Chapter 80
The air was thick with smoke and chaos as Marco crouched behind a crumbling wall, shouting commands over the din of gunfire. His men scrambled for cover, pinned down by Rafael’s forces, who seemed to emerge from every shadow.
“We’re surrounded!” one of Marco’s men yelled, panic edging his voice.
Marco’s jaw tightened as he reloaded his weapon, the weight of the situation pressing heavily on him. “Hold your ground!” he barked, firing off a volley of shots.
But deep down, he knew they were losing. Rafael had anticipated their every move, turning the supposed ambush into a deathtrap.
“Marco!” Luca’s voice crackled over the radio. “We’re on our way. Reinforcements incoming.”
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Carmen’s arrival was like a storm breaking through the darkness. She stood atop one of the armored vehicles, her voice commanding as she directed the reinforcements.
“Flank them from the east!” she called out. “Cut off their retreat!”
Luca moved beside her, his weapon blazing as he led a group of men into the fray. The reinforcements surged forward, their sheer numbers forcing Rafael’s forces to scatter.
Carmen jumped down, joining the battle without hesitation. Her movements were swift and precise, every shot purposeful as she fought her way toward Marco.
“Marco!” she called, spotting him across the battlefield.
Marco turned, relief and disbelief flooding his face. “What the hell are you doing here?”
“Saving your life—again!” she shot back, taking cover beside him.
Their eyes met, and for a brief moment, the chaos around them faded. Marco reached out, gripping her arm. “You shouldn’t have come. It’s too dangerous.”
“And leave you to do something reckless? Not a chance,” Carmen said firmly, her voice steady even as bullets whizzed past them.
Together, they rallied their forces, pushing Rafael’s men back step by step. The tide began to turn, but the victory came at a cost. Several of Marco’s men lay injured or dead, their sacrifice weighing heavily on both of them.
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As the gunfire subsided, Carmen moved through the wreckage of the estate, her weapon ready. She knew Rafael wouldn’t run—not yet. He’d want to savor his twisted sense of triumph, even in the face of defeat.
She found him in a private wing of the mansion, standing amidst shattered glass and overturned furniture. His sharp suit was smeared with ash, but his composure was unbroken.
“Mrs. Venetti,” Rafael greeted her, his tone mocking. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
Carmen raised her weapon, her gaze unwavering. “It’s over, Rafael. Your men are dead or gone. You’ve lost.”
Rafael chuckled, stepping closer despite the gun pointed at him. “Lost? No, my dear, this is only the beginning. Marco’s arrogance has done more damage to your empire than I ever could. He’ll destroy himself eventually—you’ll see.”
“Keep talking,” Carmen said coolly. “It makes it easier to pull the trigger.”
Rafael smirked, spreading his arms wide. “Go ahead. Kill me. But it won’t change anything. My network is bigger than you can imagine. Even if I die, others will rise to take my place.”
Carmen’s grip on the gun tightened, but she didn’t waver. “You’re right—it won’t change the past. But it’ll stop you from hurting anyone else. And that’s enough for me.”
Just as she prepared to fire, footsteps echoed in the hallway. Marco appeared, his face dark with anger as he aimed his gun at Rafael.
“You don’t get to talk about my wife,” Marco said, his voice low and dangerous.
Rafael’s smirk faltered for the first time as Marco and Carmen stood united before him, their love and strength an unshakable force.
“You think you’ve won,” Rafael sneered, but the confidence in his voice wavered.
Marco’s expression was cold as he stepped closer. “No, Rafael. We’ve survived. And now, we end this.”
Carmen’s hand brushed Marco’s arm, her presence grounding him. Together, they prepared for the final confrontation, knowing that this was more than a battle for their survival—it was a fight for their future, their family, and their love.
