Vanessa sat on the edge of the bed, her fingers brushing the faint wrinkles in the sheets where Vincenzo had just been. The warmth of his presence lingered, but so did the ache of uncertainty. His words had been a balm to her wounds, but the sharp knock at the door had ripped away her brief moment of peace.
She clenched her fists, her mind racing with possibilities. Every knock, every shadow carried the weight of danger in their world.
A few moments later, she couldn't resist. Rising, she moved to the door and pressed her ear against it, straining to hear the voices on the other side.
"Are you certain?" Vincenzo's voice, low and deadly.
"Yes, boss. It's confirmed," the man replied. "Another shipment was intercepted. This time, the location was leaked before we even moved."
Vanessa's breath caught. Another betrayal. The noose around Vincenzo's neck was tightening, and by extension, hers and their child's.
"Who knew the location?" Vincenzo demanded.
"Only the inner circle," the man replied. "But there's more… someone left a message."
A pause.
"What message?" Vincenzo's voice was a blade, sharp and dangerous.
"'The beast will fall from within.' Written in blood, boss."
Vanessa's stomach twisted at the ominous words. She took a step back from the door, her pulse racing. The beast… was it a reference to Vincenzo? Or his strange illness?
Suddenly, the door opened, and she stumbled back. Vincenzo stood there, his eyes narrowing as he caught her. "Vanessa," he said, his voice softer but still carrying an edge. "You shouldn't—"
"I heard everything," she interrupted, her voice firm despite the fear that churned inside her. "They're coming for you, aren't they? For us?"
He stepped into the room and shut the door behind him. "I told you to stay out of this," he said, his tone frustrated but not angry.
"You can't shut me out," she countered, her voice rising. "If someone in your circle is the traitor, then they know about me. About the baby. How can you ask me to stay out of it when we're in the crosshairs too?"
Vincenzo sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. "Because if you get involved, they'll use you against me. And I won't let that happen."
Vanessa stepped closer, her hand resting on his arm. "You can't protect us alone, Vincenzo. You need me. Let me help."
He hesitated, his inner conflict playing out in his eyes. Finally, he nodded, albeit reluctantly. "Fine. But you stay close to me at all times. No risks, Vanessa. None."
She nodded, relief and determination washing over her. "We'll find them.