~ Aria's POV
"Lucien tried to murder my son. Now, I married his brother and will burn everything he loves to ash."
I held the bloody toy tight to my chest as Damien commanded everyone to search the area, to look for clues for my baby. But I knew---I knew that he was long gone. Damien tried his best to search for him, but we both knew Lucien was slowly getting smarter and was always one step ahead.
~ Hours Later
In Damien's safe house, "the bunker," the anger inside me had turned ice cold. Federico arrived with fresh wounds and bruises on his face. He clenched tightly onto a USB. "I traced the maid's comms. Lucien didn't just take Leo---he moved him. He's on a yacht docked near his mansion. He plans to leave the country tonight after a masquerade party."
"Then we'll attend that party," Damien said coldly, rising from the chair. "If he's throwing that party tonight---every major mafia family will be there."
"You're walking into his trap," Federico's eyes were wide as he tried to warn us.
Damien looked at me, jaw clenched. "Then we'll let him think we're stupid enough to fall for it."
My fingers curled into fists. "He wants a show? Let's give him one."
~ At The Party
There was no time to grieve, so I wore strength like armor. Inside, the laughter moved around the walls with classical music while Lucien held the court at the center of it all. Damien and I walked arm-in-arm as Federico slipped in beside us quietly. "Security's tight. He's hiding something. The yacht docked in the private bay behind this mansion. I've hacked into surveillance footage. Leo's there. But there's more..."
"Later," I said, "Let's make this public."
Lucien raised a glass, drawing all attention toward the grand staircase. "Welcome, my esteemed friends," he announced, his voice filled with charm and innocence. The hall was filled with government officials, billionaires, and even white-collar people. "Tonight, we celebrate a new era of unity among our families."
"Bullshit," Damien muttered beside me.
I stepped forward and raised my voice. "You forgot to mention your crimes, Lucien."
Silence erupted in the room. Lucien's smile didn't falter. "My darling Aria. Didn't expect you to dress up so nice for the party."
"Oh, I dressed for your funeral." I pulled out a USB and tossed it onto the projector table. The operator plugged in the USB and played it. Images of bruised children, tortured prisoners, names, transactions, fraud, and every crime he ever committed flickered on the screen.
Chairs scraped as the faces of the council turned pale. "You trafficked innocents," I said, gritting my teeth, "Murdered children. Falsified inheritance records. You even tried to kill your own brother and son."
"Lies," Lucien hissed. "Do you think they'll believe the traitor wife?"
"They will," Damien said, stepping up. "Because I am the rightful heir. And I married Aria."
Blood drained from Lucien's face as his expression twisted. "You did what?"
"And she's carrying my child," Damien said with confidence. "Not yours."
Lucien's eyes started to fill with fury. Gunshots erupted in the hall. Damien shoved me behind a pillar as enforcers charged. He fired back, hitting one in the chest and another in the head. Screams started to fill the ballroom.
"Get to Leo!" Damien yelled at me, and I nodded, running through the side corridor.
Two guards blocked my path. One lunged, but I ducked under his arm and stabbed him in the gut. The second raised his gun, but I slit his wrist before he could shoot.
"WHERE IS HE?" I screamed at them, but they didn't answer, groaning in pain. I rushed through the hallway when Federico caught up with me, trying to catch his breath. "Lucien's gone. He escaped through the sea tunnel. He's heading to the yacht."
We ran to the back exit, where a single luxury yacht was already pulling away. "LEO!" My heart raced as I spotted Lucien on the upper deck. "BRING BACK MY SON!"
Lucien raised a hand as if mocking a wave. Then, he shouted out loud. "You'll never see your son again. I'll kill him before you ever lay your eyes on him."
I pulled out my pistol, aiming at him, but he vanished behind the glass as I fell to my knees, crying my heart out.
~ Back At The Safehouse
I didn't even have the courage to get up from the docks and pull myself away from the place. Damien carried me out of there and to the safe house. I sat on the couch with Damien beside me. My eyes stayed on the fireplace, unable to breathe, unable to think. He took my baby again.
Federico sat in front of us, silent, then finally spoke. "Aria....we've got a problem. It's not just Leo."
I turned to him, watching him with a neutral expression. He pulled out his phone and unlocked a file. A picture of Leo popped up on his phone---he was still alive, but he was curled up like a ball in the corner of a yacht room.
Tears started to spill from my eyes. But then, he scrolled and played a video. A figure appeared behind Leo. A knife was pressed to his throat. The voice that followed was the one I hadn't heard in years.
"If you don't end this game, Aria..."
I froze in my stance.
"...I'll make sure Leo never breathes again."
It was my mother.
