Leonardo had always admired Arya’s ability to see the good in others, even when he struggled to find it himself. But this—this blatant disregard for his orders, driven by her unyielding compassion—was something he couldn’t easily overlook. He was hers, and she was his, bound by a loyalty he had always believed was unshakeable. Yet, she had defied him to aid one of their worst enemies. How could someone be so inherently good? How could he reconcile his feelings when her actions constantly reminded him of the darkness within himself? His face was stern as he approached her, the weight of his decision clear in his expression. Without a word, he cuffed her hands to the bedpost, the metal clinking softly as it secured her wrists. The tension between them crackled with intensity, the air thick with a mix of desire and discipline. He slowly removed the robe from her body, letting it fall to the floor, revealing the curves that had always been his undoing. Stepping away, Leonardo moved
Arya marveled at how her legs still functioned. After Leonardo had her folded like a lawn chair in all sorts of positions last night, here she was, tending to babies and their mothers the next day. Gloria approached with a smile. “Mrs. Marcello, good morning.” “Ah, Gloria. Good morning. How was your night?” Arya asked, recalling that Gloria had been attacked by kidnappers just days ago. “Very good, except for the nightmares. I haven’t been able to reach the Mother Superior for days now. Do you know where she might be?” Gloria asked. “The last time I saw her was on the day of the incident. I assumed she took the kidnappers to the police, but it’s been days. She should be back by now,” Arya replied, her concern growing. “I hope she’s okay. The courtesans are not to be messed with,” Gloria said, her tone filled with worry. Arya's curiosity was piqued. “Speaking of the courtesans, do you know anyone named Lima?” Gloria’s face lit up. “Of course, I do. She was our Madam’s d
Leonardo’s brows furrowed as he studied Lima’s expression. “You were supposed to meet up with her here?” His tone carried a mild irritation, laced with the growing tension in the room. She nodded, her gaze steady. “Yes, she called me just a few minutes ago.” Ricardo caught Leonardo’s eye, and an unspoken understanding passed between them. Something wasn’t right, and the longer Arya remained unreachable, the more Leonardo’s unease grew. “My tech guy should have footage from the convent gates,” Ricardo offered, breaking the silence. “Even the secret escape gates that are supposed to be well hidden. If she hasn’t left the convent, we’ll know soon enough.” Leonardo gave a terse nod, his eyes shifting back to Lima. “What exactly were you two meeting up for?” Ricardo pressed, his suspicion evident. Lima shrugged, her nonchalance almost too casual. “I have no idea. She just called and asked me to meet her here. Said she had something urgent to discuss.” “Well, she’s off the gri
Henry's face went ashen as Leonardo’s accusations hung heavy in the air. His hands trembled slightly as he tried to compose himself, but it was clear he was rattled. The phone lay on the floor, forgotten in the tense silence. “Don Leonardo,” Henry began, his voice wavering slightly before he regained control, “I think there’s been a misunderstanding. I would never send anyone to harm you or your wife. My work here is solely to serve the church and the community. Any rumors you’ve heard are false.” Leonardo’s gaze didn’t waver, his eyes narrowing as he studied the man before him. “I’m not a man easily fooled, Father. Don’t mistake my patience for ignorance. You sent men to the bar to take me out, and I know for a fact that you put out a hit on Arya.” Henry shook his head vehemently, the fear in his eyes quickly being replaced by a look of defiance. “I am a man of God, Don. I’ve heard many accusations in my time, but this… This is beyond absurd. I may not like how you conduct yo
As Bianca approached the convent gates, Leonardo watched her closely, his mind swirling with conflicting emotions. He knew she was capable, but the unease gnawing at him wouldn’t relent. The sight of the massive stone walls, once symbols of sanctuary, now seemed to close in, trapping secrets that could either save or destroy Arya. Bianca turned to face them, her expression calm but resolute. “I’ll be back with answers,” she said, her voice steady. The air was thick with tension, every word she spoke echoing in the silence that had fallen over them. It was as if the very atmosphere had shifted, growing heavier with the weight of unspoken fears and the looming uncertainty that lay ahead. Leonardo nodded, trying to keep his features impassive. “Remember, you’re not alone. We’re right outside. The moment you sense anything off, you get out. We’ll handle the rest.” His voice was firm, but beneath the surface, a storm of emotions raged. The fear of losing another loved one, the frustr
Leonardo’s eyes stayed glued to the small screen in front of him, watching every move Bianca made through the live feed from the cross chain. Ricardo and Rob were close by, equally tense, their faces etched with concern and anticipation. The car was filled with a heavy silence, broken only by the occasional crackle of static from the device. Bianca, now dressed in the nun’s habit, approached the convent gates with a confident stride, but Leonardo could see the slight tremor in her hands. She rang the bell and waited, her face calm but her eyes betraying a hint of anxiety. The minutes stretched out as the three men watched her wait, their own tension mounting. Finally, a nun appeared, opened the gate and greeted Bianca with a polite but distant smile. They exchanged a few words that Leonardo could barely make out, then the nun gestured for Bianca to enter. The gates closed behind her with a resounding clang that sent a shiver down Leonardo’s spine. “Stay sharp, Bianca,” Leonard
“Arya?” Leonardo repeated, his voice tinged with disbelief, as if saying her name again might somehow make the situation clearer. Both Rob and Ricardo turned to him, their expressions a mix of concern and confusion. “That’s Arya,” Rob confirmed, his tone steady. “I see her too. This is very strange,” Ricardo added, his gaze locked on the screen. “What in hell is she doing here, and what is she discussing with that nun? I thought she was in danger.” The initial panic had faded, replaced by a surge of intense curiosity. Leonardo’s mind raced, trying to piece together the fragmented clues of this bizarre scene. What was Arya involved in? Why was she here with these nuns, and what kind of business could she possibly have with them? Despite his efforts, the answers eluded him. On the screen, Bianca had stepped further into the room, her head bowed in deference. Leonardo’s gaze remained fixed on Arya, who was scrutinizing Bianca with an intensity that was unmistakably familiar.
Isabel’s voice rang out across the dimly lit room, her commanding presence impossible to ignore. The nuns, who had been training relentlessly over the past few days without understanding the reason, now stood in silence, awaiting her words. “La Hermandad de la Estrella has discovered the arrest of their men,” Isabel began, her tone sharp and unyielding. “They don’t know when we’ll be ready, but they do know someone powerful is backing this convent. What they don’t know is that we are not just women of faith; we are fighters.” Arya stood at the back, taking in every detail. She had only arrived this morning, but already she already sensed the gravity of the situation. She heard whispers about Isabel, the woman who trained these nuns, and it was clear now that Isabel was far more than she appeared to be. There was no frailty in her; she was a leader, a fighter, and the nuns respected her deeply. “They think they can take us by surprise,” Isabel continued, her eyes narrowing. “But