Under His Protection

Chapter 11: War on the Horizon

The city was buzzing with tension. Travis could feel it in the air, like a storm gathering just out of sight. His world had been spiraling for weeks now, and no matter how many moves he made, Santino was still lurking in the shadows, waiting to strike. It wasn't just a power struggle anymore—this was personal. And when things got personal, blood was inevitable.

Travis stood in the center of his office, his hands resting on the edge of the mahogany desk as he stared down at the scattered documents in front of him. Ross had been running intel nonstop, trying to find the cracks in Santino's armor, but the bastard was slippery. Santino knew the game too well, and he was playing it dangerously close to the chest.

The door to the office opened, and Patrick Mahomes walked in, his usual laid-back demeanor replaced with a steely seriousness. He glanced at the papers on the desk before turning his attention to Travis.

"Any news?" Patrick asked, his voice steady but tense.

"Nothing solid," Travis replied, his jaw tightening. "Santino's making small moves, hitting our smaller operations, but he hasn't made a direct play yet. He's waiting for the right moment."

Patrick exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "He's poking the bear. Trying to get under your skin."

"He's succeeding," Travis muttered, pushing away from the desk and pacing the room. "But I'm not letting him get close to Taylor. She's too deep in this now, and I can't risk her safety."

Patrick watched him closely, his eyes narrowing. "You've been more reckless than usual, Trav. Brittany's noticed it too. You've been on edge since Taylor got involved."

Travis stopped pacing and turned to face Patrick, his eyes dark. "Of course I'm on edge. Santino's not just going after me anymore—he's targeting her because he knows she's my weakness."

Patrick shook his head. "She's not your weakness. She's your strength, and you know it. But you've gotta keep a clear head, man. You can't let your emotions cloud your judgment."

Travis's hands clenched into fists at his sides. He knew Patrick was right, but it didn't make the situation any easier. Every time he looked at Taylor, every time he thought about what could happen to her, it felt like a knife twisting in his gut. He had never cared this much about anyone, and that terrified him.

"I'm doing everything I can to protect her," Travis said, his voice low, almost guttural. "But this fight isn't just about me anymore. It's about us."

Before Patrick could respond, the door opened again, and Ross stepped in, his face grim.

"We've got a problem," Ross said, his tone clipped. "Santino's planning a meeting. He's calling in some of the other families to discuss a shift in power."

Travis's eyes narrowed, his mind racing. "A shift in power? What the hell is he up to?"

"He's positioning himself as the new head of the underworld," Ross continued, his voice hard. "He's trying to push you out, Trav. If he gets the other families on his side, it's game over."

Patrick crossed his arms, his expression serious. "So what's the play? We can't let him consolidate that kind of power."

Travis's mind was already working overtime, the weight of the situation settling heavily on his shoulders. If Santino succeeded in gaining the support of the other families, it would be nearly impossible to fight back. His empire would crumble, and worse, Taylor would be left vulnerable.

"We take him out," Travis said, his voice cold and decisive. "Before he has a chance to rally the others."

Ross raised an eyebrow. "You're talking about a direct hit?"

"Exactly," Travis said, his eyes hardening. "We hit him where it hurts, and we make sure he never gets up again."

Patrick frowned, concern etched into his features. "That's risky, Trav. If we miss, if something goes wrong, Santino's retaliation will be brutal."

Travis looked at his friend, his jaw set. "I know. But if we don't stop him now, it's over. I'm not giving him the chance to take everything I've built. Or to hurt Taylor."

There was a heavy silence in the room as the gravity of the decision weighed on all of them. Patrick and Ross exchanged a glance, both of them knowing just how dangerous this move could be.

"Alright," Ross finally said, his voice steady. "If we're doing this, we need to plan it out carefully. I'll gather the team and get the intel on his location."

Patrick nodded, though his eyes were still filled with concern. "I'll back you up, Travis. But make sure you're doing this for the right reasons. Don't let your anger drive this."

Travis didn't respond right away. His mind was already focused on the task at hand, the need to protect Taylor overriding everything else. He couldn't afford to lose her, and he couldn't afford to lose the life he had built.

As Ross and Patrick left the office to start making preparations, Travis stood alone, his thoughts racing. He knew this was a dangerous gamble, but it was one he had to take. Santino had crossed the line, and there was no going back.

Just as he was about to head out of the office, the door opened once again. This time, it was Taylor.

"Hey," she said softly, her eyes searching his. "What's going on?"

Travis crossed the room in a few quick strides, pulling her into his arms. The feel of her against him grounded him, if only for a moment.

"We've got a situation," he admitted, his voice low. "Santino's planning something big, and we need to stop him before it gets worse."

Taylor looked up at him, concern flickering in her eyes. "What can I do to help?"

Travis shook his head, brushing a thumb over her cheek. "You're already helping by being here. I just need you to stay close, Kitten. Things are going to get rough."

Taylor nodded, her hand resting on his chest, feeling the tension beneath his skin. "I'm not going anywhere, Travis. Whatever happens, we're in this together."

He leaned down, pressing his forehead against hers, his breath warm against her skin. "I know. And that's what scares me."

For a moment, the weight of the world disappeared, and it was just the two of them, standing together in the calm before the storm. But the storm was coming, and Travis knew it was going to be bloody.

"I won't let anything happen to you," he whispered, his voice full of a quiet intensity. "Not now, not ever."

Taylor smiled softly, her hand sliding up to the back of his neck, pulling him down for a kiss. It was slow, tender, but there was an urgency behind it—a need to hold onto each other before the chaos descended.

When they finally pulled apart, Taylor looked into his eyes, her expression serious. "I trust you, Travis. But promise me something."

"Anything," he said without hesitation.

"Promise me we'll get through this together," she whispered, her eyes locked on his.

Travis cupped her face in his hands, his voice rough but filled with certainty. "I promise, Kitten. Together."