Chapter 360

• VALENTINA
• ~•~
• The convoy slammed to a chaotic halt as the roadblock loomed ahead—two overturned trucks and a line of armed figures silhouetted against the gray morning light. Gunfire erupted instantly, sharp cracks splitting the air like thunder. Bullets pinged off the armored SUV’s reinforced plating, sending vibrations through the seats. I instinctively curled around Luca, shielding his small body with mine while Gustavo’s arm locked tighter around my waist, pulling me against his bloodied chest. The baby kicked hard inside me, frantic and insistent, as if protesting the fresh violence closing in.