Page 38 of The Enforcer's Brat

Enzo felt a surge of love and gratitude for this man who had become his entire world. "I don't deserve you," he murmured.

Matteo chuckled, pressing a soft kiss to Enzo's lips. "You've got that backwards, baby. I'm the lucky one here."

As they held each other close, both knew that the road ahead would be fraught with danger. The Morettis wouldn't go down without a fight, and there were still those within the Ricci family who might oppose them. But in that moment, none of it mattered. They had each other, and together, they could face anything.

The next day, against doctor's orders but with Enzo's careful assistance, Matteo checked out of the hospital. They had work to do, a family to protect, and a future to secure. Whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them side by side – the Enforcer and his Brat, united in love and ready for battle.

CHAPTER 13

COUNTERATTACK

The Ricci family compound was a hive of activity when Enzo and Matteo arrived. Security had been doubled, with armed guards patrolling the perimeter and checking everyone who entered. The atmosphere was tense, a far cry from the opulent calm that usually permeated the estate.

Don Ricci was waiting for them in his study, his face etched with worry lines that seemed to have deepened overnight. He embraced Enzo briefly, then turned to Matteo with a nod of respect.

"Glad to see you on your feet, Salvatore," he said gruffly. "We need all hands on deck for this one."

Matteo inclined his head, still moving stiffly from his injury but determined not to show weakness. "I'm ready to do whatever's necessary, sir."

Don Ricci gestured for them to sit, then leaned forward, his hands clasped on the desk. "The situation is worse than we thought. The Morettis aren't just making a play for our territory – they're trying to dismantle our entire operation. We've lost three key business partners in the last week alone, and there are whispers of more defections to come."

Enzo felt a chill run down his spine. He'd known things were bad, but this... this was catastrophic. "What's our plan?" he asked, forcing his voice to remain steady.

His father's eyes flicked to him, a hint of surprise and approval in their depths. "That's what we're here to discuss. I've called in every favor, every contact we have. But we need a strategy, and fast."

For the next hour, they pored over reports and intel, piecing together the Morettis' plan of attack. It became clear that this wasn't just an opportunistic grab for power – it was a carefully orchestrated campaign that had been in the works for months, if not years.

"They've been playing the long game," Matteo mused, his brow furrowed in concentration. "Slowly chipping away at our defenses, waiting for the right moment to strike."

Don Ricci nodded grimly. "And now they think they've found it. With the chaos from the docks and the hit on Enzo, they're betting we're vulnerable."

Enzo felt a surge of guilt at the mention of the hit. If he hadn't been so reckless, if he'd been more careful... He pushed the thoughts aside. Now wasn't the time for self-recrimination. They needed solutions.

"What if we turned their strategy against them?" he said slowly, an idea forming. "They think we're weak, divided. What if we use that to our advantage?"

Both Matteo and his father turned to him, interest piqued. "Go on," Don Ricci prompted.

Enzo leaned forward, excitement building as the plan took shape in his mind. "We let them think they're winning. Feed them false information, make it look like we're falling apart from the inside. Meanwhile, we consolidate our real assets, shore up our defenses where it really matters."

"A classic misdirection play," Matteo said, a note of pride in his voice. "It could work, but it's risky. We'd be walking a fine line."

Don Ricci was quiet for a moment, considering. Then, to Enzo's surprise, he nodded. "It's bold," he said. "Dangerous. But it might be our best shot." He fixed Enzo with a penetrating stare. "You're sure about this? Once we set this in motion, there's no turning back."

Enzo met his father's gaze steadily. "I'm sure. It's time we showed the Morettis and everyone else that the Ricci family isn't going down without a fight."

A ghost of a smile played at Don Ricci's lips. "Alright then. Let's get to work."

The next few weeks were a whirlwind of activity. Enzo found himself at the center of a complex web of deception and counter-intelligence. He worked closely with Matteo and a small team of their most trusted associates, carefully orchestrating the illusion of a crumbling empire while secretly shoring up their true strongholds.

It was exhausting, nerve-wracking work. Every move had to be calculated, every piece of information carefully vetted before being leaked. One misstep could bring the whole plan crashing down around them.

But as the days passed, Enzo found himself thriving under the pressure. For the first time in his life, he felt like he was truly contributing to the family business, using his quick wit and natural charm for something beyond just partying and causing trouble.

Matteo watched Enzo's transformation with a mixture of pride and concern. One night, as they lay tangled together in bed, finally able to snatch a few moments of peace, he voiced his thoughts.

"You're amazing, you know that?" he murmured, pressing a kiss to Enzo's temple. "The way you've stepped up, taken charge... I always knew you had it in you, but seeing it in action is something else."

Enzo preened a bit under the praise, but he could sense there was more. "But...?" he prompted.

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