Chapter 66: A new deal

Ana
I didn’t sleep all night; my mind and heart couldn’t find rest. Every call, every contact, every possible lead vanished into nothing. Dante was somewhere, possibly in danger, and I couldn’t do anything to help him. Desperation and anger mixed in my chest, fueling my determination to find him.
Dawn arrived with a faint light barely piercing through the curtains. I kept reviewing reports and messages, hoping that something, anything, would give me a clue. But nothing.
Martin entered the room, his face showing the same concern I felt. I looked at him, hoping for news, but his expression already told me what he was going to say.
“Ana, we haven’t had any success. No one knows where Dante is. We’ve tracked every possible lead, but they all lead to dead ends.”
I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to control the frustration growing inside me. I took a deep breath, knowing I couldn’t afford to lose my composure.
“Keep looking, Martin. We can’t give up. Dante is out there, and we have to find him.”
Martin nodded, showing his loyalty and determination. It was comforting to know that, even though things were tough, I wasn’t alone in this fight.
“In the meantime, Luisa and Nick are waiting for you downstairs in the living room. They want to discuss something important with you.”
The mention of Luisa and Nick reminded me of the other responsibilities and alliances I had to manage. I knew I couldn’t let my concern for Dante distract me from my duties. I nodded and headed to the living room, leaving Paolo in the care of one of the nannies.
I walked down the stairs, feeling a mix of exhaustion and adrenaline keeping me alert. Luisa and Nick were sitting in the living room, their faces serious and focused on the documents in front of them. Luisa looked up when I entered and offered a smile that tried to be reassuring.
“Ana, we have a lot to discuss. Nick and I have been working on some plans that we believe will be beneficial for our organization.”
Nick nodded, his expression calm but intense.
“It’s crucial that we consolidate our power in Steelney. There are many opportunities here, but also many challenges. We need to ensure that our presence is solid and respected.”
I sat down in front of them, trying to focus on the conversation despite the worry still pounding in my mind.
“What plans do you have in mind?”
Luisa handed me some documents.
“First, we need to strengthen our local alliances. Nick has identified some potential partners who could be useful, but we need your approval to proceed.”
I reviewed the documents, analyzing the names and proposals. Everything seemed in order, but my mind kept drifting back to Dante. I tried to shake off those thoughts, focusing on the present.
“This seems reasonable. We can proceed with these alliances. But I want us to be cautious. We can’t afford any more surprises.”
Nick nodded in agreement.
“Of course. We’re also planning an expansion of our operations. There are some disputed territories, and we believe we can intervene in a way that’s beneficial for us.”
My mind was still divided, but I knew I had to maintain control. I couldn’t afford to show weakness.
“Alright. Let’s do it. But I want detailed reports and constant updates on every move.”
Luisa and Nick exchanged a glance before nodding. They knew my orders were firm and that I wouldn’t tolerate mistakes.
“Understood, Ana. We’ll make sure everything is in order.”
I leaned back in my seat, feeling the weight of responsibility on my shoulders. The meeting continued with more details and plans, but my mind kept wandering to Dante. Every minute without news of him was torture.
Finally, the meeting ended, and I was left alone in the room for a moment, trying to organize my thoughts. Luisa approached me, placing a hand on my shoulder.
“I know you’re worried about Dante. But I also know you’re strong. Don’t forget what’s important. The mafia, Ana.”
Even though I still didn’t fully trust her, I knew I had to keep moving forward, maintaining my strength and determination. Dante was out there, and I wouldn’t rest until I brought him back.
I waited patiently for Luisa to leave the room. My mind was filled with thoughts of Dante and the new responsibilities that had piled up on my shoulders.
I knew I had to do something to find him, and that was my priority. When Luisa finally left, I stealthily headed to her office. I needed to find something, anything that could lead me to Dante.
I carefully opened the door, making sure no one was around. I quickly entered and closed the door behind me. I started going through the documents and files on her desk, hoping to find a clue. Everything seemed normal, but I knew there was something I was missing. Luisa had to have information I didn’t know.
Suddenly, I heard footsteps in the hallway. My heart raced, and I quickly hid behind a heavy curtain covering one of the office windows. The door opened, and I heard Luisa’s voice.
“You better take care of Dante. I don’t want any distractions for Ana. She needs to stay focused on our mission here.”
I held my breath, listening intently to every word. Luisa was on a phone call with someone, someone who had information about Dante.
“I don’t care how you do it, just make sure he doesn’t cause any problems. Ana can’t know anything about this.”
My mind raced, trying to process the information. Luisa was hiding something, and that included Dante. I heard her footsteps fading away and waited a few minutes before coming out of my hiding spot. I knew I had to be careful; I couldn’t let Luisa suspect that I knew more than I appeared to.
As I tried to process what I had just heard, my phone rang. It was Nick.
“Ana, we need to talk.”
“Nick, what’s going on?”
“I don’t trust the direction Luisa is taking the mafia. She has her own plans, and I don’t think they’re the best for you or the organization. I already have power and am highly respected along with my wife. I don’t need anyone, but I like helping newcomers in this world.”
I felt a knot in my stomach. Nick was a powerful ally, but his words suggested there was more at stake than I knew.
“What are you proposing, Nick?”
“Luisa is playing a dangerous game, Ana. And you’re at the center of it. I want to help you, but you need to make a decision.”
“What kind of decision?”
“You have to choose between following Luisa or taking control yourself. I offer you my support, but you need to act quickly. We can’t let Luisa manipulate us any longer.”
My mind was full of doubts. Nick was asking me to make a decision that would change everything. I knew I had to do what was best for my son and for Dante, but the uncertainty was overwhelming.
“I understand, Nick. I need some time to think.”
“You don’t have much time, Ana. With every passing minute, Luisa grows stronger.”
“I know. I’ll let you know when I’ve made a decision.”
I hung up the phone and sank into my desk chair. I was between a rock and a hard place. Luisa was hiding crucial information about Dante and playing a dangerous game with the mafia. Nick offered me a way out, but that meant confronting Luisa and making decisions that would change the course of everything.
I looked around, the office that had been a refuge now felt like a prison. I knew I had to act, but every step had to be calculated. I couldn’t afford mistakes. Dante was in danger, and my son needed me to be strong.
I got up and started pacing the office, trying to organize my thoughts. I had to find a way to protect my family and maintain control of the situation. I knew the road ahead wouldn’t be easy, but I was determined to face it.
The clock on the wall marked the passage of time, and with every second that passed, I felt the urgency grow. I couldn’t sit idly by while Luisa moved the pieces in her favor. I made a decision. I needed allies, and even though I distrusted everyone, I had to play my cards carefully.