85 Finally, The Break Needed 1

85 Finally, The Break Needed 1
I closed my eyes briefly, already sensing what he was about to say.
“She asked me to spare your half-brothers,” he continued, his voice thick with emotion. “Their granduncle misguided them. They were pawns, Luca. I need you to promise me you’ll spare their lives. Please. I’ve buried too many loved ones. I don’t want to bury any of my children again.”

His words struck a chord, and for a moment, the harshness I felt toward my half-brothers wavered. I could hear the desperation in his voice—a father pleading for mercy on behalf of sons who didn’t deserve it. They were grown men, capable of making their own choices, yet his love for them was unwavering. I didn’t have to agree, but I knew I would. For his sake. For the greater good.

It was a difficult “yes,” but I said it anyway. My father thanked me with palpable relief, and the call ended. As the silence filled the room, Emma’s curious gaze settled on me.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, her voice gentle but probing.
I felt a storm of emotions crashing inside me. Glad that we finally had a path forward. Nervous about the danger ahead. Confused by Karolyn’s motives—why was she helping us fight her uncle and, by extension, her sons? And mad. Furious, even, at the thought of sparing my half-brothers after what they’d done to my mate. But life rarely offered clean resolutions, and I knew I had to make peace with the terms.

I relayed everything my father had told me to Emma, watching as her expression shifted from concern to something lighter, almost amused.

“They’re harmless, Luca,” she said, leaning back against the desk. “Honestly, they’re the most incompetent aspiring criminals I’ve ever met. Your father’s right—there’s no way they orchestrated this themselves. Their uncle’s the puppet master.”

She gave me a knowing smile, and for the first time that night, I felt a sliver of relief.

“One for the road before we spring into action,” she teased, her tone playful. Before I could even respond, she slipped off her robe, revealing the body I adored so much.

“Emma,” I groaned, my voice heavy with desire. She wasn’t playing fair. I was already hard, but as much as I wanted to take her, I needed to savor this moment.

We left my office afterward, both of us deeply satisfied and sharper than we had been in days. My focus was crystal clear, and my resolve burned hotter than ever. We had less than forty-eight hours to act. Now that we knew who the moles were, we could finally dismantle the enemy from within.

I began assembling the team. First, I called Uncle Leonardo, Bruce, Tevin, and Gilbert. They had proven themselves time and again. Then I added Mathias to the mix—his loyalty had been unwavering, and we needed all the support we could muster. They arrived one by one, careful not to leave the packhouse together to avoid raising suspicion.

Emma and I were different now, rejuvenated. The weight of uncertainty had lifted enough for us to breathe, and our confidence was contagious. Even my mother noticed when she walked into the room, a determined smile on her face. She was followed closely by her brother, who greeted us with a solemn nod.

“Mother,” I said, acknowledging her with a mix of surprise and respect.

“I heard your conversation with Emma,” she said, her tone calm but resolute. “I must be a part of this.” Her gaze lingered on Emma with gratitude and approval.

“My mate has reached out?” she asked, and I nodded.

Her smile widened, and for the first time in what felt like an eternity, hope flickered in her eyes. 

“Now you know he’s okay,” I said gently, hoping to offer my mother some peace. But she shook her head, her lips tightening in that way she always did when she had something more to reveal.

“I know his whereabouts, Luca. I have a man on him,” she said, and her words hit me like a thunderbolt. My eyes widened as I stared at her, stunned.

“What are you looking at me like that for?” she asked sharply, walking toward the mini-bar in the great room. She picked up a bottle of brandy, poured herself a shot, and turned to face us, leaning casually against the bar counter.

She pointed her glass at Emma, her tone laced with defiance. “You wouldn’t leave her by herself, now, would you? Don’t ask me to do the same,” she said before tossing back the drink in one quick motion.

Her composure wavered, though, as she continued. “I must be a part of this. That bitch…” Her voice was filled with venom, and I had to stop her before she said more.

“She’s helping Father, so she’s off-limits, Mother,” I said firmly, but her expression dropped, bitterness flashing in her eyes.

“I have a bone to pick with her,” she muttered, moving to the couch. She sank into it with a dramatic sigh, crossing her legs like a queen holding court.

“Why can’t I ever have what I want?” she asked, her voice cracking slightly. “That bitch tried to take my man. I felt it, Luca. Both times he touched her—I felt it.” Her eyes misted with unshed tears, and my chest tightened with guilt. My father’s actions, though necessary, had deeply hurt her. I knew he must have hated every moment of it because his love for her was genuine. Yet, he’d had to endure it for the mission.

I could only imagine myself in his shoes, and the thought made my stomach turn. If I had to betray Emma, even for a cause like this, I knew I’d be broken by it. Therapy would probably be the least of my concerns.

“She’s sick, Mother,” I said softly, trying to ease her anger. “Karolyn has silver radiation poisoning. She’s been managing it with expensive drugs. That’s where all the money went. Your private investigator got it wrong about that part.”

Her sharp gaze faltered, a flicker of something softer crossing her face. Compassion, maybe. It didn’t stay long, but it was there.

Before either of us could say more, Aldo and Castelo arrived, bringing Emma’s brothers with them. Gilbert followed not long after, gracing us with his presence as usual. He reeked of Veronica, which amused me because I wasn’t exactly innocent—I probably smelled of Emma, too. So, I kept my mouth shut.

“Everyone’s here now,” my uncle said, glancing around.

I shook my head. “Not everyone, Uncle.”

He frowned, curious. “Who are we waiting for?”

Before I could answer, Mathias walked in. I greeted him warmly, extending my hand for a firm handshake. He took it, and I motioned for him to take a seat.

He hesitated, his sharp eyes scanning the room with suspicion. “Is this a private meeting?” he asked, his tone guarded.

I nodded. “It is. Relax, Mathias.” I gestured for Miranda to bring him a drink, which she did before quietly leaving us.

“There are moles in our midst,” I began, my voice steady but serious. “We suspect that some family heads have been compromised. Given the sudden shift in the cult’s strategy, it’s clear they’re desperate enough to start recruiting from within.”

Mathias’s brow furrowed, his body tensing. “Are you implying I’ve been compromised, Luca?” His voice rose slightly, offended. “I might be many things, but I’m no traitor.”

I laughed, trying to diffuse the tension, but Leonardo stepped in before it escalated. His calm demeanor was a blessing.

“No, Bianchi, we trust you,” Leonardo said smoothly. “That’s why you’re here. What happened between Luca and his father—it was a ruse to mislead the informants. Luca and Theo are close, and everything was staged to buy Theo time to investigate Karolyn. Now, we’ve made significant progress, and we know you can be trusted. That’s why we called you here.”

Mathias’s rigid posture softened as he processed Leonardo’s words. His offense melted into curiosity, and I felt a wave of gratitude for my uncle’s intervention.