Chapter 62: Initiation

Ana
The sound of the private jet’s engines filled me with a strange sense of calm as I climbed the steps with my son in my arms. Martin followed closely behind, his vigilant eyes scanning the area for any potential threats. Luisa was already inside, waiting for us.
Once inside, I settled into one of the leather seats, holding my baby tightly. His little eyes blinked curiously, unaware of the chaos surrounding us. I felt a mix of relief and anxiety; at least I had him with me.
Luisa sat across from me, her expression a blend of satisfaction and determination.
“Ana, what we’re doing is necessary. This is the plan your father had laid out for you a long time ago.”
I frowned, surprised.
“My father? I don’t understand, Luisa. What does he have to do with all this?”
Luisa took a deep breath, as if preparing to reveal a long-held truth.
“Your father always knew there would be tough times. He always knew our family would have to make drastic decisions to survive and thrive. This move isn’t an impulsive reaction; it’s a strategy he himself designed. He wanted the Italian mafia to extend its influence beyond our borders, for you to be a leader in the truest sense of the word.”
My thoughts swirled, trying to process what I was hearing. My father had always been a man of vision, but I never thought his vision would include something so drastic.
“And what am I supposed to do, Luisa? Lead from another country, far from everything I know?”
Luisa nodded, her gaze intense.
“Exactly. Your power isn’t confined to Italy, Ana. You’re much bigger than that. Our goal is to extend our influence, to ensure our family is safe and thriving, no matter where we are.”
I felt a mix of doubt and determination. I knew I had the responsibility to keep my father’s vision alive, but the idea of doing it far from Italy, far from Dante, filled me with uncertainty.
“And what about Dante?” My voice trembled a bit as I said his name. “I can’t just leave him behind, Luisa.”
“Dante is strong. He knew what he was getting into when he decided to stay. And you’re strong too, Ana. Your father believed in you, and so do I.
“Dante didn’t choose to stay; you threatened both of us to make it happen.”
“The outcome is the same, no matter how you see it. This is for your well-being and now your child’s well-being.”
I looked at my son, his tiny hand gripping my finger tightly. I knew I had to be strong for him, to find a way to balance my role as a mother and a leader.
“Where are we going?” I finally asked, trying to focus on the plan.
“To a place that will interest you. We have allies there, and it’s a good starting point for our expansion. Your father had contacts that will facilitate our entry and integration. It’s an opportunity to begin anew, to build something even greater.”
My thoughts returned to Dante, to the promise he’d made. I knew he would find me, that he’d do the impossible to be by my side again. But for now, I had to concentrate on the immediate, on what lay ahead.
“We’ll do it your way, Luisa. But if anything happens to Dante or any of ours because of this, I’ll never forgive you.”
Luisa nodded, understanding the gravity of my words. “Nothing will happen to Dante. We have a team protecting him, and when it’s safe, we’ll do everything we can to reunite you.”
The plane began to move, and a mix of emotions washed over me as we took off. I looked out the window, watching the ground recede, taking with it everything I’d known until now.
“Your father would be proud of you, Ana. This is the best way to honor his memory and his vision.”
I nodded, though doubts still swirled in my mind. I had to believe I was doing the right thing, fulfilling my duty to both my family and my child.
“Luisa, if this is my father’s plan, I’ll follow it. But I need to know we’ll always stay one step ahead, that we won’t lose sight of our goal.”
Luisa smiled, satisfied. “That’s the spirit, Ana. Together, we’ll make this family stronger than ever.”
The flight continued in silence, the constant hum of the engines the only sound. Martin moved closer to me, his presence reassuring.
“We’re with you, Ana. No matter where we go, we’ll always be by your side.”
I squeezed his hand, grateful for his loyalty.
“Thank you, Martin. I need all of you more than ever.”
The journey was long, and as time passed, my thoughts returned to Dante, to the promise he’d made. I knew I had to stay strong, to move forward for the sake of my child and my father’s legacy.
“We’ll find him, Ana,” Luisa broke the silence. “Once everything settles, we’ll locate Dante and bring him back to our side.”
I nodded, feeling a mix of hope and pain. “I know. But until then, we have work to do.”
The jet continued its flight into the unknown, carrying us toward a destination I could barely imagine. Hover, and particularly the city of Steelney, would become our new home. Beside me, my baby slept peacefully, oblivious to the turbulence of our lives. Martin and Luisa remained silent, lost in their own thoughts.
Finally, we landed at Steelney’s private airport. The city sprawled before us, its bright lights and palpable air of danger. I’d heard of Hover and its mafia power, but being here was something else entirely.
A waiting car stood on the tarmac. We climbed in silently, and as the vehicle carried us toward our destination, I felt a mix of anticipation and nervousness. Steelney was the domain of Nick Lancaster and his wife, Carol—two formidable figures in the criminal world. Luisa had struck a deal with them to ensure our protection, but I knew it came at a price.
They took us to an impressive mansion, surrounded by high walls and visible security at every corner. We stepped out of the car and were greeted by Nick, a commanding man with eyes that could pierce steel, and Carol, his equally strong and calculating wife.
“Welcome to Steelney. We’ve been expecting your arrival,” Nick extended his hand, which Luisa shook firmly.
“Thank you for receiving us, Nick. We know this alliance will benefit both of us,” Luisa smiled, though her eyes remained vigilant.
We entered the mansion, decorated with discreet yet undeniable luxury. Led to a sitting room, we were offered drinks. I sat, cradling my baby with a mix of protectiveness and pride.
“Steelney is a tough city, but with our alliance, we’ll dominate it and expand our power,” Carol looked directly at me. “But for this to work, we need to know you’re worthy of our trust.”
I felt the tension in the air. I knew something significant was looming, something that would test our loyalty and strength.
“We’re here to prove it, Carol. You can count on us,” I replied, with more determination than I truly felt.
Nick nodded, satisfied with my response.
“Good. There’s a tradition here, something that everyone who wants to be part of our circle must undergo. It’s a test, an initiation that demonstrates your commitment and strength.”
I glanced at Luisa, who subtly nodded, signaling that she was aware and prepared.
“What do we need to do?” I asked, sensing the pivotal moment approaching.
Nick stood up, his presence dominating the room.
“There’s a traitor among us, someone who has tried to undermine our power. Your test will be to eliminate them. This isn’t just a task; it’s a declaration of loyalty and strength. We need to know that you’re not afraid to get your hands dirty to protect what’s yours.”
The weight of his words settled upon me. To kill someone to prove our loyalty was a heinous act, but it was also a reality in the world we lived in. I looked at my baby, knowing that everything I did was for his future.
“Understood. Tell me who it is and where to find them,” I responded, my voice firm despite the turmoil within.
Nick smiled, satisfied with my resolve.
“It’ll be tonight. Carol will accompany you to ensure everything goes as planned. She’ll show you the way.”
A knot formed in my stomach, but I nodded. There was no turning back. We were here to claim our place and protect our family at any cost.
The night arrived swiftly. Martin stayed at the mansion with my baby, ensuring his safety. Luisa and I prepared for the task ahead. Carol awaited us at the entrance, dressed for the occasion, her gaze steely.
“Let’s go. There’s no time to waste.”
We climbed into another car, which took us to an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city. The place was dark and desolate, the perfect setting for what was about to happen. We entered, and in the center of the room illuminated by a single dangling lightbulb, sat the traitor—bound to a chair, desperation and fear in their eyes.
“It’s him,” Carol pointed to the man. “His betrayal has cost us dearly, and we need to ensure it doesn’t happen again.”
I approached the man, feeling the weight of what I had to do. His eyes met mine, filled with pleading.
“Please, don’t do this. I have a family…”
His words echoed in my mind, but I knew I couldn’t afford to hesitate. This was the price of our world, and I had to pay it.
“I’m sorry, but I have to protect my family too.”
I took the gun Carol handed me, feeling its weight in my hand. I aimed at the man, trying to ignore his pleading gaze. I took a deep breath, closed my eyes for a moment, and pulled the trigger.
The sound of the shot echoed through the warehouse, followed by a heavy silence. I opened my eyes and saw the man collapse, his life extinguished. A wave of nausea washed over me.
“Well done. You’ve shown your loyalty and strength,” Carol said, placing a hand on my shoulder. “Now, let’s head back to the mansion. There’s much work to be done.”
As we returned, my thoughts were torn between the act I had just committed and the future that awaited us in Steelney. I knew we had taken a crucial step, but I also knew the road ahead would be long and difficult.
Back at the mansion, Nick greeted us with an approving smile.
“I knew you’d do well, Ana. You’re a born leader. Now, our alliance is sealed. Together, we will dominate Steelney and beyond.”
I nodded, accepting his words and the weight of the responsibility that came with them.
“We’re ready for whatever comes, Nick. We’ll do whatever it takes to protect and expand our power.”
The night closed in around us, and as I prepared to rest, I looked at my son, knowing that everything I did was for him. Luisa approached me, her expression softer than before.
“You did well, Ana. Your father would be proud.”
I wished with all my heart that he would be.