CHAPTER FIVE HUNDRED AND SIXTY – WHAT IS THE COST OF POWER?

As Jasmine left the hospital, her mind was a whirlwind of emotions. Fear, anger, love, and frustration all battled for dominance. She knew Marco was doing what he thought was necessary to protect their family, but at what cost? Over the next few days, as Marco recovered, the tension between them remained palpable. They both tried to focus on the immediate concerns – Marco's recovery, shoring up their defenses, rooting out the mole who had betrayed them to the Velascos – but the underlying issues in their relationship simmered just below the surface. A week after the ambush, Marco called a meeting of his top advisors. Still moving gingerly from his injury, he addressed the group. "The Velascos think they've weakened us," he began. "But they've only made us more determined. It's time we change our strategy." Carlos leaned forward. "What did you have in mind, brother?" Marco's eyes gleamed with a dangerous light. "We're going to form an alliance. The Ortiz family has been looking to