“Father,” Amara responded, inclining her head slightly. She took a seat opposite him, her posture straight and attentive. Lucas stood a few steps behind her, a silent sentinel.
Vincent studied his daughter for a moment, his gaze lingering on her face. “I hear you’ve been making some interesting alliances.”
Amara’s eyes flicked to Lucas before returning to her father. “If you’re referring to Rowan, he’s a means to an end.”
Vincent’s expression remained neutral, but his eyes darkened slightly. “He’s a Falcone. They are dangerous, even when they appear helpful.”
“I know,” Amara said firmly. “But we need him. He’s our best chance to get closer to the pendant we need.”
Vincent leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled. “Oh, how?”
Amara hesitated, glancing at Lucas again. He gave her a slight nod of encouragement. “Rowan has access to his whole house. If we depend on Harvey, Rowan will be an obstacle, but if we depend on Rowan, it can become less troublesome. But don’t worry, my focus is still to use Harvey, not Rowan.”
Vincent’s eyes narrowed. “The pendant. It’s crucial to Salvatore. We can’t take any chances with it or your safety, Amara.”
“I understand, Dad,” Amara replied.
Vincent was silent for a moment, considering her words. “You’re playing a dangerous game, Amara.”
“I’m aware of the risks,” she said softly. “But we don’t have any other choice.”
Vincent nodded slowly. “Very well. But be careful. The Falcones are not to be underestimated. And remember, family always comes first.”
“Don’t worry, dad,” Amara replied. Thinking about her conversation last night with Lucas, she asked, “I heard Salvatore called last night?”
Vincent explained, “Yeah, he called to check on the progress.”
Amara nodded in understanding. “I see.”
Vincent continued, “Your mom and brother will be back in the evening.”
“Mom is coming back?” Amara asked, a mixture of surprise and relief in her voice.
“Yeah,” Vincent confirmed with a nod.
Then a soft voice piped up, “Grandma is coming back today, yay! I am so excited!”
Vincent’s stern demeanor softened as he turned to the source of the voice. “Vaughn, come to Grandpa.”
Amara smiled warmly as her son, Vaughn, ran over. “Baby, when did you wake up?”
“Mommy, I woke up an hour ago,” Vaughn replied with a cheerful grin.
“Huh, I thought you were still asleep,” Amara said, surprised.
Lucas interjected, “Little Master was playing in the garden after waking up.”
Amara nodded. “Alright.”
Vincent’s expression softened further as he lifted his grandson into his lap. Vaughn, with his tousled hair and bright eyes, was a burst of sunshine in the otherwise tense atmosphere.
“Your Grandmother has been looking forward to seeing you, Vaughn. She missed you,” Vincent said, his voice tender.
Vaughn giggled, wrapping his tiny arms around Vincent’s neck. “I missed Grandma too!”
Amara watched the interaction, her heart warming at the sight of her father and son.
“Amara, we need to be prepared for when your mother and brother return. Things might get even more complicated,” Vincent said, shifting his attention back to her.
“I understand. I’ll make sure everything is in order,” Amara replied, her tone resolute.
Lucas stepped forward, his face serious. “Miss, shall I arrange for additional security?”
“Yes, Lucas. We can’t afford to take any risks, especially with Salvatore’s increased interest,” Amara agreed.
As Lucas left to handle the arrangements, Amara took a moment to reflect. The return of her mother and brother would undoubtedly bring more complexities, but she couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief at having them close.
The rest of the day was spent in preparation. Amara coordinated with her team, ensuring that every detail was covered. Security was increased, and their plans were reviewed and refined. The tension in the mansion was palpable, everyone aware of the importance of their mission.
As the evening approached, the anticipation grew. Amara stood in the grand foyer, watching the door, waiting for her mother and brother to arrive. She glanced at Lucas, who stood beside her, his expression as vigilant as ever.
The sound of a car pulling up to the mansion drew her attention. The door opened, and her mother, elegant and composed as always, stepped inside. Beside her was her younger brother, Leo, his expression a mix of relief and fatigue.
“Mom,” Amara said, stepping forward to embrace her.
“Amara, my darling,” her mother replied, holding her tightly. “It’s so good to see you.”
Leo approached, giving her a nod. “Sis.”
“Leo,” Amara greeted, giving him a quick hug. “It’s been too long.”
Her mother looked around the foyer, her sharp eyes taking in everything. “Where is Vaughn?”
“He’s with Dad,” Amara replied. “They’re in the kitchen, probably raiding the cookie jar.”
Her mother smiled, a rare moment of softness. “Good. He needs to spend time with his grandfather.”
Amara led them into the living room, where Vincent was waiting with Vaughn. The reunion was filled with warm embraces and quiet conversations, but the underlying tension was impossible to ignore.
As the evening wore on, the family gathered for dinner. The meal was a mixture of lighthearted conversations and serious discussions about their plans and the impending threat from Salvatore Rossi.
After dinner, Amara found herself alone with her mother in the study. Her mother, always perceptive, looked at her with concern. “Amara, what’s troubling you?”
Amara sighed, knowing she couldn’t hide anything from her mother. “It’s Rowan. He’s a Falcone, but he’s helping us. I don’t know if I can trust him.”
Her mother nodded, her expression thoughtful. “Trust is a dangerous thing in our world. But sometimes, we have to take risks to achieve our goals.”
“I know,” Amara replied. “But it’s more than that. I feel there’s just something about him. And that makes it even more complicated.”
Her mother reached out, placing a hand on her arm. “Love and loyalty are powerful forces, Amara. They can be our greatest strengths or our greatest weaknesses. You need to be careful, but you also need to follow your heart.”
Amara nodded, appreciating her mother’s wisdom. “Thank you, Mom. I just hope I’m making the right choices.”
“You are strong and smart, Amara. I trust you to make the right decisions.”
Late at night, Rowan Falcone was still in his office, the ambiance a mix of opulent luxury and stern practicality. His mahogany desk was meticulously organized, with papers neatly stacked and a sleek laptop open in front of him. The only sound in the room was the rhythmic ticking of an ornate clock on the wall.
His assistant, Kyle, was pacing back and forth, his movements restless and agitated. Rowan’s sharp eyes followed him for a moment before he finally spoke.
“Can you stop moving?” Rowan’s voice was calm but carried an underlying edge of irritation.
Kyle froze mid-step, his face paling slightly. “I’m sorry, boss.”
Rowan leaned back in his chair, observing Kyle with a keen gaze. “What’s on your mind?”
“Oh, it’s nothing,” Kyle replied quickly, avoiding eye contact.
Rowan raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. He reached into a drawer and brought out his gun, placing it deliberately on the desk in front of him. The metallic click echoed in the room, a stark reminder of Rowan’s authority and the unspoken rules of their world.
“Still nothing?” Rowan’s voice was deceptively mild, but the sight of the gun made Kyle gulp, his nerves getting the better of him.
“Uhh, boss,” Kyle stammered, his eyes fixed on the weapon. “Yesterday, your parents invited me over.”
Rowan’s interest piqued, though his expression remained unreadable. “And then?”
Kyle took a deep breath, the tension in the room almost palpable. “Then they asked about Amara.”
Rowan picked up the gun, casually turning it over in his hands as if it were a mere trinket. The sight of his boss handling the gun so nonchalantly made Kyle’s mouth dry, his nervousness escalating.
“Did you tell them?” Rowan asked, his eyes now locked onto Kyle’s.