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
Leonardo felt the palpable anger radiating from the crown of Arya’s head. He could sense the sadness lurking beneath it, and he was prepared to endure her fury if it meant providing her with the comfort she so desperately needed. Rob walked silently behind them, his expression pensive as they made their way to the car. “I can’t believe Isabel played me like this. Why would she betray me?” Arya’s voice was filled with disbelief and frustration. Leonardo sighed, searching for the right words. “I wish I knew, Arya. I haven’t had the chance to go through the files myself to gather more information.” Arya pulled away from his embrace, her expression tight. “What are you even doing here?” “I was nearby and thought you might need some extra help,” he replied, his voice steady. Rob walked ahead of them, heading towards the car with a focused demeanor. “Despite everything I told you? I had it under control,” she said, her irritation simmering just beneath the surface. Leonard
Arya could hardly believe Isabel’s audacity. Her voice trembled with anger as she glared at the Mother Superior. “Don’t sit there on your high horse, pretending you don’t know what I’m talking about.” Isabel sighed, placing her reading glasses delicately on the table. “I get that you’re the wife of a very powerful man, a Don, but Arya, I don’t need to hear about the issues in your marriage. I have done nothing wrong, and I genuinely have no idea what you’re accusing me of.” Arya recoiled, taken aback by the indifference in Isabel’s tone. “What? Why would you say that?” “Why shouldn’t I?” Isabel responded sharply, her expression unreadable. Arya narrowed her eyes, studying Isabel's face. “No. Why would you assume this was about my marriage, Isabel? What makes you think that’s what I came here for?” Isabel raised an eyebrow, her mouth curling in a faint, mocking smile. “Oh, it’s not? Then I’m truly sorry for the misunderstanding. But tell me, Arya—what exactly are you accusi
Leonardo walked into the room to find everyone already seated, waiting expectantly. He took his seat, and Rob slid a few files across the table. “These are all we could gather, boss. I double-checked—it’s everything they had,” Rob said, his tone firm. Leonardo picked up the files, scanning through them quickly. Setting them back down, he looked up, addressing the room. “Someone is playing a twisted game with my wife. She suspects it might be the Mother Superior, but I’m not convinced,” he began, his voice steely. Rob tensed beside him. Usually, they didn’t discuss these matters openly, especially with others around. But Rob must have trusted Leonardo’s judgment since he didn’t attempt to question it. “Of course, we don’t suspect any of you,” Leonardo added, glancing around the table. “We trust you all completely, especially after the support you’ve shown. And if we need further assistance, we’ll reach out.” He nodded at Ricardo, who took the cue. “You heard the Don. We
By the time they finished work, dusk had settled over the city, casting long shadows across the streets. “I need to get back to the cabin,” Leonardo said, gathering his things. “My wife’s there, and we’ll wrap things up once we’re back.” He knew Arya had gone to the convent earlier to confront Isabel, and although his instincts told him she was safe, a faint sense of urgency nagged at him. Working here, dealing with everything else, had given her space, but he couldn’t help wanting to check in on her. Behind him, Ricardo and Rob were in yet another argument, voices rising and falling as they debated. Leonardo had long since learned to tune them out. Instead, he let his thoughts wander. Spending most of his childhood alone, with only the company of books he’d memorized cover to cover, he’d become accustomed to living inside his mind, finding peace there. But something shifted. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a flicker of movement, something or someone moving too delib
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