Sinful Flames

Chapter 59

The day started with a sense of cautious optimism. I texted Chiara early in the morning, letting her know we were heading out to receive the weapon shipment and meet with our allies. I could imagine the worry creasing her brow as she read my message.

"Stay safe, Gabriel," she texted back. "I’m counting on you."

Her words filled me with warmth, but they also reminded me of the weight of what we were about to do. There was no room for error anymore. Chiara’s life, our future, depended on it. With one last glance at the message, I pocketed the burner phone and turned to Matteo and Antonio.

"Let’s get moving," I said, my voice steady but filled with the underlying tension we all felt.

The three of us drove to the outskirts of Florence, where the weapons shipment was set to arrive. The location was an old, abandoned warehouse—far enough from prying eyes but still close enough for a quick escape if needed. As we approached, I could see a group of men already waiting. They were the allies I’d called on, loyal to the Romano family, and now loyal to our cause.

As we parked, I recognized a few faces immediately. Carlo Mancini, a stout man with dark eyes and a reputation for running one of the most efficient smuggling operations in northern Italy, stepped forward to greet us. Alongside him was Salvatore "Sal" Ricci, a sharp-eyed strategist who had helped the Romanos in the past during delicate negotiations.

"Gabriel," Carlo said with a nod, his voice gravelly from years of smoking. "Good to see you, my friend."

I returned the nod. "Carlo. Sal. We’re grateful for your help. This isn’t going to be easy, but with the right planning, we can take them down."

Sal crossed his arms, his expression thoughtful. "We’ve been going over the layout of the Vittore estate. It’s a tough nut to crack, but I’ve got some ideas."

Matteo and Antonio stood beside me as we listened to Sal explain his plan. He suggested a two-pronged attack—one team would create a diversion at the front gate, drawing the guards' attention, while a second, smaller team would sneak in through the secret entrance in the back that Sofia had informed us about. It was risky, but it could work.

"I’ll have some of my men stay near the main entrance," Sal said, "but we can’t get too close without raising suspicion. We’ll need Matteo to take down their security system quickly so we can move in undetected."

Matteo nodded, already going over the hacking sequence in his mind. "I’ll need about five minutes to shut everything down. After that, it’s all about timing."

Carlo chimed in. "Once the security’s down, my guys will handle the guards patrolling the perimeter. We’ve got enough firepower to take them out before they can sound the alarm."

I considered their suggestions, and a sense of relief washed over me. These men knew what they were doing, and with their help, our chances of success were growing. But there was still so much at stake.

"We’ll need to move fast once we’re inside," I said, looking at Antonio. "You and I will be the ones to get Chiara out. Matteo, Carlo, and Sal will hold the line outside and make sure we’re covered."

Antonio gave a firm nod. "I’ll take down anyone in our path. We’re getting her out, no matter what."

"Agreed," I said, my voice hardening with resolve. "We start the mission soon, so keep your men on high alert. We’ll need to strike before they suspect anything."

We spent the next hour unloading the weapons from the shipment—crates of rifles, handguns, and ammunition. Everything was quickly shifted to a secure location where Carlo and Sal’s men would stay until the night of the mission. We couldn’t afford to draw attention to ourselves just yet.

As the sun dipped low on the horizon, casting a golden hue over the city, the three of us headed back to the cottage. I felt a sense of purpose driving every step, my mind replaying every detail of the plan. We were ready, and soon, I’d have Chiara back where she belonged.

But that hope was short-lived.

When we pulled up to the cottage, something was wrong. The front door was slightly ajar, swaying gently in the breeze. A knot formed in my gut. I motioned for Matteo and Antonio to stay behind as I carefully stepped inside, my hand already on my gun.

The place was wrecked.

Furniture was overturned, chairs broken, and shards of glass littered the floor. Books were strewn across the room, and the few personal belongings we had brought with us were scattered everywhere. It was as if someone had stormed in, searching for something—or someone.

"Shit," Matteo muttered as he stepped in behind me. "Whoever did this was looking for us."

"Or sending a message," Antonio added, his tone dark.

My heart pounded in my chest as I scanned the room, my mind racing. We’d been careful. We kept our devices and the critical planning documents in a hidden basement compartment, but this meant one thing—someone knew we were here. Someone was onto us.

I turned to Matteo. "Check the basement. Make sure everything’s still secure."

He nodded and hurried down the stairs. I stood in the wreckage, my jaw clenched. Whoever did this was close. Too close. And this was no ordinary vandalism. They didn’t know it was me, but they knew we were a threat. They were hunting us.

Matteo returned a moment later, his expression grim but relieved. "The basement’s intact. They didn’t find our devices or the plans."

"Good," I said, but my voice was tight with anger. "That means we still have the element of surprise. But we need to move fast. They’re closing in."

Antonio crossed his arms, his brow furrowed. "This changes things. We can’t wait too long. If they’re onto us, they’ll tighten security even more. And who knows what they’ll do if they find out it’s you leading this charge."

I nodded, feeling the weight of his words. Everything we’d planned—taking down the Vittore family, rescuing Chiara—it all had to happen sooner than we expected. We couldn’t afford to wait any longer.

"This means only one thing," I said, my voice cold and hard. "War."

Matteo and Antonio exchanged glances, their expressions mirroring the same steely determination I felt burning inside. There was no turning back now. We were in this for the long haul, and if the Vittore family wanted a fight, they were about to get one.

"We stick to the plan," I continued. "But we accelerate the timeline. Matteo, contact our men from America. Tell them to get here as soon as possible. I want every ally we have in position within the next twenty-four hours."

Matteo nodded. "Consider it done."

"Antonio," I said, turning to him, "make sure the weapons are ready. We’ll hit them hard and fast. No hesitation."

He grinned, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "I’ve been waiting for this."

I took a deep breath, the weight of everything pressing down on me. But beneath that pressure, there was a fire. The thought of Chiara, waiting for me, trusting me to bring her home—it fueled me. I wouldn’t let her down. I wouldn’t let any of us down.

"Let’s show them what happens when they cross the Romanos," I said, my voice low but filled with conviction.

And with that, we prepared for war.