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
Arya couldn’t believe what she was seeing. The scene in front of her felt surreal—too much to process. She barely registered the ringing of her phone and glanced down to see Lima's name flashing on the screen. Without hesitation, she declined the call and turned her focus back to the unexpected visitors in front of her. "How did you find us?" Leonardo's voice cut through the thick tension. "Did you follow?" Isabel, standing tall with a handful of nuns by her side, offered a calm smile. "Of course not, Don Marcello. We know this place better than anyone. We’ve been here long before you arrived." Arya’s eyes narrowed. "That doesn’t explain how you tracked us down so quickly." Isabel’s expression softened, almost maternal. "Arya, you know more than most. You’ve seen the truth beneath the surface. I promise, we’re not here to fight. But we have something urgent to discuss." Bianca, ever practical, cut in, her voice sharp with suspicion. "How did you even get past the terrorist
They all sat in the empty cabin where the nuns had just finished praying, the atmosphere still thick with the scent of incense and a lingering sense of reverence. Isabel, standing at the center, glanced at each of them with a heavy heart before clearing her throat. "Like I said earlier, Don," she began, "we need your help. Our fight with La Hermandad de la Estrella has roots that stretch back for decades. But the real issue here isn't just old rivalries—it’s something much more personal for your family, Leonardo. Your wife’s mother played a vital role in this conflict. In fact..." she paused, choosing her words carefully, "she might have been the one who set everything in motion." Arya frowned, feeling a knot form in her stomach. "Adriana? But you always spoke of her as brave and good. How could she be the one to start a war?" Isabel sighed, the weight of decades pressing on her shoulders. "I know it’s hard to believe, and it doesn’t erase the good that she did. But people
Isabel had to get rid of the body, ASAP! Isabel stared at the lifeless body for a moment, her mind racing. She could burn it in the furnace, scatter the ashes in the woods—or bury it. One thing was certain: she wouldn’t burden Adriana with the details. “Come, my child, let's get you cleaned up," she said softly, taking Adriana's hand and leading her away from the scene. Isabel was grateful she had the only key to the cathedral's back door. No one would discover the body before she returned. Time was on her side—for now. She guided Adriana into her private bathroom, one she shared with the Mother Superior. “Hurry, take off that nightdress and shower,” she instructed, her voice steady, despite the weight of the situation. Adriana, silent and pale, nodded obediently. As the young woman stepped under the icy water, Isabel picked up the blood-soaked garment, carefully placing it into a disposable bag. She glanced at Adriana—her hands trembling under the cold stream. The water w
“It’s been days, and we still haven’t heard from the priest,” Mother Superior said, her voice tight with frustration. “He might’ve gone somewhere quiet,” Chris, the priest’s assistant, suggested, though the uncertainty in his tone was unmistakable. “Where could be quieter than here? Have you checked the graveyard again?” Mother Superior asked, her eyes narrowing as she peered over her glasses. “Yes, Mother. Same result,” Chris responded, though his voice lacked conviction. “I don’t understand. How could he just vanish without a word?” Mother Superior pressed, pacing slightly. “I wish I knew, Mother. The last time I saw him, he was in an unusually excitable mood. He could hardly wait for me to leave the cathedral, eager to be alone,” Chris said, a shadow of confusion crossing his face. Isabel clenched her fists under her habit. That’s because he was preparing to violate a teenager. The words burned in her throat, but she swallowed them back, suffocating under the weight o
By the fourth week since the priest’s disappearance, Isabel’s unease deepened as the police swarmed the church, questioning the nuns and those close to him. Now, it was Adriana’s turn to face the scrutiny, and Isabel held her breath, recalling their earlier conversation. “We need a story,” Isabel had insisted. Adriana looked pale and exhausted. “What do I tell the cops?” “Tell them you helped me put the youngsters to bed, then assisted with the manure disposal before freshening up in my bathroom and heading to bed,” Isabel suggested, trying to sound confident. Given Adriana's illness, her questioning would likely be brief, but Isabel wanted her prepared for anything. “Fine,” Adriana replied, resting her head in her hands. Watching her suffer for defending herself tore at Isabel’s heart. It was tragic that it had come to this; murder was a grave matter, especially the murder of a priest. “Good. I’ll be right here during the questioning. Remember, don’t show any emot
Isabel’s heart plummeted. Had Claire been eavesdropping the whole time? A wave of disbelief and fear rushed through her veins. If Claire had overheard, they’d be left with only two options: silence her or run before she exposed them. “It’s not what you think,” Isabel said, standing quickly, trying to sound calm. Claire raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Because I saw you being quite affectionate with the orphan. Isn't that against the rules?” Isabel’s pulse slowed with a small sigh of relief. Claire hadn’t heard the conversation; she only saw the embrace. “It is, but only between fellow nuns. Not the children. I’ve raised Adriana from when she was just a baby. Sometimes the motherly instincts take over.” Claire rolled her eyes, clearly uninterested. “Right. Well, you’re lucky this time. I swear, if the Mayor funded the police properly, we wouldn’t have to rely on nuns to do our job.” She gave a dismissive wave. “Have a good day.” As the door shut behind Claire, Isabel turned to see A
By this time, Isabel and Dolores were both in their thirties and twenties respectively. They share a history that go back to their childhood and teenage years. Dolores’ mother, Lily, was the madame at La Hermandad de La Estrella at the time. They used to be close but now all that remained between them was trauma and hate. She fought back the tears and walked closer. Their voices were low, but Isabel could hear fragments of the conversation. Adriana spoke with a passion Isabel hadn’t seen in her before. "You don’t understand," Adriana whispered fiercely. "I can’t stay here. This place is a prison. I don’t want to be a nun, I want... I want something more." Dolores stepped closer, her voice like a serpent’s hiss. "And you shall have more. You have power within you, Adriana, power the convent has tried to suppress. You belong with us. when La Hermandad de la Estrella will give you the freedom you crave. We will give you purpose. But if I may ask, what exactly is your reason? 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