“Yes, sweetheart,” Amara replied softly, pressing a gentle kiss to his temple.
Vaughn nodded, his little face happy on the thought of going home.
They finally reached a private gate, where a sleek, black jet waited on the tarmac. Lucas exchanged a few quick words with the ground crew, who nodded and began prepping the jet for immediate takeoff. Nick positioned himself near the entrance, scanning the area one last time to ensure everything was clear.
Amara tightened her hold on Vaughn as they approached the stairs leading up to the jet. Lucas moved ahead of them, climbing the steps quickly and holding out a hand to help her up.
Lucas guided them to their seats, making sure Vaughn was buckled in securely. “We should be airborne in a few minutes,” he said, his voice calm but with an edge of urgency. “We need to stay alert until we’re in the air. There’s no telling what could happen between now and then.”
Amara nodded, her eyes scanning the small cabin, taking in every detail, every potential threat. She felt the weight of her decision pressing down on her.
She looked at Vaughn, who was looking out the small window, his face pressed against the glass, watching the airport bustle outside. She reached out, smoothing his hair, a gesture of comfort more for herself than for him.
The jet began to taxi down the runway, picking up speed, and Amara felt a knot of anxiety tighten in her stomach. She glanced out the window, her eyes scanning the tarmac one last time.
Rowan stood outside the airport, his eyes fixed on the departing plane as it climbed higher into the sky. The roar of its engines faded into the distance, and a rare softness crept into his usually hardened gaze.
For a moment, the weight of his responsibilities, the burden of his choices, all seemed to lift as he watched the jet carry Amara and Vaughn away from danger from italians. She was finally out of trouble, at least for now.
His thoughts were interrupted by Harvey’s voice breaking the silence, pulling him back to the harsh reality of their world. Harvey glanced between Rowan and the plane that was now a mere speck against the vast sky, then back at Rowan, studying his expression. “Shall we go, big brother?” he asked quietly, his tone more respectful than usual, sensing the gravity of the moment.
Rowan nodded, the gentle expression vanishing from his face, replaced by the familiar steeliness that defined him. “Let’s go.”
He turned and walked toward the waiting car, his steps deliberate, his posture composed, though every movement seemed to carry a hidden pain.
The adrenaline that had fueled him earlier was wearing off, and he could feel the throbbing in his shoulder intensify with each step. He slid into the backseat of the car, and Kyle, sitting in the driver’s seat, glanced back at him, his brows furrowed with concern.
“Boss,” Kyle began cautiously, “your shoulder… is it fine now?”
Rowan’s eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of irritation flaring in them. He didn’t like showing weakness, especially not in front of his men. “Stop worrying, Kyle,” he snapped, his tone sharp. “Focus on the task at hand. Drive.”
Kyle nodded, understanding the unspoken command. He started the engine, and the car roared to life. The tires screeched slightly as they pulled out of the airport parking lot, merging onto the main road that would take them to their next destination, that was Elio’s residence.
Rowan leaned back against the seat, his hand pressing against his injured shoulder. Blood still seeped through the bandages, staining his shirt, but he ignored the pain.
There was no time to dwell on his injury; they had a job to do. Today was about shifting the balance of power, and there was no room for distractions.
As they drove through the city, the tension inside the car was palpable. Harvey sat in the front passenger seat, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger.
Kyle focused on the road, his grip on the steering wheel tight. Rowan’s mind was already at Elio’s residence, where a crucial meeting was taking place.. a meeting that would decide the future of their operations in Italy.
The city outside the window passed by in a blur of buildings and people, the bustling life contrasting sharply with the cold, calculated silence inside the car. Every moment, every heartbeat, was a step closer to their goal.
They were heading into a lion’s den, where three major leaders of the Italian mafia were gathering to discuss the shift of power. It was a delicate situation, one that required both diplomacy and the threat of violence in equal measure.
Rowan’s thoughts drifted back to Amara, just for a second. He knew sending her away was the right choice, but it didn’t make the ache in his chest any less. The moment she left, he felt a piece of himself go with her. He couldn’t afford to think like that, not now. He had to stay focused.
They arrived at Elio’s residence, a sprawling villa surrounded by high walls and guarded by men armed to the teeth. The air was thick with tension, a dark cloud hanging over the meeting. Rowan could feel it the moment they stepped out of the car. This wasn’t just another negotiation; this was a battlefield where alliances would be tested, and loyalties could change in a heartbeat.
The guards at the gate recognized them immediately, nodding in respect as they were allowed entry. Rowan led the way, his stride confident and unwavering despite the pain radiating from his shoulder. Harvey and Kyle flanked him, their expressions grim, their hands hovering close to their concealed weapons.
Inside, the atmosphere was even more charged. Elio was dead but Elio’s men were everywhere, eyes cold and calculating, watching every move. Rowan could see the tension etched on their faces, the fear of what was about to come. They all knew the stakes of this meeting. If things went south, blood would be spilled.