Sweet Vengeances
Chapter 64: Tangled Alliances

Chapter 64: Chapter 64: Tangled Alliances

Pain. As Lily slipped in and out of awareness, that was the first sensation she experienced. Every breath sent stinging stabs of pain through her body, and a slow, throbbing ache radiated from her side.

Like echoes in a tunnel, voices whirled around her, muffled and far away. She made an intense attempt to open her eyes. The world continued to be a vague haze.

A voice stated, "She lost a lot of blood, but she’s stable." male. Rough. Known.

"Will she be alright?" One more voice. This one was gentler yet had a tense edge.

She was anchored as a hand touched hers and warmth began to permeate her skin. Her body felt too heavy, yet she wanted to squeeze him back to let him know she was still there.

Liam sighed, "Yes." "But she needs to sleep."

Once more, darkness engulfed her.

The room was dim and softly lit by a bedside lamp when Lily eventually woke up. A heart monitor’s constant beep sounded in the background, and the air was slightly scented with antiseptic.

It was difficult for her to piece together what had transpired. The storage facility. The shot. Daniel.

She felt a light pressure on her hand, and her fingers twitched. She turned her head slowly.

His black eyes were filled with something she couldn’t quite identify, and he sat next to her with fatigue lines on his cheeks. Solace? Feeling guilty? Something more profound?

"You’re conscious," he whispered.

Lily’s throat was dry as she swallowed. "Hardly." She spoke in a raspy voice. "Where ...?"

"Safehouse," Ethan replied, giving her hand a light squeeze. "Liam has you covered. We couldn’t take the chance of bringing you to the hospital.

Memories flooded back. Daniel. The shot. Her side ached like a fire.

She shifted and flinched. "Daniel?"

Ethan’s mouth clenched. Liam gave him to a few of Carlisle’s competitors. He will no longer be an issue.

Lily let out a breath. Although she knew that justice was to be administered in its own way, she had secretly wished that she had been the one to kill Daniel.

However, there was still a significant issue.

"Carlisle," she addressed him.

Ethan’s face grew serious. "We haven’t finished yet."

Later that evening, Lily sat up in bed as her strength gradually returned after gulping down some water and pills. Ethan remained by her side.

He watched her intently and remarked, "You should rest."

"I’ve had enough sleep," she retorted. "We must have a plan."

Ethan let out a breath. Liam is putting effort into it. He is attempting to turn Carlisle’s supporters against him by contacting his contacts.

Lily scowled. "That’s dangerous."

Ethan remarked, "So is going after him head-on." He still has authority today. However, he becomes vulnerable if we are able to break up his support network.

That was something she thought about. Not only was Carlisle dangerous due to his wealth and power, but he also benefited much from the allegiance of people who were afraid of him. If you took that away, he fell apart.

Ethan went on, "Liam believes we can persuade the Santiago family to renounce their agreement with him." "His shipments are being moved through the ports by them."

Lily’s thoughts went into overdrive. "His entire operation becomes weaker if we cut off his supply chain."

Ethan gave a nod. "Exactly. However, there’s a catch.

"There is always."

Leaning forward, Ethan’s eyes were unreadable. Outsiders are not trusted by the Santiagos. They refuse to speak to me. He paused. "However, they may speak with you."

Lily blinked. "Me?"

Ethan stated, "Daniel worked with them." They are also aware of what he did to you. They might be open to hearing.

Lily chuckled bitterly. "So you want me to approach a criminal family and ask them to turn on one of the city’s most dangerous men?"

Ethan’s mouth quirked. "Just about."

Lily gave a headshake. "You’re crazy."

"But you’re thinking about it."

She let out a sigh. He was not mistaken.

So what if defeating Carlisle meant venturing into perilous territory?

She had had enough of being a victim.

The next evening was scheduled for the meeting.

Liam arranged for Lily to sit at the table by utilizing his connections. The Santiagos decided to meet at a secret club in the city that was a haven for people who lived in the shadows.

Wearing a sleek black dress that concealed her bandages yet made a statement, Lily looked the part. The secret was confidence. They wouldn’t take her seriously if they perceived any signs of weakness.

The plan did not excite Ethan as much. "You still have injuries."

Ignoring the persistent aching in her side, Lily adjusted the bracelet on her wrist. "I’ll make it through."

Ethan moved forward of her, making her look into his eyes. "Lily"

She interjected, saying, "I have to do this."

His jaw muscle twitched, but he nodded and let out a breath.

"Then we work together to do it."

The club was softly lit, with hushed talks and cigar smoke filling the air. A group of well-dressed men and women sat around a polished mahogany table in a private room that Lily and Ethan were shown.

Alejandro Santiago was at the center.

They sat down and were evaluated by calculating keen eyes. Lily did not flinch as she met his stare, maintaining a straight posture.

Alejandro’s voice was soft as he remarked, "You’re a brave woman." "Or a stupid one."

Lily grinned. "I’ve been referred to as both."

Leaning back, Alejandro swirled a whiskey glass. "You have a proposal, Liam says."

She looked from Alejandro to Ethan and back again. "I do." However, let’s not seem as though you are unaware of my purpose for being here.

Alejandro grinned. "All OK. You want me to break off my relationship with Carlisle.

"Yes."

There was silence in the room. Alejandro then laughed. How many individuals have attempted to overthrow him, do you know? Do you believe a woman who has been scorned can achieve where others have failed?

Lily bent over. "Carlisle is becoming unmanageable." You can feel his hold loosening.

Alejandro’s eyebrows went up.

She went on to say, "His enemies are growing." "You will fall with him if you remain bound to him when he does. But when the dust settles, you’ll be in charge if you cut him off now.

Alejandro’s face developed a gradual smile. "Miss Harper, you have courage."

She looked him in the eye. "That’s not all I have."

There was silence between them. Then Alejandro clinked his glass firmly and put it down.

It’s interesting," he thought. "Very intriguing."

Lily waited, holding her breath.

At last, he gave a nod. "I’ll think about your offer."

It wasn’t a triumph. Not quite yet. However, it was a beginning.

And it was all she needed in this game.