Chapter 82
The Venetti estate was quiet when Marco and Carmen returned, but the silence was heavy with tension. The men who had survived the assault moved with grim purpose, tending to injuries, repairing damage, and readying the family for whatever came next.
Marco stood in the courtyard, watching as the last of the reinforcements returned. His face was a mask of exhaustion, but his posture remained rigid, unwilling to show weakness.
Carmen approached him, her footsteps soft against the stone. “They’re waiting for you,” she said gently.
Marco glanced at her, his jaw tightening. “What am I supposed to tell them, Carmen? That we lost Rafael? That their sacrifices didn’t matter?”
She reached out, her hand brushing his arm. “You tell them the truth. That this isn’t over and that their sacrifices are what made it possible for us to fight another day.”
Marco sighed, but her words seemed to steady him. He nodded and followed her into the main hall, where their closest allies had gathered.
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Inside, Sergio Montini leaned heavily on his cane, his injuries from the previous battle still fresh. Luca stood nearby, arms crossed, his expression serious. Around the room, the heads of smaller families murmured amongst themselves, their uncertainty evident.
Marco stepped forward, the room falling silent as all eyes turned to him.
“We’ve taken a blow,” Marco began, his voice firm despite the weariness beneath it. “Rafael escaped, and we’ve lost good men and women. But this isn’t the end. We’ve weakened the Consortium, taken their resources, and forced them to retreat. Now, we regroup, rebuild, and finish what we started.”
There was a murmur of agreement, but it was faint, lacking the usual fire of Marco’s supporters. Carmen stepped forward, her voice calm but resolute.
“Rafael’s escape was a setback,” she said, meeting their gazes. “But it wasn’t a defeat. Together, we’ve proven that the Consortium isn’t untouchable. And together, we’ll prove that the Venettis are stronger than ever.”
Her words carried more weight than Marco’s had, the murmurs growing louder with approval. Marco noticed the shift, his chest tightening with a mix of pride and unease.
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Later that night, Marco sat in the study with Luca and Sergio. The fire crackled in the hearth, casting flickering shadows across the room.
“Some of the families are starting to doubt,” Luca said bluntly. “They think your decision to strike without more preparation cost too many lives.”
Sergio nodded, his expression sympathetic but firm. “They respect you, Marco. But respect doesn’t last forever if they start questioning your judgment.”
Marco’s jaw tightened. “And what are you suggesting? That I step aside?”
“No one’s saying that,” Luca said carefully. “But Carmen… she’s earned their trust. They see her as a leader, Marco. You might want to lean on that.”
Marco’s gaze darkened, but he didn’t argue.
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Carmen found Marco in their bedroom later that night, sitting on the edge of the bed with his head in his hands. She approached quietly, placing a hand on his shoulder.
“Luca and Sergio have been talking to you,” she said softly.
Marco looked up at her, his expression conflicted. “They think I’m losing control. That I’ve made too many mistakes.”
“They’re not wrong,” Carmen said gently, sitting beside him. “But that doesn’t mean you’re failing. It just means we need to adjust.”
Marco frowned. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying that we’re strongest when we work together,” Carmen said. “You’re a fighter, Marco. A protector. Let me handle the alliances, the negotiations, the diplomacy. You focus on what you’re best at—keeping us safe.”
Marco’s initial instinct was to push back, to assert his authority. But as he looked at Carmen, he saw not just his wife but the woman who had saved his life, rallied their forces, and inspired loyalty in ways he couldn’t.
“You really think this will work?” he asked, his voice quiet.
“I do,” Carmen said, her hand resting over his. “Because we’re not just a family—we’re a team. And teams play to their strengths.”
Marco exhaled, a small, wry smile tugging at his lips. “You always know how to get your way, don’t you?”
Carmen leaned in, brushing her lips against his. “It’s not about getting my way, Marco. It’s about doing what’s best for us.”
He pulled her closer, his forehead resting against hers. “Then let’s do it. Together.”
As the night deepened, Marco felt a sense of relief he hadn’t known he needed. The weight of the empire was still heavy, but with Carmen by his side, it no longer felt impossible to bear.
