บท 26: The Price of Betrayal
The estate was tranquil that night, a stillness that seemed to stretch into the early morning hours. Despite the relative calm, my nerves were on edge. Victor's arrival and the knowledge of Maria's next move loomed large in my mind, twisting my stomach into knots.
Dante had retired to his study, pouring over maps and surveillance reports with his lieutenants. I'd wanted to join him, but he insisted I rest. It was a rare show of softness, but one I wasn't entirely comfortable with. Rest felt impossible when danger was only a breath away.
Instead, I wandered the corridors, the cool marble floors chilling my bare feet. My mind drifted back to Victor—his sharp eyes, his confident smirk. Everything about him screamed danger, and yet... there was something about his demeanor that made me wonder if he was more than he seemed.
---
A Midnight Encounter
I wasn't expecting to find Victor in the kitchen, leaning casually against the counter with a glass of whiskey in hand. His gaze lifted when I entered, his smirk deepening as if he'd been expecting me.
"Can't sleep?" he asked, swirling the amber liquid in his glass.
"Shouldn't you be locked up somewhere?" I countered, folding my arms across my chest.
Victor chuckled, a low, throaty sound that sent a shiver down my spine. "Dante's not stupid. He knows I'd never make it out of this place alive if I tried anything."
"That doesn't answer my question," I said, my tone sharper now.
He gestured to the glass in his hand. "Whiskey helps me think. And tonight, there's a lot to think about."
I hesitated, then crossed the room to pour myself a glass of water. Victor watched me intently, his eyes tracing every movement like a predator sizing up its prey.
"You don't trust me," he said after a moment, his voice soft but deliberate.
"Should I?" I shot back, meeting his gaze.
He shrugged, taking a slow sip of his drink. "Trust is a luxury in this world. But for what it's worth, I'm not your enemy."
His words hung in the air, and for a brief moment, I wondered if they were true. But before I could respond, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed in the hallway.
Dante appeared in the doorway, his expression dark and unreadable. His eyes flicked between me and Victor, his jaw tightening.
"What are you doing here?" he demanded, his voice cold.
Victor raised his hands in mock surrender. "Relax, boss. Just enjoying a drink. Your wife here is very suspicious of me, by the way."
"She has every reason to be," Dante snapped. "Get back to your room. Now."
Victor smirked but obeyed, leaving his glass on the counter as he sauntered out of the room.
Dante turned to me, his expression softening slightly. "Are you okay?"
I nodded, though my heart was still racing. "I'm fine. I just couldn't sleep."
He stepped closer, his hand brushing against mine. "I don't trust him," he said quietly. "If he so much as breathes wrong, I'll kill him myself."
---
A Growing Rift
The tension between Dante and me only grew in the days that followed. It wasn't that we were fighting—far from it—but the weight of our situation was beginning to take its toll. Dante threw himself into his work, leaving little room for anything else.
I tried to be supportive, but the constant danger, the endless planning, and the looming threat of Maria wore on me. I wanted to help, to be part of the solution, but Dante's protectiveness often felt more like a cage than a shield.
One evening, after yet another long meeting with his lieutenants, I finally confronted him.
"Dante, we need to talk," I said, cornering him in his study.
He looked up from his desk, his expression weary. "What is it?"
"I can't keep sitting on the sidelines," I said, my voice firm. "I'm part of this now, whether you like it or not. Let me help."
His jaw tightened, and for a moment, I thought he might argue. But then he sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"You don't understand how dangerous this is," he said. "I've already lost too much. I can't lose you, too."
"You won't," I said, stepping closer. "But you have to trust me. I'm stronger than you think."
He studied me for a long moment, his dark eyes searching mine. Finally, he nodded. "Fine. But if you're going to be involved, you follow my lead. No exceptions."
"Deal," I said, relief washing over me.
---
Victor's Revelation
The breakthrough came two days later. Victor, true to his word, provided us with critical information about Maria's plans.
"She's planning a coordinated attack on your shipping routes," he said, spreading a map across the table. "If she succeeds, it'll cripple your supply chain and leave you vulnerable."
Dante studied the map, his expression unreadable. "And you're sure about this?"
Victor nodded. "I've already confirmed it with one of my contacts. The attack is set for tomorrow night."
Dante turned to his lieutenants, his voice sharp and commanding. "Double the security on all shipping routes. I want eyes everywhere."
"What about Maria?" I asked, stepping forward. "If we know where she's attacking, can't we use this to our advantage?"
Dante's gaze softened as he looked at me. "We could, but it's a risk. If we focus too much on one area, we leave ourselves exposed elsewhere."
"Not if we make her think we're vulnerable," I countered. "Set a trap. Lure her in, then strike."
Victor raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed. "Not bad," he said. "She won't see it coming."
Dante hesitated, then nodded. "All right. Let's do it."
---
The Calm Before the Storm
That night, as the final preparations were made, I found myself alone on the balcony, staring out at the city lights. The plan was risky, but it was our best shot at turning the tide in our favor.
Dante joined me after a while, his presence a comforting weight at my side.
"You were right," he said, his voice low. "About the trap. It's a good plan."
I smiled faintly, leaning into him. "We'll get through this. Together."
He wrapped an arm around me, pulling me close. "I won't let anything happen to you," he said, his voice filled with quiet determination.
And as the first light of dawn broke over the horizon, I believed him.
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