Chapter 25

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Isabella

Colombia is only one hour behind us this time of year, but I know the cartel, and I know they are moving quickly.

"Let's get ready," Lev says. "We need to fly to Colombia, Isabella. We'll talk over breakfast." I stifle a whimper at the loss of his weight on me when he gets to his feet. "Let's find what you can eat."

I blink. I knew it had to happen, but the reality of it all is giving me a bit of a shock. Yeah, it's gonna be interesting heading up a cartel while being married to the king of the jungle.

But I suppose that will keep things interesting.

Turns out, I can eat anything. He's made bacon and eggs, potatoes and toast. I slather butter on a crispy piece of toasted sourdough and hum approvingly at the rich, tangy taste. I chase that with a few slices of crispy, salty bacon, scrambled eggs, and golden potatoes. I definitely earned this appetite.

"Oh my God, this is the best food I've ever eaten in my life."

Lev pours me another cup of coffee. "Have you ever had coffee made in front of a campfire? Bacon still sizzling from the cast iron before the sun rises over the mountain? Eat that shit after a ten-mile hike the day before, and you'll think you died and went to heaven."

"Hmm," I say, buttering another piece of toast. "Can't say that I have, but I'm game to travel. But only if there's running water. And maybe WiFi. Air-conditioning in the summer and heat in the winter. After, like… maybe the baby can walk."

I don't miss the way he cringes when I say baby.

"About that," he begins, scratching at his bicep. I stare at the ink beneath his fingers, the dark script that reads Memento Mori.

"What does that mean?" I interrupt.

He looks down at the scroll thoughtfully. "‘Remember that you will die.' I remind myself every day."

I blink. "That's not morbid at all."

"It isn't," he says, shaking his head. "It just means, appreciate being alive. Today. Today could be the last day you have."

I think of Javier's lifeless eyes. The gravestones in Colombia with my parents' names on them.

I think of the burgeoning life within me and wonder if it doesn't all just make sense.

"I interrupted you. You were going to say something about the baby?" I'm still working on this food. It's delicious, and I'm regaining my strength.

Lev nods soberly, his warm eyes meeting mine. "We need to be careful, Isabella. The life we're stepping into isn't just dangerous for us but for anyone we bring into it. If we're going to have a family… we need to be sure."

I pause mid-bite, the weight of his words settling over me. "You mean, if we're going to have more children."

He nods, his expression serious. "I want them to be safe. I want you to be safe."

I put down my fork and reach across the table, taking his hand in mine. "Lev, I know the risks. And I know that our world isn't perfect. But we're building something new, something better. Together. And we'll protect our family with everything we have."

He squeezes my hand, his eyes softening. "I know we will. But it's going to take time. We have to be smart about this."

I nod, understanding the gravity of our situation. "Agreed. We take it one step at a time. For now, we focus on taking control and making the changes we need to. The rest will come when it's right."

Lev's lips curve into a small smile. "You're indomitable, aren't you?"

I grin, picking up my coffee cup. "That's why you married me, isn't it?"

"Among other reasons," he says with a shrug. "It had something to do with you spying on us, if I recall correctly." He winks.

It feels fitting that we met in the warehouse, and we ended Javier in the exact same place. A bookend of sorts. And now, what we needed, what I hoped for—it all lies before us.

I have to keep my head on straight and lean heavily into the strength of my new allies. "Let's talk about our plans."

We finish our breakfast, the conversation shifting to our plans for the day. We discuss our strategy for Colombia, the allies we need to contact, and the changes we'll implement. Despite the challenges ahead, I feel a sense of excitement and purpose.

I like that.

After breakfast, Lev and I pack our bags quickly, preparing for our trip. As I fold my clothes and place them in the suitcase, I can't help but feel a bit of anticipation and nervousness. This trip to Colombia is the first step in solidifying our power and ensuring the future we want, merging our families.

But first, we end the human trafficking.

God, I can't fucking wait.

I look over what I packed. Anything else we need, we can find in my homeland.

My homeland.

A wave of nostalgia hits me when I think about going back to where I grew up, where I was raised… my people. I'll never forget the lush, vibrant landscapes, the rolling hills, and the beauty of the Andes. The freedom and peace I felt when I rode my horse in the countryside. The wind in my hair.

The music and dancing during our traditional festivals, the sense of pride and joy I got from celebrating my heritage as if partaking in an ancient dance in which I was only a visitor.

My memories bring both comfort and pain, reminders of what I've forged and what I've lost.

But what lies ahead still thrills me.

"Are you alright?" Lev asks, his hand on my lower back. "Do you need crackers or lemonade or something?"

I smile at him. "How did you know those things can help?"

He shrugs. "I have a sister, a mother, and the internet." I smile at him, but he forgot one thing—an interest in my wellbeing. I know that now.

"I'm good. There's just so much that's happened, and I have mixed feelings about going home to Colombia."

He nods. "Makes sense."

Leaning in, he gives me a quick peck on the cheek, but it's all I need. I draw in a breath and square my shoulders, ready to go. We finish packing in record time.

Lev wraps his arms around me from behind, resting his chin on my shoulder. "Are you ready for this?"

"Yeah, but I need to know. Where is Renata?"

"She's with Ollie," he says, opening the car door for me and gesturing for me to get inside.

"With Ollie," I repeat, but he doesn't offer any more details.

"She's fine," he says. "Promise."

She's my best friend in the hands of men who were rival mafia this time last month. But he's right—I must trust him.

"Can I talk to her?"

"Soon."

I slide into the seat. It's a cool day in autumn, but the seat is warm. "Did you heat the car up?"

"Seat warmer." I didn't know until now how much I needed this in my life.

I lean back and nod, drawing strength from his presence. "Let's do this."

He fields calls on his phone while I watch the world wake up around us. It's a new day, a new beginning. And with Lev by my side, I feel almost invincible.

I wordlessly place my hand on my belly. The thought of having a baby with him… it isn't as bad as I thought.

We make it to the plane in record time. He isn't fooling around—no helicopters or commercial flights. It's a private plane he secured just this morning.

We board the plane, and as it takes off, I gaze out the window at the shrinking landscape below.

Lev takes my hand, squeezing it gently. "To our future," he says, his voice filled with determination.

"To our future," I echo, smiling at him.

As the plane soars into the sky, I close my eyes and steel myself for what lies ahead.

I need to prepare. I need to know everything. My eyes still closed; I ask about the aftermath of last night.

"Was anyone injured?"

"Viktor shot Carlos several times and left him for dead. He then called in to update us; when he returned to collect him, his body was gone; he was found crawling through the woods a while later, it's unclear if he'll survive. Javier is confirmed dead. The clean-up crew took care of him."

"Where are they taking Carlos?"

I open one eye in time to note a shadow crossing his features. With our shift in allegiance, it's time for him to tell me confidential information. It will take time to build a comfortable place of trust. But we're learning. Step by step, little by little.

"A safe house north of The Cove."

My heart surges. He trusts me. He's leaning into this as hard as I am.

I nod. I could ask for coordinates and details. I could ask that he patch me in to talk to whoever's holding him.

Or I could trust that he will operate as he wishes within the confines of his family as I will mine.

Wordlessly, he reaches for my hand and gives it a squeeze. "Thank you for trusting me," he says quietly.

I nod. "Thank you for doing the same." I give him a sidelong look. "Does this mean we're calling a truce?"

He looks back at me, a brow quirked as his lips curve downward. I shiver. I love Stern Lev. "For now. Don't think I'm not gonna whip your ass for what you pulled."

My jaw drops open even as a wave of excitement zaps my nerves. "What? Me? You were the one that fucked with my birth control."

He grunts. "I know. I thought we made peace with that…"

"Excuse me, sir, I believe I can bring that up for at least nine more months."

He pretends to be thinking it over. "Fair." He shrugs. "You're still going over my knee."

I swallow hard. But the way his eyes are twinkling tells me everything I need to know. He knows I like this. He knows I crave this. And we both know what we need to do.

We'll get there.

"Is everyone at home alright?"

"At home?" he repeats as if he needs to clarify which home I'm referring to. That's where the merging of two families might get a little tricky.

"Yeah. Your mom's place," I say in a whisper.

"Yes," he says. "Everyone's fine. It's you they're worried about."

I stare out the window at the thinning clouds and pale blue sky, so he doesn't see my eyes water. I want to stay strong, but even I can't completely ignore these damn pregnancy hormones. I swipe at my eyes.

"Oh?" I ask.

I fail at hiding my emotions. Wordlessly, his arm snakes around my shoulders, and he pulls me closer to him. He runs a hand down the back of my neck and kisses my forehead.

"Yeah," he whispers. "I told them you were great. I told them you're brave. And I promised them I'd take very good care of you."

I smile but shake my head. "The girls better not think this little jaunt to Columbia gets them out of our next practice."

"Mmm," he nods soberly. "Of course not." His lips still twitch.

I smack his chest. I know he's giving me shit. "I'm serious!"

"I know you are. We'll be back in time."

I lean back against him. "Polina was a fucking beast when they attacked."

He huffs out a breath that's a half laugh and half groan. "You girls are going to make the rest of us obsolete."

I stifle a snort. "Hardly, though I fully intend on using Aria's prowess in support of my plan for world domination."

"I'm sure she would love that." He squeezes my shoulder.

"But will Mikhail?"

"You've demonstrated your leadership abilities and your honesty. I'm sorry any of us ever questioned it. Don't worry about Mikhail. We're allies now."

The power of the Romanov Bratva and the talent of the Los Sangre Dorada will be dynamite. We'll have to exercise caution and use fool-proof methods of communication, for starters. But the potential for what our families could do together is damn near mind-blowing.

"I'll want to coordinate our efforts to rebuild and heal," I tell him.

"And we'll want to do the same."

We all will—our families. Our rival factions.

Me and Lev.

Five hours later, after a few more snacks and naps and establishing our plans, we land in Colombia in the early afternoon.

"Do you have friends here? Allies? Relatives?" Lev asks another question as we gather our bags.

I nod. "Of course, but I'm not here for them. This won't be a time of visiting friends and relatives but securing my men. It's time to assert my authority and make it clear human trafficking is no longer part of our operations. We'll have to squash any dissent."

"Absolutely. And you anticipate some?"

I sigh. "It's inevitable. The key is to bring it to the surface and end it, rather than letting it simmer and cause division."

"And then what?"

I nod. I'm not here on some sort of mercenary rescue mission. I'm here to solidify the newly hatched Los Sangre Dorada and make it my own.

"We will start there. After I see who remains loyal, I'll be better equipped to make our next move."

Lev leans over and kisses me again. "You're going to make an excellent leader."

I wink at him. "So will you."

I step out of the plane into the bright, warm light of my homeland and feel a little wistful. It's so different here, so beautiful, though I think I'll grow to learn to love The Cove in my own way.

Unfortunately, I can't trust everyone here. Not now, not after Javier's death. Though we'll keep my involvement confidential, unrest always follows the fall of a leader. I must settle my family home and put our affairs in order, but first things first—we drive to the cartel's headquarters.

I need to quickly assert my dominance. Calling together the leaders and most powerful members of Los Sangre Dorada, I organize a meeting at my family home. Later today, I have a meeting with a lawyer to manage the property and assets I now control as the sole remaining survivor of the Morales family—the one responsible for carrying on our legacy. It will not be the legacy my father wanted.

Twenty-two men arrive. Two have gone rogue, but I did not come into this position blindly. Juan-Carlo, an older man who took me under his wing when I was just a little girl, has kept me informed. The two who have gone rogue were stealing from Javier and expect blowback. I'll deal with them later.

"Thank you for coming," I tell the men assembled before me. Lev sits beside me, his back ramrod straight. I don't miss the way the men stare at him with a mixture of respect and fear—his reputation, and the reputation of the Romanov Bratva, has preceded him.

Lucky me. There's something about knowing this man who they fear, this man who is mine, that makes my heart beat faster. I squeeze his hand under the table. He runs his thumb over the top of mine. I swallow and clear my throat.

I begin, my voice commanding. "In the wake of my brother's death, I will assume the position as head of Los Sangre Dorada. Effective immediately, all human trafficking operations end. We will be completely disassociated from any tasks or connections. Anyone caught defying this order will answer directly to me." I look at Lev. "To both of us."

I will not wait one more second to end this reprehensible work.

I let the weight of my words settle. "We have many other lucrative avenues of revenue to pursue." Murmurs ripple through the room, some nodding in agreement, others looking uncertain.

Lev stands, his presence a silent promise of support. When his deep voice rings with authority, the men sit up straighter. "Isabella and I are united in this decision. We expect loyalty and commitment to these new directives. Anyone who disagrees is free to leave—but understand that opposition will not be tolerated."

It's crucial they know that Lev and I will rule together. They might try to defy me alone, though usurping my place of position would be difficult since none of them have Morales blood. But none dare defy me with the power of the Romanov Bratva at my back.

I look into Lev's eyes with my next words. "I have secured an alliance with the Romanov Bratva. The combined forces of our families will forge us into a powerhouse."

We hold hands in front of everyone. I stand straighter. "Any questions?"

I field a handful of questions, but thankfully, these men were loyal to me, and few were to my brother, the dictator. It's honestly going better than I anticipated.

Over the next few days, we work tirelessly. I do my best to be firm but fair with Lev by my side. Slowly, I begrudgingly earn the respect of the remaining few who were initially skeptical, those I hadn't won over before Javier's demise. With Lev's strategic mind and unyielding support, the transition is smoother than I had hoped.

Within a few days, our trafficking ring crumbles like a rickety old bridge. I take pleasure in watching those held captive set free while simultaneously working our other income streams. Solidifying the cartel's new normal will take time, but the initial days are promising.

With the amount of work that we need to do, we stay a bit longer than planned. It doesn't take long for us to hit our first wrinkle. I'm honestly relieved because there's no possible way we'd skate through this transition without opposition. I'd rather bring the toxins to the surface now and cleanse them for good.

"A small faction is resisting our new direction," Juan-Carlo tells me, scrubbing a hand across his leathery face. His warm brown eyes are wary. "Address them directly and publicly. They are too cowardly to continue."

I nod and call a meeting.

When everyone is assembled, I take my place as their leader. I stand and address them.

"It's come to my attention that some of you are unhappy with my decision to end what my brother began." I sip on a glass of lemon water, hoping my nausea subsides. I need to stay strong in the face of adversity, no matter what it takes. No one here needs to know I'm pregnant yet. They might see it as a vulnerability they can exploit, and I have yet to determine who's loyal.

Damn it, though, I'm craving a good, hearty plate of golden empanadas and an afternoon nap, but duty calls.

One of the dissenters stands, his voice laced with defiance when he addresses me. I know exactly who he is—Luis Esperanto. "You are ruining us! Your plan eliminates forty percent of our income." He spits on the floor, eyes flashing. I open my mouth to speak when Lev gets to his feet, his hands clenched.

I put a steadying hand on his shoulder.

"Ruining us?" I scoff, my voice cutting through the tension. "Esperanto, what's truly ruining us is clinging to the filthy, reprehensible business of human trafficking. It's a stain on our legacy, a legacy that I will not allow to be tarnished any further. If you're so concerned about our income, perhaps you should focus on expanding the countless other ventures we have instead of whining like a coward." I meet his gaze squarely. He isn't the type to take direction or a dressing down from a woman, but I give him no choice. I place both of my hands on the table in front of me.

"And let me make one thing perfectly clear," I continue, my eyes boring into his. I put the full weight of my power as leader of the Los Sangre Dorada behind my glare. "This organization will evolve, with or without you. Adapt or get left behind. If you can't see the value in forging a more honorable path, not to mention the potential of far more lucrative means ahead when we eliminate distractions and harness the power of our resources, then you're not just a hindrance—you're a liability. And liabilities, Luis, have no place in my operation."

"Are you threatening me?" he snaps.

Lev vibrates beside me, holding himself back with concerted effort.

"Oh, love," I say, my voice laced with condescension. "You are hardly a threat. You are so much more expendable than the women you parade so casually." I cock my head to the side. "When was the last time you gave birth to an heir?" Some of the men snicker.

I pause, letting my words sink in. "So, I suggest you either get on board with the new direction or find yourself a new line of work. Because trust me, I won't lose a wink of sleep over cutting dead weight."

He opens his mouth and closes it again, finally sitting down with a huff of anger.

Lev stands beside me. I nod.

"Talk to my wife like that again, and I'll make you regret it... you'll beg for death before the end." Lev's voice is a low, dangerous growl, radiating anger in palpable waves. The men shift uneasily, murmurs rippling through the crowd. His eyes, cold and lethal, lock onto the dissenter, promising pain and retribution.

I nod my thanks to him and continue, my tone icy. I will not put up with this bullshit.

"Let me be clear. I will not tolerate dissent, not from any of you. Those of you before me now are here as an act of mercy from me."

The man's lip curls in a sneer, but before he can respond, Lev speaks up again. "This is the new order. Adapt or I'm happy to escort you out."

The look on his face says what he doesn't say out loud—he would be more than happy to escort him.

"Some resist change," I say, my voice loud and clear. "But change is necessary for us to grow. And grow we will."

No one speaks for long moments. "What will it be?" Lev asks, his tone grim and his gaze steely. Realizing the futility of resistance, the man nods his head, grumbling.

"You'll watch for any dissent among them," I say quietly to Juan-Carlo. "And report directly back to me."

But with each day that passes, as we prove with the data we've collected that the power of the Romanov Bratva alliance will make us thrive, dissent dwindles. The men here have longed to be part of something greater. My brother did me a favor, sowing dissension and rivalry among his men. Now that I've given them this opportunity, they're grateful.

Being a member of the strongest cartel in Colombia with the ability to influence North America is an opportunity none here would ever take lightly.

In all of this, my respect for Lev and his for me grows. We have weathered the storm of resistance and come out stronger on the other side.

One evening, after a particularly grueling day of dealing with cartel business, he pulls me close, his eyes softening as he looks at me.

"You've done it," he murmurs, his voice filled with admiration and a hint of pride. "The transformation is happening. I got off the phone with Mikhail earlier, and he's fucking thrilled with what's unfolding down here."

I smile. Good. And we've only just started. " We've done it," I tell him. "And we have a lot of work yet to do, but we can do it."

Life isn't a fairy tale. We both know that, but neither of us were fairy-tale people to begin with.

The road ahead is littered with challenges, and we are already facing many of them. But there is a strength in our union that makes the fight worthwhile.

I sigh, feeling the weight of the day's battles lift slightly as I place my hand on my belly, a symbol of the new life we are nurturing together. I lay my head on his shoulder, finding solace in his unwavering support.

"Transformations are happening," I say with a smile. "And out of all that's happened and will… ours is my favorite."