Chapter 4 Alejandro's Determination

The days afterward found Alejandro Vega in a flurry of planning and preparation-first in Medellin, then in Mexico. His mind continually raced with thoughts of Isabella Moretti, his obsession now. He had tried to push her from his thoughts, to focus on the business of the cartel, but it was no use. She was always there, somewhere deep in his mind, a constant presence he would never be able to ignore.

Alejandro sat in his study-the soft glow of the desk lamp casting a warm glow over the space. Lining the walls were bookshelves, carrying tomes of strategy, history, and philosophy. It was a place to think, a place to plan without interruption. And right now, he needed to think.

He sat back in his chair, steepling his fingers in front of him as he stared up at the ceiling. The picture of Isabella walking away from him at that party was like a burning inside of him-a source of his determination. He had to have her, no matter the cost. Still, how? The Moretti estate was a fortress, and seldom did Isabella show her face in public. She was not going to be easy to get close to.

Alejandro's mind drifted to the party, to the way Isabella had looked at him. There was something in her eyes-something that made him take notice. Was it curiosity? Interest? Or was he seeing what he wanted?

He shook his head, clearing the fog from it. He needed to keep a clear mind-he couldn't allow his emotions to get in the way. Now he had to think clearly, with the exactness and weighing of factors in every business dealing.

As he sat there, lost in thought, a plan began to form in his mind. It was risky, perhaps even reckless, but it was the only thing to do. He would need to infiltrate the Moretti estate, to get close to Isabella without her father knowing. It would take time, patience, and careful planning, but Alejandro was ready to do whatever it took.

He reached for his phone again and dialed Mateo. After a few rings, Mateo's familiar voice boomed the other end.

"Mateo," Alejandro said, his voice impatient. "I need you to round up the technical guys. Get the map of

Giovanni's estate all security details and low points."

There was a familiar pause on the other end of the line as Mateo thought about the difficult job his boss wanted done, and Alejandro could almost hear the hesitation in Mateo's voice. "Jefe, are you sure you want this operation? If Giovanni finds out-

"He won't," Alejandro insisted, his tone allowing no further discussion. "I'll see to it."

Mateo sighed; he knew better than to argue. "Alright," he said finally. "I'll gather the men. But be careful, Alejandro. This is dangerous territory and you know it."

Alejandro disconnected and leaned back in his chair, the determination settling in. He knew the risks, but at the same time, he knew he couldn't just let Isabella slip through his fingers. She was worth anything that might happen, any danger. He would do whatever it took to make her his.

The night wore on, Alejandro's head whirring onward, the things in his brain just beginning to shape something into some semblance of a plan. He knew he would have to research the estate that was the residence of Moretti and his security. He had to figure out some way of drawing near her without suspicions getting in the way. He'd have to prepare himself in case things turned against him.

For now, though, he could do little but wait. Wait and plan. When the time was just right, he would act.

The Inner Circle

The next morning, Alejandro brought his most trusted men into the secure conference room within his estate. Except for a large wooden table at the center of the room, it was sparsely furnished with maps showing various cartel territories pinned on the walls. Alejandro's men sat down, and the air was thick with tension - the looks upon their faces mixed expressions of curiosity and concern.

To his immediate left sat the ever-loyal but careful right-hand man, Mateo; to his right sat the ruthless enforcer with a reputation for brutality, Diego. All the other men were seasoned members of the cartel who had gained his trust many times over.

Alejandro towered over the head of the table, issuing instructions. He looked at each one of his men lone after the other, an earnest expression spread on his face. "We have a mission," he began, calmly but firmly. "One that will require precision, patience, and absolute discretion." The men exchanged furtive glances; their interest stirred up. Mateo inclined forward; his brow furrowed. "What is the target?" he asked cautiously.

Alejandro's voice grew firm, issuing the name flatly. "Isabella Moretti."

A murmur of surprise echoed in the room. Diego slitted his eyes as he sat back in his chair, arms folding over his chest. "Giovanni Moretti's daughter?" he returned skeptically, "That is a dangerous game, Alejandro.

Alek's jaw tensed, though he said not a word that would brook an argument. "I understand the risks. But this doesn't have everything to do with her. It has to do with sending that message to Giovanni. About showing him who's boss." Mateo shook his head, looking at Alejandro with a concerned expression. "Alejandro, this could start a war. Giovanni won't take this lying down. If he finds out-

"He won't," Alejandro interrupted, his tone firm. "We'll be careful. We'll plan every detail, leave nothing to chance. But I need your loyalty. Your trust. Are you with me?"

For a moment, there was complete silence among the men, a hush akin to that of a burial ground as the men heard Alejandro's words. Mateo looked worried yet knew better than to contradict Alejandro, who was in such a mood. Diego looked intrigued by the challenge. The rest nodded; their loyalty was beyond question.

"Alright," Mateo said finally, his tone defeated. "We're in. But we have to be clever about it. One misstep, and we're done for."

Alejandro nodded as a sense of determination set in on him. "We will be smart," he said. "We'll gather intel, study the estate, and find a way in. But we do have to move fast. Time is running out.

As the meeting wore on, Alejandro spoke elaborately on what their plan would be. He assigned each of his men with something to do so that all sectors of the operations were well catered for. The responsibility of logistics lay on Mateo, who organized the team and saw to the requirements of the group. Diego was a skilled man who had experience in bypassing security; he would lead the infiltration team. The rest would gather information and prepare for the raid.

His mind was focused, his thoughts consumed with what he had to do. He knew the risks, but then again, he knew he just could not let Isabella slip through his fingers. She was worth any risk, any danger. And he would do whatever it took to make her his.

As the meeting drew to its close, Alejandro stood and glanced over his men one by one. "This is not a matter of an Isabella thing," he started with a voice steady and without even a pinch of hesitation. "This is power. Prove to Giovanni that we will do whatever it takes. We are not scared of him, period.

They said nothing but only nodded, grim-faced. All knew the possible consequences, but they were even ready to march into the fires of hell at Alejandro's request.

As everyone filed out into the night to prepare for work, Alejandro alone remained, his mind racing. His gut told him the road going forward would be fraught with more danger, that he couldn't turn back - the prize was to be his soon. Isabella Moretti - an obsession, so alluring he would stop at nothing to own her.

Gathering Intel

The next few days found Alejandro and his men working to get whatever information they needed concerning the estate belonging to the Morettis: how it was laid out, details in the security systems, guards' rotations. Every detail, every weakness possible, was duly scrutinized.

Alejandro spent hours poring over the information, his mind focused on the task at hand. He knew the success of the operation hinged upon their capability of infiltrating the estate without being observed. And that meant not leaving anything to chance.

One evening, while Alejandro was in his study, Mateo entered the room with a folder in his hand. "We have something," he said seriously. "An informant inside the Moretti estate. He is willing to talk - for the right price."

Alejandro's eyes narrowed as he took the folder from Mateo. "What does he know?" he asked in a low voice.

Mateo did not answer at once. "He's one of the guards. He knows the layout of the estate, the security protocols, and Isabella's schedule. He's willing to provide us with everything we need-for a hefty sum."

Alejandro's lips curled into a faint smile. "Money is no object," he said. "Get him whatever he wants. But make sure he understands the consequences if he double-crosses us."

Mateo nodded grimly. "I'll handle it," he said. "But Alejandro, this is risky. If Giovanni finds out-"

"He won't," Alejandro cut in, his voice firm. "We'll be careful. But we need this information. Without it, we're flying blind."

Mateo sighed but didn't argue. He knew Alejandro was right. They were going to need every advantage they could get if they were going to pull this off.

As Mateo stepped back out, Alejandro slumped into his seat, his brain working overtime. The informant was a treasure; at the same time, it was a really huge risk just to place the hope of accomplishment inside the walls of the Moretti estate - if the snitch ever decided to change his game.

But Alejandro was ready to make the gamble. He had to. Isabella was far too important, far too valuable. And he would do whatever it took to get her.

Over the next several days, he gave them a deluge of detail regarding the estate's security: times of guard rotations, placements of cameras, weak points in the perimeter. Alejandro poured over the information, his mind reeling as he worked out a plan.

Success was a matter of timing alone; they would need to strike at a time when Isabella would be alone and the guards most weak. They would have to move fast and leave no mark of ever having been there.

As the plan crystallized, Alejandro's resolve strengthened. He knew the road ahead would be treacherous, but he also knew he couldn't turn back now. Isabella Moretti was his obsession, his prize. And he would stop at nothing to make her his.

The Stolen Moment

Days passed, turning into more days, but Alejandro's thoughts never departed from Isabella. He would replay that instant at the party when their eyes had met in his head. He had done that over and over again, trying to find some meaning behind it. Had she felt it, too? He had felt she had distantly connected with him. Or was that his imagination?

He couldn't kick the feeling that there was more to her than that. To him, she seemed so much more - a beautiful woman but imprisoned in the gilded cage, intelligent and strong, with a streak of independence. Those were the added ingredients that gave her an enchanting aura he could not neglect.

Alejandro's thoughts turned to the informant's report, which included details about Isabella's daily routine. She spent most of her time in the estate, rarely venturing outside. But there were moments when she was alone, moments when her guard was down.

One detail in particular caught Alejandro's attention: every afternoon and night, Isabella would retreat to her private garden, a secluded area of the estate where she could be alone. It was a place where she let her guard down, where she allowed herself to be vulnerable.

Alejandro's mind was racing, thinking it through. Caught in nightclothes at one of those moments, and they would be able to cart her out of the estate without her putting up any resistance whatsoever. Timing and precision were called for, mixed with a degree of luck.

He called Mateo into his study and outlined his plan. "We'll strike during her time in the garden," he said, his voice steady. "She'll be alone, and the guards will be at their weakest. We'll move quickly, take her, and get out before anyone knows what's happened."

Mateo's face was grim, but he nodded. "It's risky," he said. "But it might work. We'll have to be careful, though. Make one wrong move, and we're all dead."

Alejandro's jaw clenched, but he kept his cool. "We'll be careful," he said. "But we need to move quickly. Time is not on our side."

As the plan crystallized, so did Alejandro's resolve. He knew the way ahead would be fraught with hazard, but equally he knew it was too late to turn back. Isabella Moretti was his obsession, his prize. And he would stop at nothing to make her his.

The Plan in Motion

The day of the raid finally arrived, and Alejandro's men were ready. For weeks they had been preparing, gathering information, planning every detail; it was now time to set that into action.

Alejandro stood before the war room, his eyes scanning over the maps and diagrams on the table. His men ringed him, their faces somber. They knew the stakes, and they were ready to follow Alejandro into the fire.

"We move tonight," Alejandro said, calm, yet the firmness hung there. "We go around the estate, take Isabella, and before they even know what has happened, we'll be gone. But we have to do it correctly. One misstep, and we are dead." The men nodded solemnly, their faces grim. They knew the risks, but they also knew that Alejandro's plan was their best chance at success.

Alejandro, with the sun already setting, readied his men for the raid. The men armed themselves with their weapons, reinspected their gear, and once more discussed the plan of attack. Alejandro was oriented, sharp, and his mind turned to the task at hand.

He knew from here onwards the path would be dangerous, but he also knew he could not turn his back on this now. Isabella Moretti was his obsession, his prize; and he wouldn't rest until she was his.

As night fell, Alejandro and his men took position. In the distance stood the Moretti estate, high-walled and guard-gated. But Alejandro wasn't one to be daunted. He had planned this moment, and he was ready.

With one final nod to his men, Alejandro gave the word to move. The raid was on.

The Car Crash Ruse

The car whizzed down dark, twisting roads. Thick tension filled the air inside the car. Alejandro had both hands tightly clutched on the wheel, his eyes darting consistently to the rearview mirror for any pursuer. The fear, anger, and confusion were reeling inside Isabella's head as she sat quietly in the backseat of the car. She could barely fathom it: What happened, or even how her whole world had changed within minutes of what seemed endless questioning.

He had planned the escape, down to every minute detail. He knew Giovanni Moretti would do everything in his power to get his daughter back, and he needed to cover his tracks so no one could trace their movements. That's why he had staged a ruse-a faked car accident that would make it seem as if they had both perished in the chaos.

As a lonely stretch of road came, he gave the signal to his men following him in another car. The scheme was to mimic the car accident with two incinerated bodies and throw the car into a deep gorge. A rather risky deal, yet Alejandro was sure he would get that time needed by them for vanishing.

Isabella's heart was racing as she realized what was to take place. She turned to Alejandro, her eyes wide with fear. "What are you doing?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Alejandro's face was calm, almost reassuring. "Trust me," he said. "This is the only way we can disappear. No one will come looking for us if they think we're dead."

Isabella shook her head; the thoughts that whirred in her brain were like a hurricane. "You're insane," she whispered. "Do you have any idea what you're doing? My father will never stop looking for me. He'll tear the world to pieces to find me."

Alejandro's jaw had clenched, but he didn't say anything. He knew Isabella was right: Giovanni Moretti wouldn't stop trying to find her. Yet he knew this would be the only way to get them some breathing room; it needed to be made to seem that they were gone, if only for now.

Alejandro pulled the car to a stop as they reached the spot. His men were quick and moved into the scene. They placed two dummies in the car, placing clothes on them that were exactly identical to Alejandro and Isabella's. They doused the car with petrol and lighted it up. The flames were gigantic and in no time, the vehicle went up.

Isabella watched in horror as the car was pushed into the ravine, the flames lighting up the night sky. She could hardly believe her eyes, how far Alejandro was to go in making this ruse believable. A pang of guilt tugged at her stomach as she thought of how devastated her father would be when he got the news. Yet she knew, too, that there was no going back now.

Alejandro took her hand and led her outside to a waiting van where his men had prepared disguises and new identities for them. For a little while, they would have to lay low and let the dust settle before they could make their next move.

While they drove away from the scene, Isabella felt a storm in her heart, with anger, fear, and a deep feeling of betrayal. At the same time, though, another fire burned within-a flicker of hope. For the very first time in her life, she was finally free from her father's dictatorship. And though she didn't trust Alejandro, she could not deny that he had given her an opportunity at life.

But as they vanished into the night, it was a feeling that this was just the beginning. The war of the cartels was far from over, and she knew right in the crossfire would be her. She would have to be strong, fight for her freedom no matter the cost. She stood now in a better position to fight, and fight she would fight.

The Jet Escape

The van tore down the night roads, carrying Alejandro and Isabella to a private airstrip out of town. Alejandro had called ahead, preparing a jet ready to go, ready to whisk them away to someplace safe, where they could disappear for some time. He knew they couldn't stay in Mexico; the reach of Giovanni Moretti was too far, and it would only have been a matter of time before he found out the truth behind the crash.

At the airstrip, Alejandro helped Isabella out of the van onto the jet awaiting to whisk them away. Small but sumptuous, there were plush seats and a well-stocked bar. Alejandro thought of everything so they would not need anything along the way.

Getting on the jet proved to be an entirely different story as it hit home, being the culmination of all that had happened until that very moment.

She just couldn't imagine being torn away from it all- her home, her family, her life. But she knew she had little choice in this matter. Alejandro had made it that way.

As the jet took off into the night, wordless and in her seat, Isabella watched out the window. Lights of the city slowly took their last leap and vanished, then unfolding before her the dark silhouette of the ocean. She felt sad because she knew she was to never again set her eyes on her home while at the same time, relieved that she finally was free from her iron clutches of her father.

Alejandro sat across from her, calm but intent. He knew it would be perilous, that Giovanni Moretti would not let his daughter go easily. Still, he knew he had to protect Isabella, no matter what that cost.

The jet ascended higher, and finally Alejandro turned to her, his voice low and strong. "You're safe now," he told her. "Nobody will find us where we are going, you can start all over again, live your life as you've always wanted to."

Isabella whirled to face him, her eyes flashing with anger and fear. "You call this freedom? You think kidnapping me and forcing me to run away with you is giving me a choice?"

Alejandro's expression softened, but he said not a word. He knew that Isabella was furious, and that she mistrusted him now. Yet in his mind's eye, he saw a silver lining: soon she would know that he did it all out of love, giving her the opportunity for another life, one far away from violence and strong powers within a cartel world.

It would not be over until the plane vanished into night, and so her mind reeled with all that was going to happen now. She realized that her life would never again be the same and that it was Alejandro who had set something into motion by which everything around her would completely change. Now, however, all she was doing was simply hanging on in hope that someday she could survive.

In the distance, the Moretti estate was a burning omen of things to come - chaos unleashed. It would be the start of the war between the cartels, something in which she was definitely getting caught. She also knew that she would do everything in her power to free herself from it.