Chapter 20 Sara

By the time I pulled into the driveway, my hands were still shaking. I didn’t even make it to the door before it opened.

Abuela stood there, leaning on her cane, eyes sharp and worried.

“Mija,” she said softly, “come inside.”

I stepped in and froze.

My Uncle Rafael and Aunt Lucía were sitting in the living room, along with their spouses, Tomas and Elena. All four of them stood when they saw me. They weren’t Ricci‑level dangerous. They weren’t in any underworld business. But when our family was threatened? They were a wall. A fierce, immovable wall.

Lucía crossed the room first and pulled me into her arms. “We came as soon as your Abuela called.”

Rafael’s jaw was tight. “Tell us everything.”

So I did.

I told them about the CPS worker. The lies. The removal. The court date. The fear. The plan Salvatore and Talia were building. By the time I finished, Rafael looked like he was ready to flip a table.

“That woman is corrupt,” he growled. “And this Juan, he thinks he can take your son? Over my dead body.”

Abuela lifted her chin. “We stand with you, mija.”

I swallowed hard. “Salvatore wants us to move in with him. For safety.”

Abuela stiffened. “I am not leaving my home. I don’t run from a fight.”

“I told him you’d say that,” I said gently. “He said he’d make it safe for you. A live‑in nurse. Security. Whatever you need.”

Elena nodded. “You’ve been doing too much alone, Sara. Let someone help.” I didn’t argue. I didn’t have the strength.

A knock sounded at the door. Rafael moved first, opening it cautiously.

Roc stood on the porch, hands in his pockets, eyes scanning the street. “Just checking in.” He stepped inside and nodded respectfully to my family. “I’ve got men posted across the street,” he said. “They’ll stay in the car, out of sight. And we’ve located the group home. My guys are watching Gabe. He’s safe.”

My knees nearly buckled with relief.

“Thank you," I whispered. Um, sorry, everyone. This is Roc. Roc, this is my family. Roc works for Salvatore.”

Roc gave a small nod. “Boss will be here at six‑thirty in the morning. Be ready.”

I barely slept. None of us did. At 6:30 a.m. sharp, headlights swept across the front windows. Salvatore. I opened the door before he could knock. He wasn’t alone. A young woman stood beside him, sharp suit, sharper eyes, hair pulled back in a sleek twist. She looked barely older than me, but there was something deadly calm about her.

“This is Ava Santoro,” Salvatore said. “She’ll be your attorney in the courtroom.”

Ava extended her hand. “I’m honored to represent you, Ms. Vega.”

Behind me, Rafael murmured, “I like her already.”

Salvatore stepped inside, addressing the room like a general before battle.

“Here’s the plan,” he said. “Sara arrives with Ava. The rest of us come later, Talia, Daniel, the senior partners, and me. Juan will think Sara walked in alone with a rookie lawyer. He’ll think he’s already won.”

Ava smirked. “And then we pull the rug out from under him.”

Rafael crossed his arms. “Smart. Daniel Morales is a good man. I voted for him.”

Salvatore nodded. “He’ll be there to show the judge that CPS is cleaning house. Talia will testify about the falsified report. We’ll expose Kara Barns and get Gabe back.”

My heart pounded. “And… and if it doesn’t work?”

Salvatore stepped closer, voice low and steady. “It will.”

Ava touched my arm gently. “We should go. I want time to talk before we walk in.”

I nodded, hugging Abuela tightly, then my aunts. Rafael squeezed my shoulder, Tomas nodded then headed to the SUV.

“We’ll be right behind you.”

I walked out with Ava, climbing into my uncle’s SUV. Salvatore watched us go, jaw tight, eyes burning with determination.

He would arrive later. With Talia. With Daniel. With the lawyers.

But for now? It was just me, Ava and my Uncles. We pulled into the courthouse parking lot just as the bailiff opened the doors.

Ava straightened her jacket. “Ready?”

“No,” I whispered. “But I’m here.”

We walked in together. And just as the judge was about to begin, just as Juan turned in his seat, expecting to see me missing, I stepped into the courtroom.

Right on time. And the look on Juan’s face? Shock. Pure, perfect shock. The first crack in his plan. And the beginning of mine.