The waves crashed against the cliffs, louder than gunfire. The moonlight revealed the impossible sight, ships and boats cutting through the black sea, their torches glowing like the eyes of demons. Dozens upon dozens. Adrian's reinforcements.
Luca's jaw tightened until it hurt. Every instinct screamed that this was no longer just a rescue. This was war.
Enzo cursed under his breath. "He's outnumbered us ten to one. He knew we were coming."
Matteo's face went pale, his hand instinctively resting on the grip of his pistol as if the weapon could protect them from the swarm of enemies. "Luca, if we move now, we're walking into slaughter."
Dario Romano crossed his arms, watching the distant ships with a calculating gaze. His men shifted uneasily behind him, restless as wolves. "Looks like Adrian planned ahead," he said smoothly. "Your little family problem just became my army's problem. And that, Luca, changes the price."
Luca turned sharply, eyes blazing. "We had a deal."
Dario smiled coldly. "Deals are written in sand when the tide rises. Look around you, do you really think your handful of men and my fifty soldiers can fight against this?" He gestured toward the sea. "No, Luca. If you want my men to bleed, you'll have to give me more."
Enzo's temper snapped. "You greedy snake! You'll bargain while Aria and the twins are locked in that hellhole?"
Dario's gaze flicked to Enzo, sharp as a knife. "Watch your tongue, boy. You think I care about your boss's woman and his brats? I'm here because Luca asked. Because he promised me the docks. But this…" His hand waved again toward the sea. "This is suicide."
Luca's fists curled tight. His voice was quiet, but it cut through the argument like steel. "I don't care if it's suicide. I'm going in."
The men fell silent. Even Dario's smile faded at the raw fury in Luca's eyes.
"Adrian took my wife. He took my children. If I die tonight, I die pulling them from his hands. If you're too much of a coward to stand beside me, Dario, then leave. But don't you dare stand in my way."
For a long, tense moment, no one moved. Then Dario chuckled low in his throat. "Ah, there he is. The Luca De Rossi I remember." He leaned in close, his words a whisper meant only for Luca. "Just remember, every king who charges into battle with his heart leading ends up buried with his crown."
But he didn't walk away. Not yet.
Inside the fortress, the room smelled of iron and smoke. Aria held her sons close on the cold floor, her wounded hand throbbing, the dried blood sticky against her skin. She whispered to them, her voice shaking but firm.
"Listen to me. No matter what happens, you stay together. You hear me? Together."
Nino's small hand gripped hers. "Mama, what's he going to do?"
Aria swallowed hard. She couldn't tell them the truth. That Adrian wanted their blood. That he saw them as keys, not children. "Nothing he says matters," she whispered. "Your papa is coming. He'll find us."
But as she spoke, the sound of footsteps echoed outside. The door creaked open.
Adrian entered, his shadow long, his smile cruel.
"Well," he said softly. "The family is together. How sweet."
Aria rose quickly, placing herself in front of the twins. "Don't touch them."
Adrian tilted his head, studying her, then the boys. "Oh, I won't. Not yet." He crouched, his gaze level with the children. "Do you know who I am?"
The twins pressed closer to Aria. Neither answered.
"I am the man your father fears most," Adrian continued, his voice smooth, dangerous. "And soon, you will call me something else."
"Never," Aria snapped.
Adrian's smile widened. "We'll see." He stood, pulling a black cloth from his pocket. Strange symbols were stitched into it in crimson thread. He laid it carefully on the floor.
Aria's blood ran cold. "What is that?"
Adrian's eyes flicked to her. "The beginning. Tomorrow night, under the full moon, we will complete the rite. But first…" He looked at the twins, his voice dark with promise. "The oath must be sealed."
Nico whimpered softly, but Aria pulled them back, her arms like steel. "If you touch them, Adrian, I swear...!"
He raised a hand, silencing her. "Swear all you like. No one can hear you." His smile turned cruel. "Not even Luca."
He turned and left, the door slamming shut. The sound of bolts locking echoed like chains around Aria's heart.
Back at the cliffs, Luca gathered his men around the map laid across the hood of a car. The flickering lantern threw shadows across their faces, making them look older, harder.
"The tunnels are our only way in," Luca said, his finger tracing the narrow passage beneath the cliffs. "They'll be guarded, but not heavily. Adrian thinks we're too broken to try something this reckless."
"And if we get through?" Matteo asked.
Luca's voice hardened. "We find Aria. We find the boys. And we burn the place to the ground."
Dario leaned against the car, arms crossed. "And the fleet waiting at sea?"
Luca's jaw clenched. "We deal with them after."
Dario chuckled softly. "You always were short-sighted. Fine. I'll play your game, De Rossi. But when Adrian's reinforcements land, don't expect me to sacrifice my men for your family."
Luca's eyes burned with cold fire. "Then stay out of my way."
That night, as Aria tried to lull her boys to sleep, Nico stirred. "Mama," he whispered, "what if Papa doesn't come?"
Her heart shattered. She pressed a kiss to his forehead, forcing a smile she didn't feel. "He will. He always does."
But in the silence that followed, Aria's fear screamed louder than any words.
The next morning, the sea mist clung to the cliffs. Luca's men prepared in silence, loading weapons, checking gear. Dario's soldiers stood apart, watching with guarded eyes.
Enzo pulled Luca aside. His voice was low, urgent. "Luca, we need to talk. About Dario."
"What about him?"
Enzo hesitated. "He doesn't care about Aria. He doesn't care about the twins. The moment things go south, he'll sell us out to Adrian. You know it."
Luca's eyes narrowed, his fists tightening at his sides. He knew Enzo was right. But he had no choice. He needed the extra guns. He needed time.
"We'll use him," Luca said finally. "And when this is over, if he betrays us… I'll bury him myself."
Inside the fortress, Adrian's preparations began. Soldiers carried in crates of candles, strange powders, and silver bowls. The chamber glowed with flickering light, the red markings on the floor sharp and terrible.
Adrian stood in the center, his arms spread wide, his voice echoing through the stone halls.
"Tonight, the bloodline ends. Tonight, the De Rossi name breaks."
Aria, locked in the next room with her sons, could hear him. She pressed her hands over Nico and Nino's ears, but she could not block the sound of Adrian's laughter.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Luca stood at the cliff's edge, staring at the fortress glowing with torchlight. His men waited behind him, tense and ready.
Matteo touched his shoulder. "It's time."
Luca's eyes never left the fortress. "I'm coming, Aria."