Chapter 32 The Bellini Estate
The Bellini estate rose from the hills like a ghost of old power—iron gates twisted with age, stone walls cracked but still imposing.
It was the kind of place built to intimidate, to remind the world who once ruled from its shadows.
Lucy stared at it through the windshield, her heartbeat steady but heavy.
“He chose this place because it reminds him who he thinks he is,” she said quietly.
Lucas nodded, eyes fixed ahead. “Men like D’Angelo worship legacy. They hide behind it.”
The convoy stopped just beyond the tree line.
Engines cut.
Silence swallowed them.
Lucas turned to Lucy, his expression grave. “From here on, everything happens fast. If anything goes wrong—”
“I trust you,” she said, cutting him off gently. “And you trust me.”
He studied her for a moment, then nodded once. “I do.”
He reached out, pressing his forehead briefly to hers—a grounding touch, a promise without words—before turning to give the signal
They entered through a side passage, the estate’s interior lit only by low amber lights.
The air smelled of old stone and polished wood.
Every footstep echoed softly.
The Bravata team split cleanly, disappearing into shadows.
Lucy stayed close to Lucas as they moved deeper inside.
Voices drifted down a corridor ahead.
“…she’s smarter than Mercer ever was—”
“…doesn’t matter, she’ll fold—”
Lucy’s jaw tightened.
Lucas raised a hand, signaling a halt. He glanced at her. “You hear that?”
She nodded. “He’s underestimating me.”
She couldn’t help but smile, here he was thinking she would give in to him. Maybe he didnt know her sister had been taken, if he knew that then he would probably understand why she wouldn't ever give up bringing them all down.
A corner turned.
A sudden movement.
Two guards stepped into view.
Lucas moved instantly—silent, efficient. The guards were down before Lucy had time to inhale.
She exhaled slowly. “Still terrifying.”
A corner of his mouth lifted. “Good.”
They reached the study at the heart of the estate.
D’Angelo stood by the fireplace, impeccably dressed, hands clasped behind his back as if he’d been expecting them.
“Lucas Bravata,” he said smoothly. “And Lucy Hale. I was wondering which of you would lead.”
Lucas raised his weapon. “It’s over.”
D’Angelo chuckled. “You think this ends with me? You’re fighting a hydra. Cut off one head—”
He was so smug, thinking that what he had, would never end.
"You know some of the women actually end up with better lives, not wanting for anything, never having for work again"
Lucy couldn’t believe what she was hearing and she could feel Lucas stiffened next to her.
Lucy stepped forward.
“No,” she said calmly. “You’re fighting exposure. And fear.”
D’Angelo’s eyes flicked to her, sharp. “Excuse me?”
“You rely on silence,” Lucy continued. “On people being too afraid to speak. But your network is already unraveling. Your lieutenants are talking. Your money trails are exposed. You’ve lost control.”
Lucas glanced at her—realizing something.
“You’re stalling,” D’Angelo said.
“No,” Lucy replied. “I’m distracting you.”
The door behind D’Angelo burst open.
Bravata men flooded in.
D’Angelo spun, fury flashing across his face—but it was too late.
Lucas stepped forward, weapon unwavering. “You’re done."
D’Angelo laughed once, bitter. “You really think you’ve won?”
Lucy met his gaze steadily. “I know we have.”
D’Angelo was taken without another word.
As dawn broke over the hills, Lucy and Lucas stood outside the estate, watching the sun climb slowly into the sky. Sirens echoed in the distance—not chasing, not warning—just closing in.
Lucy let out a breath she felt like she’d been holding for months.
“It’s over,” she said softly.
Lucas turned to her. “This part is.”
She smiled faintly. “That’s enough for now.”
He reached for her hand, lacing his fingers through hers. “You changed everything, Lucy. You know that?”
She leaned into his shoulder. “So did you.”
Lucy looked at him with a pained look on her face.
"say it" Lucas said
"Do you think we can trace Jessie?" Lucy said quietly
"Not sure, I imagine they havent kept records for fear or evidence" Lucas stated
"I need to try to find Jessie, and " she took a deep breath not sure if she could say the words she needed to.
" Find out if she is still alive" A tear slipped down her face, she wiped it away before Lucas could see it.
But Lucas saw the tear and the sadness in her eyes.
"I have one of the best tech people in the world working for me, if he cant find any traces then no one can"
"We end the war and then start the search"
He pressed a kiss to her hair, holding her close as the world finally began to settle.
The war had tested them—pushed them to their limits.
But they were still standing.
Together.