The Double Life of My Pregnant Ex-Wife (Carmen and Marco) novel Chapter 64

The Venetti empire was under siege.

Marco sat at the head of the war room table, his face set in a grim mask as Luca rattled off the latest losses. Maps and ledgers lay spread out before them, each one marked with red slashes that indicated another business, another ally, or another operation that had fallen under attack.

“They’ve hit six of our shipments in the past two weeks,” Luca said, his voice tight. “The docks in Naples, the warehouses in Sicily, even the transport lines in Florence. It’s not just sabotage—it’s systematic.”

Marco slammed a fist on the table, making the documents jump. “They’re cutting us off at the knees.”

“It’s what the Consortium does,” Sergio Montini said from across the room. “They don’t fight like we do. They don’t need to. They starve their enemies until there’s nothing left to fight for.”

Marco leaned forward, his eyes blazing. “Then we don’t let them. Double the guards on the remaining routes. Pull resources from the smaller territories if you have to.”

Sergio hesitated. “That will spread us thin, Marco. If they push harder, we’ll—”

“I know what’s at stake!” Marco snapped, cutting him off. “We hold the line, Sergio. We don’t have a choice.”

The room fell into uneasy silence.

Carmen, standing near the door, broke it with a steady voice. “We need more than defense. If we keep reacting to their moves, we’ll lose. We need to go on the offensive.”

All eyes turned to her. Some of the older advisors frowned, but Luca nodded in agreement.

“She’s right,” Luca said. “The Consortium thrives on fear. If we strike back—hit something that matters to them—we show them we’re not just waiting to be picked apart.”

Marco looked at Carmen, his gaze softening slightly. “What do you suggest?”

Carmen stepped forward, placing a folder on the table. “Luca and I have been working on this. It’s a list of Consortium-linked operations—supply hubs, communication centers, safe houses. They’re vulnerable if we move quickly.”

Marco opened the folder, scanning the information. “This is good,” he admitted, his voice quieter. He glanced up at her. “But it’s risky.”

“So is waiting,” Carmen replied.

Marco nodded, his jaw tightening. “Then we move.”

________________

Later that evening, Carmen stood in the nursery, the soft glow of a lamp illuminating her son as he lay peacefully in his crib. She reached down, brushing a hand over his tiny head, her chest tightening with a mix of love and fear.

The recent attack on the estate haunted her. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the gunfire, the chaos, the danger that had come so close to taking everything from her.

“You’re not safe here,” she whispered, her voice trembling.

The thought had gnawed at her for days, and now, standing in the quiet of the nursery, she couldn’t ignore it any longer. If the Consortium was willing to attack their home, there was no guarantee they wouldn’t try again.

Carmen straightened, resolve hardening in her chest. She pulled out her phone, dialing a number she hadn’t used in years.