Leonardo’s brows furrowed as he studied Lima’s expression. “You were supposed to meet up with her here?” His tone carried a mild irritation, laced with the growing tension in the room. She nodded, her gaze steady. “Yes, she called me just a few minutes ago.” Ricardo caught Leonardo’s eye, and an unspoken understanding passed between them. Something wasn’t right, and the longer Arya remained unreachable, the more Leonardo’s unease grew. “My tech guy should have footage from the convent gates,” Ricardo offered, breaking the silence. “Even the secret escape gates that are supposed to be well hidden. If she hasn’t left the convent, we’ll know soon enough.” Leonardo gave a terse nod, his eyes shifting back to Lima. “What exactly were you two meeting up for?” Ricardo pressed, his suspicion evident. Lima shrugged, her nonchalance almost too casual. “I have no idea. She just called and asked me to meet her here. Said she had something urgent to discuss.” “Well, she’s off the gri
Henry's face went ashen as Leonardo’s accusations hung heavy in the air. His hands trembled slightly as he tried to compose himself, but it was clear he was rattled. The phone lay on the floor, forgotten in the tense silence. “Don Leonardo,” Henry began, his voice wavering slightly before he regained control, “I think there’s been a misunderstanding. I would never send anyone to harm you or your wife. My work here is solely to serve the church and the community. Any rumors you’ve heard are false.” Leonardo’s gaze didn’t waver, his eyes narrowing as he studied the man before him. “I’m not a man easily fooled, Father. Don’t mistake my patience for ignorance. You sent men to the bar to take me out, and I know for a fact that you put out a hit on Arya.” Henry shook his head vehemently, the fear in his eyes quickly being replaced by a look of defiance. “I am a man of God, Don. I’ve heard many accusations in my time, but this… This is beyond absurd. I may not like how you conduct yo
As Bianca approached the convent gates, Leonardo watched her closely, his mind swirling with conflicting emotions. He knew she was capable, but the unease gnawing at him wouldn’t relent. The sight of the massive stone walls, once symbols of sanctuary, now seemed to close in, trapping secrets that could either save or destroy Arya. Bianca turned to face them, her expression calm but resolute. “I’ll be back with answers,” she said, her voice steady. The air was thick with tension, every word she spoke echoing in the silence that had fallen over them. It was as if the very atmosphere had shifted, growing heavier with the weight of unspoken fears and the looming uncertainty that lay ahead. Leonardo nodded, trying to keep his features impassive. “Remember, you’re not alone. We’re right outside. The moment you sense anything off, you get out. We’ll handle the rest.” His voice was firm, but beneath the surface, a storm of emotions raged. The fear of losing another loved one, the frustr
Leonardo’s eyes stayed glued to the small screen in front of him, watching every move Bianca made through the live feed from the cross chain. Ricardo and Rob were close by, equally tense, their faces etched with concern and anticipation. The car was filled with a heavy silence, broken only by the occasional crackle of static from the device. Bianca, now dressed in the nun’s habit, approached the convent gates with a confident stride, but Leonardo could see the slight tremor in her hands. She rang the bell and waited, her face calm but her eyes betraying a hint of anxiety. The minutes stretched out as the three men watched her wait, their own tension mounting. Finally, a nun appeared, opened the gate and greeted Bianca with a polite but distant smile. They exchanged a few words that Leonardo could barely make out, then the nun gestured for Bianca to enter. The gates closed behind her with a resounding clang that sent a shiver down Leonardo’s spine. “Stay sharp, Bianca,” Leonard
“Arya?” Leonardo repeated, his voice tinged with disbelief, as if saying her name again might somehow make the situation clearer. Both Rob and Ricardo turned to him, their expressions a mix of concern and confusion. “That’s Arya,” Rob confirmed, his tone steady. “I see her too. This is very strange,” Ricardo added, his gaze locked on the screen. “What in hell is she doing here, and what is she discussing with that nun? I thought she was in danger.” The initial panic had faded, replaced by a surge of intense curiosity. Leonardo’s mind raced, trying to piece together the fragmented clues of this bizarre scene. What was Arya involved in? Why was she here with these nuns, and what kind of business could she possibly have with them? Despite his efforts, the answers eluded him. On the screen, Bianca had stepped further into the room, her head bowed in deference. Leonardo’s gaze remained fixed on Arya, who was scrutinizing Bianca with an intensity that was unmistakably familiar.
Isabel’s voice rang out across the dimly lit room, her commanding presence impossible to ignore. The nuns, who had been training relentlessly over the past few days without understanding the reason, now stood in silence, awaiting her words. “La Hermandad de la Estrella has discovered the arrest of their men,” Isabel began, her tone sharp and unyielding. “They don’t know when we’ll be ready, but they do know someone powerful is backing this convent. What they don’t know is that we are not just women of faith; we are fighters.” Arya stood at the back, taking in every detail. She had only arrived this morning, but already she already sensed the gravity of the situation. She heard whispers about Isabel, the woman who trained these nuns, and it was clear now that Isabel was far more than she appeared to be. There was no frailty in her; she was a leader, a fighter, and the nuns respected her deeply. “They think they can take us by surprise,” Isabel continued, her eyes narrowing. “But
Rob’s voice cut through the heavy silence. “And here we were, trying to give her a chance to turn things around. I knew she couldn’t be trusted.” His voice was sharp with frustration, and Arya couldn’t help but nod in agreement, the sting of betrayal still fresh. “I can’t believe I took care of her when she was down,” Arya muttered, leaning deeper into Leonardo’s arms. “I feel so foolish.” Her voice wavered, more hurt than she wanted to admit. She wondered why Lima would still be trying to attack the church. “Don’t feel foolish, babe.” Leonardo’s arms tightened around her, his voice a soothing contrast to the tension in the room. “Lima’s the foolish one for thinking she could take advantage of your kindness.” Arya sighed, her eyes drifting to Ricardo, who stood silently by the window, lost in thought. “You’re awfully quiet,” she observed. Ricardo turned away from the window, his expression unreadable. “Yeah, just thinking,” he replied. Leonardo wasn’t letting him off that
Leonardo stood by the window as he made preparations for their next move. Maria and Carls, the two key figures they needed answers from, had been transported to Spain by sea while Leonardo and the rest had flown ahead by jet. He needed to visit them in their cell, but there were other matters to attend to first. Arya’s phone rang, cutting through the quiet tension in the room. She glanced at the screen—an unsaved number. Her instincts flared with caution. Everyone around her paused, sensing the shift in the air. Rob gave her a nod, urging her to answer. Arya hesitated before picking up the call. “Hello?” The voice on the other end was familiar, yet unsettling. “Is this Mrs. Marcello?” the woman asked, her tone too casual for comfort. Arya’s heart quickened. “Yes, who is this?” she responded, her voice steady despite her unease. “It’s me, Lima. You won’t believe what I had to go through to get your number. I went to Ricardo’s place looking for you, but your husband told m
Leonardo’s grip on her hand tightened as he felt the slightest movement. At first, he thought he imagined it, his exhaustion playing tricks on him. But then, Arya’s fingers twitched again, and a soft, strained breath escaped her lips. His heart pounded. “Arya?” His voice was hoarse, desperate. He leaned closer, brushing a damp strand of hair from her face. Her eyelids fluttered before barely opening, her dark eyes hazy with pain and confusion. She swallowed, her throat dry, and tried to speak, but only a weak whisper came out. “Leo…” Leonardo exhaled sharply, relief crashing into him like a wave. “Mia cara, I’m here,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. “You scared the hell out of me.” Arya’s lips parted slightly, as if she wanted to say more, but she winced instead. She tried to shift, but the pain hit her like a hammer, dragging a soft groan from her throat. “Shhh,” he soothed, gently pressing her back down. “Don’t move too much. The doctor said you need to res
Leonardo hadn’t moved from Arya’s side all night. Her breathing had evened out, but the pallor of her skin was a constant reminder of how close he had come to losing her. He didn’t dare close his eyes, as if staying awake could somehow anchor her to him, keep her safe.It was noon when a soft knock broke the stillness of the room. Leonardo didn’t bother answering. The door opened, and Ricardo stepped inside, his usually composed appearance in shambles. His beard was unkempt, his eyes hollowed by sleeplessness and something darker.“I got your message,” Ricardo said quietly, his voice rough. He glanced at Arya, lying motionless on the bed. “How’s she holding up?”Leonardo let out a slow breath. “Not great. Stable, but…” He shook his head. “This isn’t where she’s supposed to be.”Ricardo nodded, the lines on his face deepening. “I’m sorry, Don. This shouldn’t have happened. Let me help. Where did you last see the attackers?”“Rob and the others are already on it,” Leonardo replied, his
Leonardo sat slumped in the chair by Arya’s bed, his hand wrapped around hers as though holding on to her would tether her to life. His eyes burned from exhaustion, but he hadn’t dared to close them, not even once. The faint sound of the door creaking open drew his attention. He turned sharply, his face hard, ready to dismiss whoever it was. “Good afternoon, Don,” one of his forensic experts said, stepping into the room cautiously. He held a folder in one hand, his expression a mixture of urgency and hesitation. “The chip we retrieved from Andy’s neck contained encrypted files. My team decoded them late this morning.” Leonardo straightened, his gaze sharp. “What did you find?” The man hesitated briefly, glancing at Arya’s unconscious form before clearing his throat. “Documents and records of purchase. They include significant financial transactions and detailed logs of weapons bought under false identities. It appears to be tied directly to some operations.” Leonardo’s jaw t
As the doctor worked on Arya, Leonardo paced the length of the room, his fists clenched and his jaw tight. The sight of her pale face and the blood-streaked bandages made his stomach churn. Every shallow breath she took felt like a countdown he couldn’t stop.His phone buzzed in his pocket. He hesitated for a moment, reluctant to take his eyes off her, but he finally answered.“Talk,” he barked.“It’s Sergeant Diaz. We tracked the attackers. Sir, you need to see this,” the soldier said, his voice grim. “It’s not just about the ambush… there’s something bigger going on here.”Leonardo’s grip on the phone tightened. “Send me the details.”“It’s something you have to see in person, sir. A name came up—someone close. I don’t think you’ll believe it unless—”“Just tell me the name,” Leonardo interrupted.There was a pause, heavy with tension. “It’s…” The soldier’s voice dropped. “Adriana.”Leonardo froze. His mind raced, struggling to connect the dots. Adriana? His mother-in-law? The woman
“Instruct some men to follow them and gather any information we might need. We’ll head back to the hotel and decode the chip,” Leonardo commanded, his voice firm. Arya frowned, her fingers curling into a fist to steady herself. “Why? I thought we were going after them.” Leonardo’s sharp gaze softened, but his tone remained resolute. “We don’t have time to chase shadows, princess. We need to split up. Let them lead us to their base while we focus on the chip.” She shifted uncomfortably, the sharp sting in her side now impossible to ignore. Just as she straightened, the pain betrayed her, pulling a grimace onto her face before she could hide it. Leonardo caught it instantly. His eyes narrowed, his suspicion unmistakable. “Is something wrong?” “Just… shoulder tension,” Arya muttered, forcing a weak shrug. “Come here, princess.” His tone softened as he reached for her. “You shouldn’t have to bear this—” “Ah!” A sharp cry tore from Arya’s lips as Leonardo’s arm brushed her
With the gunfire subsiding, the world fell into an uneasy silence. Leonardo and Arya regrouped with Rob and the few soldiers who had made it through. The air smelled of burnt gunpowder and death, the metallic tang of blood clinging to their senses. The forensic expert approached Leonardo with careful steps, holding out a small bag. Inside was the chip, smeared with traces of Andy’s blood. Leonardo took it, his fingers brushing against the plastic as he studied it intently, his brow furrowed in thought. “This has to be important,” Arya said, her voice calm but sharp, cutting through the silence. She wiped at her face with a shaking hand, smearing dirt and blood across her cheek. “Andy was tortured for it. And whoever sent that ambush didn’t care about lives—they cared about this.” Leonardo slipped the chip into his pocket, his face unreadable. “If Andy died for it, then it’s worth something. We’ll find out what soon enough.” The group quickly retreated, the convoy of cars wea
Gunfire shattered the tense moment as bullets ricocheted off the metal surfaces of the dock. Leonardo immediately grabbed Arya and pulled her behind a steel container. Rob dove for cover beside them, drawing his weapon. “Where the fuck did that come from?” Rob hissed, scanning their surroundings. “Ambush,” Arya said through clenched teeth, already gripping her gun. “Stay down,” Leonardo barked, peeking around the corner. He spotted shadows moving near the crates stacked further down the dock. Whoever had come for them was prepared, and they weren’t leaving without a fight. Leonardo signaled to their men, and a firefight erupted. Arya darted out from cover, her movements fluid and precise as she shot at their attackers. Each shot was calculated, dropping one assailant after another. Leonardo felt his chest tighten as he watched her. She was fearless, but fearlessness could also get her killed. “Cover her!” he ordered. Rob laid down suppressing fire as Arya advanced, vau
As they prepared to leave, dissatisfied with the outcome, Arya noticed Andy’s body was badly battered and bruised. One of his fingers was missing, suggesting he had been tortured. But why? Why would they torture someone on their side? Unless… “They wanted something from him,” Arya muttered to herself, scanning his injuries. “Something they didn’t have.” Her eyes fell on the brutal gash on his head. It was deep and jagged, a wound inflicted with rage. Whoever killed him must have done it in an act of passion. Perhaps they hadn’t intended to kill him but, after all the torture, his body couldn’t take it anymore. Arya sighed, the weight of realization settling on her. If Andy had been killed by accident, it meant they never got what they were after. “Rob, we need to search his body,” Arya said. “There might be something they missed.” “Whoever tortured him would have searched him already,” Rob replied. “Except…” He trailed off and began removing Andy’s clothes. Leonardo a
The convoy arrived at the docks within minutes, the tension palpable in the air. The area was cloaked in eerie silence, save for the occasional raucous laughter of men huddled near a ship. Their beer bottles clinked as they exchanged crude jokes, lines of cocaine spread across the table between them. Cigarettes dangled from their lips, smoke curling into the night sky.Leonardo stepped out of the car, his eyes scanning the scene with cold precision. Rob flanked him, his hand hovering near his gun. “Should we go in now?” Rob asked, his voice low but steady.Leonardo nodded sharply, motioning for the others to fan out. From the car behind him, Arya emerged, her silhouette a lethal combination of grace and danger. Guns hung from her shoulders, nestled in her belt holsters, and rested in both hands. Her gaze met Leonardo’s for a fleeting second, and despite the danger ahead, the sight of her sent a surge of desire through him. She was magnetic, untouchable, and utterly lethal.Focus. Ther