Arya crouched down beside Lima, her expression more curious than concerned. “What happened to you?” she asked, her voice calm and probing. Lima’s eyes fluttered open, her gaze unfocused as if she were trying to escape the memory that haunted her. “It was Henry,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “He tried to… I had to get out of there.” Arya’s eyes narrowed, the name Henry triggering a faint but uneasy recognition. For Lima to be this shaken, something had gone horribly wrong. Ricardo’s jaw clenched, his voice steely. “Henry, the priest?” “Yes,” Lima responded, her breathing growing rapid as panic began to overtake her. Before the situation could spiral further, Bianca stepped in, her voice firm yet soothing. “She’s having a panic attack. I’ll handle it.” Kneeling beside Lima, Bianca gently guided her through the 5-4-3-2-1 method, her presence a calming force amidst the rising tension. Leonardo, ever vigilant, only relaxed his grip on his gun when he was certain Lima p
Arya’s eyes were sharp as daggers as she turned to Ricardo, her disbelief morphing into a cold fury. "What do you mean Henry is your father?" she demanded, her voice barely above a whisper, yet filled with venom. Ricardo met her gaze, his face devoid of emotion. “He’s my father. But it doesn’t change anything.” Leonardo's fists clenched at his sides, the tension in the room thickening with each passing second. "You conveniently left out the part about 'my father is a priest' and then asked me to kill him?" His voice was low, simmering with barely restrained anger. "Do you realize what you could have started? A religious movement? A war?" Ricardo’s jaw tightened. “I know,” he admitted, his voice steady, but there was a flicker of regret in his eyes. That flicker wasn’t enough to stop Arya. She moved quickly, her hand connecting with Ricardo’s face in a stinging slap. The sound echoed in the room, freezing everyone in place. “How dare you set us up?” she hissed, her eyes blazi
LIMA’S POV As the door clicked shut behind Arya, Lima lay still, staring up at the ceiling. The room felt unnervingly quiet, the silence pressing down on her like a weight. She wasn’t used to this—a silence that wasn’t laced with hidden threats or masked intentions. Kindness, she thought bitterly. What am I supposed to do with that? It was easier to deal with anger, with betrayal. Those were things she knew, things she could fight against or manipulate. But kindness? That was dangerous in a way she wasn’t prepared for. It slipped under her defenses, making her feel things she wasn’t ready to face. Why did she help me? Lima’s mind raced, trying to make sense of Arya’s actions. She wasn’t naïve enough to believe it was out of pure goodness. People didn’t just do things like that, not in her world. There had to be a catch, something she was missing. But even as she tried to convince herself of this, a small voice inside her whispered otherwise. Arya’s kindness had been genui
Arya saw him standing by the door, waiting for her to return. She could tell he was furious; the quiet intensity in his posture was impossible to miss. She knew he was upset about her caring for Lima—someone who had tried to come between them. But Arya also knew she couldn’t let the opportunity to reach Lima in her vulnerable state slip away. She needed to save her, and deep down, she hoped Leonardo would understand. “Leo…” she began, her voice soft and pleading. “We’re heading to the cabin,” he muttered, his voice low and cold, sending a chill down her spine. He opened the door and held it for her to pass through. As they made their way to the car, she noticed the rigid set of his shoulders, the way he barely glanced in her direction. When they reached the vehicle, Leonardo stopped the driver from opening the door. “Don’t bother, I’ll drive,” he said curtly. The driver swallowed hard and nodded, stepping aside to let him take over. Leonardo opened the passenger seat for A
Leonardo had always admired Arya’s ability to see the good in others, even when he struggled to find it himself. But this—this blatant disregard for his orders, driven by her unyielding compassion—was something he couldn’t easily overlook. He was hers, and she was his, bound by a loyalty he had always believed was unshakeable. Yet, she had defied him to aid one of their worst enemies. How could someone be so inherently good? How could he reconcile his feelings when her actions constantly reminded him of the darkness within himself? His face was stern as he approached her, the weight of his decision clear in his expression. Without a word, he cuffed her hands to the bedpost, the metal clinking softly as it secured her wrists. The tension between them crackled with intensity, the air thick with a mix of desire and discipline. He slowly removed the robe from her body, letting it fall to the floor, revealing the curves that had always been his undoing. Stepping away, Leonardo moved
Arya marveled at how her legs still functioned. After Leonardo had her folded like a lawn chair in all sorts of positions last night, here she was, tending to babies and their mothers the next day. Gloria approached with a smile. “Mrs. Marcello, good morning.” “Ah, Gloria. Good morning. How was your night?” Arya asked, recalling that Gloria had been attacked by kidnappers just days ago. “Very good, except for the nightmares. I haven’t been able to reach the Mother Superior for days now. Do you know where she might be?” Gloria asked. “The last time I saw her was on the day of the incident. I assumed she took the kidnappers to the police, but it’s been days. She should be back by now,” Arya replied, her concern growing. “I hope she’s okay. The courtesans are not to be messed with,” Gloria said, her tone filled with worry. Arya's curiosity was piqued. “Speaking of the courtesans, do you know anyone named Lima?” Gloria’s face lit up. “Of course, I do. She was our Madam’s d
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
ONE YEAR LATER Leonardo watched her from the doorway, his arms folded as a soft smile played on his lips. Arya stood by the crib, gently stroking the twins’ hair until their breathing grew soft and even. A new mother in her element — flourishing. But he knew it wasn’t just because they were finally reunited with their babies. No, there was another weight lifted off her shoulders. Andrea’s body had washed ashore the morning after they returned to Italy. Whoever killed him had clearly found no more use for him. But Leonardo still wondered — was it Vito? He stepped forward, his voice low. “It’s been a year since we got back. The kids are happy, safe, and drowning in all the love we could give them. Are you finally ready for us?” Arya turned, eyes locking with his in that way that always made him feel like the only man in the world. “More than anything, Leo. I love our family — but throwing parties, decorating, smiling at guests — that’s not what I want to do with my life.” His smile
Arya placed her thumb against the sharp metal protruding from the mirror’s hidden safe. The prick was sharp and quick, a bead of blood welling up instantly. The metal retracted with a soft mechanical hiss, followed by a deep click as ancient locks gave way. The door of the safe creaked open, revealing what lay inside.Her breath caught.An old, thick book, its leather cover worn but unnaturally strong, sat beside a small, sleek device. The contrast between them — one ancient, the other unnervingly advanced — sent a chill through Arya’s spine.Isabel’s breath hitched. “I thought that was destroyed during the final battle between the Order and the Sisterhood — over fifty years ago.”Arya’s fingers hovered over the objects. “What exactly is it?”Dolores stepped forward, her face grim. “It’s a weapon. That device can override every military system on earth. Nukes, missiles, satellites — you name it. With the right codes, you could trigger wars from this room. The book holds those codes, a
The silence after Henry’s death was suffocating. Leonardo and Arya stood over his body, blood painting their hands and faces, their breath ragged and uneven. The room was littered with corpses, a battlefield stained with loyalty and betrayal.Ricardo and Roberto had finished off the remaining men, but Isabel barely had a moment to breathe before a rough hand seized her arm.“Let go of me!” Isabel struggled, but the man twisted her arm behind her back, dragging her toward the far end of the room. Leonardo’s gun snapped up, finger curling around the trigger — but before anyone could react, a single, sharp gunshot rang out.The man crumpled at Isabel’s feet, blood pouring from a hole between his eyes.Dolores stood a few feet away, smoke curling from her pistol. Her expression was calm, but her eyes betrayed years of unresolved rage. “No one touches another woman in front of me again.”Isabel stumbled into Arya’s arms, trembling. “It’s over,” Arya whispered. “You’re safe now.”But then A
“You remind me of him…” Andreas’ voice slithered through the tension like a blade through silk. Leonardo didn’t move, didn’t lower his gun. His heart was a hammer against his ribs, but his hand was steady, aimed straight at Andreas’ head. And yet, the Pope only smiled. “Vito. Your grandfather. You have his temper… his instincts.” A pause, measured, deliberate. Then, softer—“His arrogance.” “You were close to him,” Leonardo said. His voice was steady, but inside, something twisted. Andreas smiled. “Closer than you think. He would have been proud of you, Leonardo. If only he were still alive.” Leonardo’s jaw tensed. Andreas had been a ghost from his past, a man he had once admired, a mentor in a strange way. And now, he was standing against him, speaking about his grandfather as if— He didn’t have time to unpack it. Because in the next second, Ricardo’s gun cracked, the shot echoing through the chamber. Leonardo had silently given the signal, and Ricardo took the sh
Arya could barely believe her ears. None of this made sense. Isabel coming to this town had been a coincidence.Hadn’t it?Her pulse hammered in her ears, drowning out the distant creaks of the ancient walls.“Isabel having Adriana? Her coming here? You’re spewing nonsense,” Arya said, her voice sharper than she intended.Henry smirked. “I am here to ensure my predecessors’ wishes are met. Of course, her coming here wasn’t a coincidence. Neither was Stanley getting her pregnant. We ruined your life in ways that would bring you here. Not that we had to try too hard—Stanley was more than happy to do it and didn’t even come back for his pay.”Isabel gasped, her breath hitching. “Wha—”“I beg you, Isabel.” Henry’s voice turned colder, almost bored. “Don’t speak until you’re spoken to. Now that I’m no longer pretending, I can admit—I never could tolerate you. Always rushing to do the right thing for the church, as if doing good has ever brought you good luck.”Leonardo stepped forward, his
A second of stunned silence stretched between them. Then, as if a trigger had been pulled, everyone moved at once. Ricardo’s hand flew to his gun. Leonardo stepped protectively in front of Arya. Dolores unsheathed a hidden dagger from her belt, while Isabel squared her stance, ready for a fight. Roberto cocked his pistol, finger already on the trigger. But Henry didn’t flinch. Instead, he smiled. And then—the ground shook. A deep, guttural rumble echoed through the underground chamber, vibrating up their legs. Dust rained from the ceiling. The ancient stone beneath their feet groaned, as if something massive had just shifted deep within the earth. For a fraction of a second, everyone hesitated. And that was all Henry needed. A single, sharp whistle left his lips. A sniper’s laser appeared—red and deadly—right over Arya’s forehead. Leonardo’s stomach dropped. “Ah-ah,” Henry tutted, raising a single finger. “You know, I’d really rather not get blood all over these nic
Arya, Leonardo, Ricardo, Roberto, Isabel, Dolores, and Penelope, along with several others, entered the underground hideout and saw that Henry had already opened a secret door.“He left the door open for us to follow him? He’s either an egotistical moron or just plain stupid,” Leonardo said.Isabel was horrified. “I never even knew about this secret door—right here, in the very room where I trained my girls.”“Henry comes from a line of corrupt priests, each one worse than the last. They’ve been pitting you all against each other for years. Of course, he knew more than he let on,” Ricardo said.Penelope placed a comforting hand on Isabel’s shoulder.Dolores didn’t pause—she kept moving through the secret passage, and the others followed. The walkway was dimly lit by old, slow-burning lanterns, their glass clouded with dust. Cobwebs hung in thick strands, untouched for what must have been decades. The walls were covered in strange symbols, a forgotten language carved into the stone.“I
Smoke and dust hung thick in the air, swirling through the ruined convent like ghosts mourning the dead. The scent of burning wood mixed with the coppery tang of blood. The once-pristine courtyard was unrecognizable—bodies lay strewn across the stone floor, habits stained red, fingers still curled around the weapons they had fought with. Bullet holes riddled the chapel walls, and shattered stained-glass windows cast fragmented colors onto the carnage below. Flames crackled in the distance, devouring part of the east wing, their light flickering like dying prayers. Arya stepped over a body, careful not to let her boots slip on the slickness of fresh blood. She felt Leonardo’s presence beside her, solid and tense. Roberto and Ricardo moved with weapons drawn, scanning for any remaining threats. But the battle, for now, had paused. The dead had no more fight left in them. And in the heart of it all stood Isabel. She was drenched in blood, her gray-streaked hair matted with sweat. A
The doctor finished his examination, checking Leonardo’s pulse, pupils, and responsiveness. He pressed against his wrist, watching the steady beat, then moved a small flashlight across his eyes. Leonardo tolerated the prodding in silence, though his body ached from days of inactivity. Finally, the doctor stepped back and exhaled. “He seems clean. The drug is out of his system.” Arya sagged, as if the weight she had carried for days had been lifted just enough for her to breathe again. Her hands, which had been gripping the sheets so tightly her knuckles turned white, finally loosened. “Thank you, Doctor,” she said, her voice raw. The doctor gave her a small nod. “He may still experience some lingering effects—fatigue, confusion, maybe even nightmares—but the worst of it is over. His body will adjust in time.” Leonardo listened, barely absorbing the words. His mind was already moving forward, pushing past the haze of the last few days. He had woken up and gone back under so