Chapter 65: With caution

Ana
I arrived home covered in blood, my clothes and hands bearing witness to the mission I had just completed. The air was thick with tension, and the silence was almost deafening. Luisa was waiting for me in the foyer, her gaze fixed on me, seeking answers.
“How did it go?”
“As planned. Nick’s men did their part, and our enemies have been eliminated. But we lost two of our own. I couldn’t do anything for them.”
Luisa nodded, though I could see the weight of responsibility in her eyes. Leading under these circumstances wasn’t easy, but there was no other choice. I knew I had to stay strong, for Paolo and for everything we had built.
“I’m going to take a bath. I need to clean up before I see the baby.”
I climbed the stairs, leaving a trail of blood on the marble floor. Martin, my loyal bodyguard, followed my every step, his presence constant and silent. When we reached my room, he closed the door behind us.
“Ana, don’t you think you’re going too far with this alliance with Nick Lancaster?”
I paused for a moment, letting the hot water start to fill the tub. I felt the weight of his words, but I couldn’t afford to doubt.
“No, Martin. This alliance is necessary. Nick has the resources and power we need to maintain our control in Steelney. Without him, we’d be vulnerable.”
“But at what cost, Ana? Nick and his people are dangerous. I don’t know if we can trust them.”
I undressed slowly, feeling the stickiness of the blood on my skin. I knew Martin was partly right, but I also knew I had no other choice. We had to survive.
“I know, Martin. But in this world, we have to make strategic alliances. It’s not about trust; it’s about necessity.”
I sank into the tub, letting the hot water wash away the blood and grime from my body. The relief was temporary but necessary. Martin stood by the door, his presence a constant reminder of the reality we lived in.
“I just want you to be safe, Ana. I can’t protect you from everything.”
“You do more than you should, Martin. And I appreciate it. But I know this is the right thing. We need to maintain our position, and Nick is the key to that.”
After my bath, I dressed in clean, comfortable clothes. The feeling of freshness gave me a renewed sense of clarity. I knew I had to be strong, not just for myself, but for my son. Paolo needed a strong and determined mother, not one who hesitated at every step.
I headed to the nursery, where a nurse was caring for Paolo. When she saw me, she handed my son to me with a smile.
“Here’s your little one, Mrs. Ana. He’s sleeping peacefully.”
I took Paolo in my arms, feeling the warmth and fragility of his tiny body. Everything I had done, everything I had sacrificed, had been for him. I couldn’t let anyone separate us.
“Thank you. I’ll stay with him for a while.”
The nurse nodded and left the room, leaving me alone with my son. I sat in the rocking chair, gently cradling him. I felt a momentary peace, a respite in the midst of chaos.
Martin entered the room, keeping his distance to avoid disturbing the moment. I knew he was worried, and his loyalty was unwavering.
“Feeling better?”
“Yes, a bit. Paolo is the only thing keeping me sane through all this. I don’t know what I’d do without him.”
“I know. And I’ll do everything I can to protect you and him. But we need to be careful. Nick Lancaster is a powerful man, but he’s also unpredictable.”
“I’m aware of the risks, Martin. But we can’t afford to be weak. We must always stay one step ahead.”
The door opened again, and Luisa entered the room. Her gaze softened when she saw Paolo in my arms. She approached and watched us for a moment.
“Ana, you’re doing the right thing. This alliance with Nick is necessary for our survival. And you are the key to maintaining our control.”
“I know, Luisa. But I also know we need to be careful. Nick is an ally, but not a friend.”
“Exactly. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. We must play this game wisely.”
I remained silent, cradling Paolo while Luisa and Martin discussed the next steps. I knew I had to be strong, to protect my son and our family. But I also knew the road ahead would be dangerous and full of challenges.
As night fell, I was left alone with my thoughts. Martin stood guard outside the door, ensuring nothing and no one disturbed our rest. I leaned over Paolo’s crib, whispering promises of safety and love.
“I’ll protect you, my love. No one will harm you.”
Just as I finished whispering to Paolo, the door to the room opened carefully. Martin entered, his face reflecting a concern I hadn’t seen in him before. I straightened up, keeping Paolo close to me.
“Ana, I need to talk to you. It’s important.”
I nodded, feeling a knot form in my stomach. Something in his tone made me feel the news wouldn’t be good.
“What is it, Martin?”
“It’s about Dante. He was coming to be with you, but the car he was traveling in was intercepted. He was kidnapped, and we have no information on his whereabouts or what’s happening.”
The world seemed to stop for a moment. The news hit like a hammer, leaving a deafening echo in my mind. Dante, the man who had sworn to find me, was now missing, possibly in the hands of our enemies.
“We have to find him, Martin. Discreetly and only with people we absolutely trust. We can’t let this turn into chaos.”
“I understand, Ana. I’ll make the necessary arrangements and start the search immediately.”
Martin leaned towards me, showing his loyalty and determination in every word. I appreciated his silent support as he left the room to set the search in motion.
When he was gone, I looked at Paolo, feeling a mix of fury and desperation. Dante had risked everything for me, and now it was my turn to do the same for him. I knew I had to act quickly and intelligently.
I headed to Luisa’s room, hoping she might know more about the situation. I knocked gently before entering. Luisa was sitting at her desk, reviewing some documents. When she saw me, she looked up and offered a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
“Ana, is everything okay? You look worried.”
“I wanted to ask if you know anything about Dante. You said that at the right time we could meet him again, and I’d like to know how he’s doing.”
Luisa frowned, her expression turning serious but not surprised.
“No, I don’t know anything about that. I know he’s doing his best over in Italy, but the truth is, I don’t have any more information than you do.”
Something about her response didn’t convince me. Her tone was too controlled, and her eyes avoided mine. I felt a pang of distrust.
“Luisa, this is important. I need to know if you have any leads or contacts that could help us. Dante is crucial to us.”
She shook her head, maintaining her facade of ignorance.
“Ana, I assure you, if I had any information, I would tell you. But I don’t know anything.”
I stayed silent, watching her closely. I knew she was lying. There was something she wasn’t telling me, and that only increased my determination. Luisa was hiding something, and I would have to find out what it was, but not now.
“Alright, Luisa. I just wanted to make sure. Thanks anyway.”
I turned to leave, leaving Luisa at her desk. My mind was racing, plotting plans and strategies. I knew I had to act behind Luisa’s back if I wanted to uncover the truth and save Dante. I couldn’t trust anyone but myself and a small group of loyal people.
Back in my room, I looked at Paolo once more, feeling a wave of determination wash over me.
“Mommy is going to do everything possible to keep you safe, and also to bring Dante back.”
That night, while the rest of the house slept, I started making discreet calls, contacting my most trusted sources. Every word, every instruction, was given with the utmost caution. I couldn’t let anything go wrong.