4. Power Moves #2
But what were we supposed to do? Marcus Barone threatened Eve and kidnapped Leo in an attempt to get at Zeke and his entire operation. Our only option was to fight back and make sure everyone in this city knew we weren’t to be trifled with.
Now if only Moretti would get the hint.
“The Barone family still commands respect in these areas.” I tap several locations. “Even with Marcus in jail, they maintain influence. Francesca’s smart. She’ll see the advantage of aligning with us against outside pressure.”
“The Russo’s aren’t a problem, but what about Gallagher?” Zeke prompts.
“Small fish, but strategic positions.” Years of working as a fixer have taught me the complexities of Columbus’s criminal landscape. “The Gallaghers control the fight clubs and associated gambling. Together, they could be valuable allies.”
“Or dangerous opposition,” Sebastian adds.
“We need a unified front.” I drain my glass, the alcohol doing little to quiet the part of my mind that keeps drifting to Naomi. I need to focus on work right now. “A council of sorts, bringing the families together under our guidance. Show Nicolo that Columbus stands together.”
Zeke’s eyes light with interest. “Go on.”
“Each family maintains their territory, their specialties, but coordinates through us. We provide protection, mediation, and connection to broader networks. In return, they present a united front against outside interference.”
“That’s a mafia rule.” Zeke raises a brow. “That’s what I fled from when I left New York.”
“But it’ll work,” Eli muses. “The families won’t just fall in line. They’ll want guarantees, proof we can deliver what we promise.”
Zeke lets out a heavy sigh. This isn’t what he wants but he must know we don’t have a choice if we want to maintain our freedom from Nicolo.
“Fine. Then we’ll give them proof.” Zeke’s voice carries the quiet authority that made him a natural leader. “Starting with the Barones. Micah, you’ll meet with Francesca. See what it would take to bring her on board.”
I nod, already planning my approach as I shoot her a quick message requesting the meeting.
Francesca Barone is ambitious but practical.
She’ll understand the threat Nicolo represents to her family’s independence.
The trick will be convincing her that aligning with us offers better protection than submitting to New York’s authority.
“I hate to be the one to backtrack our conversation, but we need to talk about Sandra,” Sebastian says quietly. “When she starts making noise about Lucas, everything could blow up in our faces and all this careful planning will be meaningless.”
“I’ll handle Sandra.” The words come out harder than intended. “She’s not equipped for this game.”
Zeke studies me for a long moment. “Be careful. We need precision right now, not emotion.”
The warning stings because it’s justified.
My judgment is compromised, personal feelings bleeding into professional decisions.
The image of Naomi’s bruised throat flashes through my mind again, followed by the memory of washing Lucas’s blood from her skin.
The conflicting emotions create a dangerous cocktail.
“I know what’s at stake.” I meet Zeke’s gaze. “The families first. Everything else is secondary.”
He holds my eyes for another moment before nodding. “Good. Keep me updated on Francesca’s response. If we secure the Barones, the others will follow.”
Zeke ends the meeting, and we disperse, heading out to get started on our respected tasks.
Before I leave Zeke’s private office, my phone buzzes.
I scramble to dig it out of my pocket. It’s Francesca.
She’s already responded to my meeting request. I can’t decide if that’s a good or bad thing.
She could be just as eager as we are to secure peace among the families in Columbus. Or it could be a play for power.
Stuffing my phone back into my pocket, I try to ignore the disappointment in my gut at not seeing Naomi’s name sending me a message. It’s silly, maybe even a little presumptuous of me, to assume she’d message me for anything other than a problem. No messages equal good.
But it still leaves me feeling uneasy, and not in a way I’m ready to identify.
Before I reach the front door, Zeke catches my shoulder in a rare gesture of physical connection.
The squeeze communicates support beyond words.
He understands the weight I’m carrying, even if he doesn’t know all the details.
I’ve served beside him for years, our shared history creating a bond deeper than mere employment.
“We’ve faced worse odds,” he reminds me quietly.
Have we though? I just nod and continue outside, heading to my truck. The cold winter air bites against my skin and I hunch my shoulders as if that will somehow shield me.
Previous challenges felt cleaner somehow, uncomplicated by personal entanglements. Now every decision carries additional weight. One wrong decision or bad business deal could have consequences beyond the security of our territory. It could also further endanger the woman I’ve sworn to protect.
The drive to my meeting with Francesca gives me time to shift mental gears, forcing personal concerns aside to focus on strategy. The Barone family’s support is crucial to our plans. Without them, the smaller families will scatter, seeking protection from Nicolo rather than risking independence.
I park behind La Rosa, the upscale Italian restaurant serving as one of the Barones’ legitimate businesses.
It’s still too early for the lunch rush, leaving the dining room mostly empty as I’m led to a private booth in the back.
Francesca’s choice of venue is deliberate.
It’s neutral ground that still demonstrates her family’s resources.
She rises to greet me, elegant in a tailored suit that emphasizes her confident bearing. Like her brother Marcus, Francesca projects authority naturally. Unlike him, she tempers it with charm and intelligence rather than brute force.
“Mr. Hunt.” Her smile carries genuine warmth. We’ve dealt with each other often enough to develop a cautious respect. “It’s been too long.”
“Ms. Barone.” I accept her offered hand, noting the subtle ways power has shifted since Marcus’s arrest. She moves with new assurance, fully embracing her role as family head.
“Please, call me Francesca.” Her smile puts me at ease.
“In that case, call me Micah.” I return her smile. “You’re looking well.”
“And you look tired.” She gestures for me to sit. “Busy times, I imagine.”
“You could say that.” I settle into the booth, accepting the espresso she orders for both of us. “How’s Marcus?”
“Counting days until his appeal.” Her expression gives nothing away. “Though we both know that timeline may have changed recently.”
I raise an eyebrow, waiting. She sips her espresso before continuing.
“Interesting things happening in Columbus lately. Families falling, power shifting.” Her dark eyes study me over the rim of her cup. “One might wonder who benefits from such restructuring .”
“One might also wonder about outside interests looking to capitalize on instability,” I counter smoothly.
Francesca sets down her cup with a soft clink. “Nicolo.”
“He’s been asking questions. Sending representatives to evaluate opportunities.”
“And you’re here to offer an alternative.” It’s not a question.
“The Barone family has built something valuable here.” I lean forward. “Independent operations, respected territory, legitimate businesses. Would be a shame to see that absorbed into New York’s machine.”
“We could adapt.” But there’s a note of uncertainty in her voice.
“You could submit,” I correct. “Watch your family’s identity dissolve into Nicolo’s empire. Become another branch office taking orders from New York.”
Francesca’s fingers tap a restless rhythm on the table. “What’s your alternative?”
“A coalition. Local families working together, maintaining individual territories and specialties while presenting a unified front. Strong enough to resist outside pressure, flexible enough to preserve independence.”
“With Zeke coordinating.” Her tone carries a hint of skepticism.
“We provide structure, protection, connections. Each family keeps their autonomy within agreed parameters.” I meet her gaze directly. “The Barone name stays strong, but with added security.”
“And if we decline?”
“Then you face Nicolo alone.” I shrug. “Maybe you survive his takeover, maybe you don’t. But you won’t be the power you are now.”
Francesca leans back, considering. I wait patiently, knowing she’ll see the logic of our proposal. The Barones have always valued independence, resisting attempts at consolidation. Nicolo’s expansion would strip that away, leaving them as middle management in his organization.
“I’ll need assurances,” she says. “Guarantees about territory, operations, profit sharing.”
“Of course. We can draft terms that protect everyone’s interests.”
She nods slowly. “I’ll discuss it with our advisors. But...” A slight smile curves her lips. “I think we can find common ground.”
Relief eases some of the tension in my shoulders. With the Barones aligned, the other families will fall in line. We might actually pull this off.
My phone vibrates in my pocket. I pull it out and glance at the message.
Eli
Lucas’s body found. Sandra making waves at the station. Pushing for full investigation.
The message shatters my moment of satisfaction. Of course Sandra won’t let this go easily. She’ll dig and push and demand answers until she either finds the truth or forces someone else to look closer at Lucas’s murder. Either outcome puts Naomi at risk.
“Problem?” Francesca asks, noting my expression.
“Nothing I can’t handle.” I slide from the booth, offering my hand. “Have your people call Zeke’s office about those terms. The sooner we lock this down, the better for everyone.”
She clasps my hand firmly. “Watch your back, Micah. Change makes people nervous. Nervous people make mistakes.”
The warning follows me out to my truck, joining the swirl of concerns already clouding my thoughts.
Sandra’s interference. Nicolo’s ambitions.
The families’ shifting loyalties. And through it all, the image of Naomi alone at my cabin, trying to rebuild herself from the shattered pieces Lucas left behind.
For the first time in years, I’m not certain I can maintain the separation between personal and professional spheres.
The boundaries blur, each decision carrying implications that ripple between worlds.
It makes me dangerous—to myself, to our operations, and most importantly, to the woman I’ve sworn to protect.
Focus. I start the engine. Handle the immediate threats. Build the alliance. Secure Columbus. Then figure out the rest.
But as I pull into traffic, another text arrives from Eli.
Eli
Sandra’s lawyer requesting meeting about Lucas. Says she has evidence of foul play. She’s not wasting any time.
My hands tighten on the steering wheel. Evidence could mean anything—or nothing. Sandra’s desperate for answers, seeing conspiracy where there’s only tragedy. But even false accusations can cause damage, draw attention we can’t afford right now.
I point my truck toward the outskirts of town, toward my secluded cabin where Naomi waits. We need to talk, need to plan for the storm Sandra’s about to unleash. I need to figure out how to protect her without compromising everything else we’re building.
I press harder on the accelerator, eating up the miles between the city and Hocking Hills. Time is running out. Choices are coming that will reshape everything—our business, our safety, our futures.
I can only hope I’m strong enough to make the right ones.
For all of us.