Chapter 41
Tiziano Constanzo
I was no longer willing to wait for another attack.
From now on, I would be the one to strike first. It was a decision I had no intention of backing down from.
We had suffered unexpected ambushes, attacks in places that, in theory, only our allies knew about.
Someone was betraying us, and it would not go unpunished.
“Tiziano, we should consider what was said about my sister-in-law,” Enzo suggested, crossing his arms as he looked at me.
“I know my wife, Enzo,” I replied quickly, almost automatically.
“And I know that. But, Tiziano, even so, we need to be careful. It wouldn’t be wise to ignore it. We can run a test, something simple, just to make sure,” he said cautiously.
I let out a heavy sigh, running a hand over my face.
“You think I don’t see what’s happening?” I asked. “But Bianca has nothing to do with this. The problem is out there, with whoever is trying to destabilize us.”
“And what if it’s in here too?” Enzo countered. “I’m not saying your wife is involved, but it’s strange that they brought this up, that they want to make you suspicious of her.”
My gaze darkened. His words found their way into the suspicions I wanted to ignore.
“What do you suggest?” I finally asked.
“Watch. Just watch. Who gets too close, who cares more than they should, who asks questions they shouldn’t be asking. And if anything seems out of place, we act.”
I remained silent for a moment, my mind analyzing every recent move.
“All right. But we’ll do it my way.”
“We always do.” Enzo shrugged with a small smile.
Days later…
I watched Bianca sitting at the breakfast table, her hair slightly tousled and still damp from her shower. She seemed distracted, her eyes moving across the pages of a book she had brought home from the bookstore, but I knew she heard every word I said, even if she pretended not to be interested.
I picked up my phone and quickly dialed Enzo’s number.
“I want everything ready for the main shipment to be moved tonight,” I said directly as I stood and walked toward the window. “I don’t want any mistakes, Enzo. It’s a clean route, but we need to be twice as alert.”
“Understood, Don. Who will be assigned to the transport?”
“Me.” I smiled at the silence on the other end of the line. I knew Enzo hadn’t expected that answer. “I’m going to use the trip as a distraction. Bianca will come with me, and from there we’ll throw off anyone who might be following our trail.”
“That’s risky.” I could hear the concern in his voice.
“Which is exactly why it’ll work. Who would think I’d put something so valuable right under my own nose?” I chuckled softly, glancing at Bianca, who now seemed more interested in the conversation than in her book.
“Very well. I’ll take care of the details.”
I ended the call and set the phone aside. Bianca was watching me now.
“A trip?” she asked casually.
“Exactly.” I walked over to her and leaned across the table, gripping the arm of the chair she was sitting in. “I thought you might enjoy spending some time away from here with me.”
“It sounds important,” she said hesitantly.
“Everything I do is important, amore mio.” I ran my fingers along her arm. “Don’t worry about the details. Just be ready to leave in a few hours.”
She nodded.
It didn’t take long for Enzo to return and walk in without knocking, as usual, a folder in his hands.
“The routes have been reviewed.” He placed the papers on the desk. “I have men stationed at every main point.”
“Good. Make sure the teams on the ground know that any suspicious movement is to be neutralized immediately.”
Bianca entered the office hesitantly.
“Am I interrupting?” she asked, looking from Enzo to me.
“No.” I smiled at her. “I was just going over the final details for our trip.”
“All right,” she replied before her eyes fell on the open folder on my desk, and she quickly looked away.
I knew she had heard more than she wanted to admit. And for a moment, I let her.
“Enzo, keep the shipment under surveillance. I don’t want anyone, not even my own men, knowing the exact location until the right moment.”
Bianca frowned but said nothing.
“Are you ready?” I asked, closing the folder and walking toward her.
“Yes.”
I kissed her forehead softly before pulling away and heading toward the car parked at the entrance. Without waiting for the driver, I got in and took the wheel.
“I’m driving this time.” I cast a brief glance at Bianca as she followed me in silence, closing the door after getting inside.
Behind us, the soldiers were already getting into the escort vehicles, ready to follow our every move.
“Is something going on?” she asked as she fastened her seat belt.
“Nothing you need to worry about, amore mio,” I replied with a half smile, keeping my eyes fixed on the road ahead. I reached for her hand, intertwining our fingers. “Just business.”
“You seem different,” Bianca insisted, turning slightly to look at me. “You don’t usually take me on last-minute trips.”
I let out a quiet sigh, squeezing her hand lightly.
“Sometimes it’s good to change things up a little. Besides, it’s always a pleasure to have my wife by my side.”
She laughed softly, but she didn’t seem entirely convinced. Her eyes were alert, curious.
Some time later, the car stopped at a small, secluded harbor. The soldiers following us quickly got out to check the area. I stepped out of the car and held my hand out to Bianca.
“Let’s take a walk,” I said, guiding her toward the dock. The sun was low on the horizon, making the view magnificent.
“It’s beautiful here,” she commented, looking around, but I could tell she was suspicious.
“I thought you’d like it,” I murmured, watching her as she admired the sea. “It’s peaceful, different from the chaos back home.”
“Peaceful?” Bianca turned toward me, crossing her arms. “You brought soldiers, and I’m sure they’ve already checked every corner. What’s going on, Tiziano?”
The harbor looked calm, but I was restless. Bianca turned toward me, crossing her arms and narrowing her eyes.
Shit. What the hell kind of plan was this? The thought screamed inside my head as I tried to keep my expression neutral. What had seemed like a good idea before now felt like an idiotic move. Bringing her here was far too risky, even with all my men on alert.
“It’s just a security precaution. I don’t want any surprises.”
“Everything is clear, Don,” one of the men said, pulling me from my thoughts.
“Clear?” I repeated dryly.
“We’re staying alert,” he replied.
“How much longer do we need to stay here, Tiziano?” Her voice reached me, soft, but it was enough to make me turn toward her.
“Just a few more minutes, and then we’ll leave,” I replied, perhaps a little too quickly.
She arched an eyebrow, and the gesture nearly disarmed me.
“You shouldn’t be here,” I said, crossing my arms as I stared at her. “But since you are, stay where I can see you.”
What the hell am I waiting for?