I've faced death more times than I can count, but nothing has ever terrified me like seeing my family in danger.
And that makes me want nothing more than to exterminate the Bratva.
Eliminate them from the face of the earth.
“Let me handle this," I tell Alessandro.
"We'll handle it," he corrects. "That's what family does."
A month ago, I wouldn't have believed those words coming from him.
While I appreciate it now, I’m afraid he’s using it to try and control me… to contain me.
"The Bratva wants me," I say. "So I'll go to them."
Adriano rolls his eyes. “Such the martyr.”
I shoot him a look. “Don’t tell me you haven’t entertained handing me over just to get me and the Bratva out of the picture.”
He gives me a smug shrug.
I turn to Alessandro. “I won’t go unprepared, but I'm done letting them dictate the terms. I’m willing to hand myself over, but you need to make sure the Bratva burns with me.”
My brothers frown. “You’re signing your death warrant,” Alessandro says.
“I know it. So I need your word that you'll take out whoever I miss. You have the manpower. The weapons. Why not end this now?” I briefly consider bringing in some of my men, but I can’t afford to be low-handed in Chicago with my own enemies encroaching.
"And start a war that will spread across the entire East Coast?" Alessandro shakes his head. "You've been gone seven years, Luca. Things have changed. The Bratva has connections we can't afford to ignore."
"So we do nothing?" I slam my palm against his desk. "Wait for them to try again? Maybe succeed next time?"
"I didn't say that."
Adriano pushes away from the wall he was leaning on. "What Alessandro means is we need to be strategic. All-out warmeans civilian casualties. Police involvement. It means risking everything Father built."
"What Father built is already crumbling," I spit out. "Or did you miss the part where they've been infiltrating us for years?"
Alessandro's eyes narrow. "We're aware. But scorched earth isn't the answer."
"Then what is?" I demand.
"Surgical strikes," Alessandro says. "We identify their key players, take them out one by one. Clean. Quiet."
"While they keep shooting at my family?" My laugh is derisive. "No."
"You always were impatient," Adriano mutters.
I whirl on him. "And you’re being too cautious. How many more need to die before you're willing to get your hands dirty?"
Alessandro steps between us. "Enough. We're on the same side here."
"Are we?" I challenge. "Because from where I'm standing, it looks like you're willing to risk Katerina and Enzo to avoid upsetting the balance of power."
Alessandro's expression hardens.
“This is my family. I guess you wouldn’t understand because you've never loved anyone, Alessandro. Never had a woman you'd die for. Never had a child whose life means more than your own."
Alessandro's jaw tightens. "This isn't about love. It's about strategy."
