Chapter 119 -
It was cold in the estate by the time dawn broke. The skies were grey and foggy outside.
Nia hadn't slept, and neither had Leo. They'd lain in his bed, wrapped around each other, but sleep never came. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Isadora in that chair, like a recurring and never-ending nightmare.
Leo's hand tightened around hers. He hadn't spoken in hours. He didn't need to. She felt everything in the way he held her.
A knock came at the door. It was Christian's.
“Leo. Dress up and meet us at the meeting room right now."
Leo swung his legs off the bed and headed for the bathroom. Some minutes later, he came out and dressed up while Nia went in. Once Nia was done, Leo stretched his hand reaching out for her, holding hers as they walked out of the room.
In the hallway, Nia felt the tension brimming even in silence. Guards moved cautiously with full alert, moving their eyes assertively as they spoke in hushed tones. Everyone knew. News traveled fast in a house like this.
The meeting room was already full when they arrived.
Don Emilio sat at the head of the long table. As usual, his cane which had now become his ride-or-die rested across his lap, his dark eyes fixed on the door as they entered. Christian stood by the window, while Micheal leaned against the far wall, holding a coffee cup in his hand, and dark circles visible under his eyes.
Nia's eyes found the table. She spotted maps all over the table, photos pinned to boards. Isadora's face stared back from three different angles, causing Nia's stomach to clench.
Leo pulled out a chair for her. She sat. He stood behind her, one hand resting on her shoulder.
Don Emilio spoke first.
"The girl."
Nia met his eyes.
"She's your family."
"Yes, she is.."
He nodded slowly. "Then we bring her back."
Christian stepped forward. "We hit every known location simultaneously. Full tactical. We're not taking any chances. We overwhelm them before they know we're moving."
Leo shook his head. "He's expecting that."
Christian's eyes narrowed. "Leo? This again? What do you suggest then? Negotiate?"
Leo's hand tightened on Nia's shoulder. "Yes, using her."
Silence filled the room. Christian's face hardened. "You're joking."
"She's what he asked for. She's what he's waiting for."
Christian slammed his hand on the table. Maps shifted, some cups rattled.
"You're sending her into his hands? After everything—after all the blood, after all the bodies—you're just going to hand her over?"
"I'm sending her in on our terms." Leo's Trackers sewn into her clothes. There's a panic button installed. Three extraction teams will be positioned within five minutes of every possible location. We've got backup protocols and emergency codes. Once she walks in, he’ll think he's won, and then… we’ll take him."
Christian let out a short and bitter laugh. "You think he won't check for trackers? You think he won't strip her down the second she walks through that door?"
"He won't if he thinks she came alone."
"And he'll think that why?"
Nia spoke. Her voice was steady.
"Because I'll tell him."
Christian looked at her for a long while with a frown.
"You're volunteering for this, huh?"
"She's my family."
"She's bait."
"So am I. It's not like you fancy me the most anyway."
“Wait, what?”
“Christian. Enough of this, please.”
Christian stared at her for a long moment. Then he turned back to Leo.
"This is insane. You're sending the woman you love into the hands of a man who wants to watch her die."
Leo's voice dropped. "I know what I'm doing."
"Do you?" Christian stepped closer. "Because from where I'm standing, it looks like you're so desperate to save her that you're willing to risk everything. Including her."
Micheal pushed off the wall. "Christian."
Christian ignored him, keeping his eyes on Leo. "What happens when something goes wrong? When the trackers fail? When the extraction team gets pinned down? When he puts a gun to her head and you're too far away to stop it?"
Leo's jaw tightened. "That won't happen."
"You don't know that."
"I know I'll die before I let it."
Christian shook his head slowly. "That's not a plan. That's a suicide pact."
Nia stood, facing him.
"I'm not going to die."
Christian looked at her.
"And neither is she." Her voice was quiet but firm. "So if you have a better idea, I'm listening. If not, step aside and let us work."
Don Emilio raised his hand and the room fell silent.
He looked at Nia. "You're willing to walk into that warehouse alone."
"Yes."
"Why?"
She met his eyes without flinching. "Because she waited for me when no one else did. Because she's the only person who never gave up on me. Because she's my family. Because she's my best friend, she means the whole world to me. My everything even."
The Don studied her for a long moment, then he nodded once.
"You have courage. I'll give you that."
He turned to Leo. "I'm giving you just three days. Three days, son. After that, I send my own people in, regardless of who's still standing."
Leo held his gaze. "Understood, Don."
The room began to clear. Team members filed out, whispers and the sound of their feet against the floor filling the space. Christian lingered by the door, tapping on the flood furiously. He looked at Leo, and then at Nia.
"If this goes wrong—"
"It won't."
“How are you sure about that?”
“One hundred percent, and one.”
Christian shook his head and walked out. Micheal paused beside Nia. Speaking with a low voice, he asked
"You sure about this?"
"If I'm being honest with you, I'm not."
He almost smiled. "Good. You should know certainty gets people killed. You can take time to consider your decision again."
“There's nothing left to consider, Micheal. But thanks for chipping in anyway.”
Micheal gave a tight-lipped smile and left too. Don Emilio stood slowly, leaning on his cane. He stopped beside Nia on his way out. His voice was quiet, meant only for her.
"My daughter was brave like you. She walked into rooms full of men twice her size and never flinched." He paused. "She trusted Leonardo with her life. Every single day."
He looked at her.
"So do I."
He walked out.
The door closed behind them, leaving Nia and Leo alone. She turned to him.
"We've got three days."
"Three days to pull this off." He pulled her close. His arms wrapped around her tight.
"I need you to promise me something."
"Anything."
She pulled back just enough to look at him. "If it comes down to me or him—if you have to choose—"
"No."
"Leo—"
"I said no, and that's final.” His voice came off harshly. "I'm not choosing anyone. I'm getting you both out, and that's it."
"You can't promise that."
"I can promise I'll die trying."
She touched his face. "That's what I'm afraid of."
"Don't ask me to choose," he whispered. "Because I can't."
"Then don't let it come to that."