Chapter 5 5

The city pulsed with an energy Sofia could no longer ignore. Every headline, every hushed whisper in the corridors of the DeLuca estate reminded her of the power struggle gripping the streets. The Corsettis had retaliated swiftly and brutally, leaving a trail of destruction that forced the DeLuca family to respond with equal ferocity.

In the days following the warehouse strike, Sofia found herself in constant motion, yet her mind was far from still. Her mornings began with strategy meetings, where tension hung thick in the air. Her evenings were consumed by the incessant flow of intelligence reports detailing the Corsetti family's counterattacks.

This morning was no different. Sitting at the head of the long dining table, she studied a map spread across its surface. The various markings-red for Corsetti strongholds, black for neutral zones-blurred together, but she forced herself to focus.

"We hit them hard last night," said Marco, one of the senior captains. His gravelly voice filled the room. "Took out two of their supply routes and a safe house in Queens. But they're regrouping faster than we anticipated."

Another captain, a wiry man named Ricci, leaned forward, pointing at a cluster of red marks near the waterfront. "These docks are their lifeline. Take them out, and we cripple their cash flow. It'll hurt, but it won't be clean. They'll have reinforcements crawling all over that area."

Sofia tapped her pen against the table, her mind racing. "What about their alliances? Have we confirmed whether any of the smaller families are lending them support?"

Marco hesitated before answering. "The Lazzaris are staying neutral for now, but there's chatter about the Morettis. They're hungry for power, and siding with the Corsettis might look like their best bet."

Silence fell over the room as everyone processed the implications. Sofia's stomach twisted at the thought of another family entering the fray. This wasn't just a fight for dominance; it was a powder keg waiting to explode.

Luca, seated to her right, broke the silence. "We need to send a message," he said, his tone cold and calculated. "Something that reminds everyone who controls this city."

Sofia glanced at him, her chest tightening at the weight of his words. "What kind of message?"

"The kind they won't forget," he replied, his gaze unwavering.

She leaned back in her chair, her fingers gripping the armrests. "We can't go too far. If we alienate the neutral families, we'll lose more than we gain."

"Then make it precise," Luca countered. "One target. One strike. And it has to be public enough that the Corsettis understand we're not playing games."

Her mind worked furiously, considering the options. She couldn't deny the logic of his argument, but the idea of escalating the violence made her stomach churn.

"We'll discuss this further tonight," she said finally, rising from her chair. "For now, focus on consolidating our defenses. I don't want any more surprises."

The captains nodded, their expressions grim as they filed out of the room. Only Luca remained, his dark eyes fixed on her.

"You're hesitating," he said, his voice low.

"I'm being cautious," Sofia replied, meeting his gaze. "There's a difference."

His lips twitched in what might have been a smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Caution can keep you alive. But in this world, it can also get you killed."

She turned away, walking to the window. The city stretched out before her, a maze of lights and shadows. "I won't sacrifice my soul for power, Luca. There has to be another way."

"You're already in the fire, Sofia," he said, his voice closer now. "The only question is whether you'll burn or learn to control the flames."

Her shoulders tensed, but she didn't respond.

Night fell, cloaking the city in a veil of darkness. Sofia stood in the estate's armory, her fingers brushing the edge of a dagger resting on the table. The cold steel was a stark reminder of the life she'd stepped into, a world where every decision was sharpened to a deadly point.

Luca entered, his movements silent. He watched her for a moment before speaking. "I've secured a meeting with the Morettis. Tomorrow night."

Her head snapped up, surprise flickering across her face. "You think they'll agree to a sit-down?"

"They will if they're smart," he said. "But don't expect them to play nice. They'll want something in return."

Sofia nodded, her mind already spinning with possibilities. The Morettis were a wildcard, their loyalty as fluid as the tide. If she could convince them to side with the DeLucas-or at least remain neutral-it could shift the balance of power.

"What's the plan?" she asked.

"We go in with an offer they can't refuse," Luca replied. "But be prepared for anything. If they sense weakness, they'll exploit it."

Her jaw tightened, and she gripped the dagger's hilt. "I won't let that happen."

The next evening, Sofia found herself in a dimly lit lounge on the west side of the city. The Morettis had chosen the location, a neutral ground far removed from either family's territory.

Luca stood at her side, his presence steady and reassuring. The Moretti representatives arrived shortly after, their sharp suits and calculating gazes a stark reminder of the stakes.

The conversation began cordially enough, both sides exchanging pleasantries and thinly veiled threats. Sofia held her ground, her words carefully measured.

"We're not here to escalate the conflict," she said, her voice calm but firm. "The Corsettis are a threat to all of us. Aligning with them only puts your family at risk."

One of the Moretti men, a broad-shouldered figure named Enzo, leaned forward. "And what do we get in return for staying out of it?"

Sofia's pulse quickened, but she didn't waver. "Protection. Access to our networks. And assurance that when this war is over, the Moretti family will remain intact."

Enzo's gaze bore into hers, searching for any sign of deceit. "And if we decide the Corsettis are the better bet?"

Luca shifted beside her, his voice dangerously soft. "Then you'd better be prepared to go down with them."

The tension in the room was palpable, but Sofia refused to let it rattle her. She met Enzo's gaze head-on, her expression resolute. "The choice is yours. But remember this-loyalty to the Corsettis won't save you when they turn on you. And they will. It's only a matter of time."

Silence stretched between them before Enzo finally leaned back, a sly smile tugging at his lips. "You've got guts, I'll give you that."

He stood, extending a hand. "We'll consider your offer."

Sofia shook his hand, though the gesture felt more like a test than a truce.

Back at the estate, Luca's expression was unreadable as they debriefed the night's events.

"You handled yourself well," he said, though his tone lacked warmth.

"Did I?" Sofia asked, sinking into a chair. The adrenaline that had carried her through the meeting was beginning to wear off, leaving her drained.

Luca studied her for a moment before speaking. "You made your position clear. That's more than most would've managed in your place."

Her lips pressed into a thin line. "But will it be enough?"

"We'll find out soon enough," he said, his voice low. "But one thing's certain-the Corsettis won't back down without a fight."

Sofia's gaze drifted to the window, where the city lights flickered in the distance. She knew he was right. The battle for control was far from over, and the price of victory would be higher than she could have imagined.

But for her family, for her survival, she would pay it- whatever it took.