the world outside seemed distant, replaced by the quiet rhythm of her child’s breathing.
But the moment of peace didn’t last.
There was a soft knock on the door, and Carmen looked up to see Sofia entering, her expression hesitant.
“I didn’t mean to disturb you,” Sofia said quietly.
“It’s fine,” Carmen replied, adjusting her son in her arms. “What is it?”
Sofia stepped closer, her voice dropping. “Some of Marco’s men are talking. They’re not happy about how much power you’ve been given. They think you’re overstepping.”
Carmen’s lips tightened, though her voice remained calm. “Is it Pietro?”
Sofia nodded. “He’s been stirring up doubts, especially among the older families. They don’t like the changes you’ve been making.”
Carmen sighed, gently placing her son in his crib before standing. “I’m not here to please them, Sofia. I’m here to secure this family’s future.”
Sofia hesitated before replying. “And you’re doing that. But if they see you as a threat…”
“Let them,” Carmen said firmly. “They’ll either fall in line, or they’ll be replaced.”
Sofia nodded, her respect for Carmen clear. “I’ll keep an ear to the ground. Let you know if it gets worse.”
“Thank you,” Carmen said, her tone softening. “We can’t afford division right now.”
As Sofia left, Carmen turned back to the crib, her expression thoughtful. She knew the road ahead wouldn’t be easy. Balancing her role as a mother and a leader was already proving difficult, but she wouldn’t let anything jeopardize her child’s future.
Not dissent from within. Not threats from the outside.
And certainly not the ghosts of Arianna’s manipulations.
***
That night, Marco found her in the nursery, standing quietly by the crib. He watched her for a moment before stepping inside, his movements careful.
“How is he?” Marco asked softly, nodding toward their son.
“Asleep,” Carmen replied, her voice equally quiet.
Marco stood beside her, his gaze lingering on the baby. “You were incredible today. The way you handled the meeting… the way you handled Pietro.”
Carmen glanced at him, a faint smile tugging at her lips. “They’ll come around. Eventually.”
“They’d better,” Marco muttered. “Because they’re going to have to get used to it—you being in charge.”
Carmen’s smile grew, though her eyes softened. “You really mean that?”
Marco turned to her, his expression sincere. “You’ve proven yourself time and time again, Carmen. You’re not just my equal—you’re this family’s strength.”
The words struck something deep within her, and for the first time in a long while, Carmen felt a flicker of hope.
“We’ll need to stay strong,” she said quietly. “Arianna may be gone, but her influence isn’t.”
Marco nodded, his voice steady. “We’ll handle it. Together.”
Carmen looked up at him, her resolve matching his. “Together.”
The empire wasn’t safe yet. But as they stood side by side, their son sleeping peacefully between them, Carmen knew they were ready for whatever came next.
