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Stepping forward, I let my words carry the full force of my promise. "Tell your father Pia isn't returning to the Mendoza family. Not now. Not ever."
I turn on my heel, leaving the room with Darrel close behind. Before I knock on Pia's door, I whisper instructions to Darrel, who nods in understanding. Tapping lightly, I prepare to re-enter Pia's world, a sanctuary from outside chaos.
Pia's eyes, filled with innocent curiosity, meet mine as I close the door behind us. Her sweet, unassuming smile betrays no knowledge of the storm beyond these walls. With a resolve fueled by the events she's unaware of, I cross the room and draw her into a fierce embrace. My kiss, laden with urgent need, declares my claim over her—she is mine and no one else's.
Breathless from the intensity, she attempts to regain her composure, but I'm adamant, pulling her close again. "Pack whatever you have here. You're moving to my room now, where I can ensure your safety," I tell her, my voice brooking no argument.
Her glare is defiant. "Now? Protect me? This place is already a fortress," she counters, skeptical of the necessity.
"There's been a change. Your brother Gerald was here." I watch closely for her reaction.
The color drains from her face, her reaction visceral, and in that moment, I sense a deeper turmoil within her—a fear that goes beyond the mere presence of her family. "Pia, baby, he's not going to take you away. I promised you protection, and I've also made my stance clear to him." I pause. "Unless you want to see him."
Her retreat is swift, a physical manifestation of her terror at the mention of her brother. "No! I don't want to see him." Her voice is laced with panic.
"Then you won't have to," I assure her, my words a steady anchor in the tumult that threatens to engulf her.
I suggest we begin packing, and she complies without further objection. "There's not much to pack," she admits, and together, we transfer her belongings to my room—a silent declaration of my commitment to her safety.
Once settled, I hold her close, reassuring her that I'm not allowing any harm to befall her. "I'll be back soon. Stay here until I, or one of my men, come for you," I instruct, my promise hanging heavily between us.
My resolve solidifies as I leave her in the hastily cobbled sanctuary. Whatever the cost, I'm determined to shield her from the threats outside that door, these walls, and this country. Pia's safety and freedom have become my paramount concern, a mission that I accept with a ferocity that surprises even myself.
As I re-enter the room, Don Melchor is silhouetted against the window, a drink in his hand, lost in thought. Viktor and Joshua quietly take positions behind me, the door clicking shut to seal our conversation within.
Don Melchor faces me, concern etching his features. "Marco, what has gotten into you?" The question stirs heat within me, my skin tingling with defiance and revelation. "Have you fallen for Miss Mendoza?" he probes, reading my silence as an admission.
I interrupt before he can voice another warning. "Don't finish that thought. I don't want it hanging over us."
He sighs, shifting gears. "Then what's the plan? We're staring down the barrel of an assassination attempt and now, potentially, a war at our doorstep. We don't have the resources to tackle both."
He pauses, his gaze flickering to Viktor in a moment of unspoken communication. "Las Águilas Nocturnas may not be as invincible as you think. Perhaps you have underestimated the local cartels."
"I wouldn't make the mistake of underestimating anyone," I counter, moving to stand closer. "Tell me, how did one of our operatives end up not just killed but beheaded?"
Viktor steps forward, grimly expressing his regret. "Señor Marco, it was an unfortunate lapse. The operative, new to fieldwork, failed to cover their tracks effectively, leading to their capture and execution."
"Let this serve as a harsh lesson," I say, ensuring the situation is understood. "We tighten our protocols immediately."
Viktor shares more details about the assassination plot, and a strategy begins to form. With a nod from Don Melchor, we agree: Viktor, with Las Águilas Nocturnas, will spearhead the response, while Luna Sangrienta and my men will provide support.
As the meeting disperses, I ask Joshua and Darrel for a moment alone with Don Melchor. Facing the window, I note the increased guard presence outside. "You need to find the mole," I state bluntly, turning to meet his gaze.
He finishes his drink, and his nod is heavy with acknowledgment. "As impossible as I want to believe this to be the case. I must confess, this is highly plausible."
"I'll have my men sweep the property. If it's not a mole, you've been compromised in another way," I assure him, already plotting our next move.
Before leaving, I pause at the door. "From now on, anything concerning Pia goes through me. She's under my protection."
Joining Joshua and Darrel outside, we chose the relative safety of the open air beneath the tree where Pia and I shared a moment of connection earlier. "All right, what do we have?" I ask, ready to piece together the puzzle.
Joshua begins. "Regarding Miss Mendoza…" I listen intently, hanging on every detail.
As Joshua concludes his briefing, I focus on Darrel, who picks up without hesitation. "I've made all the necessary arrangements. Everything is in motion, but there's a snag. Due to her age, Miss Mendoza's departure requires her parents' approval."
The information throws me off balance. "She's a legal adult," I counter, struggling to mask my frustration.
"Yes," Darrel agrees, "but due to your foreign status here, it's a stipulation we can't easily bypass."
