Chapter 181 Wanted

Chapter 181 Wanted
Luca’s hands slammed against the table. His face was red, veins standing out on his neck.

“What do you mean burnt to the ground? Every single warehouse?” His voice cracked with fury.

De Luca, pacing back and forth like a caged lion, stopped abruptly and turned, eyes blazing. “I don’t care how it happened, Luca! Those warehouses were my lifeline! Do you know what this means? Money, supplies, leverage, everything gone! And it’s all your responsibility for not securing them properly!”

Luca’s fist shot up, nearly hitting De Luca.

“My responsibility? You think I don’t know that?! We both know this is more than just an accident! That fire… someone planned this! Someone is playing with us, and I don’t intend to take this lying down!”

Valentina, sensing the tension about to explode into violence, stepped quickly between them.

“Enough! Both of you! Stop before one of you kills the other! You’re letting your anger blind you!”

But before either could respond, the sharp ding of a notification cut through the room.

De Luca’s phone lit up, and he grabbed it instinctively. His face froze as he stared at the screen.

It was a news alert.

A large headline stared back at him:

“Wanted: De Luca – International Criminal and Fugitive”

His hands trembled, and for a moment, all the fire in his eyes dimmed, replaced by shock.

“What… how…?” His voice barely whispers.

Valentina’s sharp gaze shifted between the two men. “What is it?” she asked cautiously.

De Luca slammed the phone down on the desk, his face went pale. “The file… it’s out. Someone released it. The authorities… the Interpol… everyone knows.”

Luca’s anger faltered, replaced by a grim understanding.

He took a step back. “So… this is it. That file… it’s been released. Dante… he got to it first.”

De Luca’s jaw tightened, a bitter laugh escaping his lips. “Dante. That son of a—He’s dismantling everything we built.”

“Then we need a new plan, now. Fighting among ourselves won’t help. We have to regroup, rethink… or we’re done.” Valentina voiced out.

Luca’s fists clenched. “Regroup? There’s nothing to regroup! Dante’s coming for all of us, and the Moretti empire is burning!

And you, De Luca…” Luca’s glare sharpened. “You’ll pay for dragging me into this mess!”

De Luca’s eyes flared, the old feud between them reigniting. “Don’t you dare—”

“This isn’t the time for your pride. You have enemies, yes… but the real fight is outside this room. Do you understand me?” Valentina echoed loudly.

Luca’s fists unclenched. He leaned over the desk. “We need to move—now. Every warehouse, every safe house… we assume it’s compromised. Dante knows our every move. If we don’t act fast, we lose everything.”

De Luca’s lips pressed into a thin line. His mind raced. “Move… yes. But it’s not just Dante we have to worry about. Law enforcement is on high alert. Interpol already knows my name, my operations… every shipment, every contact.”

Luca’s gaze flicked to Valentina. “And you? Where do you stand in all this?”

Valentina’s lips curved into a small, controlled smile. “I stand where I’ve always stood, Luca. With the winner. And right now, the winner isn’t you… or De Luca. It’s Dante. But don’t worry—I know how to make sure this… situation works in our favor.”

Luca’s eyebrows shot up. “What are you talking about?”

Valentina stepped closer. “You think you control the game because you burn warehouses and send threats? No. The real game is the one nobody sees coming. Dante thinks he’s winning, doesn’t he? But I know how to make him lose. And I’ll make sure the Marino empire stands tall.”

De Luca’s nostrils flared with suspicion. “What are you planning, Valentina? Tell me, or don’t think I won’t cut you out of this before you do something stupid.”

Valentina chuckled softly. “Oh, I wouldn’t dream of it, De Luca. You just… sit back and watch. Let the fire burn itself out.”

Luca’s face darkened. “Don’t you dare play both sides.”

De Luca snapped his fingers at a nearby aide. “Alert the men. Double the security. Check every shipment, every warehouse. If Dante has agents inside, we flush them out today. I don’t care who gets caught, I don’t care how it ends.”

Luca leaned back in his chair, fists clenched again, his mind racing. “Once Dante’s empire is in ruins… I’ll deal with you De Luca.”

De Luca’s eyes narrowed, a bitter grin spreading across his face. “This isn’t over, not until every last Moretti is crushed and gone.”

Valentina’s smile widened slightly, barely noticeable.

She turned to the window. “You both are too busy fighting among yourselves to see the bigger picture. Dante is coming. And when he does, you’ll both realize… I’m the one who’s been in control all along.”

_________________

Isabella opened her eyes slowly and painfully, as if her body was dragging her back into consciousness against its will.

She suddenly realized she wasn’t alone.

A small movement beside her made her stiffen. Another body.

“Sofia…” Isabella croaked, her voice cracked and raw.

Sofia stirred immediately. “Izzy?” Her voice shook, relief and fear colliding in one breath. “Oh God. You’re awake.”

Isabella forced her eyes open fully.

They were tied together back to back.

Isabella inhaled sharply.and then anger flared, hot and sudden, cutting through the pain.

“What are you doing here?” she snapped, trying to twist enough to look at Sofia.

“Why did you come here?”

Sofia flinched at the tone. “Izzy—”

“No.” Isabella’s voice rose despite the ache in her chest. “No, Sofia. You were supposed to stay away. You were supposed to be safe.”

“I couldn’t just sit there!” Sofia shot back, her own fear spilling into frustration. “It was my fault.”

Isabella hissed. “Why would you think so?”

Isabella squeezed her eyes shut. “You had no reason to be dragged into this.”

Sofia laughed weakly, the sound edged with tears. “No reason? They already ruined my life. My mother. Everything around us is already blood and lies.”

“That doesn’t mean you run into the fire,” Isabella snapped. “It means you stay alive.”

“And let you die alone?” Sofia demanded. “Never.”

Isabella’s chest tightened painfully.

“You’re so stupid,” Isabella muttered, her voice shaking now. “So unbelievably stupid.”

Sofia leaned her head back gently until it rested against Isabella’s shoulder blade. “Then I learned from the best.”

Isabella let out a shaky breath, anger dissolving into something raw and helpless.

“They beat me,” she whispered. “Valentina… she didn’t hold back.”

Sofia went still. Her breathing changed. “I know,” she said softly. “I saw the marks when they dragged me in. I wanted to kill her.”

Isabella’s jaw clenched. “You shouldn’t be here, Sofia.”

“I know,” Sofia replied quietly. “But I’m not sorry.”

Isabella’s throat burned.

“What if they kill us?” Isabella asked, the question slipping out before she could stop it.

Sofia didn’t answer immediately.

Then she said, very softly, “Then at least we won’t be alone.”

Isabella shook her head weakly. “I was trying to protect everyone. My mother. Marco. You.”

“You don’t get to decide that alone,” Sofia interrupted gently. “You never did.”

Isabella laughed once, broken and humorless. “Look at us now.”

“Look at us,” Sofia echoed. “Still breathing.”

Isabella leaned her head back slightly, as much as the ropes allowed. Her eyes burned.

“I hurt him,” she said. “I destroyed him.”

Sofia turned her head just enough that her cheek brushed Isabella’s arm. “And he still loves you. Men like him don’t stop loving.”

Isabella closed her eyes.