Page 63 of Stolen By the Enemy

The desire to keep Grazia safe clashes with my ambitions. I weigh my options, wondering if there's a way to get what I want without putting her in harm's way.

It's a tricky balance, like walking a tightrope between my goals and this unexpected connection.

The urgency builds, and I feel like I’m at a crossroads.

How do I reshape the narrative and come out on top without sacrificing Grazia?

The answer isn't clear, but a flicker of resolve sparks within me. I won't let her become collateral damage in my pursuit of power.

Somehow, I've got to navigate this mess without jeopardizing the woman who's unexpectedly become my anchor in the chaos.

***

On the way back to the beach house I go over everything that I know about Luca and Enzo Baldini. Then all of the little details I had to memorize about Carlos’ product and the routes expected to sell well.

And finally, I think about all of the connections I’ve made. I have more than enough resources to get a good deal on this myself.

It would have been easier if I had managed to get the routes from Luca, but he is not the only one with power in these streets.

My goal is to block Carlos and the Baldinis from monopolizing the market, which many people will be eager to help with.

So maybe I don’t need the Baldinis to give me any of their trade routes. Maybe I just need to secure my own routes that surround the Baldinis.

I’m in the middle of this thought when my phone rings in my pants pocket.

The vibration causes me to come to a stop, and as I take my phone out, I can see it’s my cousin calling.

He hasn’t spoken to me since he called me names for taking Grazia, so I wonder if this is a family emergency, a business call, or just a chance to swear at me again.

I answer it, hearing Carlos’ voice on the other end of the call. There’s lots of noise on the other end of the line, so he must be home with his kids.

This can’t be too harsh of a call then, because for that, he would hide away in an office where little ears couldn’t hear him.

Carlos can be an asshole, but he’s careful about his kids and how much they are exposed to these things.

“Marco,” Carlos says in his usual sing-song voice. “Cousin, I’ve just heard that your deal did not go as you planned it.”

He’s trying to sound concerned, but I guarantee he’s enjoying the thought of my failure.

“There was a misunderstanding,” I tell him, not wanting to dive into the details with him now. My head hurts enough just thinking about it.

Having to say it all out loud to my cousin and have him ridicule me for it is more than I can take today.

“Yes, yes, these things happen. You’re not the first person to touch the toys before Santa has wrapped them… but I have always told you not to play with the ransom, have I not?”

He chuckles. So, he already knows why things didn’t work out.

He’s just calling to rub it in.

“Do you need something, Carlos?” I ask him, not wanting to drag this conversation out any longer than necessary.

“I don’t need anything. But I wanted to extend an offer to you, cousin. I am still angry about what you did. Taking the girl could have gotten a lot of my people hurt or killed, and you acted selfishly. But I have forgiven you because we are family.”

I’ve heard him give this speech so many times before. It just means that he has a job and doesn’t have anyone else he’s willing to risk.

“I want to offer you your place back on the team. We will act like you went on holiday, hey? You can come back, take your rightful place, and see how this Baldini deal is actually at its best just as it is.”

“The Baldinis won’t want to do business if they know I’m back with you.”

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