Page 32 of Bound to the Enforcer

Alessio's expression hardens. "And if they don't turn?"

"Then we take them out." The coolness in my tone evident. Spilling blood is not in my nature, but it is something that is embedded in my DNA.

Matteo's smirk fades, and Alessio's stare sharpens, but neither of them argues.

"A little on the crazy side," Matteo says after a moment. "I would say leaning to borderline dangerous. It might just work."

Alessio pushes off the counter, stepping closer to the table. "This is a war that you are inciting, Sophia. If we do this, there's no going back."

"There never was," I reply, holding his glower.

The room falls silent again, the weight of the decision settling over us. But for the first time, I feel like I'm in control—not just reacting, but leading.

Matteo flips through the folder, landing on a photo of a man in his mid-50s with thinning hair and tired eyes.

"Luigi Mancini," he says, tapping the page. "He handles logistics for Domenico's shipments of laced opioids. Not a major player, but he knows the routes, the schedules, everything. If we lean on him, he'll crack."

I nod, the beginnings of a plan taking shape in my mind. "We hit him first. Cut off Domenico's shipments, and his network starts to fall apart."

Alessio steps closer, his arms crossed, his expression thoughtful. "Hitting Mancini is one thing, but taking out alogistics head won't be enough. If Domenico thinks we're picking off the edges of his operation, he'll close ranks. We need to go bigger."

Matteo raises an eyebrow. "What are you thinking?"

"A warehouse," Alessio says. He picks up a separate sheet from the stack, pointing to a location circled in red. "This one in the industrial district. Domenico uses it to store his most valuable shipments before they're moved out of the city. If we take it out, it sends a message."

"And we cripple his supply chain," I add, stepping next to Alessio to look at the map.

Matteo whistles low. "That's a big move. You realize he'll come after you hard if you pull this off."

"Good," I reply firmly. "Let him. I'm done waiting for him to make the first move."

For a moment, neither of them speaks. Matteo watches me with a mix of curiosity and approval, but it's Alessio's reaction I notice most. He doesn't say anything, but there's a subtle shift in his expression—something close to pride flickering in his eyes before he looks away.

"What's the security like at the warehouse?" I ask, focusing back on the plan.

"Tight," Alessio answers. "Armed guards on rotation, cameras, and Domenico's men know that place like the back of their hand. If we're going in, we need to be surgical. No mistakes."

"We'll need a distraction," Matteo says, rubbing his chin. "Something to pull their attention away while we hit the main target."

"I can arrange that," Alessio says, already reaching for his phone. "We'll use one of the old contacts in the south to stage a false lead. Make Domenico think there's trouble elsewhere."

"Good, we have our plan, now we wait to strike." I close the folder and stare at the two men before me.

Alessio studies me for a moment, and I can see the tension in his jaw. But then he nods, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

"You're finally starting to sound like a leader."

The words catch me off guard, but I don't let it show. Instead, I stand a little straighter. "It's about damn time, too."

The three of us fall into planning mode, mapping out routes and contingencies. By the time we're done, the sun has started to set, casting the cabin in golden light.

The seconds bleed into the hours, and with each tick of the hand, we draw closer to what will be the end of this torrid nightmare.

I am coming for you Domenico. I have three bullets with your name on them.

Chapter Ten

Sophia

---