Chapter 72
The Venetti estate was quiet, but the air inside Marco’s office was heavy with tension. Luca stood by the door, his arms crossed as Marco poured over files spread across the desk. Carmen sat in a chair nearby, her expression a mix of determination and unease.
“They’ve sent us a name,” Luca said, breaking the silence. “Rafael Moretti.”
Marco’s hand stilled mid-turn of a page. Slowly, he set the file down and looked up at Luca. “Moretti?”
Luca nodded. “He’s the one behind the Consortium. The one pulling all the strings.”
Carmen frowned, her gaze shifting between the two men. “Who is he?”
Marco leaned back in his chair, a rare flicker of discomfort crossing his face. “A ghost from my past.”
“What does that mean?” Carmen pressed.
Marco exhaled, his gaze distant as he began to explain. “Years ago, when I was rising through the ranks, I dealt with the Moretti family. They were powerful, ambitious—but reckless. Rafael’s father, Alessandro, wanted an alliance, but I knew it would end in disaster. He didn’t just want to work together; he wanted control.”
“What did you do?” Carmen asked, her voice calm but sharp.
“I betrayed him,” Marco admitted. “Exposed his weaknesses, turned his allies against him. In the end, the Moretti family crumbled. Alessandro was killed, and Rafael disappeared.”
Carmen’s lips pressed into a thin line. “And now he’s back.”
“He’s more than back,” Luca said grimly. “He’s spent decades building the Consortium, waiting for this moment. Everything he’s done has been about revenge.”
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Later that day, the Venettis gathered their remaining allies in the estate’s war room. Sergio Montini, still recovering from his injuries, stood at Marco’s side, while other family heads listened intently to the briefing.
Marco’s voice was firm as he addressed the room. “Rafael Moretti has declared war on us. He’s used the Consortium to destabilize not just our family, but the entire region. If we don’t stop him now, he’ll destroy everything we’ve built.”
Sergio nodded, his tone serious. “This isn’t just your fight, Marco. The Consortium threatens all of us. If we stand together, we can take them down.”
The heads of the families exchanged glances before nodding in agreement.
Carmen stepped forward, her voice steady. “We’ve identified their remaining strongholds, including Rafael’s base of operations. The final confrontation will be dangerous, but it’s the only way to end this war.”
A murmur of agreement rippled through the room. Marco’s gaze swept over his allies, his resolve hardening.
“We fight together,” he said. “And we don’t stop until Rafael Moretti is finished.”
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That night, Marco sat in the study, nursing a glass of whiskey as he stared into the flickering fire. Carmen entered quietly, taking a seat across from him.
“You’ve been quiet,” she said softly.
Marco swirled the liquid in his glass, his gaze distant. “I can’t stop thinking about Rafael. About Alessandro.”
Carmen waited, sensing he needed space to say what was on his mind.
“I was ruthless back then,” Marco admitted. “I thought I was doing what was necessary. But now…” He trailed off, shaking his head.
“You’re wondering if it was worth it,” Carmen finished for him.
Marco nodded. “Rafael lost his father because of me. He spent his whole life planning this war. I created this monster.”
Carmen leaned forward, her voice firm but kind. “You didn’t create him, Marco. His choices are his own. But now you have to stop him. Not just for us, but for everyone who’s counting on us.”
Marco looked at her, his expression softening. “You always know what to say.”
“I’ve had practice,” Carmen said with a faint smile. “But Marco, this isn’t just about the past. It’s about who we are now. Use what you’ve learned. Be smarter. Be better. Don’t let your pride get in the way.”
Marco nodded slowly, her words sinking in. “You’re right. It’s time to finish this.”
Carmen reached across the table, placing her hand over his. “And we’ll do it together.”
As the fire crackled in the hearth, the weight of the upcoming battle hung over them. But beneath the tension was a shared determination—a promise to stand united against the shadows of the past.
