Mixed blood

Chapter 21: Tame you or destroy you

"This isn't just a routine order. I don't care how long it takes. Tear this place apart if you have to, but find that file!"

The men scrambled to their feet. In the far corner, Diego approached cautiously, confused.

"Will, what's going on?" he asked.

"They killed her mother, Diego. Our family ordered the hit on Luana's mother."

"What? Are you sure?"

"She told me herself. And now, I want every detail; who gave the order, who carried it out, and why. I won't rest until I have the truth."

Across the room, Dimitri was already barking orders at the men in the archive section, who were frantically pulling files and searching through the database. "Move faster!"

The men doubled their efforts, as they sorted through stacks of paper and scrolled through endless lines of digital archives.

His men thought he was tearing apart the archives for closure. Fools. He already knew there wouldn’t be a file.

The old guard never put shit like that in writing — not hits that big.

"Will, maybe we should approach this methodically. Rushing them will-"

"Do I look like I have the patience for methodical right now?" he shot back. "If that file isn't in my hands within the next ten minutes, none of you will leave this room standing. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Boss!" the men chorused.

Diego leaned against a nearby desk. He had seen his friend angry before, but this was different. This wasn't just about business; this was personal.

That secret was worth ten times the corpse it was buried with.

If word leaked — that the great Romero matriarch had died on Russo orders — it would shatter the fragile spine of the Romero.

If they stayed loyal, fine — he’d keep the secret buried, let it rot their backbone in silence. Fear was a chain. Regret was a shackle.

If they turned on him? He’d toss the truth like a match into gasoline. They would tear themselves apart from the inside. The old loyalists would demand blood. The younger dogs would turn on each other, scrambling to save face. Their name, their unity — gone in a heartbeat.

Either way, it was leverage. His leverage. His father’s mess — his inheritance now.

If they ever dared betray the Russo name — he’d feed them their shame piece by piece. And if he needed to break the alliance himself? Fine.

They’d bleed. And the Russos would feast.

Luana… she was collateral. She’d given him the key herself, thinking it would bind him to her. Foolish girl. She was useful — beautiful, yes — but this was the real prize: the weapon carved from old blood and older sins.

He would wield it when the time was right. Not for her. For them. For the Russo name.

William walked to his office and Diego followed him, asking, "What are you planning to do once you find it?"

His gaze darkened further, his voice a dangerous whisper. "What I’ve always done, Diego. We bury our own messes, on our terms."

"I thought you were working to realize justice."

"Justice for what?" Henry suddenly showed up, his voice calm yet laced with an edge of condescension.

"For Luana," William smirked, wanting to play with his father's sittings.