Chapter 55
Carmen sat at her desk, the evidence spread before her like pieces of a shattered mirror. Bank statements, shipment records, and intercepted messages all pointed to the same conclusion: Giovanni Russo was the traitor. The transactions were subtle, buried in the shadows of legitimate deals, but once Carmen connected the dots, the picture became disturbingly clear.
Giovanni hadn’t just betrayed Marco—he had betrayed her.
She stared at the papers, her fingers lightly tracing the edge of one particularly damning document: a bank transfer to an account linked to a known associate of Arianna’s. The amount was staggering, but the betrayal behind it stung even more.
A soft knock at the door broke her concentration. “Come in,” she said, her voice steady despite the storm inside her.
Luca stepped into the room, his expression grim as his eyes flicked to the papers on her desk. “You called?”
Carmen gestured for him to sit, sliding the most critical documents across the desk. “I’ve found the leak.”
Luca picked up the papers, his brows furrowing as he scanned them. His frown deepened with every page. “Giovanni?”
Carmen nodded, her voice tight. “He’s been siphoning funds and feeding information to the remnants of Arianna’s forces. The safehouse bombing? He coordinated it.”
Luca slammed the papers down, his jaw clenched. “I knew he’d been acting off, but this…” He shook his head. “What’s his motive?”
“Resentment,” Carmen said, her tone bitter. “He hates how much influence I have. He thinks Marco’s trust in me has weakened the family.”
Luca leaned back in his chair, exhaling sharply. “So what’s the plan? Are you going to tell Marco?”
“That’s the dilemma,” Carmen admitted, leaning forward and resting her elbows on the desk. “If I tell Marco now, he’ll act on emotion. Giovanni has allies—men who are loyal to him. If Marco moves too quickly, it could tear the family apart.”
“Then we gather more proof,” Luca said firmly. “Enough that there’s no room for doubt. We can’t afford to leave any loose ends.”
Carmen nodded, though her stomach churned. “I just hate keeping this from him.”
“You’re protecting him,” Luca said, his tone softening. “Marco’s carrying a lot right now. He’s trying to hold everything together, but the pressure’s getting to him.”
Carmen sighed, running a hand through her hair. “I know. And Giovanni’s betrayal will only make it worse.”
Luca’s gaze was steady. “We’ll handle this, Carmen. Quietly. Just say the word.”
“Start tracking Giovanni’s movements,” Carmen said. “If he’s planning something bigger, we need to know before it happens.”
Luca nodded, standing. “Consider it done.”
As he left, Carmen leaned back in her chair, her mind racing. She hated keeping secrets from Marco, but she knew Luca was right. If they didn’t handle this carefully, Giovanni’s betrayal could destroy everything they had fought for.
________________
Marco paced the length of his office, his frustration radiating from him in waves. Reports lay scattered across his desk, detailing failed attempts to locate Arianna’s loyalists. His men were restless, his advisors uneasy, and the pressure of holding the family together was beginning to weigh on him.
Sergio entered cautiously, holding a report. “Marco, the southern docks are secure. No sign of activity from Arianna’s people.”
“Then where the hell are they?” Marco snapped, slamming his fist against the desk.
Sergio flinched but kept his tone calm. “We’re doing everything we can. These things take time.”
“We don’t have time,” Marco growled, his eyes blazing. “Every day they’re out there, we’re vulnerable. I won’t let them blindside us again.”
“Paranoia won’t help us,” Sergio said carefully.
Marco turned on him, his voice cold. “Do I look paranoid to you?”
Sergio didn’t answer, but his silence spoke volumes. Marco exhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Get out,” he said finally, his tone weary.
Sergio hesitated but eventually nodded, leaving the room.
Moments later, Carmen entered, her presence quiet but commanding. “Marco,” she said softly, closing the door behind her.
“I’m not in the mood for a lecture,” Marco muttered, turning away from her.
“I’m not here to lecture,” Carmen replied, her voice calm. “But I think you need to hear this.”
Marco looked at her, his brow furrowed. “What?”
“You’re pushing people away,” she said gently. “Your men, your allies—they’re starting to question your judgment.”
Marco’s expression darkened. “And what would you have me do, Carmen? Sit back while they tear us apart?”
“No,” Carmen said firmly. “But you can’t fight this war alone. You need to trust the people around you.”
Marco stared at her, his jaw tight. “And what happens when the people you trust betray you?”
Carmen hesitated, the weight of his words striking deeper than he realized. “Not everyone will,” she said finally.
Marco’s shoulders sagged slightly, his voice softening. “I’m trying, Carmen. I really am. But it feels like every step forward comes with two steps back.”
Carmen stepped closer, resting a hand lightly on his arm. “We’ll get through this. Together.”
Marco looked at her, his eyes searching hers. “You really believe that?”
“I do,” Carmen said, her voice steady. “But you have to believe it too.”
For a moment, Marco said nothing. Then he nodded, his grip on her hand tightening briefly before he let go. “Let’s finish this.”
Carmen smiled faintly, though her heart ached with the knowledge she hadn’t shared. Soon, she promised herself. She would tell him soon.
But for now, there was work to be done.
