Page 56 of Mafia Don's Twisted Union

He studies me, his expression a mix of frustration and admiration. “You’re more stubborn than I gave you credit for,” he says finally.

I raise an eyebrow. “You married me, remember?”

For the first time in hours, a faint smile tugs at the corner of his mouth. But it’s fleeting, replaced by the steely determination I’ve come to recognize. “If we do this, Mia, we do it my way. No arguments.”

“Agreed,” I say, though my heart races at the thought of what’s to come.

Carlito pulls out his phone, his voice brisk as he calls Leo. “Double the surveillance on the property. We’re moving soon, and I want every detail accounted for.”

As he issues orders, I glance back at the documents. The nameVilla delle Ombrelingers in my mind, a haunting reminder of the secrets my father left behind.

Whatever we find there, I know one thing for certain: this isn’t just about the past anymore. It’s about survival.

Carlito ends the call, his expression unyielding. “I hope you ready for what’s coming, Mia. The chaos has only just started.”

Chapter 26

Carlito

The atmosphere in the living room is as cold and sterile as my thoughts. Spread across the table are maps of the inheritance property and dossiers on Matteo’s operations. Leo stands to my right, flipping through papers with the efficiency of a man who’s been through too many of these situations.

“Matteo’s men are on the move,” Leo reports, tapping a marked area on the map. “They’ve been circling the perimeter for days, but this... this is different. They’re testing our defenses.”

I nod, my jaw tightening. “It’s not a test. It’s a warning. Matteo’s making his move.”

The inheritance property was left under the care of a long-standing family friend of Mia’s father—a lawyer named Edward Castellanos. He’s loyal, but his resources are stretched thin. While Edward oversees the property and its day-to-day matters,the security arrangements have been bolstered by my men since Mia and I uncovered its strategic importance.

The property isn’t just leverage; it’s the key to Matteo’s empire. Inside lies a hidden ledger—a document that could dismantle his entire operation. If Matteo gets his hands on it, this war will become unwinnable. And now, thanks to Dominic’s cryptic warnings and Mia’s growing determination, the property has become a battleground.

Across from me, my men exchange tense glances. They understand the stakes, but they don’t know the history. Not like I do.

“I want a triple guard rotation at the property,” I say, my voice cutting through the room. “Every entrance, every inch of the perimeter—covered.”

Leo hesitates, his hand hovering over the map. “Carlito, there’s something else. Matteo’s forming alliances of his own. If we want to hold that property, we’re going to need backup.”

I narrow my eyes. “From who?”

He hesitates, then says, “The Calderone faction. They’ve stayed neutral, but they hate Matteo almost as much as we do. If there’s a chance to sway them—”

“I’ll handle it,” I cut in. “Set up a meeting.”

Leo nods, but his tension doesn’t ease. I can tell he’s questioning my judgment, wondering why I’m personally handling thisinstead of delegating it. But there’s too much history at play for me to leave this in someone else’s hands.

I’ve known Mia’s father for years—his reputation, his power—but I never knew he had children until Mia came into my life. It was only after our marriage, when the truth about her family’s Mafia ties surfaced, that the pieces fell into place. Her father’s legacy is tangled in this war, and now so is Mia.

The living room door creaks open, and Mia steps inside. Her presence instantly shifts the air. She’s dressed casually, but there’s a determination in her eyes that’s impossible to ignore.

“Do you have a second?” she asks, glancing at the men surrounding the table.

I wave Leo and the others away, and they file out silently, though I can feel their unease. When the door closes, Mia approaches the table, her gaze falling on the map.

“You’re planning something,” she says, her tone measured.

“And you’re holding something back,” I counter, folding my arms.

She flinches but doesn’t back down. “I told you what Dominic said. The ledger is what Matteo’s after—it’s his Achilles’ heel. If you take it from him, he loses everything.”

“And yet, you still look like you’re about to run into the fire yourself,” I say, stepping closer. “What aren’t you telling me, Mia?”

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