Chapter 113 -
Three days later, Don Emilio had called for a meeting, which felt like a room waiting to explode.
The study doors were closed, curtains drawn halfway. Don Emilio sat at the head of the table, his cane resting across his lap. As usual, Leo stood to his right while Christian stood to his left. Micheal leaned against the bookshelf folding his arms. Two captains sat across from them. Nia remained near the wall, silently watching.
Christian finished outlining the convoy ambush again. Routes were altered twelve hours before departure, manifest sealed, and access restricted.
“Only captains and above were notified,” Christian said evenly.
The words settled like dust. One of the captains shifted in his chair slightly, but the other didn’t move.
Leo spoke calmly. “We have an internal leak.”
Micheal exhaled through his nose. “It could be someone of the lower level. Drivers talk. Guards talk.”
“The route change was encrypted and sent directly to command devices,” Leo replied. “It was never discussed in open channels.”
Don Emilio’s gaze moved across the table slowly. “Then we are dealing with betrayal.”
The word hung heavy.
One of the captains finally spoke. “With respect, Don, we’re all grieving. This isn’t the time to start turning on each other.”
Christian’s eyes flicked to him. “We've lost several men already. Of course, this is exactly the time.”
The captain held his stare. “All I’m saying is panic leads to mistakes.”
Leo’s voice remained even. “No one is panicking.”
The captain leaned back in his chair, and forced a nod.
The meeting dissolved into procedural adjustments, and when the captains were dismissed, the captain who had spoken earlier during the meeting paused near the door.
“For what it’s worth,” he said, looking at Leo, “whoever did this wants us fractured.”
Micheal pushed off the bookshelf as the captain left. “There’s something I didn’t want to say in front of them.”
Christian turned. “What?”
“One of the guards who survived the ambush. He’s been… off.”
Leo’s attention sharpened. “Off how?”
“He's been jumpy, avoiding eye contact, he's asked to be reassigned twice in the last twelve hours. That’s not shock… but fear.”
“Whats his name,” Christian said.
“Elias Romero.”
Leo didn’t hesitate. “Bring him immediately.”
➣➣➣
Romero was twenty-seven, but he looked way younger. They brought him to the smaller office downstairs first. Leo sat across from him, Christian stood behind, while Micheal stood near the door. Nia stayed in the corner quietly. Romero’s hands shook slightly.
“You survived,” Leo said calmly.
“Yes, sir.”
“You’re lucky.”
Romero swallowed. “Doesn’t feel like it.”
Christian’s voice cut in. “Walk us through it again.”
And he did. Leo listened without interrupting. When he finished, Leo leaned back slightly.
“You’ve requested reassignment.”
Romero’s eyes flickered. “I just— I need time.”
“Time for what?”
“For this to settle.”
Christian stepped forward. “Or time to run?”
Romero’s breathing hitched. “No, sir.”
Leo watched him closely. “Look at me.”
Romero hesitated.
“Look at me.”
He did.
“Did you know about the route change before departure?” Leo asked.
“Yes.”
“How?”
“It came through the secure channel. Like always.”
“Did you discuss it with anyone?”
“No.”
“Did anyone approach you about it?”
There was a long pause after that question.
“So someone did,” Christian said softly.
Romero’s eyes darted toward the door.
“You’re already in this room. Decide which side you’re on.” Leo cut in.
“I didn’t—” Romero’s voice cracked. “I didn’t mean for anyone to die.”
The room went still. Christian stepped forward fast, grabbing Romero’s collar and pulling him halfway out of the chair.
“What did you do?”
“I just confirmed timing!” Romero blurted. “That’s all!”
Christian’s grip tightened. Leo raised a hand, and Christian released him. Romero slumped back into the chair, breathing hard.
“Who did you confirm it to?” Leo asked.
Romero shook his head frantically. “They said if I didn’t—”
“Who?” Christian snapped.
Romero squeezed his eyes shut. “I don’t know his real name.”
“Then give me the one you do know.”
Romero hesitated. Leo leaned forward slightly. His voice lowered.
“If you stay silent,” he said, “you’re choosing them. And I promise you, they won’t protect you.”
Romero’s composure fractured.
“It wasn’t Valdez directly,” he whispered. “It was someone under him. A handler.”
“Name,” Christian demanded.
Romero’s voice trembled.
“Captain Victor.”
The words landed like a gunshot. No one moved. Nia felt the air leave the room. Leo didn’t blink.
“What?!” Christian exclaimed in a mix of shock and fury. “Please, continue.”
“He approached me two months ago. He said it was precautionary, that tensions were rising and we needed contingency channels. I thought it was sanctioned. I swear I thought it was internal.”
Christian’s voice was ice cold now. “You thought giving convoy timing to a ‘contingency channel’ was internal?”
“He said the Don knew!” Romero cried. “He said it was above my clearance!”
Leo finally spoke.
“Did you ever see him speak to the Don about it?”
Romero’s voice dropped to a whisper. “No.”
“Did you ever receive confirmation from anyone else?”
“No.”
“Then why,” Leo asked quietly, “did you keep doing it?”
Romero broke.
“They had pictures of my brother,” he sobbed. “He works at the docks. They said accidents happen. They said if I didn’t cooperate, he’d disappear.”
Christian’s jaw flexed.
“How many times?” Leo asked.
“Four shipments. Minor ones. I swear the convoy wasn’t supposed to be hit like that. He said it was just surveillance.”
Leo stood slowly.
Romero’s voice shrank. “Please. I’ll testify. I’ll give you everything. Just protect my brother.”
Leo looked at Christian. Christian nodded once.
“Lock him in holding,” Leo said calmly. “No contact. No calls.”
Guards entered and pulled Romero up. As he was dragged toward the door, he twisted back.
“He doesn’t know I’m talking,” Romero said desperately. “Victor doesn’t know.”
The door shut behind him. Micheal let out a slow breath.
“Eighteen years.”
Christian’s voice was tight. “I’ve known him since I was nineteen.”
Leo didn’t say anything. He stared at the closed door for a long moment. Nia stepped closer to him.
“You’re sure?”
“Yes.”
Christian moved toward the hallway.
“He’s in the west wing office.”
Leo nodded once.
“Bring him,” he said.
Christian paused. Leo’s eyes hardened.
“Now.”
Footsteps echoed down the hall. Nia’s heart pounded. Minutes later, heavier steps approached. The study door opened, and two guards entered first. Between them was… one of the captains who looked confused, and irritated more than afraid.
“What’s this about?” he asked, glancing between them. “You drag me out of my office like I’m a street thug?”
No one answered. Christian closed the door behind them. Leo walked to the center of the room. His voice boomed when he spoke.
“Have a seat, Captain Victor.”
Victor frowned. “Leonardo, if this is about that ridiculous leak theory—”
“Sit. How did you know this was going to be the bone of contention here?”
Something in his tone made Victor hesitate. Slowly, he lowered himself into the chair. The guards remained behind him. Victor looked from face to face.
“You’re making a mistake,” he said carefully.
Leo held his gaze.
“No,” he replied. “We’re correcting one.”
And then he turned to Christian.
“Take him downstairs.”