CHAPTER 78 — TIDE OF POWER
CHAPTER 78 — TIDE OF POWER
DONOVAN’S POV
The yacht cut through the Mediterranean waves heading south toward our family’s private compound on the Amalfi Coast.
Violet sat beside me on the deck, wrapped in one of my coats, watching the sun set over the water while George rested below decks under Alistair’s care.
Laura stood at the helm with Rico, her hands were steady on the wheel as she navigated through the growing darkness.
She’d explained everything while we’d pulled away from Milan and told us how she’d been working as a double agent for years, gathering information on Marco’s operations while building her own network of loyal allies.
“He’s been planning this takeover for a decade,” she said without turning around. “Every move your family made, every business deal you struck, he always had eyes on it all. He even had people inside the hospital, feeding him information about George’s condition.”
Alistair joined us on deck, removing his blood-stained medical suit and rolling up his sleeves.
“I should have seen it,” he said quietly. “The way some of the nurses avoided my questions, how supplies went missing right before they were needed and I was so focused on keeping George stable that I missed the signs.”
“You weren’t supposed to see them,” Laura said finally turning from the wheel. “Marco’s good at what he does, he's almost as good as your father was at hiding things.”
Violet stood up, walking to the rail and gripping it tight.
“What about my mother?” she asked, her voice sounding over the sound of the waves.
“Will she ever come back?”
Laura looked at her for a moment with a kind of expression I can't put a finger on, “I don’t know,” she said honestly but with an hesitation as if she doesn't want to respond.
“She believes in Marco’s vision and thinks merging the families will bring peace to the city. She doesn’t see that he just wants power for himself.”
I moved behind Violet, wrapping my arms around her waist and pulling her back against my chest. She leaned into me, her body fitting perfectly against mine like it was made to be there.
“Whatever happens,” I whispered in her ear, my lips brushing her neck, “we’ll face it together.”
She turned in my arms, her eyes searching mine in the fading light.
“Even if it means going against your father?”
I didn’t hesitate. “Especially then. He’s let pride and power blind him for too long. We can build something better that actually protects people instead of just controlling them.”
Alistair stepped forward, his hand resting on Violet’s shoulder.
“We already have the foundation,” he said. “The projects you’ve been working on the community centers, the affordable housing, the clinics, I think that’s what the Gray Circle was supposed to be about before greed took over.”
Damien emerged from below decks, carrying a bottle of whiskey and glasses.
“Then let’s make it real,” he said, pouring drinks and handing them out.
“To new beginnings. To family, the one we choose, not the one we’re born into.”
We clinked glasses, the sound loud against the rhythm of the waves.
But even as we toasted, I could see the tension in each of their faces, we all knew this peace wouldn’t last long. Marco would come for us, and when he did, we’d have to be ready.
That night, as the yacht anchored in a hidden cove, I found Violet on the deck again, staring up at the stars. I joined her, wrapping a blanket around both of us as we sat together on the cold teak wood.
“Tell me more about her,” she said suddenly. “Laura. I know she meant something to all of you.”
I sighed, pulling her closer. “She was… everything. I was in love with her and I found out that even my brothers were all in love with her even though I hated it."
"But, we all love her in our own ways. I know that Alistair wanted to build a life with her with quiet life with kids and a house in the country. Damien wanted to be Damien, to sweep her away on adventures, show her every corner of the world. And I…”
“You wanted to protect her,” Violet finished for me, her hand resting on my chest over my heart.
“More than anything,” I admitted.
“When we thought she was dead, a piece of me died too. But seeing her that night in my father's house and seeing how strong she’s become, I realize I was trying to protect someone who didn’t need it. Just like I’ve been trying to protect you.”
"But I regretted not protecting her from my father, but I promise to always protect you." I said solemnly
She turned to face me, her eyes dark with emotions.
“I don’t need to be protected, Donovan. I need to be trusted and I need you to let me stand beside you, not behind you.”
I cupped her face in my hands, my thumbs brushing her cheekbones.
“I trust you,” I said, my voice thick with feeling. “More than anyone I’ve ever known.”
Our kiss started slow, gentle, a promise of what could be.
But as the tension of the day melted away, the kiss deepened, becoming hungry and urgent. I laid her back on the deck with the blanket soft beneath her as I pressed kisses down her neck, across her collarbone while feeling as she shivers beneath my touch.
“Are you sure?” I asked, pulling back to look into her eyes.
She nodded, her hands tangling in my hair as she pulled me back down to her. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.”
We made love under the stars with the yacht rocking gently beneath us, the sound of the waves a constant rhythm to our passion.
She was warm and soft against me and I love as her body's responding to every of my touch and every of my kiss, like she’d been waiting for this moment to happen again after the last time. When we finally collapsed together, breathless and sated, she rested her head on my chest, her fingers tracing circles on my skin.
“I love you,” she whispered, so quiet I almost didn’t hear it.
I held her tighter, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “I love you too, Violet. More than words can say.”
Just then, the yacht’s alarms blared to life, red lights flashing across the deck. Rico’s voice came over the intercom, sharp with urgency.
“Boss! We’ve got company, multiple vessels are approaching fast, and they’re not answering hails!”
I pulled on my pants and helped Violet dress quickly, both of us moving with a practiced efficiency now.
By the time we reached the bridge, Alistair, Damien, and Laura were already there, studying the radar screen as multiple blips closed in around us.
“Marco,” Damien said grimly, pulling out his weapon and checking the magazine.
“He must have tracked us through the tunnel network.”
Laura’s hand moved to the controls, her jaw set.
“We can outrun them to the compound,” she said. “It’s fortified and we’ll be safe there.”
Alistair stepped forward, his face set with determination.
“No,” he said firmly. “We don’t run anymore. We should face him head-on, and end this once and for all.”
I looked at Damien, seeing the same resolve in their eyes that burned in Alistair's. We’d spent too long hiding and letting others dictate the terms of our lives.
“Steer us toward the open water,” I said to Laura. “Damien, get the weapons ready. Alistair, get George to the safe room below. Violet… stay close to me.”
She smiled, but there was steel in her eyes. “Always.”
As we prepared for battle, I pulled Violet aside one last time, pressing a quick, hard kiss to her lips.
“Whatever happens,” I said, “know that you’ve changed us all. You’ve given us something worth fighting for.”
She kissed me back, her hand resting on my cheek. “Then let’s fight for it together.”
The first shots rang out just as we cleared the cove, tracer fire cutting through the darkness like red lightning.
I pulled Violet behind cover as Damien returned fire from the stern, his movements was precise, Alistair emerged from below the decks with his medical supplies and moving calmly through the chaos to tend to any injuries.
And Laura stood at the helm, she's weaving the yacht through incoming fire with the skill of a born professional, her eyes never leaving the enemy vessels closing in on us from all sides.
As the battle raged around us, I held Violet close, knowing that whatever came next, we’d face it as one.