Page 46 of Goldrage (The Chrysophilist Trilogy #3)

On paper, my plan is solid. For months, Bianca’s family fortune has helped me gather resources and allies.

I’ve amassed weapons and trained soldiers.

And, thanks to Lorenzo’s connections, I’ve recruited quite a few Italian families who operate with different moral codes than the Consortium.

These families run legitimate businesses—agriculture, wineries, restaurants, hotels—alongside arms dealing and training elite security forces.

They oppose human trafficking and drug distribution, viewing those things as dishonorable.

I’ve promised them expanded territory and business opportunities in America once the Consortium falls, in exchange for help at the appointed time.

As far as the main Consortium families who need to be destroyed…

The deaths of Vincent and then Francis DeMarco destabilized their distribution network, so they’re already close to collapse. I’ve bribed border officials to increase inspections once I give the signal, which will ruin their shipments and bring financial ruin.

I’ve uncovered that the Whitman’s new casinos operate on licenses obtained through falsified paperwork, which will be sent to legitimate authorities. They’ll be shut down the morning after the party.

DeSean Smith’s hotel-based money laundering scheme was already getting federal heat, and since his death DeSean’s brother is doing a poor job of recovering. My contacts will simply provide the feds with more evidence to justify massive arrests.

The Castellano’s trafficking operation will be cut off at the ports. Hopefully. They’ve restructured their operations recently, so I need to somehow find new evidence against them in the next few days.

But I will.

Finally, the Marlowe’s have their claws in law enforcement, but Victoria’s death created a weakness.

Olivia simply isn’t as good at making connections and spreading influence the way her younger sister was.

Half the police department was ready to break ties with them, and all I had to do was bribe them.

When I give the signal, they’ll turn a blind eye to everything .

It’s all ready and only awaits my signal.

Once the main families are attacked simultaneously and current heads of the families are eliminated in the war we’re about to have on this estate, my Italian allies will swoop in and create stability that doesn’t rely on darkness and corruption.

The lesser families in the Consortium will likely scatter and find new places for their crimes, but they’re not my concern.

My only concern is that the Consortium my great-great-great grandfather created dies permanently.

The plan is perfect.

On paper.

Real-life has many variables, so I can only hope we’re able to handle anything unforeseeable that arises.

Aurelia shifts beside me and she takes my hand. “What about Julian? Have you spoken to him since...?”

My expression darkens with concern. “He’s locked himself away. Won’t eat, won’t see anyone. But I expect him to join the party, even if it’s only to mock me.”

Valentine clears his throat. “We might have to drug him if he puts up a fight.”

“Do what you must. There’s no other option.

He’s coming with us, so whatever you do, keep him safe.

” I drum my fingers on the counter. “The plan needs one adjustment. The Castellano human trafficking routes. They’ve suddenly changed their ports, and I lack evidence for the new officials.

I need specifics—names, schedules, which docks they use. ”

Eleanora grins into the camera. “Oh, I’ve been tracking their movements for months. Every shipment, every bribed inspector, every falsified manifest. I have what you need.” She holds up a thick folder, rifling through pages.

I stare at the screen with growing amazement. “They changed their routes just a few days ago. How did you possibly get that level of detail so soon?”

“I have my methods,” Eleanora responds with a slight smile and shoulder shrug. “Let’s just say certain… databases are accessible to me.”

Her nonchalance leaves me weary. To access that kind of information so quickly, Eleanora would need either high-level government connections or hacking skills that rival Gideon’s.

I file the revelation away for later consideration—right now, I need the intelligence more than I need answers about how she obtained it.

“I’ve already positioned assets at three of their primary docks,” Eleanora continues, her fingers dancing across documents.

“I’ve identified the shift patterns of their corrupted inspectors, mapped their container routes, and have eyes on their safe houses.

When you give the signal, we can have federal agents there within minutes. ”

“Impressive,” I say. “With that piece in place, we can move forward. During the chaos at Castellano’s party, we target Lady Harrow directly. She’s the spider at the center of this web. Remove her, and the entire internal structure collapses.”

Aurelia speaks up suddenly, her voice cutting through the somber mood. “What about Olivia Marlowe? Can we do this plan without destroying her family? ”

I turn to study her face, surprised by the question. “Why would you want to protect her?”

“Well… she offered to help against Lady Harrow, and I think she means it.”

“You trust her?” I ask, my strategic mind already calculating the implications of adding another player on our side.

“I know it sounds crazy,” Aurelia admits, green eyes meeting mine with certainty, “but yes. I trust her.”

I consider this for a long moment, weighing risks against potential benefits. Having the Marlowe family’s resources and manpower could make the difference between success and catastrophic failure. We’re going to need all the help we can get once chaos unleashes during the party.

“Lorenzo,” I say finally, “contact Olivia on Aurelia’s behalf. Feel her out about joining our cause. If she’s genuinely willing to help bring down the current power structure, welcome her to the team.”

“I’ll reach out within the hour,” Lorenzo says.

The conference continues for another thirty minutes as we hammer out logistics and timing. When I finally close the laptop, I feel the weight of what we’re about to attempt settling on my shoulders.

I pray this works, because it’s taken years to prepare for and there’s no plan B.

After Valentine leaves to make some discreet preparations, I find myself alone with Aurelia in the medical room. She moves toward me with purpose, and I open my arms to receive her, both of us needing the comfort of physical contact after the intensity of our planning session.

“Two more days,” Aurelia whispers against my chest, her voice muffled by the fabric of my shirt. “Then this nightmare is finally over.”

“God willing,” I respond, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “But I need you somewhere safe. I need you to leave the party before I give the signal to my contacts. Let us handle it. I won’t risk the baby.”

Aurelia pulls back to look at me, her eyes rimmed with tears. “There’s something I need to tell you. Something I should have told you before, but I couldn’t...”

The change in her demeanor immediately puts me on alert. My heart hammers in my chest. “What is it?”

“I’m… I’m not pregnant,” she says quietly. “I was never pregnant. It was all a lie to get me into the estate, to get close to you. I’m… I’m… I’m sorry for lying.” Tears fall and she covers her sobs with a hand.

I stare at her for a long moment as I process this revelation that should shock me more than it does. Instead, I find myself feeling something that might be relief.

“You’ve been carrying this lie all this time?” I ask gently. “Aurelia, my love, why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“Because if you knew, and Lady Harrow tortured you for information, you could’ve accidentally revealed the truth. I was protecting you the only way I knew how. I know you must be so angry at me. ”

I cup her face in my hands, using my thumbs to wipe away her tears. “I’m not angry. Honestly, given everything that’s happened, it’s probably for the best.”

Her eyes flash wide. “You’re not disappointed?”

“I’m… complicated about it. Part of me had started to imagine what it might be like, having a child with you.

But bringing a baby into this world right now would’ve been irresponsible at best, dangerous at worst. Someday, we’ll have a child, I guarantee that.

But right now… yes, it’s better that you’re not pregnant. ”

We hold each other under the medical room’s harsh fluorescent light, both understanding that we’ve crossed another threshold in our relationship—no more lies, no more secrets, just the truth in all its messy complexity.

But in that truth, a new dread takes hold.

“There’s one thing that worries me,” I say as we prepare to leave. “When Julian finds out about the pregnancy being fake… it’s going to destroy him. Whatever small hope he might have been clinging to about having a family, this will crush that completely.”

Aurelia’s face pales as she considers the implications.

“I’m terrified about his mental health right now. Part of me wonders if we should kidnap him today. I could have guards drug him and take him away secretly for his own safety. Eventually, he’ll forgive me.”

“But what about Lady Harrow? She’d be too suspicious if she doesn’t see him before or at the party.”

“Yes, that’s my main reason for hesitating.

” My protective instincts for my brother are warring with the practical needs of our mission.

I sigh. “Perhaps we can’t do that. We’ll have to wait until the party.

Until then, he can’t know about the pregnancy.

Not until this is all over. We’ll tell him a few days after everything has calmed down, when he’s hopefully in an open place to listen.

He’s barely holding on as it is. This revelation might push him over the edge completely. ”

Aurelia nods and falls back into my arms for just a few more minutes of closeness.

As my heart relaxes and I breathe in her floral scent, a calm settles over me.

I stare at the medical room’s door as if I can see the party playing out in front of me.

In three days, everything will change. Whether we emerge from the chaos as survivors or casualties remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—the Harrow family as it exists today will not survive.

The only question is who will be left standing when the dust settles.