Love In The Crossfire

he outskirts of the city. The shadows of towering trees stretched under th

to himself. Meeting Mia like this was reckless foolhard

of the darkness, her features illuminated by the faint glow of a streetlamp. She

said, trying to ke

Mia shot back, though her to

neither speaking, the silence

to talk," Alex fin

are we doing, Alex? This whatever this is it's ins

tted. "But I can't

ot that simple. We're not just risking ourselves; we

rrupted, his voice firm. "I'm tired of l

words sinking in. "It's not tha

epping closer. "But I'm willi

ted to believe him, to trust that they could some

a whisper. "If we keep doing this, someo

he said, his tone unwaver

ally, she let out a shaky breath. "This is the last time,"

le tugging at his lips told he

in his study, poring over the latest repor

Vincenzo said, closin

look up. "What

we've built," Vincenzo replied. "It's

ed up, his eyes blaz

last night. They met at the old

fists clenching. "He's a fo

t to do about it

ally, he spoke, his voice cold and commanding. "Watch

ngly suspicious of his sister. Her late-night ab

ne morning, his voice low but mena

h. "I was out. I

e?" Marco

er," she said, b

matter. If you're hiding something, Mia, I'll

ed her arm free, her eyes flashing with anger. "Sta

getting too close, and she knew it was only a

armen, the black-market dealer who often serve

want to see," Carmen said.

armen conducted most of her business. Carmen

this?"

ng something big," Carmen replied.

e DeSantos were planning to expand their operations, pushing into Mora

g me this?" Mia ask

"But be careful, Mia. If the DeSantos find out

her father, but part of her couldn't shake the thought

texted Alex. We

on between them palpable. Mia held the fold

?" Alex asked, h

ord. He opened it, his eyes scanning

," he said finally.

," Mia shot back. "Do you realiz

ng. He knew she was right, but he a

said, his voice quiet. "B

. "How can I trust you when your

pleading. "Because I'm not l

e crumbling. Despite everythi

"But if you betray me, Ale

nowing she mea