Page 64 of The Bonventi Rise
"Mikey and Tony," Gio's voice is firm. "They're critical. Nick's at the hospital. Doctors don't know if they'll make it through the night. Three others injured too, but they'll live."
My hands curl into fists. Mikey's been with us a long time. Tony just had his first baby a few months ago. The image of his wife holding their newborn at the baptism flashes through my mind.
"Those motherfuckers," I snarl.
Gio's pacing now. "It's a clear message. They're hitting us from both sides now. Sandra in public, their soldiers on the street."
I rub my forehead. This is what we've been afraid of, what we've been preparing for. But it still feels like being hit by a train.
"We need to retaliate," Gio yells. "Hit them back twice as hard. Show them we're not to be fucked with."
I hold up a hand, quieting him. "We will. But we need to be smart about this. We can't afford any mistakes, not with the election so close. Have you spoken with Enzo?"
Gio shakes his head. "No, I came here first to yell it out."
"Okay, get on the phone with him now."
Gio pulls out his phone and makes the call.
As he does, I reach for my phone, my finger quickly finding Alina. With everything that's happening, I just want to make sure—no, I can't even think it. I hit the call button and bring the phone to my ear. It rings but goes to voicemail.
"Shit," I mutter and end the call.
I look up at Gio, and he's speaking with Enzo, telling him exactly what he told me.
I shoot off a quick text. Something that won't worry her but will make her respond.
Hey, what's for dinner again?
I send it and grip my phone. Gio's looking at me, nodding, agreeing with whatever Enzo is saying.
I glance down at my phone—no reply.
My heightened nerves are starting to spill over into why she's not responding.
Gio hangs up his phone. "Zo wants to get the capos together now."
I nod at Gio, my mind already racing through potential scenarios. "Good, that's good."
I look down at my phone again—no Alina.
"What do we know about their operations?" I ask Gio, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside. "Any weak points we can exploit?"
Gio shakes his head. "Yeah, I'll go over it with Zo, but we've got intel on a shipment coming in Sunday night. High-value stuff. Could cripple their distribution network if we intercept it."
I lean back in my chair, weighing our options. "Okay, I like that. It's a justified response without upping the ante. I just need to figure out if this is going to coincide with anything Sandra's camp throws at me."
My phone buzzes, and I snatch it up, hoping it's Alina. It's not. Just a campaign update. Fuck.
I try calling her again, but it goes straight to voicemail. Panic starts to claw at my chest, but I force it down. I don't want to overreact.
"I want to come—" I start, but Gio interrupts.
"No, no. Leave it to me, Marco. You've got too much at stake with the election. We need to keep your hands clean. They may be doing this to get you involved. Really give Sandra something to use against you. We can't risk it."
Damn, he's right.
"Yeah, shit, I hate being sidelined like this."
