Bound by my blood

Chapter fourty-one

If by my life
Vincenzo's point of view

The gun thuds with each bullet that fires, faster than light. Each one embeds itself in the men I once trusted with my life—my friends. I don't know why I'm surprised that they were involved in the attack. The reality of betrayal stings sharply, but deep down, I can't be too shocked. The mafia has always been a game of loyalty, but when power is on the table, that loyalty can crumble just as quickly as a house of cards.

No matter how loyal they seemed, the desire for power was too strong. I couldn't judge them for it; after all, I was no different. The only reason I ever agreed to marry Alexandria was because her family would make me stronger. The power, the connections—everything that would push me higher. I never planned to fall for her the way I did. She wasn't just a pawn in my game. She became the reason I kept playing.

Which is why I had to do this. I had to confront them. Maybe, just maybe, if I could get close enough to talk some sense into them, I could convince them to leave the Castillos alone. Power can be intoxicating, and for some, it's an addiction. But if I promised them something more, something better, maybe they would back off. Maybe they'd see that loyalty still holds some weight, even in the chaos of the Mafia world.

I hope Alexandria will forgive me for this. I truly do.

"Dominico, you need to find Alexa before they do. I can hold them off, but I need to know she's safe," I shout, my voice strained over the deafening gunfire. I'm the only one with a silencer, and that's the only advantage I have right now.

"Are you crazy?" Nico yells back, not even glancing my way. His eyes remain locked on the enemy. "You won't be able to keep them away for long. You could die doing this."

"Yes, and that's a risk I'm willing to take," I respond, more firmly than I feel. "They're here for me anyway. I can hold them off."

"Alexa's going to kill me for this," Nico sighs heavily, his expression strained with concern. But there's no time to argue. He nods once, curtly, before he sprints off toward the house.

I let out a deep breath and lower my gun, watching him disappear into the distance. His departure is my signal. It's time to deal with this head-on. My mind is racing as I step forward, focusing on the group that stands before me—once allies, now enemies.

"Fratelli. Sorelle. Metti giù le armi e lasciaci parlare," I call out, the words leaving my mouth despite the weight in my chest. Deep down, I know it won't matter. I know that no matter what I say, this situation is beyond fixing. I just need to keep them distracted long enough for Nico to find Alexa and hide her.

("Brothers. Sisters. Put down your guns and let us talk.")

"You're a traitor to the Sicilian Mafia and family," a voice spits back, venom dripping from each word. "You're no brother of ours until the Italian brat dies by your hand!"

My fists clench so tightly that my nails dig into my palms. The insult to Alexa is too much to bear. I try to steady myself. "If that's what it takes, then I'll do it," I stall, my voice calm but hiding the fury beneath. "But I have one condition. Before I kill my wife, I want to meet your bosses."

There's a long silence as the words hang in the air. I can feel their eyes on me, weighing my words, considering my offer. Finally, the man at the front of the group nods once, his face unreadable, before gesturing to the cars parked behind them.

I tuck my gun into my waistband and walk toward one of the black SUVs. The sound of the tires crunching beneath the vehicle is oddly comforting. As we drive past the warehouse, I glance back at it one last time. I won't be coming back here again. This is the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. I can feel it in my bones.