Antonio
The room is empty, giving me a moment of quiet before the captains arrive. I came early, needing time to wrap my head around the mess we’re in. Weapons and money laundering—that’s always been our business. But now, thanks to Valentino’s deal with La Fortaleza Oculta , we’re running drugs. A line I never wanted to cross.
And to make things worse, he made an even riskier move with Giancarlo DeLuca, dragging us into human trafficking—a trade I never thought we’d touch. Even the thought of it makes me sick.
Everything Uncle Gio worked to build feels like it’s hanging by a thread. I’m not sure how much longer we can keep on this track before it all unravels.
I look up from my phone when the door opens, and Dante walks in. “You’re here early.”
“I was hoping to talk to you alone,” he confides, closing the door behind him. “Vigo’s really going through with this?” he presses.
“It seems that way,” I reply with a weary sigh.
Dante sinks into the chair next to me. “Have you tried talking to him?”
“All he can see is the money these deals will bring,” I say, tension lacing my voice. “The fact that he’s flooding our streets with drugs and selling human lives like they’re commodities means nothing to him.”
“Giovanni never would’ve allowed this,” Dante mutters. He opens his mouth to say something but hesitates, shaking his head slightly.
“What is it?”
Dante shifts in his seat. “I know it’s not my place, and I’m probably out of line, but are you sure your uncle gave his blessing for Valentino to take over?”
Dante and I have been friends since grade school. I always knew what this life was. I was born into it—it’s in my blood. Dante didn’t have that. He earned his way into this world by proving his loyalty time and time again. I’ve never had to question where he stands. If there’s anyone I can trust with my suspicions, it’s him. But I’m not ready to share them—not yet. The last thing I want is to put him in a position where he’s forced to choose between me and Valentino.
Before I can answer him, the door opens again, and my father walks in. His face is tense.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, startled by his unexpected appearance.
“There’s been a change of plans.”
Alarm spikes through me, and I sit up straighter. “What do you mean a change of plans?”
“Valentino cancelled your meeting. He’s texting the captains now,” he informs us.
As if on cue, Dante’s phone dings. He pulls it out and scans the message.
“What the hell’s going on?” I demand.
“Valentino and I are meeting with Giancarlo DeLuca. Emilio Salazar, La Fortaleza Oculta’s kingpin, will be joining us,” my father replies.
“That’s the most fucked up idea he’s had yet,” I reply, annoyed.
“He promised them we’d personally welcome them to the city,” my father explains, rubbing a hand over his face.
“Dante and I will go with you,” I insist, already moving to stand. “You’re going to need backup in case this goes south.”
Dad raises a hand, stopping me. “He told them we’d be alone.”
“What the ever-loving fuck?” Dante cuts in. “I hope you told him he’s insane.”
“I told him it wasn’t a good idea, but he refused to change the plan,” Dad says, exasperation lacing his tone. “Valentino made a deal—just him and I, unarmed,” he adds.
“No fucking way,” I bark, raising my voice. “He expects you to go in there unarmed and without backup. That’s suicide. You’ll be sitting ducks the second you walk through the door. There’s no way I’m letting you go in blind. Dante and I are coming with you?—”
“Like hell you are,” Val declares from the doorway, his voice smooth as he steps inside.
I slam the table as I stand. “Do you have any idea what you’re doing?”
“Of course I do,” he replies, a smug grin on his face.
“Neither of these men are our allies, and you’re sending yourself and my father—two of the most powerful men in our family—alone and unarmed? That’s beyond reckless.”
“It’s a show of good faith,” Vigo says, his voice dripping with false reassurance.
“It’s insane.” I turn to my father. “You didn’t agree to this, did you?”
Dad pins me with his stare. “If Valentino says it's safe, I trust him.”
Silence lingers between us, my shock still sinking in as I stare at him, waiting for some sense to surface. Valentino doesn’t miss a beat and changes the subject. “I’ve arranged a party,” he says, his tone so casual it’s almost unsettling. “Giancarlo’s offered some of his finest acquisitions for our pleasure tonight.”
“Acquisitions?” I question.
“Women, ,” Valentino replies, rolling his eyes. “Even you can’t be that na?ve.”
“Where did these women come from?” I press, ignoring his backhanded comment.
“Here and there,” he says, waving his hands dismissively. “He’s moving them through the city to their final destination. We get to sample them tonight as a thank you for our new arrangement.”
“Trafficked women?” I ask, bile rising in my throat.
“Who cares where they came from,” Valentino shrugs, brushing off my concerns. “They’re already in the penthouse. I sent my men there to start the party. You and Dante should head over.”
“I need to get back to my detail with Alessia,” I mumble, unease gnawing at me.
“There’s no need,” he says, a sly smile creeping onto his face. “I’ve ensured she’s unable to go anywhere.”
I want to ask what he’s done to her this time, but this isn’t the time or place to get into that.
“Then let me follow your car. I’ll stay out of sight,” I suggest, trying to find a way to protect my father. “You need backup, just in case.”
“We have an arrangement,” he says, trying to placate me. “There’s no need for weapons.”
“Val—”
“I have everything handled,” he cuts me off, his tone patronizing. “Go enjoy the party. You look like you need to get laid.” He flashes me a smile that sends chills down my spine. “You trust me, right?”
“Of course, I trust you,” I say, keeping my voice steady.
“I knew I could count on you,” he says with a satisfied nod.
“I’ll always have your back,” I murmur, repeating the phrase I’ve said to him since we were kids—though now they feel like a bitter lie.