In the End

30│Realisation

The Day Before

Luciano's POV

"Shutting down the Apulians is our main focus," I ordered, my voice running clear throughout the room. "I want everything else placed on the back burner. I've already started shifting assignments, and at the most, you'll have those by midday tomorrow."

Everyone in the room was solely focused on me. As they should be, "We're making our first move tonight. As her mission, Ida will be sent in to kill Andrei Todd. The Leviathan has always been neutral in their criminal dealings, but not anymore. They've sided with the Apulians, and after killing our Gian, this is the way to show them just how much we mean business."

Someone decided to speak up. I gritted my teeth, Paolo. He'd only just managed to get back, still bloody and bruised. "Are you sure that's safe? Sending one of the star players onto the field before the game even starts?"

I slammed my hand against the table, "Paolo, I'm so sorry, I didn't realise you were in charge? Because if you're not, I would have to wonder just why it is that you're challenging my order?"

He opened his mouth as if to say something but after a moment, closed it. "Of course Don, my apologies."

I stood up straighter, "That's what I thought. Dismissed."

I had nothing else to say anyway. The main reason for that meeting was just to make sure that everyone was at least on the same page with what was happening.

I left the room, heading back towards my office.

Invasion and the threat of losing power-loomed over me constantly. Running the mafia... wasn't always a good thing. Sol and Alex flanked to my ranks, following behind me. Never had the Apulians been in the situation to cause me such a fucking headache. And here, now they've found the perfect opportunity.

It wasn't often that I needed to remind this city who ran it, but I suppose it was time for a refresher.

Alex shut the door behind us, "Luce, I've never asked you this before, and I'll never ask you again, but are we sure about this?"

I turned around, "What?"

Alexei held out his hands, "I know it came from that prick, but I'm not sure about sending Ida in."

I snorted, "So you doubt her too?"

A look of fury passed over Alex's face, "You know I don't feel like that. But something doesn't feel right."

I leaned back against my desk, "Sol, what do you think?"

Sol paused, "It's a risky choice, but we haven't found anything to say that we shouldn't take the chance."

"Then the mission goes ahead. I trust Ida enough that she'll get the job done." I said finally, "I don't want to hear any more questions on the decisions that I make, got it?"

Alex sighed, "Of course boss. Understood."

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She still wasn't back.

It was still the three of us waiting in my office. No matter how hard I had tried to ignore them, I was anxious. Had I made the right choice in sending her? Every time I tried to reassure myself, I ended up spiralling again. I don't think this had ever happened in my life, I had never been so worried about the wellbeing of someone.

Though, Ida wasn't just 'someone. Not to this mafia, and certainly not to me. I knew that, whether I could admit it to anyone or not.

She had promised to stay in contact, but since leaving, she hasn't responded to me in the slightest. I shook my head, I had to stop being so obsessed. There would be a reason that she isn't replying.