Chapter 159

Chapter 159
"Is everyone in position?" Rafael's voice sliced the tense air like a knife as his eyes scrutinised the dimly lit industrial warehouse ahead.

Detective Marcus adjusted his earpiece. "Yes. My team has got the perimeter covered. When they hand over Luca, we move in."

Rafael's jaw clamped down as he turned to Alexander and Liam. Both of them stood close, their faces taut and resolute. For once, they had the same purpose in mind.

Alexander shifted weight. "This better work. If anything happens to Luca-"

"It won't," Rafael cut in. His tone was final. "We will get my son back tonight."

"Your son?" Alexander sneered. "Don't forget Bernice's stake in this thing. She is the only one here holding things together while you play the hero."

Rafael's eyes darkened. "This isn't the time for petty arguments. Luca's life is at stake."

Liam's voice cut in them, raising a hand. "Enough. We focus on the rescue. Settle your issues later."

There was no sound for a moment, but for the distant thrum of the city, blocks and blocks from the warehouse district. Rafael breathed deep and leaned the weight of Alexander's words back onto a mental backshelf because he didn't have room for them right now.

Marcus' voice crackled through their earpieces. "They're here."

All eyes fixed on the oncoming van whose headlights cut across the dark. The vehicle rolled to a stop, and two masked men emerged-one holding Luca.

Rafael's heart clutched. Luca's small figure seemed so fragile in the kidnapper's grasp. His son's wide, tear-filled eyes met his, firing up an inferno within him.

Alexander tensed beside him. "Let's move."

"Not yet," Marcus ordered. "We need to wait for the exchange."

Rafael's fists curled. Every second that passed was like an eternity.

One of them finally spoke, his voice loud across the clearing, heavy. "You have what we asked for?"

Rafael took another step, a duffel bag clutched above his head. "It's all here. Let my son go."

He nodded at his friend. Luca was let loose, the tiny legs of the young boy moving as fast as they could. The small voice cut the air with, "Uncle! Did my mommy send you?”

Rafael broke from the line, rushing toward his son. He scooped Luca into his arms, clutching him tightly. "Yes, I’ve got you, Luca. You’re safe now."

Chaos then erupted before relief could fully set in.

"Move in!" Marcus yelled as his team invaded the scene.

The kidnappers were all over the place running, one towards the van and the other on foot. Shots were fired by the officers running after them.

Alexander and Liam immediately pursued a running guy. Alexander tackled him on the ground while Liam pinned his arms.

"You're going nowhere!" Alexander growled furiously.

The man fought but went still when Liam planted a knee in his back. "Stay down!"

Rafael wheeled to Marcus, still holding Luca tight. "Did you get them all?”

Marcus nodded. "We've got one in custody. The others scattered, but we'll track them down."

Alexander dragged the captive kidnapper over, pressing him to his knees at Rafael's feet. "Who sent you?!”

The man snarled and didn't say a word.

"Answer me!" Alexander shouted, shaking his fists.

Liam placed a hand on Alexander's shoulder. "He won’t talk here. Let Marcus handle it."

Rafael met the kidnapper’s gaze, his voice low but deadly. "You’ll regret crossing me. This isn’t over."

The man’s defiance wavered for a moment before Marcus’s team hauled him away.

With the immediate danger subdued, Rafael turned his attention back to Luca, who buried his face in Rafael’s neck. "It’s okay, buddy. You’re safe."

Alexander stepped forward, his face softening at the sight of Luca. "How is he?"

"He's in shock, but he'll be okay," Rafael responded with a voice husky with emotion.

"Good." Something flickered in Alexander's gaze that Liam was too tired to identify. 

Alexander stepped backward.

Liam let out a deep, weary sigh, looking between the two men. "Let's go get Bernice. She needs to see him."

Rafael nodded as they started to head toward the mansion.

Bernice stood at the balcony, hugging herself, her gaze out into the night. It had been an interminable wait. She simply could not believe anything but the best-that Luca would come home.

Footsteps behind her turned her abruptly. Rafael came out, Luca cradled in his arms.

"Luca!" she exclaimed, hurrying toward them.

Rafael laid Luca down gently and Bernice dropped to her knees, pulling her son into a fierce hug. Tears streamed down her face. "My baby, my precious baby."

Luca clung to her, sobbing into her shoulder. "Mama."

Rafael watched them, his chest tightening. This was what he fought for, his family together, safe.

Bernice lifted her tear-streaked face to him. "Thank you."

More than words, it was belief in return-a slender yet unbroken line which bound them.

Rafael nodded, gruff and low. "He's home where he belongs."

The weight of the night hunched their shoulders, closing the circle in an imposing quiet as Luca tucked against their joined warmth.

Across, Alexander and Liam viewed them out, the set in Alexander's jaw unbroken as the fingers at his sides clamped into fists.

"I won't let her go like this." He grumbled low.

Liam stared at him, concern etched upon his face. "You're really going to push this?"

"I have to. Bernice belongs with me and the children in Florence," Alexander said, steady-eyed.

Liam blew out a sigh. "Be careful, Alexander. You're fighting more than just Rafael."

"I know," Alexander growled low. "But I won't lose her."

Inside, Bernice finally took Luca to his room, tucked him in, promising to stay close. She went back to the balcony where Rafael was standing, staring at the stars.

"He's asleep," she whispered.

Rafael turned to her. "You should rest, too."

"I can't. Not yet." She hesitated, then added, "Tonight reminded me how fragile everything is."

"I know," Rafael admitted. "But we'll get through this-together."

Bernice gasped at his words. Together. The word hung between them, thick with unspoken meaning.

"I don't know that we can," she said, her voice shaking.

Rafael moved closer. "We have to, for them."

Their eyes clashed, a maelstrom of emotions churning between them. Bernice wanted to turn away, to refute what she was feeling, but she couldn't.

Alexander's words echoed in her mind: ‘Does he really care about you? He's just using the kids as leverage over you.’

"I need time," she whispered, her feet backward.

Rafael nodded, though his eyes told of his disappointment. "Take all the time you need."

He turned and walked away, leaving her to the mercy of the endless night sky above. Bernice wrapped her arms around herself, not quite so sure which terrified her more-losing her children or losing her heart.

Below, Alexander's shadow remained. He saw her retreat with him, her heart turning to stone. For Alexander, too, all this went from just being a war between him and Luca, Mia to. In addition, covering the fight for Bernice's heart, one in which he didn't raise any white flag.