Page 41 of Reign of Hope

I refuse to let that happen to the woman I love. This means that Raffaele can’t fail to find and capture Drake. I don’t like that this is out of my control, but I have the task of bringing Spike to Reno. It’s a safety net in case Drake gets away. Reno also wants the name of who leaked Allegra’s whereabouts the morning of our wedding. Someone associated withUltimo Mortehas loose lips. Reno has zero tolerance for discussing family business with outsiders.

I glance at my watch. It’s coming up on eleven o’clock. Elio is already coming toward me. It’s time for us to move out to make the meeting with Spike, and based on the expression on his face, he’s ready to spill blood. Everyone thinks that Elio is cool and calm, and outwardly, he is. But there’s a side of my brother that only comes out when his family is in danger, and that’s when the monster emerges and takes over my brother’s body. He’s brutal, savage, and determined to have his pound in flesh. For me, I find it reassuring, but God help anyone who steps in his way.

I look down on my phone and swipe through my photos to find the one I’m looking for. Last night, I took a selfie of Ally and me nestled on the sofa with her head on my shoulder. This is the reason I won’t fail tonight. I send her a text telling her I’ll be seeing her soon, with a smiley face, then put my phone away.

“Get the bastard,” Sebastian orders as we walk past him.

“There is no other option,” I reply. Sebastian rewards me with a sinister smirk. He and Dante have worked closely with Elio and me. Our training has accelerated since being under their wing. I catch Dante’s eyes as we head to our vehicle. He, too, gives me a two-finger salute.

I acknowledge with a nod. Elio and I are ready to take off when Demon from the Pride jumps into the back seat.

“I thought I’d come along for the ride,” he says with a sly grin.

“The more the merrier,” I tell him, and we leave with half a dozen others following us to the meetup point. I turn to my brother. “Ready?”

“Ready and willing. This is for our family,” Elio responds.

TWENTY-THREE

The Take Down

ALLEGRA

My fingers glide across the screen of my phone over Zano’s message. I pray for his safety and those of the other men who are walking into battle.

“Sis, are you okay?” Victorio asks.

I lift my gaze and manage a small smile. “I’m fine.”

“You’re worried,” he sums up. I shrug. “And you’re feeling guilty.”

“Is it that apparent?”

“No, but I feel guilty, and I know you. You’re thinking that if we never got involved with the Skulls, then Zano wouldn’t be in this position. I’ve been kicking my ass for weeks, no, months, about falling into Drake’s trap. If anyone should feel responsible, it’s me,” Victorio says with a heavy sigh, sitting down on the couch and dropping his head in his hands.

“Knock it off! Both of you!” Olivia interjects as she walks into the room, followed by Anna and Elena. “Nostra Casawould be in this regardless. The Triad is attacking all four of the families. If anything, because of the situation that happened with Victorio, we know more than we would have. What seemed like a play for information against Raffaele uncovered a bigger problem.”

“Olivia’s right. It was fate that brought you to us. Reno and the other capos were completely in the dark about the Triad. I think you and Victorio are a blessing,” Anna says, sitting next to me and sliding an arm around my shoulder.

“They don’t trust me,” Victorio says.

“What?” Elena asks, sitting next to him.

“I asked Leo to let me go with him. He wouldn’t let me. Leo said I’m not ready, but the truth is that they don’t trust me,” Victorio says sadly.

“That’s not true,” Lucia says as she walks in to join us. “Leo has spoken highly of your progress; however, he is correct. You’re not ready for the magnitude of the battle that’s coming tonight. You’ve been training for a short time. You’re not prepared, and my husband doesn’t send anyone into a fight if there’s any doubt in his mind. You’re young, and you’re impetuous. You make decisions based on your heart and not your head.” Lucia comes closer and ruffles Victorio’s hair. “You’re entrusted to take care of the women inNostra Casa, along with several of Reno’s most loyal soldiers. If you weren’t worthy of his trust, you wouldn’t be here.”

“I am ready,” Victorio begins.

“Lucia’s right. You’re not,” I say, backing Lucia up.

“Ally—”

“A soldier doesn’t ask to be trusted. They follow orders and do as they’re asked. When you can follow orders without bitching or whining about it, then your maturity shows, and that means you can regulate your emotions. This situation is too close to us.Nostra Casa,especially Reno, is protecting us,” I tell him.

“Trust works both ways,” Anna adds. “You need to trust Reno to make the decisions for the entire family. He doesn’t do this lightly. Every soldier is a brother, a father, a son to this family. Reno doesn’t want to bury any more of his men. Do you understand?”

He sighs deeply, nodding. “I just want to help.”

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