Chapter 18
“Your security is pathetic. Let me speak with Emma.” Ethan demanded as our soldiers surrounded him with weapons drawn.
In previous years, our families had always maintained distance and borders. This year, Ethan’s unexpected appearance at our compound was an act of
aggression.
But when a rival captain arrives alone, you sometimes hear them out before eliminating the threat.
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Antonio motioned for our men to allow Ethan into a secure meeting room where I
was protected by four armed guards.
Ethan naturally tried to approach me, his eyes never leaving mine.
My captains, aware of our history, kept their weapons trained on him.
I laughed coldly at his audacity and clarified the situation.
“You have two minutes to explain why you’ve violated our territory, then you leave
–
or don’t leave at all.”
Ethan’s expression darkened noticeably.
At midnight, when everyone was distracted by the holiday countdown, he
somehow managed to corner me in a quiet hallway, grabbing my arm with obvious desperation.
“Emma, I need you to come back. The family is falling apart without you.”
But my phone suddenly rang.
My face remained impassive as I pulled away from Ethan’s grip and stepped back
to answer.
It was Logan, a Vasquez captain I’d been getting close to over recent months. He was handsome and dangerous.
Not the brooding, tormented type like Ethan–more like the always–confident,
quick–to–laugh kind of man.
Strategic and loyal, he often had my back in dangerous situations.
He said he was calling to confirm our security protocols, wanting to ensure I was
safe from the Moretti intrusion.
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I didn’t think much of it. It was Christmas Eve, but business always came first in our world.
Before hanging up, he added something unexpected.
“Actually, I just wanted to be the first person to wish you Merry Christmas at midnight.”
“Merry Christmas, Emma. We’re all glad you chose our family.”
I smiled genuinely for the first time that night and thanked him for his loyalty. We discussed security briefly. When I finally hung up and turned around, Ethan
was standing closer, his face hard as stone.
I had no idea how much he’d overheard.
“New captain?” he asked, his voice dangerously soft.
“My security chief,” I answered coolly after a moment’s thought.
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Ethan remained silent for a long time.
I thought he had nothing more to say and was about to call for my guards to
escort him out.
Then he suddenly spoke up. “Rival families aren’t always loyal to their new recruits.
You should return to those who truly know you, who raised you.”
I laughed outright.
“That’s rich coming from you. Trust must be earned, not demanded. I’ve earned my place here.
“Now leave, Ethan. Antonio doesn’t extend hospitality to Morettis any longer.”
Ethan looked like I’d struck him. Without another word, he turned to leave the
compound.
I didn’t dwell on it–his wounded pride wasn’t my concern anymore.
After that, I spent time with Antonio and my Vasquez brothers, planning our next territory expansion. I barely thought about the northern families.
I didn’t see Ethan again.
The new year brought new opportunities, and I fully embraced my position as
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Antonio’s right hand.
But six months later, to my absolute shock, I spotted Ethan waiting outside my
private Miami residence..
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