ENZO POV

I stepped into the mansion, the only sound was the click of my boots against the floor. The silence told me the Don was awake and when he was up this early, it never meant anything good.

I threw my coat at the guard and kept walking down the hallway. Every man I passed kept his head low. They knew better than to look me in the eyes. I was the one the Don sent when words failed, the person who kept building his empire without fail.

“Don Vitale is waiting,” one of the men bowed, opening the door to his office. I walked in, the air smelled of smoke and old leather. He sat behind a dark oak desk, his sleeves rolled up to his elbow, he held a glass of whiskey in his hands. Even in his fifties, Don Vitale looked like he could crush a man with his stare alone. His silver hair is slicked back, he has deep lines carved into his face, each one from a war, a betrayal or a deal made in blood.

He didn’t smile when he saw me, he just kept staring at me. I knew what he wanted to ask

“Vicenzo,” he smiles, his voice low and steady. “You’ve been busy.”

I said nothing. The Don preferred silence, it made words heavier when they finally came.

He leaned forward, his gaze met mine. “Who’s the girl with you?”

I stared into his eyes. “She’s for Miguel. I brought her to take care of him, he's quite stubborn.”

The Don’s expression didn’t change, but his jaw tightened. “You expect me to believe that?”

“She’s harmless,” I lied smoothly. “Miguel needed help and I made the call.”

He stood slowly, walking to the window. The light caught the scar across his cheek, the one he got the day he became Don. He didn’t look back when he said, “Miguel is your brother. My son, I expect you to protect him, not bring strangers near him.”

“I did protect him,” I said, my voice calm but cold. “If I hadn’t, he’d be dead.”

He turned then, his stare sharp. “I raised you and Miguel from the streets,I gave you both my name. Don’t make me regret it, Vicenzo.”

I didn’t flinch. “You won’t.”

He studied me for a long time, then nodded once. “Good. Because you’re the only one I trust to keep this family alive.” He paused, then poured another drink. “Go to the meeting, Camila and Hiroshi are waiting. Handle it well.”

I nodded and left without another word.

********

The night air brushed my face when I stepped outside. My driver opened the door, and I slid into the back seat. The city lights blurred as we drove through the wet streets, glowing signs everywhere, illuminating the kind of city that never slept because monsters like us kept it awake.

We pulled into the warehouse near the docks. Inside, two empires were already waiting.

Camila Fiera Ortiz, the queen of the Mexican Cartel. She stood like she owned the place, her red lips curved into a smirk, she was the kind of woman men would die for, and she knew it.

Across from her was Hiroshi Takuda the Yakuza boss with his sharp suit, black tie, black slicked hair and not a single wrinkle. His tattoos crawled up his neck like taking most part.

“Vicenzo,” Camila smirks, crossing her legs. “Always a pleasure.”

I nodded once. “Camila. Hiroshi.”

Hiroshi gave a small bow. “Don Vitale sends his underboss himself. That means this is serious.”

“It is,” I said, walking to the table. A map of the city was spread across it, marked in red circles showing our routes, our territories and our wars.

Hiroshi spoke first. “The Russians have been moving fast. They joined forces with the Triads. We lost three containers this month, they knew the schedule. They knew our ports.”

Camila smirk disappeared. “They’re cutting into our product, our profit. And they’re too damn organized for outsiders. Someone’s feeding them information.”

I looked between them. “You think it’s from my side?”

She smiles. “You’re smart, Vicenzo. You already know the answer.”

My jaw tightened. “Say it.”

She leaned forward, her voice dropping low. “Liam.”

The name hung heavy in the air, could he really be the snake?

Even Hiroshi shifted in his seat. “The Don’s blood? Dangerous accusation.”

Camila shrugged. “Dangerous but not impossible. He’s always quiet, always watching. Maybe he’s talking to someone else behind those sad eyes. Even with the wheelchair he's dangerous.”

I stared down at the map. The Russians had been one step ahead of us for weeks, seizing very deal and shipment, it felt like someone was whispering in their ear. And Camila was right. Only someone inside the family could know that much.

I said nothing for a while. The rain started outside, tapping the metal roof then it began pouring.

Finally, I looked up. “You think the Don will believe this?”

Camila smiled. “The Don believes whatever you tell him.”

She wasn’t wrong, but the truth wasn’t that simple. The Don trusted me but Liam was his blood, the son he prayed over, the one he called “my heir” even when the kid couldn’t walk. I could never accuse him without proof, not yet.

I harden my gaze, my voice came out low.“The Russians are making a move, let them. We’ll feed them a trail, one they won’t walk away from.”

Hiroshi nodded. “A trap.”

“Exactly.” I looked at Camila. “Keep your shipments quiet, i’ll handle the rest.”

Camila smiled “That’s why I like working with you Vicenzo, you don't talk, you take action. I’m trusting you, don't fall my hands. “

I stepped closer, lowering my voice until she leaned in to hear. “That’s because talking gets people killed.”

Her smile widened. “Then let’s make sure the Russians die loud.”

********

When the meeting ended, I walked outside alone. The rain poured harder now, soaking through my shirt, but I didn’t care.

I looked up at the night sky and thought about Liam, I know he is a snake but would he destroy what his father has built just to get to me. I lit a cigarette and whispered to myself. “He has to be taken care of,” I said, watching the smoke twist into the dark. “ Time to spill the blood of a traitor.”

ENZO POV

The drive back to the mansion was quiet. Rain hit the car hard the drops tapping on the windshield, I sat straight and watched the road, the driver did not speak. He knew better. When I was quiet it meant decisions were happening in my head and no one wanted to be in the way.

The guards opened the gate and I walked inside. The house smelled of smoke and food, the smoke probably came from Liam. I moved down the hall, my boots made a steady sound on the floor. I do not like surprises, I do not forgive them easily especially with Bianca.

The bedroom door was open, Bianca was asleep on top of the covers, her clothes still on, her hair spread over my pillow. She looked tired, like someone who had been pushed too far. She had no right to sleep in my room, she had a job to do.

I grabbed the jug on the bedside table and poured cold water over her head. She jumped up with a scream, water running down her face.

“What the hell, Enzo?” she said, shocked and angry. She pushed hair from her eyes and tried to look steady.

“You were supposed to watch Miguel,” I said, the words came out flat. “Not sleep in my bed.”

She shivered and stood. “I just fell asleep for one minute but I was with Miguel throughout.”

“You don’t sleep unless I tell you to sleep,” I stepped closer. “You don’t close your eyes unless I tell you too.”

She pulled back and said something sharp. “You use people, you give orders and you think that makes you a man.”

“It makes me responsible,” I said. “And responsibility is what keeps people alive in my place. You either do your job or you get punished.”

She moved toward the door. I did not grab her hard, but my hand tightened on her wrist and it stopped her. She tried to pull free, her mouth moved but no words came out. I held her until she stopped fighting.

“Let go,” she hissed.

“Don’t ever walk out of me,” I dragged her to the dinning where Miguel was.

The table was long and empty with different dishes placed on top. Miguel sat near the head of the table, small and careful. He watched everything, he did not talk much. He did not smile much either, he was young, but he noticed things.

Across from him, in the chair he always sat in, was Liam. He wore a dark suit, his hands rested on his lap. His face was pale and his eyes were cold, the only biological son of the don and the man everyone pretends to protect.

When we came in, both of them turned their heads slowly and watched. Miguel’s gaze went to Bianca and then to me. He did not say anything. Liam looked at Bianca the way a hunter looks at a rabbit. His kept starting at her, I didn't trust him.

I guided Bianca to a chair and sat beside her. She was shaking a little, the water had dried on her clothes and her hair stuck to her neck. She looked like someone who had been pushed too close to a fire and then told to calm down.

Miguel said, “You slept on Enzo's bed.”

Bianca opened her mouth to answer. “Is it your business kid.”

Liam cut her off with one word. “Silence.” He did not raise his voice, he did not need to. The word landed and everything dropped quiet like a lid.

Bianca swallowed. “No one has the right to silence me except from him." She turned to me.

Liam didn't talk, she has stepped on his toes and now he'll retaliate. Miguel watched them both, he didn't say anything. He was small and still, but he watched like he learned quicker than most kid, he knows rules even if he does not say them.

A maid entered with a tray, She moved quick and careful like she was afraid to breathe. She placed the tray in front of us and set a glass of juice down for Bianca. The juice looked bright against the dark table, her hands trembled and she left the room hurriedly.

Bianca reached for the glass, her fingers touched the glass rim. She lifted it slowly, I watched the maid leave, something about her didn't feel right.

I looked at Bianca, she moved the juice closer to her lips.

“Don’t,” I said.

She turned to me, looking confused, then her gaze returned to the glass. Her hand shook a little and the glass slipped. She caught it and then held it again like she wanted someone else to tell her it was okay.

Liam turned his head and looked at me. His eyes were steady and they stayed there like stones. “Why?” he asked.

Miguel’s voice came out quiet. “Why, Enzo?”

There was no movement in Liam’s face. He watched the glass like he could see something inside. He smiled, I know he is up to something . “Are you afraid for her?” he asked.

I did not answer him. I looked at Bianca instead. I could see how afraid she was and how much she was trying not to show it. Her jaw was tight, her fingers were wet with sweat.

I pushed my chair back and stood and reached out and touched the glass. I never strike without reason. I pushed it with a finger and the glass tipped from her hand. It hit the floor and broke, the juice and small pieces scattered across the marble.

The sound echoed through the room, the maid made a soft noise like a breath and then went silent.

Miguel watched me from his chair. He looked like a boy who had seen a lesson, he kept his eyes small and serious and said nothing.

Liam watched the spill and his mouth curled like he tasted something sweet. “Why did you do that” he asked, his tone flat.

I picked up a piece of broken glass and held it for a second. The juice on the floor looked dark and wrong. I murmured. “The juice is poisoned."