Page 120 of DeLucas After Dark

"Yes," Casper chimed in with steely resolve. "We are with you, every step of the way. Ready to turn this white Christmas into a red Christmas."

I swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat. "Grazie. my friends.”

"Alright, then," Ishmael said, clapping his hands together. "Let's get to work."

And just like that, the meeting came to an end. Each man took a deep breath, steeling himself for the challenges ahead, and set off to carry out his assigned task. The room grew quiet as they dispersed, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

As I stood there in the dimly lit room, a cold shiver crept down my spine. And with that, I too left the room, ready to delve deeper into the investigation and bring down Jack Dunner once and for all.

Vito

O Christmas Tree

"Did you find anything?" Marcello asked as he entered the safehouse’s computer room that had become our command center.

I sighed, hating to admit defeat. "Nothing new yet. These bastards are covering their asses like the Secret Service. We’re going to have to try a new approach, and I know exactly who to call."

Marcello nodded. “My team has been trying to figure out how to get to anyone associated with the Grecozis for months and haven’t been able to find anything. I thought it was because my team was compromised.”

“Well, that could be true,” I admitted as I opened my cell phone and dialed Uncle Ramani's number.

His voice crackled through the phone line, his gravelly tone instantly recognizable. "Vito, my boy, what can I do for you?"

"Uncle, we have found out who is targeting Marcello and Safia. It’s Jack Dunner. We need your help locating him, though," I explained urgently.

"Say no more," Ramani replied without hesitation. "Now that you’ve given me a target, I will figure out the rest. You know you can always count on me and the rest of the family. We'll be there to back you up."

"Thank you, Uncle. We just need his location and we can handle the rest.”

"Consider it done, Vito. We won't let those bastards harm your brother or his girl."

"Marcello, gather whatever weapons you have," I ordered. "As soon as Uncle Ramani sends us a location, we're going to take the fight to the Dunners."

"That’s what the fuck I’m talking about. Let’s suit up. We’ve got a war to win," he replied, his eyes filled with fire as he disappeared inside the safe house.

As we loaded our guns and buckled on bulletproof vests, Uncle Ramani called back with an address.

“The odds are going to be against you going in. The Dunners are cunning and ruthless. Add the Grecozis and you have a formidable enemy even for the DeLucas. So, I’m sending a bunch of friendly faces your way. They will all be wearing the DeLuca crest.”

“Thanks, Uncle. Just know there is nothing I won't do to protect Marcello and Safia. They are my family, and no one messes with the DeLucas.”

“That’s why I trusted the information about your brother with you,” he said sincerely. “Now be on your guard," he warned.

“Will do, Uncle.” I ended the call and gave the team the same warning. “Be on your guard. We don't know what we're walking into."

Before leaving the house, I planted the longest kiss on Nicole’s lips, followed by a peck on my son’s cheek. More than ever, I was determined to make it back home to her and my son.

As we climbed into different vehicles and pulled off, headed to our destination, my phone buzzed with a message.

Prosper:Based on the intel coming in, Jack knows we’re on the way there. Someone working with us has informed them.

"Dammit," I muttered, my heart pounding as I read the words again. "They know we're coming."

"What?" Marcello's voice cracked, unbelievingly. "How the fuck do they know we’re coming?”

"Change of plan." I glanced around, paranoia creeping through me. The only people in the car with me and Marcello were Ishmael and Romeo, and Romeo was the driver. The rest of the team trailed us in a different car. I kept an eye on Romeo as I decided, "We’ll split up. We’ll go in hot and Prosper and his team will come in as reinforcement. Uncle Ramiri also has sent some soldiers to back us up.”

“I like it because backing down isn’t an option,” Marcello agreed.

---