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He smiles and touches my cheek. "I appreciate your concern, darling, but this is something that we all know has to be dealt with."
Grateful for his words, I offer a faint smile, appreciating his consideration. However, I can't help but express my concern for their safety. "But at what cost?" I question quietly, my voice heavy with worry. "Is there another way, a path that doesn't involve so much danger?"
Xavier's allies exchange glances, understanding the weight of my words. "We know the risks, Mia," he says, his tone compassionate. "But sometimes, the only way out is to face the storm head-on. We'll take every precaution, every measure to minimize harm."
As he speaks, I can feel the fear churning in my stomach, thinking of the danger they're all putting themselves in. But I understand his words and know that this is a reality of their world. There's no escaping it. I want to help in any way I can, but I know that my involvement could only bring more danger to their already perilous situation. As such, I can only sit and watch as they strategize, trying to come up with a plan that would ensure their victory.
The conversation moves on to more specific details, but my mind wanders as I think about the potential consequences of their actions. The risks they're taking could change our lives forever, and it's a scary thought.
But still, I care about Xavier, and I care for Lucas and Antonio. Their passion for their work and the family is admirable. It's part of what drew me to them , that sense of adventure and danger they exude. So I steel myself, determined to stand by them no matter what.
The room falls silent as Xavier finishes speaking. An air of determination settles over the group as they each nod in agreement. It's a sobering realization that the danger they face is very real, but their resolve to protect their family and their way of life is stronger.
"We need to gather intel," someone says gruffly. "And we need to figure out who has been leaking information to them."
Xavier stiffens. "A leak? Are you sure?"
The man adopts a dry, unamused expression. "The police have become a problem, Xavier, you realize that, don't you?"
I do my best to try to follow the conversations, but most of what they say is lost on me. As I sit there, listening intently but feeling uneasy, I can't help but wonder if there's something else that I could be doing to help. Perhaps I could be gathering information or finding a way to infiltrate their rivals. But the reality of my limited abilities and knowledge of their world holds me back.
Xavier notices the doubt in my expression and reaches over to give my hand a reassuring squeeze. "You don't have to worry about this, love," he says in a calming tone. "We'll handle it."
I nod and try to put on a brave face, but the fear in my heart refuses to dissipate. How can they face such danger without any guarantee of coming out unscathed? But then again, I know that their courage is what makes them who they are.
"I know," I say, my voice barely above a whisper. "Just promise me you'll come back to me."
Just then, a man interrupts me, asking impatiently "Is there a problem here girl? Because the adults are talking and trying to get work done."
Xavier rises from his seat angrily and looks down at the man with a stern expression that, if I didn't know him as personally as I do, would have terrified me as much as it terrifies the man he's targeting.
"No," he says in an icy voice that sends chills through my body. "Mia is part of this family just like anyone else - her worries are our worries too. Should anyone disrespect her, they will answer directly to me and my people."
The man raises his hands up defensively as if expecting retaliation, but none comes. Instead the group continues their conversation without skipping a beat. I feel humbled by his protectiveness towards me which makes everything seem bearable even though danger looms very close by.
"Thank you," I murmur gratefully.
He grabs my hand and places a kiss on my knuckles. "I mean it. You're a Moretti, and no one can take that away from you."
No one?
37
MIA
Xavier says with a firm tone, "All right. Let's move on to the next topic of business." The weight of his words hangs in the air as everyone in the room shifts their focus.
A man standing near the door nods, acknowledging Xavier's command, and steps out briefly. Moments later, he returns, flanked by two other men. My eyes widen as I take in the sorry sight before me—one of the men being brought in appears to be in a pitiful state, their feet dragging beneath them.
As they are escorted closer, the full extent of his starved and beaten appearance becomes evident, causing a surge of shock and revulsion to engulf me. My heart sinks, appalled by the sight before me. It's a stark reminder of the brutality and darkness that exists within their world.
The man is led to a chair in the center of the room, his weakened state evident in every movement. I struggle to contain my emotions, finding it difficult to witness such cruelty inflicted upon another human being. The room falls silent, the weight of the situation palpable.
"He was found trying to break into the compound two months ago," one of the guards explain before reaching over and slapping the back of the man's head. "Time to talk, asshole."
"You already know everything," the man states, as his head jerks from the sudden blow. "Even if I knew anything, I would never tell you motherfuckers."
The guard looks around, uncertain of what to do next. At Xavier's nod, he unleashes another smack on the man's head, before turning away and looking toward his leader. The guard's eyes land on me immediately, before traveling to Xavier.
