Chapter 143: Fighting back

ARYA’S POV

Dante's cries woke me from a restless sleep, I didn’t know whether to thank him or break down in tears myself.

But I was on my feet instantly, moving to his bassinet on autopilot. "Shh, baby. It's okay. Mama's here."

I could tell instantly that he was hungry, his little face scrunched up and red. I lifted him, settling into the rocking chair to nurse him.

"Good morning, sweet boy," I murmured, stroking his soft hair. "I hope you didn’t cry for long?”

He latched into my nipple, sucking greedily and I chuckled at his enthusiasm.

His hair was getting longer by the day and the only thing I was grateful for was that he had more than enough necessities for his personal needs.

Dante’s skin was soft and smooth, his hair was silky black and I admired the roundness of his cheek. But I couldn’t ignore the dimness in his eyes, like he also knew we were in danger.

“Baby,” I whispered. “I don’t know what to-“

The door burst open and Marco walked into the doorway.

He was already dressed and his face was scrunched into a frown. "We need to leave now."

"What!?” I screeched, jumping to my feet. “But we still have two days left.”

He scowled at me. "The plans have changed. Get dressed.” His glare was now directed at Dante. “We leave in twenty minutes."

Panic seized me. "Marco, wait!"

"Twenty minutes, Arya. Don't make me drag you out of here in your pajamas."

He turned to leave, but I stood, still holding Dante, desperate to buy more time.

"Please, just listen to me for a minute." I tried to keep my voice calm. "You don't have to do this. My father would understand you. If you went to him, apologized and explained-"

Marco spun back around, his face twisted with rage. "Explain what? That I've been working against him for years? That I shot him and left him to die?"

I flinched again. My fingers curled into a fist, I had a suspicion that he was behind my father’s attack but hearing him say it so casually…

So I forced a smile on my face. "He might forgive you if you bring me with you and-“

In three strides, he was across the room, his hand wrapping around my throat.

"Shut up." His voice was low and deadly. "I don’t want to hear about your father or forgiveness. I want nothing to do with that weak, pathetic family."

I couldn't breathe or even speak. Dante was crying between us, and all I could do was stare into Marco's eyes and see a stranger.

"In fact," Marco continued, his grip tightening, "the Riveras are planning to strike the Vitales next and finish what I started.”

His lips curled into a sardonic grin. “Imagine that. Your whole family being wiped out. And I'm going to watch it happen from somewhere sunny and far away."

He released me abruptly, and I staggered back, gasping. Dante's cries had escalated to screams now, sensing my distress.

"What did they offer you?" The words came out hoarse. "The Riveras. What could possibly be worth all this?"

Marco's eyebrows rose. "Oh, you know about that? Been snooping, have we?"

"What did they offer you?" I repeated.

He smiled then. "Offer? They didn't offer me anything. I'm not just a member of the Rivera family, Arya.” He stepped closer. “I'm one of the original founders. Second-in-command. I've been building this alliance for years, long before you can even think of it."

The room spun. "You… you're a Rivera?"

"By choice, not blood. But yes." He moved closer, and I backed against the wall. "Everything I've done, it was all part of a larger plan. And it worked beautifully."

My body stiffened as horror washed over me. This man… No, this monster has been part of my life since childhood.

He had been planning destruction and death while smiling at family dinners and pretending to be my friend.

"You're insane," I whispered.

"I'm ambitious. There's a difference." He turned toward Dante, whose screams had reached a fever pitch. "And that baby needs to shut up before I shut him up. "

I shoved him hard. It wasn't smart but the threat toward my son overrode every survival instinct.

Marco stumbled back, more from surprise than force. Then his hand flew up and connected with my face.

“Arrgh?” I screamed. The slap sent me reeling. I tasted blood, my cheek exploding with pain.

"Five minutes," Marco said coldly. "Get dressed, get the baby ready and come downstairs. Or I drag you both out as you are."

He left, slamming the door behind him. “Stupid bitch.” I heard him mutter before the door closed behind him.

I stood there, shaking, one hand pressed to my burning cheek while Dante screamed in my arms.

This was it. This was the moment.

If I got in that car with Marco, we were dead. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but eventually.

He would take us to South America, keep me prisoner, and one day, when I was no longer useful or became too much trouble, he would get rid of both of us.

I had to act now.

I laid Dante in his bassinet, whispering soothing words even as my hands shook. Then I reached under the mattress and pulled out the gun.

It felt heavy in my hand but also like salvation.

I checked it the way I used to do and released the magazine. There were still two bullets still there so I sighed in relief and clicked it back into place.

Two shots. That was all I had. I had to make them count.

I tucked the gun into the waistband of my pajama pants, pulling my sweater down to cover it. Then I quickly changed into jeans and a loose shirt, moving quickly.

Dante had calmed slightly, exhausted from crying. I dressed him in warm clothes, my hands steadier now that I had a plan.

"I'm going to protect you," I whispered, pressing a kiss to his forehead. "No matter what happens, I'm going to keep you safe."

I picked him up, the gun a constant pressure against my back, and headed downstairs.