Chapter 11: A Complicated Game

Dante
From the moment Ana told me what Valeria had discovered, I knew things were about to get even more complicated. I made sure to always be close by, to keep a constant watch, although there was something that Ana didn't know and I know that the moment she finds out, things will change for us and maybe we won't be able to be together again.
There were so many things I was thinking about, how I walked away from the woman I love just to protect her and now I have to watch as the idiot Paolo tries to win her over. I know Ana wouldn't stoop so low, she wouldn't be with someone like him.
Night had fallen and the house was silent. I sat in my room, staring at my phone. I knew the call would come sooner or later. And when it finally did, my heart skipped a beat. The number on the screen was nameless, but I recognized the pattern.
I answered after the second ring, trying to keep my voice neutral.
"What do you want?" I said, knowing that on the other end of the line was someone who could make things even more complicated.
"Dante, darling, is that how you greet your superiors?" The female voice was soft, almost seductive, but there was a hint of danger in it.
"We don't have time for games. What do you need?"
She let out a light, but cold laugh.
"Always so direct. I like that about you. Listen, I've heard rumors that Paolo is making his moves. And it seems you're very involved in Ana's affairs."
"That's none of your business."
"Ah, but it is. You know I have my own interests at stake. And you, Dante, have always been an excellent middleman, plus I'm the only person who can ensure Ana's safety and you know it, if she's still alive it's thanks to me."
"It's a shame she doesn't know, do you want me to go tell her the good news about who's behind this?"
"Don't play with me, you know I can't jeopardize the mission, not until I know I'll be successful and that's your job, to guarantee my success."
I clenched my teeth, fighting to stay calm.
"What do you want?"
"I need information. Something that will assure me that I can trust you... and your loyalty."
"My loyalty has never been in doubt. But I won't give you anything without knowing what I'm getting in return."
She paused, and I could imagine the smile on her face.
"Very well. I'll tell you this: Paolo is playing a dangerous game, one that could destroy not only our dear Ana, but the whole family. I have information that can help you stop him. But I need something in return."
"What?"
"I need you to get me a specific document. It's in Marco's office. You know which one I'm talking about."
Marco's name made my stomach churn. He was part of the problem, but I wasn't ready to openly betray him yet.
"And if I get it, what will you give me in return?"
"I'll give you the exact location of Paolo's next meeting and his detailed plans. You'll be able to get ahead of him and protect Ana. But you have to decide quickly, dear. Time is running out."
I hung up without responding. I knew the decision wouldn't be easy, but I had to protect Ana at all costs. I looked at the phone, feeling the weight of the secrets I was carrying with me.
Suddenly, the door opened and Ana walked into the room. Her gaze was inquisitive, clearly worried.
“Who were you talking to?”
“Nothing important, just an old contact.”
She frowned, knowing I wasn't telling the whole truth, but also knowing it wasn't the time to argue.
“Dante, we need to be united in this. If there's anything you need to tell me, now is the time.”
I approached her, putting a hand on her shoulder.
“I know, Ana. But there are also things you're better off not knowing, for your safety.”
She sighed, but nodded.
“I don't know if I can really trust you, but I hope you know what you're doing.”
“I do very well.” I squeezed her shoulder slightly before releasing her. “Everything I do is to protect you.”
Ana looked at me for a moment longer before leaving the room. I was left alone with my thoughts, knowing that my next move had to be careful. The secrets I kept were dangerous, but necessary. And although the call had complicated things, it had also given me a clue on how to proceed.
The next step would be the riskiest, but I had no choice. I had to protect Ana, even if it meant walking the tightrope between loyalty and betrayal.
After Ana left the room, I sat in silence, trying to process the call I had just received. The secret I was keeping was getting heavier with each passing minute. But then, as I pondered what to do, an idea formed in my mind: there was something else I needed to investigate.
I headed to Marco's office. I knew the document the woman was talking about had to be there. I carefully opened the door and slipped inside, trying not to make any noise. The office was dark, but moonlight filtered through the windows, casting shadows on the antique furniture and piles of cluttered papers.
I searched the drawers, carefully going through each folder and document. Finally, I found a file marked with Paolo's name. As I opened it, my eyes widened with what I discovered.
The document contained not only plans for a coup against our family, but also details of a secret operation involving Marco and... someone else. The name was crossed out, but the initials "V. D." were clearly visible. My heart stopped for a moment.
The sound of footsteps made me look up abruptly. Marco appeared in the doorway, his expression surprised and furious.
"What do you think you're doing, Dante?"
I straightened up, closing the file quickly.
"I was looking for evidence against Paolo."
Marco stepped forward, his gaze hard.
"Stop pretending, Dante."
To hell with it, he already caught me, might as well use the card I had for this moment.
"I know you're working with Paolo, that you want to get rid of your niece."
"You have no idea what you're talking about. This is bigger than you can imagine."
"What are you doing with Paolo and who is V. D.?" I asked, showing the document.
Marco stopped, a spark of something indefinable in his eyes.
"You shouldn't have found that."
Before I could answer, Valeria appeared behind Marco, her expression serious. My suspicions were confirmed.
"Valeria, what are you doing here?" I asked, incredulous.
She stepped forward, her gaze fixed on me.
"Dante, there are many things you don't know. Yes, I'm involved, but it's not what you think."
“Then what is it?” I demanded, “I can't believe it. Does Ana know? She's your best friend and you've decided to work with the person who surely wants to kill her.”
“Things aren't like that.” Valeria sighed, crossing her arms.
“Then explain before I go and tell Ana she's been stabbed in the back.”
“I'm doing this for her, because she’s my best friend. Marco just wants to protect Ana, he’s trying to manipulate, he’s not working with Paolo.”
“Liar, you gave that information to Ana yourself.”
“And I regret it because I was wrong.”
Everything I thought I knew was so confusing right now.
“Why didn’t you tell me? Why keep me out of this?”
Marco intervened, his tone softer.
“Because we needed to protect you, Dante. There are things we couldn’t risk you knowing. But now that you’re involved, you need to know the truth.”
The room fell silent as I processed what I had learned. The betrayal I had felt transformed into even greater confusion. There was a bigger threat, something I hadn’t even considered.
“Who is this threat?” I asked finally.
Valeria exchanged a look with Marco before answering.
“We don't know her name. We just know it’s a woman, someone who apparently wants to take control of the mafia, to take Ana’s place. She doesn't really know what she wants right now. You’re in the middle of her life just like Paolo. Everything is confusing for her.”
“You're saying it’s a woman?”
“Is that seriously all you got from my comment, Dante?”
Valeria sounded annoyed. This was chaos; there wasn’t a single person who could be trusted.
“Why do you want to find this woman?”
“Because she might want to kill Ana.”
“That’s not true!”
They both narrowed their eyes at me when I spoke. Maybe that was giving me away a bit, and I couldn’t let them know what our next moves would be. One thing was very clear to me: my mission was to protect Ana, no matter if it was another powerful mafioso or her own family. I couldn’t let anything happen to her, not again.
“And how do you know that?”
“She’s a woman we don’t know, and we’re already assuming the worst.”
“It’s better to assume the worst to avoid unpleasant surprises, don’t you think?”
“Yes, and now we need your help, Dante. We can’t do this alone.”
What seemed like a betrayal was actually a strategy to protect the family.
“I’m in,” I said, my voice firm. “We’ll do whatever it takes to stop this woman.”
Marco and Valeria nodded, and in that moment, I knew the real game was just beginning. I had to be their ally to get closer to the documents that woman would surely ask me for. My position and loyalty had to remain an enigma to everyone else.