Page 49 of Ruthless Rival

“We need to go now and rally everyone,” Marco spoke up, prompting nods from the others.

I took Gabriela’s hand, drawing her close. “You should stay back. Stay with my daughters and keep yourself safe. Keep our baby safe,” I told her. “You’ve done your part. Your father will pay.”

Gabriela shook her head. “I want to be with you. I’m scared you’ll get hurt,” she fretted as she cupped my face.

“I won’t be able to focus if I’m worrying about you. Please, stay with Alessia and Giulia,” I said.

Gabriela gazed up at me for a few seconds before nodding. “I’ll be waiting for you. Please, come back to me,” she whispered with glistening eyes.

“Always,” I promised before pressing one last lingering kiss against her lips.

Everyone was called to action. All of my trusted members stood behind me as did my sons as we met up with Ignacio and a small group from the cartel who didn’t want to be under Santiago’s rule any longer. We split into teams to hit three different locations spread throughout the city.

“I know Juan and Miguel are at a warehouse handling a shipment,” Ignacio told everyone as we gathered together. “Santiago will be there to oversee it. Salvador and Alvaro are at a house on Harper Street. The other important people will be at Club Echo drinking the day away.”

“I’ll take the warehouse,” I said, needing my shot at Santiago.

Adriano stepped close to me. “I’ll go with you,” he spoke up, nodding to me before picking out a group to join us. We needed as many people as possible to assist us because the fight ahead wouldn’t be easy in the slightest.

“I’ll have your back, sir,” Iso told me.

I nodded to him. For as long as I could remember, I could count on him. He never asked me for anything, but if he ever did, I would grant whatever wish he had. He never gave me a reason to doubt his loyalty to me and my family.

“I’ll take the club,” Lorenzo said before dividing up more people into each team. “Marco and Ignacio can go to the house.”

I took a moment to look between my sons, watching them dictate and organize their teams with determination and confidence. The corner of my mouth crooked up slightly as pride swelled in my chest. I didn’t want anyone else by my side during this fight. “I’m proud of all of you,” I told them as we stood in a small circle. “I couldn’t have had better sons.”

“You’re right about that.” Marco chuckled as he nudged his brothers.

Adriano smirked and rolled his eyes. “Well, we couldn’t have been raised by a better father. We can kick ass with one hand and pat backs with the other,” he replied as he put his arms over his brothers’ shoulders.

I chuckled as I patted his cheek. “That’s what I like to hear. All of you, be careful. Don’t be reckless. I don’t want any empty chairs at my table.”

Everyone’s amused expressions softened as they nodded. The Mancini family wouldn’t be the same if they all didn’t make it back after the fight.

“We will,” Marco promised.

I smiled a little and reached out to lightly ruffle each of their heads while messing their hair up just a little like I did when they were kids. Then I stepped back from the circle. “Let’s finish this.”

Once everyone was divided up and ready to go, the plan was set in motion.

I got into the SUV with Iso and Adriano. I made sure my handgun was fully loaded and ready to go. I wasn’t going in swinging my fists. I was aiming to kill.

“I’m sorry,” Adriano spoke up.

I gave him a confused look.

“About how I treated Gabriela and that I hired a private investigator,” Adriano explained as he shook his head at himself. “I let my fears get to my head. I shouldn’t have pried.”

I placed my hand on his shoulder and gave him a light smile. He had good intentions, and he recognized his mistakes. That was all that mattered to me. “It’s not a crime to care. You did as I taught you to do. Always be careful and always be sure. I appreciate your apology, though. But that’s in the past. Let’s move forward, mio figlio.”

Adriano grinned a little and nodded.

When the driver parked down the street from the warehouse, I stepped out of the SUV, seeing more cars full of other members parking behind us. Once we all gathered together on the sidewalk, I motioned for everyone to fall in line.

It was time to move.

Iso walked ahead of me, guarding my front, while Adriano had my back. He paused by one of the old, rusty doors that led into the warehouse, tapping his ear.

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