Page 57 of Mafia Don's Twisted Union

Her lips press into a thin line, and for a moment, I think she might actually tell me. But then the wariness returns to her eyes, and she steps back.

“I just want this to end,” she says softly, her voice cracking slightly.

Her vulnerability strikes a chord deep within me, but before I can respond, Leo bursts back in, his expression grim.

“Carlito,” he says urgently. “Matteo’s men just attacked one of our outposts near the property. It’s an ambush.”

Leo’s words send a surge of adrenaline coursing through me. Matteo’s men attacking an outpost near the inheritance property is no coincidence—it’s a calculated move.

“How many casualties?” I ask, already reaching for my jacket.

“Three injured, none dead,” Leo replies quickly. “But they’re pushing closer to the property. It’s only a matter of time before they escalate.”

“Prepare the vehicles,” I order, my voice sharp. “I want a full detail with me. If Matteo wants to test our defenses, I’ll give him an answer he won’t forget.”

Mia steps forward, her eyes wide with alarm. “Carlito, you can’t just charge into this. It’s what Matteo wants.”

I stop, turning to face her. “And what would you have me do? Wait for him to burn everything down around us?”

Her jaw tightens, but she doesn’t back down. “This isn’t just about the property or the ledger anymore, is it? It’s about power. You’re letting him bait you.”

I step closer, lowering my voice. “This isn’t about power. It’s about survival—yours, mine, and our child’s. If Matteo takes that property, we lose our leverage. And if we lose leverage, we lose everything.”

Her gaze falters for a moment, but then she squares her shoulders. “Then let me come with you.”

The suggestion is so absurd, I almost laugh. “Absolutely not.”

“Why not?” she demands, her voice rising. “This is my family’s legacy, my fight just as much as yours. You said you wanted me to trust you—then trust me to handle this.”

I shake my head, frustration boiling beneath the surface. “This isn’t about trust, Mia. It’s about keeping you alive.”

“And what about you?” she counters, her voice trembling. “You think throwing yourself into a war zone is the answer? If you die, what happens to us? To our child?”

Her words hit harder than any bullet, but I don’t let it show. “That’s exactly why I’m doing this,” I say, my voice softer now. “Because I can’t lose you. Either of you.”

The tension between us is palpable, but before the argument can escalate, Leo clears his throat from the doorway. “Vehicles are ready.”

I glance back at Mia, her expression a mixture of anger and desperation. “Stay here,” I say firmly. “No arguments.”

For a moment, it looks like she might defy me, but then she nods stiffly, her lips pressed into a thin line.

I turn and follow Leo out of the penthouse, the weight of the confrontation settling heavily on my shoulders. As the elevator descends, Leo hands me a tablet displaying live footage from the property’s perimeter.

“They’re pushing hard,” he says grimly. “We’ve reinforced the main gates, but if they breach the east side—”

“They won’t,” I interrupt. “Not if we hit them first.”

The convoy speeds through the city, the tension inside the car thick enough to cut with a knife. My men exchange glances, their hands hovering near their weapons.

“Do you really think Matteo will risk exposing himself like this?” Leo asks quietly.

I shake my head. “This isn’t about exposure. It’s about making a statement. He’s testing our limits, trying to force our hand. But he’s underestimated mine.”

When we reach the property’s outskirts, the scene is pure chaos. Smoke rises from the eastern fence, where Matteo’s men are exchanging fire with my guards. The crack of gunfire echoes through the air, mingling with the shouts of commands and cries of pain.

I step out of the vehicle, surveying the battlefield with a cold, calculating eye. Matteo’s men are better armed than I expected, but their numbers are manageable.

“Flank the east side,” I order, pointing to the far end of the property. “Force them into the open. I want this finished quickly.”

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