Chapter 69
The air inside the nursery was calm, the soft coos of the baby the only sound as Carmen adjusted his blanket. She leaned over the crib, brushing her fingers gently over his cheek, her heart aching with both love and fear.
“You deserve better than this,” she whispered.
A knock on the door startled her. Luca stepped inside, his face etched with urgency.
“We need to talk,” he said, his voice low.
Carmen straightened, her instincts immediately on high alert. “What happened?”
“The safe house,” Luca began, hesitating. “It’s been compromised. We don’t know how, but someone tipped off the Consortium. They hit it an hour ago.”
Carmen’s blood ran cold. “Was anyone hurt?”
“No,” Luca assured her. “But it’s not safe anymore. We need to move him—now.”
Carmen’s hands trembled as she lifted her son from the crib, holding him close. “Where?”
“I have another location,” Luca said. “It’s more secure, but we have to leave immediately. Marco’s waiting downstairs.”
Carmen nodded, her resolve hardening. “Let’s go.”
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Marco was pacing in the foyer when Carmen descended the stairs, the baby nestled in her arms. His expression softened slightly when he saw them, but the tension in his shoulders didn’t ease.
“Are you ready?” he asked.
Carmen nodded. “Luca says this new location is safer.”
“It is,” Luca interjected. “I’ve vetted it personally. No one outside our inner circle knows about it.”
Marco placed a hand on Carmen’s back, guiding her toward the waiting car. “We’ll make sure he’s safe. I promise.”
As they drove through the darkened streets, Carmen couldn’t shake the feeling of dread that had settled over her. The attack on the safe house was too close, too personal. It wasn’t just a strike against their operations—it was a strike against their family.
When they reached the new location—a secluded villa surrounded by dense woods—Luca led them inside, detailing the security measures in place. Carmen listened intently, her grip on the baby tightening.
“This will hold,” Luca said confidently.
“It better,” Marco replied, his voice grim.
Carmen placed the baby in the crib Luca had prepared, watching him for a moment before turning to Marco. Her eyes burned with determination.
“This ends now,” she said.
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Back at the estate, Alessandra was waiting in the study, a glass of wine in her hand and a stack of documents spread across the desk. She looked up as Carmen and Marco entered, her expression serious.
“I have information,” Alessandra began. “The Consortium is regrouping. They’re using a luxury hotel in Geneva as a hub for their leaders. It’s where they’re planning their next move.”
Carmen leaned forward, her voice sharp. “How many of them?”
“Enough to make it worth your while,” Alessandra replied. “The top lieutenants, key strategists—everyone who matters.”
Marco crossed his arms, his brow furrowed. “And their defenses?”
“Tight,” Alessandra admitted. “But not impossible to breach. They’re not expecting an attack on their own turf.”
Carmen’s mind raced as she absorbed the information. “This is our chance,” she said, turning to Marco. “If we can take out their leadership, we can dismantle the entire operation.”
Marco frowned. “It’s a risk. If we fail, we lose everything.”
“We’re already losing,” Carmen countered. “They’ve hit our strongholds, our allies, even our family. How much more are we willing to let them take before we fight back?”
Marco hesitated, his eyes searching hers. “You’re asking me to put everything on the line.”
“I’m asking you to trust me,” Carmen said softly. “This isn’t just about survival anymore. It’s about winning.”
The room fell silent as Marco considered her words. Finally, he nodded. “We’ll do it. But we do it carefully. No mistakes.”
Carmen turned to Alessandra. “We’ll need everything you have on the hotel—layouts, security details, schedules. If we’re going to pull this off, we need to know exactly what we’re walking into.”
Alessandra nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth. “I’ll get you what you need. But you’d better be ready. Once you start this, there’s no going back.”
“We’re ready,” Carmen said, her voice steady.
As the meeting ended, Carmen and Marco stood alone in the study, the weight of their decision hanging heavy between them.
“Are you sure about this?” Marco asked quietly.
Carmen met his gaze, her determination unwavering. “Yes. It’s time we stop letting them dictate the terms. This is our fight now.”
Marco stepped closer, placing a hand on her cheek. “I trust you. But if anything happens…”
“Nothing will,” Carmen interrupted, her voice soft but firm. “Because we’re doing this together.”
Marco nodded, his resolve matching hers. “Together.”
The battle ahead would be their most dangerous yet, but for the first time, they felt in control. The Consortium had drawn first blood, but Marco and Carmen were ready to strike back—and this time, they wouldn’t hold back.
