….. Leonardo felt the earth shake beneath him. Whatever happened, Arya must not die. “Go on”, he said. Doctor Lucy hesitated. “I…I don’t…”. “Go on, Doctor”, he said in a surprisingly calm tone. “It is not a cervical issue. Her case is very complicated and luckily, we brought the necessary equipments”. “Lucy, go straight to the point”, he was loosing his darn patience. “It’s a placenta abruption case. The placenta has detached from the uterine walls. This situation is both harmful for mother and children. She’s bleeding profusely and the babies can’t get oxygen”, she said. Leonardo was too stunned to speak. “How could this have happened?”, he had a hard time processing the news. “Shock must have caused it. I’m sorry, Don. We have to carry out a caesarean section on your wife. Otherwise, she won’t survive. Neither will the babies”, she said. “What the fuck do you mean caesarean section. It’s very risky”. “I’m sorry, Don. It’s the only way”, she said. “H
Leonardo stared at the woman on the surgical table in horror and fear? No, that was not possible. He had no fear. He was the Don. She was lying unconscious with an incision in her abdomen. He resisted the urge to push everyone out so he could hold her and keep her safe in his arms. His chest tightened and so did his fist. “Incision in the uterus”, he heard the doctor say. They already made the first incision and was going for the second. There was only too much he could take but he felt that if he took his eyes off her, she’d disappear. Tension was evident in the room as everyone held their breath. Leonardo’s heartbeat was the loudest sound he could hear, like a drum in a silent forest. He already had anxiety about the whole child birth situation but this only made it worse. The second incision was finished and he watched as they tried to bring the babies out. The nurse pushed on her abdomen lightly and he winced. It was traumatizing. There was no way he
The phone rang out but no answer. “There is only so much I can take in a day”, Carls ended the call in frustration. “Chill out. What is the problem now?”, Maria asked. There was a white powdery substance on her nose. “Don’t tell me to chill out, junkie. Our guy is not picking up. The Don must have caught him spying”, Carls said fearfully. “You call me a junkie and yet, you like my ideas”, Maria laughed. “You are a drug addict, no doubt. But you’re a much bigger psychopath. That is what I need you for”, he said. “I could say same for you”, she laughed and continued “The show must go on, regardless of who falls on the way to victory.” He felt attacked. “I won’t let you fall”, he said. Maria bursted into a fit of laughter and he stared at her in shock. “Do you think I am that stupid? I know you would drop me the very first chance you get as long as I’m no longer useful. I can’t blame you for that, Carls. Arya is having my Leonardo’s baby and it’s obvious he has gone
Rico watched the cabin from afar. He saw the guards protecting the cabin and he wondered where their spy could be. He decided to call Greg but he didn’t pick up. He wondered if the Don had caught him lurking around. His phone rang and he picked up. “What’s the update?”, Carls voice boomed from the other end of the call. “I just got here and I can’t find Greg”, Rico said. “Then get to work. We don’t need Greg”, Carls retorted. “Yes, boss.” “Good. I errr, I might be busy with stuffs but don’t hesitate to call me. I got a text from Greg a while ago. I tried calling back but he is not picking up”, Carls said. “Same here. I will give you updates, boss”, Rico said and Carls ended the call. Just as he tried to survey his surroundings, he heard a twig breaking not so far from him. He pulled out his gun. “Who’s there?”, he asked but there was no response. Just as he moved from the spot, he saw Greg standing at a distance. “Psst”, he said as he walked closer to Greg.
Arya! No. It could not be. Even though he believed it, his heart dropped to his stomach. He only just got her back. In his arms, his sister shook. It was obvious they both had same thoughts and fear. “Never mind, Don. One of the prisoners tried to escape”, a soldier said. His racing heart slowed down. “What is the problem?”, he asked. “It’s the Greg guy. Should we get rid of him now?”. He shook his head. He intended to get as much information as he could from them. Bianca sighed in relief. “Don’t worry too much. You know your health is still fragile”, he said and frowned in concern. “Like you were not worrying yourself. She’s just as important to me, you know. And so are the babies”, she retorted, trying to hide her tears. He held back his response so as to not hurt her feelings. “You do not have to worry anymore. They are alright now.” “For how long? How long before someone strikes again? I love Arya but she has changed you. I admire it too but these are dange
They got to the hospital and rushed Arya and the babies into their respective wards for thorough medical care. “What was that about, Dr?”, Leonardo pulled Doctor Lucy aside. “Calm down, Don. I think…..” “Don’t test me, Lucy. What was that about?”, he was slowly loosing his restraint. “I think whatever that is happening to her is a mental thing. Her hormones are all over the place right now not to mention her traumatic experiences. She’s okay. She just needs rest and lots of love right now”, Dr. Lucy said. “Are you sure about that?”, he asked. “Yes, Don.” Leonardo nodded and she left to tend to Arya. As he walked towards the room, he received a call. No caller ID. This should be interesting. “Who is this?”, he asked, picking up. “Hey, Don. It’s your love.” The voice was very familiar. He sighed. “Cut the crap, Maria.” “Crap? You call our love crap? I thought you were joking. I thought you wanted me to prove myself worthy of your love. Can you not see the length
“No. How could you say that? Never!”, Arya said. Leonardo turned to Rob. “Give us privacy.” Rob nodded and left the room. “Princess. I know I should not be asking you this but we don’t have a lot of time. Something big is coming and I want us to trash this issue once and for all”, he said and sat on the hospital bed. “I understand but there has to be another way”, she held her babies tightly as she cried. “We have no choice and there is no other way. I promise that nothing bad will happen to our babies. They’d be safe”, he said. They eyes met and she stopped crying. ******************* The couple quickly had to set their plan in motion. The just got to the cell building where Russo, Rico and Fin were held captives. She looked around as they walked into one of the cell. She recognized the man in chains. “I know this man. He works for my father”, she said. “Yes. He does”, Leonardo responded and kicked Rico’s face. “Oh, fuck!”, Rico cursed as he woke up. “Yo
Carls paced around in his secret establishment’s office. Maria had proven to be a bigger distraction than he would ever admit. He had to keep himself in line, in check, especially as he was this close to fulfilling his dreams. Bringing the Don to his knees. All he had to do was wait for Maria to return with the good news and it would be as easy as pie. Speaking of Maria, he admired her drive and mastermind. She knew what she wanted and was not afraid to go for it, no matter the cost. Too bad he had to get rid of her once the deal was done. This was the part of the plan he hated, waiting. He sat on his seat. Calling her in the moment was risky so he refrained from doing so. Rico was not picking up as well. They only had one shot and if they miss- Knock Knock! Yes!! The door opened and Maria stood there with an I-told-you-so smile on her face. “With a smile like that I can only say we were successful”, he started. “Extremely successful”, she said as she walked into the
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