As Arya stepped into the dimly lit mansion, the atmosphere enveloped her like a thick fog. The air was heavy with secrets, and the scent of aged wood and candle wax lingered in the shadows. The mansion exuded an aura of opulence that felt deceptive, hiding the darkness that simmered beneath its polished surface. She glanced around, taking in the lavish décor—ornate chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, expensive artwork lining the walls, and luxurious furniture that looked like it had been plucked from a historical period drama. But none of that mattered now. Arya had a mission, and her heart raced with purpose. As she ventured deeper, the sound of laughter echoed from a nearby room, mingling with the clinking of glasses. Her heart raced; she could not afford to get caught. Suddenly, she rounded a corner and nearly collided with a young woman emerging from a nearby room. The girl was dressed provocatively, her attire accentuating her curves. She smelled very good that Arya was
She was in a tough spot. Realizing she had no choice, Arya pulled out the documents she had taken, her pulse racing as she laid them on the table. “Look! They’re planning to take out key members of your group. This is a setup, and we need to act before it’s too late.” The tension in the room shifted as the women leaned in to examine the papers. Arya could feel their skepticism wavering. “You’ve got to believe me,” she urged. “We can stop this before it escalates. But we have to work together. Dolores is counting on us.” Silence hung in the air for a moment before the woman who had initially confronted Arya spoke up again. “You look very familiar. Doesn’t she look familiar?” “I get that a lot,” Arya said, chuckling nervously, the weight of the moment heavy on her. “We literally do not have time. We need to get serious.” The room fell silent, eyes studying her, measuring her sincerity. Finally, the sharp-featured woman nodded slowly. “If you’re truly here to help, then we n
Arya turned to face the voice that made even Lima stiffen in fear. It was the last person she wanted to see right now. “You finally decided to show your face to your mother again,” Dolores said, her tone sharp and dripping with control. Her eyes flicked briefly to Arya. “And you brought along a little friend.” “Mama… I thought you were still out of town,” Lima said, clearing her throat nervously. “And so? Is that why you greet your poor, old mother with such suspicion?” Dolores responded, her voice low but carrying an unmistakable weight. “It’s almost like you didn’t want me here, mi hija.” “No, Mama, it’s not like that,” Lima quickly corrected, visibly flustered. “I’m just surprised to see you back, that’s all. Welcome home. How was your trip?” Dolores regarded her daughter with a penetrating stare before answering, “Productive, one might say.” Her gaze shifted to Arya, and her eyes narrowed slightly. “And who is your… little friend here?” “Oh, uh…” Lima stuttered, cle
The cabin was quiet, save for the soft crackling of the fire in the hearth. Arya walked in, her heart pounding harder with every step. The familiar scent of wood and earth brought a calm over her, but it was Leonardo’s presence that filled her with warmth. He stood by the window, his back turned to her, but he knew she was there—he always knew. When he finally turned around, their eyes met, and his face softened into a smile filled with relief and longing. “You’re finally here,” he said, his voice gentle. “I missed you.” Arya crossed the room quickly, finding her place in his arms. She breathed him in, feeling the tension in her body melt away in the safety of his embrace. “I missed you too,” she whispered, her voice carrying the weight of all the moments they’d been apart. Leonardo kissed the top of her head before pulling back slightly to look into her eyes. His fingers brushed her cheek softly, his touch tender. “I was worried,” he said, a slight frown forming. “You were go
Arya went against Leonardo. She was tired of being treated like a fragile creature, like someone who couldn’t withstand the test of time. Innocent people were going to die, and guilt gnawed at her. Why? She sat in Dolores’s personal living room, waiting with Lima, who was busy spiking her tea with liquor. "Is that really necessary?" Arya asked, watching Lima. "I mean, she’s your mum." "You don’t understand." Lima took a swig straight from the bottle before shoving it back into her purse. "My mum and I share a bond, but being around her too long does something to me. And yes, in a bad way." "Then don’t hog it all. Give me some." Arya reached for a fresh teacup. "Add some tea first," Lima suggested, smirking. Arya gave her a look. "Girl, I need it straight from the source." Lima chuckled and pour her a drink. She downed the liquor without another word. Her thoughts drifted back to last night’s conversation with Leonardo. She could not get it out of her mind for some
There was no way Arya would step into the Sisterhood mansion without Leonardo keeping watch over her. She was his world, his everything. Before her, life felt empty, like a book missing its pages, and the thought of life without her was even more suffocating, an endless void of despair. “Our drones are camouflaged perfectly in the trees. They won’t notice us,” Rob said, his voice steady but urgent. Leonardo’s focus never wavered. Ricardo had been called away on a serious assignment, leaving just him and Rob to keep an eye out. The stakes were too high to allow even the slightest distraction. “Good. Hand me the MacBook,” he replied, taking it from Rob without breaking his gaze from the screens. Every second was crucial, and he felt the weight of their mission pressing down on him. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Inside the mansion, true to Dolores’ words, a grand portrait of Adriana loomed large over the room. Arya felt her breath catch as s
And just like that, the peace shattered. Masked men burst into the room, their weapons drawn, their intentions clear as they wreaked havoc and tore women away from the comforting embrace of community. “Not on my watch!” Dolores shouted, her voice slicing through the chaos like a blade. She raised her hand, signaling to a woman nearby, and the energy in the room shifted. “Por la Hermandad” the women screamed in unison, their defiance echoing off the walls as they revealed weapons hidden beneath their clothing, including Lima, who seemed to transform into a experienced gun person in that moment. Arya’s heart raced as she watched the scene unfold, a mix of awe and horror flooding her senses. The sight of women standing their ground against armed intruders ignited something deep within her—an instinct to fight, to protect, but also a desperate need to understand. Oh, come on! Is every community in this town a cover for something else? As she scanned the chaos, her eyes landed
Arya stood up from her hiding spot, Lima following, and they observed the aftermath in the room. The women had won. The masked men were outnumbered, with only a few of them managing to retreat. The sight of her injured sisters made Dolores hiss under her breath. "Who had the audacity to attack our sacred home?" Arya felt a flash of ironic amusement. That question, coming from Dolores, who was known for her own harsh reputation within the convent, seemed almost laughable. “These symbols on their clothes,” Lima murmured, stepping closer to examine the fallen men. "I feel like I've seen them somewhere before." Curious, Arya moved closer, her eyes catching the emblem stitched onto one of the men’s jackets. It was then it hit her with a jolt. It was the same symbol she’d seen in the Orders of Seraphim file back at the convent. Could it be…? No, they wouldn’t. Or… would they? A knot of uncertainty formed in Arya’s chest. If the convent was involved, this whole mission was far
Arya was about to respond when the door swung open, and a soldier rushed in. His face was tense, his breathing heavy, as if he had sprinted all the way there. “Don Ricardo,” the soldier addressed him directly, though his eyes flickered briefly to Arya. “We have a situation. It’s Maria.” Ricardo exhaled sharply. “What now?” “She’s refusing food and water. She hasn’t taken a bite since last night. The doctor says if this continues, she won’t last another day.” Ricardo scoffed. “Then let her starve. Saves us the trouble.” Arya’s frown deepened. “No. This isn’t Maria being weak. She’s doing this on purpose.” Ricardo turned to her. “What do you mean?” Arya shifted carefully in bed, ignoring the sharp pain in her side. “She’s trying to force our hand. If she dies here, it gives someone else control of the narrative. You really think she’s doing this out of despair?” Ricardo’s expression hardened. He wasn’t stupid. He knew how people like Maria operated. “You think she’s be
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