Chapter 91
The room was quiet except for the steady ticking of the clock as Luca set a folder down on Marco’s desk. His face was grim, his usual confidence tinged with unease.
“It’s not over,” Luca said simply.
Marco leaned forward, his brow furrowing as he opened the folder. Inside were photos, handwritten notes, and a list of names tied to Rafael’s former followers.
“This group,” Luca continued, “they’re not big, but they’re fanatical. They believe Rafael’s death was a betrayal of their cause, and they want revenge. On us.”
Marco closed the folder and exhaled sharply. “How serious is the threat?”
“Serious enough,” Luca said. “They’ve already started gathering resources. And there’s more.”
Carmen entered the room just as Luca spoke, carrying their son’s favorite blanket. Her expression shifted when she caught the tension in the air.
“What’s going on?” she asked, her voice steady but concerned.
Luca hesitated, then glanced at Marco. “They’re targeting your son.”
Carmen froze, her grip tightening on the blanket.
Marco stood abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor. “What?”
“They’ve been watching the estate,” Luca said. “We intercepted a message. They’re planning to strike where they think it will hurt most—your family.”
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That night, the estate went into lockdown. Armed guards patrolled the grounds, and security was tightened at every entrance. Carmen sat in their son’s nursery, watching him sleep as her mind raced.
Marco found her there, leaning against the doorframe. “He’s safe,” he said softly.
“For now,” Carmen replied, her gaze never leaving their child. “But how long before they find another way? We can’t keep living like this, Marco.”
Marco crossed the room and knelt beside her, his hand covering hers. “We won’t. We’ll end this.”
“How?” Carmen asked, turning to him. “These people won’t stop until they’re forced to. We can’t wait for them to make the first move.”
Marco studied her, seeing the determination in her eyes. “What are you thinking?”
Carmen set the blanket aside and stood. “We set a trap. Draw them out, take away their advantage, and end this once and for all.”
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The next day, Carmen gathered Luca, Sergio, and Marco in the estate’s study. She laid out a map of the city, her fingers tracing key points of interest.
“They think they’re hunting us,” Carmen said. “But we’ll make them believe we’re vulnerable—spread word that our guards are spread thin, that Marco and I are moving between safe houses.”
“That’s risky,” Sergio said.
“It’s necessary,” Carmen countered. “We control the location, the timing. When they take the bait, we’ll be ready.”
Marco watched her as she spoke, impressed by the clarity and precision of her plan. “You’ve thought of everything,” he said.
Carmen met his gaze. “I have to. This is about protecting our family, Marco. Nothing else matters.”
Marco nodded, his trust in her absolute. “Then we do it your way.”
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The trap was set that night. A decoy vehicle left the estate under heavy guard, while Marco, Carmen, and their forces waited in an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city.
The loyalists arrived just as expected, their vehicles pulling into the warehouse yard with an air of confidence.
“Wait for my signal,” Marco whispered to his men, his weapon ready.
From their hidden position, Carmen watched as the loyalists spread out, their leader barking orders.
“Now,” Carmen said.
The Venetti forces sprang into action, surrounding the loyalists and cutting off their escape. Gunfire erupted, the sound echoing through the warehouse as the battle raged.
Carmen moved through the chaos with precision, her focus sharp as she took down one of the loyalists who had broken through the line.
Marco fought beside her, his movements instinctive and fierce. When their paths crossed in the middle of the fray, he paused just long enough to touch her arm. “We’ve got this,” he said.
Together, they pushed forward, their unity unshaken as they dismantled the last remnants of Rafael’s network.
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When the final shot was fired, the warehouse fell silent. Marco stood among the wreckage, his breathing heavy as he surveyed the scene. The last enemy had fallen.
He turned to find Carmen, who was already looking for him. They met in the center of the room, the weight of the battle falling away as they embraced.
“It’s over,” Marco said, his voice rough with emotion.
Carmen nodded, her forehead resting against his. “We did it.”
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Later that night, back at the estate, Marco and Carmen stood on the terrace, the cool night air brushing against them. Their son slept soundly in the nursery, guarded by the most trusted members of their security team.
Marco wrapped an arm around Carmen, pulling her close. “I couldn’t have done this without you,” he said.
“You don’t have to,” Carmen replied, her voice soft. “We’re stronger together, Marco. Always.”
He kissed her, slow and tender, pouring all his gratitude and love into the moment.
As they stood beneath the stars, their hearts finally at peace, they knew they had faced the worst and come out stronger. Together, they had built something unbreakable—a love and a family worth fighting for.
