Before dawn | Dark romance

Chapter 76 - Storm on the horizon

Luca's pov 

I swipe my card, making the elevator come to life. It's 8:10 in the morning, and I stand there, my foot tapping impatiently as I wait for the doors to open. The sun rises over the city skyline, casting golden rays that illuminate the penthouse lobby.

My thoughts drift to Maddie, still fast asleep when I leave. Just the memory of her sends a rush of warmth through me. Last night changes everything; I finally ask her to be my girlfriend. I can still picture the way her eyes light up, that moment of pure joy sparking between us. It's electrifying. But even the afterglow of that connection can't overshadow the looming storm of drama surrounding Brianna and Dante.

Fuck, I hope to God Bri isn't pregnant. That would bring a shitstorm I don't want to deal with—especially now with everything that is going on within the five families and the meeting the Russians requested regarding the matter. Vladimir Odessa, a long-standing partner with the family, has caught wind of our troubles with the Genovese and requested a meeting to discuss it. Just what I need—a headache on top of everything else.

The elevator dings, and the doors slide open. I step inside, pressing the button for the ground floor. As the elevator descends, I take a moment to compose myself, pushing aside my concerns about private matters. This is business—there will be time for emotions later.

When the doors open, I'm greeted by Luciano, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, a serious expression etched on his face. "Morning, Boss," he says, pushing off the wall to fall into step beside me. There's an urgency in his voice, and I know the news he's about to deliver won't be good.

"Let's walk," I reply, leading him through the lobby and out to the street where my bodyguards are already waiting, the air filled with a crispness that jolts me awake. My men stand like sentinels, eyes scanning for threats, their muscles taut and ready for action.

As we step outside, I spot our convoy of SUVs idling by the curb. I slide into the back of one, Luciano joining me. The leather seat feels cool against my skin as the door closes, cutting off the noise of the city.

"The Genovese are making moves," Luciano says, his voice low, brimming with tension. "They're trying to establish new connections, and if we don't counter them soon, it could escalate into something bigger."

I frown, my mind racing. "What kind of moves?"

"Rumor has it they're looking to secure more territory and are making alliances with some of the smaller families. They think they can take advantage of our situation," he replies, the urgency in his voice palpable.

"Typical," I mutter, leaning back as the SUV pulls away from the curb. "We can't let that happen. We need to show them that the Castellano family isn't weak. Tell our men to get ready"

Luciano nods, his expression grim. "I'll make sure the men are prepared. We need to send a message—one that they can't ignore."

"Call Dante and Enzo to get their asses to the warehouse," I command, my tone brokering no argument. They'll need to be briefed on the situation, before the meeting with the Russians. 

As we approach the harbor, the scent of saltwater fills the air, mingling with the aromas of the bustling city. My heart races—not just from the business at hand but from the weight of what lies ahead. I can't afford to be distracted by personal matters, not now. The world outside this SUV is alive, but my reality is riddled with threats.

The convoy comes to a halt outside the warehouse, and I step out, greeted by the frenetic energy of my men working on a shipment. The atmosphere buzzes with activity; boxes are being unloaded, the sounds of machinery punctuating the air. This is the lifeblood of our operations—nothing can afford to go wrong here.