Page 24 of Fractured Devotion

Across from me, Sofia sat composed, an island of calm in my tempest. “Calm down, Alex,” she said, her voice steady. “We knew this was a possibility. But now that he knows, it makes our plan easier.”

“Plan?” The word erupted from me, a roar of incredulous rage. The dormant fury of years ignited, a volcanic force coming alive with destructive clarity. “I just got her back, Sofia, so you’ll forgive me if I’m struggling to see how her being snatched away again by that monster fits into a plan.” My voice was a whip-crack of raw emotion, the fragile grip on control fraying as I confronted the instability of the situation.

The room was thick with tension, a palpable force pressing in on us from all sides. I paced like a caged animal, my movements sharp and erratic. Massimo leaned against the wall, arms folded, his eyes shadowed with thought. This was just as hard on him as it was for me—he stood to lose if this plan of hers went sideways. Miguel sat, tapping a rhythmic beat on the table, watching Sofia with something akin to desire. Meanwhile, her brother, Lorenzo, kept his gaze fixed on her as she spoke.

Sofia’s revelation hung in the air, a piece of a puzzle that was not yet complete.

“Look,” she said, commanding our attention, “Aleski’s operation is a fortress, but every fortress has a weak spot. Carmela’s presence is not a setback; it’s an opportunity. We are going to use this as our way to end Lipovsky once and for all.

“We’ll be in and out before they even realize they’ve been hit,” Sofia reassured. “I have eyes on the inside, and now, he will create the perfect diversion so we can get inside and end this once and for all.”

Before she could elaborate, the door burst open, and Vincenzo and Antonio, Carmela’s other brothers, strode in. Their faces were thunderous, and the air around them charged with fury.

“What the hell is this about Carmela being taken again?” Vincenzo’s voice was a dangerous calm that belied the anger in his eyes.

Antonio was less restrained, his voice rising. “Why are you just sitting here? She could be?—”

“Cool it, Antonio,” Lorenzo said, cutting through the mounting anger. “We’re not just sitting here… we’re getting our shit together.”

“Remember, Aleski doesn’t think we know Carmela’s true identity, that to us, she’s just Ella, Andrei’s woman.” Sofia’s voice cut through. “We’ll use that. We strike not just with force but with finality.”

“And timing,” Lorenzo interjected, “has to be impeccable.”

“Explain where this contact you claim to have came from. Who is he?” Massimo tapped the top of the table.

“Someone Carmela will know is on her side. Look, I know you want answers, but you’re just going to have to trust me for the time being. Now, let’s get ready. It’s time to go back to Columbia.”

I watched as three families came together to end Aleski Lipovsky’s reign. The Anastasi were not just a family—they were a force to be reckoned with. They were about to unleash the full measure of their bond to bring one of their own back from the lion’s den. With the might of the Bianchis and Sureños behind us, we just might have a chance at really ending this war with the Russians.

Once the preparations were made, I left the meeting and headed to my apartment. I was going to bring Carmela back regardless of whether or not we stopped Lipovsky—but I wasn’t going alone. The soft click of nails on the floor greeted me as the private elevator to my place opened. Flacon sat waiting patiently as I stepped out of the metal box.

“Hey, boy… you feel like going on an adventure?”

I’d spent months training him for a moment like this. What began as a way to dull the pain of losing Carmela turned into a weapon I would exploit to save her once and for all.

The cell phone in my pocket vibrated. Tugging it free, I smirked when I saw Archer was calling me.

“Archer.”

“I heard you’re about to take a vacation.”

“Yeah…” I smiled despite the heaviness of the situation. “We’ve got to end this so she can be free of the pain and fear of Lipovsky. What the hell are you doing? Are the Winston brothers okay?”

“Yeah. Ryker and Addison have been enjoying Miguel’s villa, and Drake and his fiancé are here taking care of the oldest brother, Gage.”

“Did something happen?”

“He’s still in the hospital.” Archer sighed into the phone. “Apparently, there is something more going on with him beyond the fractured leg from his wreck.”

“I’m sure the stress of this isn’t helping.”

“This is mild compared to the shit storm of meeting three new brothers. That news was like an atomic bomb detonating. Dallas, the one who came out with us to Vegas, is dealing with his own drama as well. I swear trouble seems to follow them just as much as it seems to stick you. Anyway, I wanted to check in and tell you whatever you need from me, it’s yours. Don’t go get yourself killed, Alex. You still have to introduce me to your woman.”

The remark might have called for a chuckle, but my response was dry as desert sand. “If I didn’t already know I was more your type than my future bride, I’d shoot you between the eyes, Archer.”

His comeback was quick and tinged with humor. “Yeah… she’s lacking some major parts for me—besides, I have my eyes on someone else.”

“What?” My voice was thick with surprise, like smoke from a fired gun. “The impermeable Archer has met someone?”

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