Chapter 83
The fire in the bedroom crackled softly, casting a warm glow that danced across the walls. Carmen stood by the window, staring out into the darkened estate grounds. She’d barely moved since they’d returned from the study, her thoughts consumed by Luca’s close call earlier that day.
Marco entered quietly, a tumbler of whiskey in his hand. He placed it on the side table before approaching her, his footsteps soft against the polished floor.
“You’ve been standing here for an hour,” Marco said gently. “Talk to me.”
Carmen turned to him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I almost lost him, Marco. If that shot had been an inch higher, Luca would be dead. And it’s all because of Rafael. I can’t—” Her voice broke, and she looked away.
Marco reached for her, his hands warm and steady on her shoulders. “You don’t have to do this alone, Carmen.”
“I know,” she said, her voice trembling. “But every time he strikes, I feel like we’re just reacting. Like we’re one step behind.”
Marco’s gaze softened. He cupped her face, his thumbs brushing away the tears that had begun to fall. “We’ll stop him. Together. I won’t let him take anything more from us.”
Carmen leaned into his touch, her resolve tempered by the tenderness in his eyes. “Do you ever wonder if we can really win this? If it’s worth everything we’ve sacrificed?”
Marco pulled her closer, his forehead resting against hers. “I used to think it was about power. About proving we were stronger than anyone who came against us. But now, it’s about more than that. It’s about you, and him.”
She smiled faintly, her hands sliding up to rest on his chest. “You’ve changed.”
“You did that,” Marco said softly. “You made me see that there’s more to this life than war. More to fight for than an empire.”
Carmen closed her eyes as his lips brushed hers, the kiss slow and deliberate, carrying all the emotions they couldn’t put into words. She wrapped her arms around his neck, leaning into him as the tension of the day began to melt away.
Marco guided her toward the bed, his movements unhurried as if savoring every moment. He held her as though she might disappear, his touch reverent as they sank into the familiar comfort of each other’s arms.
“You’re the reason I keep going,” Marco murmured against her skin.
“And you’re the reason I know we’ll make it through this,” Carmen replied, her voice steady now.
They lay tangled together in the quiet, the weight of the world momentarily lifted. For all the chaos surrounding them, this was their sanctuary—a reminder of what they were fighting for.
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The next morning, Carmen and Marco sat across from each other in the study, the early light filtering through the windows. The air was heavy with determination as they finalized their plan.
“We need to draw him out,” Carmen said, her tone sharp. “If we wait for him to strike again, more people will die. I won’t risk that.”
Marco nodded, his expression grim. “Rumors. We spread word of an alliance meeting—something big enough to make Rafael believe we’re consolidating power.”
“He won’t be able to resist,” Carmen agreed. “He’ll see it as a chance to wipe us out in one move.”
“But it’s a trap,” Marco said, his voice hardening. “We control the location, the timing. We bring every ally we have, every resource, and we end this.”
Carmen leaned forward, her hand covering his. “This has to be the last move, Marco. For our family, for everyone who’s stood by us.”
“It will be,” Marco promised, his fingers tightening around hers. “I won’t let him hurt us again.”
Their eyes met, and in that moment, their love felt as strong as their resolve. The battle ahead would be their most dangerous yet, but they would face it together—united in purpose, unshaken by fear, and fueled by the unbreakable bond between them.
