Page 26

MIRELLA

The words hung in the air like smoke—“Because if he finds out the truth, it won’t just be you who gets hurt. Alex will be in danger, too.”

I could still hear Sergio’s voice and see the desperation in his eyes. He was right, of course, but what choice did I have? My mind felt like a storm, churning, wild, and relentless. There was too much at stake. I could see the path ahead was dangerous, but it was the only one left to take.

Tonight was the engagement party Don Carlos had mentioned. A little party, he called it, as if the weight of it didn’t press on every bone in my body. But it wasn’t just an engagement party to me. It was an opportunity. My opportunity.

I turned to Sergio. He hadn’t moved, his expression torn between anger and hurt. “I need to do this.”

“You don’t,” he shot back, his voice low but forceful. “You think you do, but there are other ways, Mirella. Let me help you.”

His words were almost a plea, but I shook my head. “This isn’t just for my son, Sergio. I need to do this for my father.”

He blinked, confusion flooding his face. “Your father?”

“Yes.”

“You’re talking like he’s alive,” he said slowly like he was trying to put pieces together that didn’t fit. “Mirella, your father is dead.”

“That’s what everyone thinks,” I cut in, forcing myself to stay calm, to stay steady, even as my voice trembled. “But he isn’t. I have sources, Sergio. He’s out there somewhere. Don Carlos is keeping him hostage, and I’m going to find him.”

His shock was a living thing written across his face. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I needed to be sure,” I answered simply, my words quiet but firm. “I had to know where your loyalty lies.”

He stepped back like I’d struck him. “Where my loyalty lies? Mirella, you think I would betray you? After everything?”

“You work for Don Carlos, and he is your father,” I reminded him. “Your world is dangerous. If he so much as suspected…”

“My loyalty has always been to you,” Sergio cut in, his voice hoarse, his fists clenched like he was holding himself back. “Don’t you get that? I would burn this entire world to the ground for you, Mirella.”

The fire in his words softened something in me, but I couldn’t afford to falter. Not now. “I believe you,” I whispered, “but this is something I need to do myself.”

He shook his head, running a hand through his hair, frustration pouring off him in waves. “Let me find him for you. Give me time, Mirella. I can do this.”

“You think I have time?” I countered, my voice rising before I could stop it. “Don Carlos is already suspicious of me. He’s digging into my past. If I don’t act now, he’ll uncover everything, and then I’ll lose my chance. I have to move quickly, Sergio.”

“You’re walking straight into the fire,” he muttered, looking at me like he could change my mind. “You don’t have to do this.”

“Yes, I do,” I answered. “I know you mean well, but my mind is made up.”

He looked at me then, really looked at me, his expression unreadable. The silence stretched long between us before he finally spoke. “I’m not giving up, Mirella. Not on you, not on this.”

“For now,” I answered softly, “just take a back seat. That’s all I’m asking.”

He exhaled sharply like he’d lost some unseen fight. “Fine. I’ll respect your wishes. But promise me something—if you need help, if you so much as stumble, you call me. No hesitation.”

“I promise,” I said, the words feeling heavier than they should have.

He stepped closer, and his gaze locked on mine. For a moment, I thought he might say more, but instead, he leaned in and kissed me on my forehead—softly, like it was goodbye, like he was afraid I might disappear. I didn’t pull away.

When he left, the room felt colder and emptier, and for a long moment, I stood alone in the silence. My hands shook as I pulled out my phone and dialed Enzo.

He picked up on the second ring. “Hello Raven. What’s going on?”

“Don Carlos is on to me,” I said, cutting straight to the point. “He’s having me investigated. He doesn’t believe a word I’ve said again.”

“Of course, he doesn’t. He’s a paranoid bastard,” Enzo muttered. “You knew this was a risk, Mirella.”

“I know,” I answered, steadying my voice. “But that’s not all. He’s digging for more—who I am, where I’ve been. If he finds out about Alex…”

Enzo swore under his breath. “That’s not going to happen. I told you that I’ve got leads, and I’m going to check them out tonight. I think I’m close.”

“Good,” I said, trying to sound hopeful even as the tension knotted in my chest. “Because tonight’s the engagement party. I’ll use it as a chance to check Don Carlos’ study. If there’s anything about my father—where he might be—I’ll find it there.”

“Mirella, that’s dangerous.”

“It’s my only shot,” I countered. “I won’t waste it.”

Enzo paused, his silence heavy. “Be careful, Raven. Don’t do anything too dangerous.”

“I won’t,” I assured him. “You just focus on your lead.”

Ending the call, I let out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. I could feel the pressure of the night pressing down on me, but I didn’t have the luxury of second-guessing myself. This was the only way forward.

I walked down the hall to Alex’s room, pausing when I saw him sitting on the carpet, his head resting in Dahlia’s lap. She was running her fingers gently through his hair.

“Mama!” Alex called, spotting me. He scrambled to his feet, running over and throwing his little arms around me.

I kissed the top of his head, inhaling the warm, sweet scent of him. “My love.”

Dahlia smiled up at me, her eyes soft and understanding.

“Watch over him tonight,” I said, brushing a strand of Alex’s hair from his face. “Please.”

Dahlia nodded, her expression turning serious. “Always.”

I looked at my son one last time, memorizing every bit of his perfect face, before pressing a kiss to his forehead. “I love you, Alex. Be good for Dahlia.”

“I will,” he mumbled sleepily.

As I straightened, I met Dahlia’s gaze again. “Keep him safe,” I whispered.

“I will,” she repeated, her voice steady.

And with that, I turned away, leaving a piece of my heart behind.

*****

The ballroom was dripping in opulence—golden chandeliers, crimson curtains, marble floors polished to a mirror shine. The kind of place that felt more like a gilded cage than a celebration. My reflection danced across the floor as I was paraded around on Don Carlos’ arm like a prize he’d just won. He smiled that cold, practiced smile, whispering pleasantries to men in suits and women dripping in jewels, his grip on my waist just tight enough to remind me that I wasn’t here by choice.

“Isn’t she stunning?” Don Carlos boomed, his voice laced with smugness as he introduced me to yet another associate. “My fiancée, Mirella.”

My smile was as fake as the diamond necklaces around his guests’ necks. My skin burned under their gazes, their eyes raking over me like vultures. I didn’t belong here, and yet I’d forced myself into this den of wolves, my heart thundering with every passing second. I scanned the room, pretending to admire the decor. I was looking for Sergio, half-hoping, half-fearing he’d show up.

But he wasn’t here.

Still, there was this feeling I couldn’t shake. It pulled me back to the night I’d met the stranger, not knowing it was Sergio in disguise. The memory flashed in my mind—his voice, his eyes, the way he’d drawn me in like a moth to a flame. And now, as Sergio, nothing had changed. I had always gravitated towards him. Always loved him, even when I didn’t know it was him.

“Mirella, are you alright?” Don Carlos’ voice jolted me back to the present.

“I—” I fumbled, pretending to fluster as I looked down at the glass of wine in my hand. Without thinking twice, I stumbled forward just enough for the drink to spill down my dress. “Oh no! I’m so clumsy.”

Don Carlos frowned, annoyed but masking it well. “Go clean yourself up.”

“Thank you,” I murmured, already stepping away.

I didn’t look back as I moved through the crowd, weaving toward the hallway like a shadow. My heels clicked against the marble, each step quick and calculated. When I reached the door to his study, I paused just long enough to make sure no one was watching before slipping inside.

The room was darker than I expected, the faint scent of leather and smoke lingering in the air. The desk loomed in the center, its surface stacked with papers and ledgers. I didn’t waste time pulling open drawers and rifling through files. My hands shook as I scanned documents, searching for anything. A name, a location, a sign that my father was alive.

Nothing.

The seconds ticked by. My breath came faster as desperation clawed at my throat. There had to be something here. There had to—

My phone buzzed in my pause, the vibration startling me so badly that I nearly knocked a lamp off the desk. I fumbled to answer it. “Enzo?”

“Mirella,” Enzo’s voice came through the line, breathless and frantic. My heart dropped. “It was a trap. I’ve been compromised.”

“What?” I whispered, the room spinning for a second.

“It wasn’t a lead—it was a setup,” he panted. I could hear him running, the sound of gravel crunching under his feet. “They knew I was coming. I’m trying to—”

A sharp crack rang through the line. A gunshot.

The call went dead.

“Enzo?” My voice cracked as I whispered his name into the silence. “Enzo!”

I stood frozen, the phone still clutched in my hand, my ears ringing with the phantom echo of the shot. My throat felt tight, and my chest felt like it might collapse. Enzo. I couldn’t think. I couldn’t breathe.

I turned, ready to run, ready to do something, but the door opened before I could move.

Don Carlos stepped inside.

He looked at me for a long moment, his face carved from stone, his eyes dark and deadly. “I thought you might try this.”

My heart slammed against my ribs as I backed away instinctively. “I—I just got lost—”

“Don’t insult my intelligence,” he interrupted, his voice low and even, which somehow made it all the more terrifying.

My knees felt weak, but I stayed on my feet. I had to think, had to get out. “I was just—”

“Enough.” Don Carlos took another step forward, his presence filling the room like a storm cloud. “I know what you’re doing, Mirella.”

“You don’t,” I shot back, my voice shaking as I tried to hold my ground.

“Oh, but I do.” He smiled, but it was the kind that made my blood run cold. “I know you’ve been looking for your father. I know you’ve been sneaking around behind my back. I know you are The Raven, and I know about your son.”

The world tilted under my feet.

No.

Everything inside me went still. Cold terror pooled in my stomach as his words sank in. He knew. He knew about Alex. He knew about everything.

Don Carlos’ smile widened, but his eyes were empty. “You will come with me now, Mirella. If you don’t, your father and your son will die. I have them with me,”

I felt the ground fall out from under me, but I couldn’t let it show. My hands balled into fists at my sides as I forced myself to stand taller and look him in the eye.

“You’re bluffing,” I managed, though my voice barely held.

“Do you really want to test me?” his voice dropped, soft and chilling. “We both know what I’m capable of.”

For the first time, I had no words. Nothing to throw back at him. Because I knew he wasn’t lying.

*****

The warehouse smelled of rust, oil, and decay—a fitting place for shattered dreams and desperation. Don Carlos walked ahead of me. His men flanked us, their faces hard and unyielding. My hands trembled, but I clasped them together tightly, trying to summon whatever courage I had left.

The room we entered was cavernous and eerily quiet, save for the faint dripping of water somewhere in the shadows. I spotted him almost immediately.

My father.

He was slumped against the far wall, chained and frail, his skin pale and stretched too thin over his frame. His head hung low, but as we entered, he lifted it weakly. His sunken eyes met mine, and for a moment, the years fell away. I wasn’t Mirella, The Raven. I was just Mirella, his daughter.

“Papi!” My voice cracked as I ran to him, the chains on my wrists clinking loudly.

The guards didn’t stop me, though one snorted as if amused by the pathetic reunion. My father used what little strength he had to open his arms, and I fell into them as much as the chains allowed. His touch was weak, trembling, but it was enough.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered, his voice hoarse, barely audible. “For all of this. For everything.”

Tears burned my eyes, but I blinked them away, refusing to let them fall. “You have nothing to be sorry for.”

But I wasn’t sure I believed that.

“You two look so sweet,” Don Carlos interrupted, his tone dripping with mockery. “Such a touching reunion. Almost makes me regret what comes next.”

I pulled back from my father and turned to face him, my jaw tight. He ordered his men to chain me close to my father, and they obeyed. I didn’t bother fighting, “You don’t have to do this.”

“Oh, but I do.” He stepped closer, his smile as sharp as a blade. “You thought you could outsmart me, Mirella? That I wouldn’t figure out who you are? Did you really think I didn’t have men in every corner of the earth?”

My heart sank, but I kept my face neutral. I couldn’t let him see how much his words rattled me.

“Let my father go. He’s no use to you,” I said, keeping my voice steady.

Don Carlos laughed, the sound echoing off the walls. “Nice try. But you see, he’s the perfect leverage. Just like your son.”

My stomach twisted. The mention of Alex made my chest tighten with panic. I clenched my fists, digging my nails into my palms to keep myself grounded.

“You leave my son out of this,” I said, my voice sharper now.

He raised an eyebrow, almost amused. “That depends on you. You have something I want, Mirella. Something you’ve been keeping from me all this time. The location of the safe. Tell me where it is, and maybe, just maybe, I’ll let your father and son live.”

My heart pounded. I knew exactly what he meant. If I told him where it was, we were all as good as dead. But if I didn’t—

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said, stalling for time.

His smile faded, replaced by cold calculation. “Don’t insult me, Mirella. I’m giving you a choice. Tell me, or I’ll start with your father. And then your son.”

The room felt colder. I glanced at my father, who shook his head weakly, his lips forming the word no.

“Even if I knew where it was,” I began, forcing a calm I didn’t feel, “what’s to stop you from killing us anyway?”

Don Carlos leaned against the desk, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp. “Do you really think I’d waste all this time and effort just to kill you? No, Mirella. I want what’s in that safe. And once I have it, maybe—if you behave—I’ll let you live. After all, I’d hate to hurt someone I…” He paused, his gaze flickering over me. “…care about.”

His words made my skin crawl. “Care about?” I let out a hollow laugh. “You have a funny way of showing it.”

He ignored me, his voice taking on a softer, almost nostalgic tone. “You remind me of her, you know. Jacqueline.”

The mention of her name made me stiffen.

“She was beautiful. Fierce. Just like you.” He smirked, though there was a flicker of something in his eyes—something almost human. “I loved her. But love doesn’t always save people, does it?”

“What are you saying?” My voice was quieter now, my pulse racing.

“I killed her and made it look like she died from the sickness,” he said simply as if he were confessing to something as mundane as breaking a vase. “Not because I wanted to, but because I had to. She made choices. And those choices…” He gestured vaguely as if the answer were obvious. “They left me no other option.”

I stared at him, a mix of disgust and horror boiling in my chest. “You’re a monster.”

“And yet, here you are,” he shot back, his smirk returning. “At my mercy.”

My mind raced, trying to find a way out, a way to keep him talking. But before I could say anything, his phone buzzed. He pulled it out, glancing at the screen before answering.

“Sergio,” he greeted, his voice warm and welcoming, a stark contrast to the menace he’d just been spewing. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

He put the call on speaker, his eyes fixed on me as Sergio’s voice filled the room.

“I heard you caught The Raven,” Sergio said, his tone casual but laced with something sharp.

Don Carlos chuckled. “You heard correctly. She’s right here.”

My breath hitched as I stared at the phone, confusion and hope swirling inside me. Sergio wouldn’t betray me. He couldn’t.

“It’s about time,” Sergio continued. His words were like a knife to my chest. “Mirella thought she was smart, but we outsmarted her.”

I blinked, the room spinning for a moment. What was he saying? What was happening?

My throat tightened, a lump forming that I couldn’t swallow. Sergio’s voice, the one that had always felt like safety, was now something foreign, cold.

I had thought I was smart. But now, I wasn’t sure what to think at all.