185

185
Alaric’s POV
The room buzzed with tension as my men gathered around the long oak table. Maps and documents were scattered across the surface, lit by the dim overhead lights. Everything was laid out-routes, contacts, even a vague plan to storm Cruz’s villa. But none of it felt like enough. I already felt like I was too late to save her.
“Where the hell is Allesio?” I barked, pacing at the head of the table. The knot in my chest tightened with every second that ticked by. My body was heavy with exhaustion, but my mind wouldn’t stop racing.
“He’s pulling together more intel on Cruz’s men,” Marcus replied, his voice steady but low. “The informant said there’s been heightened activity near the port.”
“Which means nothing,” I snapped, slamming my hand down on the table. “That bastard could’ve moved her anywhere by now.”
The room fell silent. I knew my men were trying their best, but it wasn’t enough. Not when Emilia was out there, vulnerable and alone. Every second she spent in Cruz’s grip was another second too long. Only God knows what he might have done to her while we were here wasting time doing nothing.
“Boss,” Allesio’s voice cut through the silence as he strode into the room. His expression was grim, a thick folder tucked under his arm. “We’ve confirmed Alonso Cruz is keeping her at his villa on the east side of the city. Tight security. Guard rotations every three hours. The place is a damn fortress.”
I met his gaze, my jaw clenching. “And?”
He hesitated. “No demands yet. No ransom call. Nothing.”
The air seemed to drain from the room. No demands meant Cruz didn’t want money or leverage. He wanted something else.
My fists curled at my sides as I leaned forward, my voice low and dangerous. “Then we go in. No waiting, no hesitation. We bring her home.”
“Alaric,” Marcus interjected carefully, “we need a solid plan. If Cruz expects retaliation, he’ll have more men ready. Rushing in blind could get us all killed-and her too.”
I glared at him, my instincts screaming to act now, but I knew he was right. Cruz wouldn’t hesitate to use Emilia as a shield if it came to that.
“Fine,” I bit out. “What’s the plan?”
Allesio spread the folder open on the table, revealing blueprints of the villa. “We’ll need to split into two teams. One creates a diversion at the front gates while the other infiltrates from the west. There’s a weak point in their perimeter-an old service entrance. We’ll use it to get in undetected.”
I studied the map, my fingers tracing the marked routes. It was risky, but it was our best shot. “Who’s leading the infiltration team?”
“I am,” Allesio said firmly. “You stay back and-”
“No,” I interrupted sharply. “I’m going in. End of discussion.”
Allesio opened his mouth to argue, but I silenced him with a glare. I wasn’t about to sit on the sidelines while the woman I loved was in danger.
Yes. The woman I LOVED. God damnit. I hated that it had taken me this long to realize that I was in love with her. That I needed her in my life like the air that I breathe.
Marcus sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. “Alright. But we need to move fast. Cruz will expect retaliation sooner rather than later.”
The room shifted into motion as orders were given and preparations made. My men worked with precision, but my mind remained clouded, every second stretching into an eternity.
Then the door slammed open.
Every head turned, including mine, as Emilia stumbled into the room. She was disheveled, her dress wrinkled and dirt-streaked, her hair tangled around her face. But it was her-alive and here.
For a moment, I froze, unable to trust my own eyes. Then the realization hit me like a freight train.
“Emilia,” I breathed, my voice barely a whisper before I was moving toward her.
Her wide, searching eyes locked onto mine, and as soon as I reached her, I pulled her into my arms. The moment she was in my grasp, the world tilted back into place. Her warmth, her scent, the sound of her ragged breathing-it all confirmed that she was real.
“You’re here,” I murmured, holding her tighter. “You’re safe.”
Her body trembled against mine, but her voice was steady when she replied, “I escaped.”
I pulled back just enough to look at her, my hands cradling her face. Her lip was split, and there was a faint bruise on her cheek. Fury surged in my chest, but I pushed it down. She was here, and that was all that mattered right now.
“You’re hurt,” I said, my thumb brushing over the bruise. “What did they do to you?”
She shook her head, her eyes filling with tears. “I’m okay. I just… I needed to get back to you.”
I pressed my forehead to hers, my voice rough with emotion. “You have no idea how close we were to tearing Cruz’s entire operation apart to find you.”
Her lips quirked into a faint smile. “You’re dramatic, Alaric.”
I huffed a laugh, but the sound was thick with relief. “You drive me to it.”
The room had gone silent around us, my men watching the reunion with a mix of shock and awe. Allesio cleared his throat, breaking the spell.
“Boss, we should debrief her. Find out what she knows about Cruz’s setup.”
Emilia tensed in my arms, and I immediately turned to glare at Allesio. “She just got here. She needs rest.”
“I’m fine,” Emilia said, surprising me. She straightened, pulling out of my embrace. Her gaze hardened as she looked at the men around the room. “But I’ll tell you everything I know on one condition.”
“What’s that?” I asked, my brows furrowing.
Her eyes locked onto mine, determined and unyielding. “That you promise me you won’t do anything rash to Cruz.”
The fire in her voice sent a surge of pride through me. This woman-my woman-was stronger than anyone gave her credit for. But right now I didn’t need that fire.
“Are you out of your Goddamned mind?! They took you away from me and you’re telling me you don’t want me to kill the bastard?” I roared, wanting to hold her shoulders and shake the sense into her.
“I’m not stupid, Alaric. I know what I’m saying when I say you shouldn’t do it. I have my reasons,” She answered softly but firmly. “So promise me.”
I nodded, my voice flat. “I swear it.” That was a lie anyways. I will kill the bastard. She could get angry at me all she wanted after I’ve done it, but I will do it. I just needed to hear what information she had first.
Emilia glanced at Allesio, then back at me. “Good. Then let’s talk.”
“Not until I’ve taken you to the hospital,” I murmured, noting all the bruises on her skin.
“I’m fine, Alaric,” she murmured, trying to assure me but I shook my head.
“Prepare the car, Allesio. Call the hospital too. We’re taking her to the hospital now,” I ordered, leaving no room for arguments.