t hum of the city created a low buzz in her ears, but her focus remained on the figure standing a few s

ay defensive," he said, his vo

rossed against the chill. "You're su

, stepping closer. "If we wait, we're showing we

twinkling like stars against the dark can

a said, his tone firm. "And that anyone wh

one to condone violence, but this was no longer about personal morals. It was about s

nally, her voice steady despite

at first. Their supply lines, their businesses, anything that weakens their hold with

settled heavily on her shou

already moving pieces into place. We need

nation hardening her featur

Luca's plan, absorbing every piece of information he and the captains could provide. S

r on everything from negotiation tactics to how to spot an ambush. His p

d resolve. She stood in the estate's underground garage, watching as the team prepared for th

r this?" he asked

ing," she replied, her voi

"Stay close to me. Watch, listen, and learn. This isn't t

dge of the earpiece as sh

streets like shadows. Sofia sat beside Luca in the lead car, her pulse quickening as

a trail back to the DeLuca family. It was a calculated move, d

heavily guarded. Luca parked the car a safe distance a

h every step. The cool night air prickled her skin,

ched behind a stack of crates, watching as they neutralized the guards with

o join him. She stepped carefully over the uncon

pons and contraband, and the team wasted no time in dismantling their operati

ice low but firm. "This is

he team was already loading up when the first explosion shook the ground beneath them. Fl

er arm, pulling her t

he distance. Sofia's pulse was still racing when they reached t

she turned to Luca, her voi

s expression unreadable. "B

eports of retaliatory attacks began to trickle in. Businesses associated with th

th the captains and gathering intelligence. The weight of

ead buried in another stack of reports. He place

" he said, his tone

ustion evident in her eyes

isn't about feeling in control. It's about making dec

her off guard. She wondered how many times he had be

said, surprising herself wit

smile. "You're stronger than you

as far from over, but for the first time, she felt a spark of hope. She wasn't alone in thi