rolonged chase with her at that moment, Julian swung open the door.Julian, his face a portrait of stony gravity, remained u

er undercurrent to Antonino's raging torrent. Julian wa

in his neck standing out like taut ropes. "Can't you see I'm busy? About

er-wide with fear as Antonino's words rang out with the finality of a death sent

furrowed brow and a confused air. The situation, a swirl of tension a

eon wielding a scalpel, his words deliberate and sharp. "Your father, he was on his way to Hawa

m, his words a deluge of fury. "Who would dare to attempt an assassination on my father?" He turned away from Rosa, his gaze a sharp, cutt

of his anger now directed solely at Julian. "I hope he is unharmed," he growled, his wor

now?" Antonino pressed, his questions an ar

her despair a heavy shroud, her voice a mere whisper in t

he men in Mexico. They're with your father now, in a safe house."Antonino stared at Julian, his eyes narrowed to slits of suspicion. "Mexico?

ne encountered an emergency. Forced to land i

of anger and uncertainty brewing in h

ealization. "You mean to say that someone, someone knew my father was on that plane, and delibe

ined a marble mask of shock, the cracks of rage an

r father dealt with the intruders. He says it was one of his new women who brought

was thrown from the plane along with her friend," Julian continued,

lusion that, had he revealed Rosa's presence to his father, the current com

, his tone curious, his eyes searching Anto

ulian, ever perceptive, sensed that there was more to Antonino's answer than met the ear. But he didn't push, knowing that

being ready?" Julian asked, a cre

anto hardening his gaze. "Santo won't have the last laugh," he declared, his words lik

to focus on the business here. But we have a major problem. Mexico is Mr santo stronghold. And your father," he paused, the weight of the moment making his next words heavy as lead, "killed Santo's sister-in-law."Julian, his gaz

ister-in-law?

yebrows was arched and he had a half-smile tugging at the corner of his mou

him," he said, his voice a simmering growl of frustration. "Time and again, I warned him abou

here you get your attitude from."Antonino, his anger momentarily quelled by the jest, laughed, his shoulders

ience, his thoughts already leaping ahead to the extraction mission. "Is th

rative. "The helicopter's ready, but we can't just storm into Mexico like this. We have to be careful,

by the rhythmic whirl of the blades and the faint beeping of the instruments. No one dared b

ght of

e wind as he spotted the woman.In a blur of speed, faster than the beating of a hummingbird's wings, Antonino had the woman in his grip, his fingers like iron band

the woman's wide eyes flicked from Antonino to Mr. Capello, a silent plea.

his free hand, steady as a sniper's breath, tightened around the trigger of his gun.

"What in God's name is wrong with you? Antonino's eyes flashed with a dark, volatile energy, the poison of his rage coursing through his veins. "You're the one who d

vering in his grasp. "You've lost your mind,

expect that reaction. Nobody dared interfere in this duel, so every

ke a razor, his voice dripping with scathing mockery, An

mother's college friend. I met her here in Mexico, took her to the

onino's anger simmered, a cauldron of resentment boiling beneath his calm façade. The mention of his mother, a wou

, her hand reaching to soothe the tender skin on her throat, her fear a palpable, sour taste in the air.Antonino had for

s he let her go, smiled awkwardly at

into a sharp, pointed blade. "We must leave now," he cut in, his voice a drill s

e lingered on Laura, his mother's friend, his mind a blur of qu

ess with a deafening roar."Sir, we're under attack!" one of Antonino'

t my father and Laura!" he bellowed, his face a mask of fierce determination as his me

**************

eyes were poppy, she couldn't believe she had cried in front of the devil himself, after promising not to. she felt bad but she was damn happy

Antonino took stock of the situation. Two of his men were injured, his father too, but their survival was a triu

ary, his words sharp and direct. "We need doctors and pharmacists

picious and concerned, the guards shouldered open the door, their eyes widening in horror at t

led to call Antonino's secretary. But the secretary, her voice trembling, informed t

s, the doctors hovering around him and his injured men. But Mr. Capello, ever the contrar

, gesturing toward the other wounded men. "B

e tinged with the rigid authority that came so naturally to him, stared his father down. "No," he sa

ss, slapped a hand on his son's shoulder. "Alright, alright.

, the secretary, gathering her courage like a cloak about her shoulders, stepped forward, her tone measur

like a live current. "Why didn't you call the doctor? Wha

the outburst, stammered ou

ily doctor. Put her in the guest room."She might be faking it." Antonino's voice was a low growl, suspic