Chapter 43 - Bloodlines and Broken Shadows
The morning after the lavish baby shower was quieter than usual. Sunlight filtered softly through the gauzy curtains of the Montgomery estate's grand master bedroom. Clair awoke cradled in Austin's arms, the warmth of his body grounding her. His protective hand rested on her swollen belly, and their unborn children fluttered gently in response to his touch.
Outside, the estate's security was tighter than ever. Elias had deployed additional teams after a credible tip about a second cartel faction planning an ambush. But inside, the mood was tender and slow—like the calm before a storm.
Clair stirred. "Good morning, Mr. Montgomery."
Austin's voice was thick with sleep. "Morning, Mrs. Montgomery. Did our babies kick me again?"
She smiled and looked down at his hand still on her belly. "They like your presence. You're their hero."
Austin leaned in and kissed her shoulder, then sat up. "I'm going to make sure I earn that title every day. Today, we seal more alliances. I want no one daring to look your way without respect in their eyes."
Clair looked at him. "You're planning a meet?"
He nodded. "With the Giannetti family. They control East Jersey ports and may have intel on this new faction. But they'll want something in return."
She sat up, wincing slightly from the pressure in her lower back. "Just promise me you'll stay diplomatic. We've already spilled too much blood."
Austin's eyes softened. "For you, I'll try. But if they pose a threat, I won't hesitate."
---
Meanwhile, Elias sat in the surveillance room, reviewing footage and cross-referencing data from the previous night. One screen showed drone footage of a desert base, another displayed intercepted messages from an encrypted app.
"Found you," he muttered.
He grabbed his phone and dialed Austin. "We need to talk. Now."
Minutes later, Austin joined him in the war room.
"They're setting up an ambush in Las Cruces. Same players from the El Diablo faction. It's not just about power anymore—they're targeting you, Clair, and your children."
Austin's jaw tightened. "Then we strike first. Tonight."
Elias nodded. "We'll hit them hard and vanish before they blink."
---
Clair spent the afternoon preparing for the day's scheduled visit from Austin's sister, Savannah. Though rarely involved in the family business, Savannah was a loyal Montgomery and now a key piece in building unity within the bloodline. She had also offered to help plan the twins' nursery expansion.
As Clair guided Savannah through the new baby wing, they laughed over tiny booties and matching onesies.
"So three babies, huh?" Savannah grinned. "That man is serious about multiplying."
Clair chuckled. "He's intense about everything. But he's even more obsessed with being a father than I expected."
Savannah touched Clair's shoulder gently. "He's never been soft for anyone but you. Whatever happens, you've already changed him."
Clair's eyes misted. "I just want him alive to see them grow."
---
That night, under the shadow of a full moon, Austin and Elias led their men into Las Cruces. Drones hovered overhead, feeding live intel. Armed guards surrounded a hacienda, unaware that they were already in a trap.
Austin signaled.
The strike was surgical. Flash grenades, suppressed rounds, and brutal hand-to-hand combat filled the night. Austin personally confronted the faction leader, a scarred man named Marco Salazar.
"You think you're untouchable?" Marco sneered.
Austin's cold smile didn't reach his eyes. "No, just smarter."
A single shot rang out, and Marco collapsed.
By dawn, the hacienda was ashes.
---
Back at the estate, Clair was writing in her journal again. The babies kicked more when she wrote, like they sensed her thoughts.
Suddenly, her phone buzzed.
Unknown Number: "He's not safe. You're not safe. The blood debt isn't over."
Her heart pounded. She immediately called Austin.
He answered, breathless. "I'm okay. We won. But what's wrong?"
She read the message.
His voice dropped. "Don't worry. I'll trace it. Stay with security. I'll be back in a few hours."
---
Later that day, Austin confronted the tech team. "Trace the number. I want names, locations, everything."
The lead technician frowned. "The signal bounced through six countries. It was masked by a high-level encryption software. But we'll crack it."
Austin's gaze hardened. "Do it faster. I'm not letting fear touch my wife again."
---
That evening, Elias returned with more intel. "It wasn't random. That message came from inside the Bratva's old network."
Austin narrowed his eyes. "Then we've got a bigger war coming. But this time, they're coming into my house."
Elias cracked his knuckles. "Let's tear the roof off and bury the rest."
Austin turned to the window, looking out over the estate where Clair rocked in a garden chair. "First, we protect what matters. Then we end every shadow that dares rise again."