Chapter 10 War and Loyalty

SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA(THE BRATVA'S EMPIRE)

After the success of the engagement party between Mikhail Morozov and Donatella De Luca, the La Mano Rojas sent a message to the Bratva's empire, causing chaos within the empire.

The La Famiglia De Lucas decided to hold a meeting with the Bratvas. A start of their alliance. The meeting was held in a secure, dimly lit room deep within the Bratva's empire. Mikhail, Nikolai, and Alexei sat at the table, flanked by Barino Moretti and Ronan from La Famiglia De Luca.

"We received a message from La Mano Roja," Mikhail said, his voice low and even. "They claim the engagement party was just a distraction, and the real war is only just beginning."

Nikolai handed him a piece of paper with the message transcribed on it. Ronan's eyes scanned the page, his face growing darker with each passing moment.

"'We killed your Consigliere, and we'll keep killing until you're nothing but a footnote in history,'" Ronan read aloud. "This isn't just a threat; it's a declaration of war."

Barino nodded in agreement. "We need to take this seriously. La Mano Roja won't stop until they've taken everything from us."

Mikhail's gaze swept the room. "We need a strategy to take out La Mano Roja's leadership and dismantle their operation. We can't let them dictate the terms of this war."

Ivan nodded thoughtfully, his eyes scanning the room. "Thank you, Mikhail. We won't proceed without the Bratva's help in this."

Ronan spoke up, his voice filled with conviction. "We have to hit them hard and fast. We can't let them dictate the terms of this war."

Barino nodded in agreement. "I agree. We need to take out their strongholds, disrupt their supply lines. We can't let them regroup and plan another attack."

Nikolai leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with intensity. "I have men who can help with that. We can use our connections to gather intel, identify their weaknesses."

Mikhail nodded, a plan beginning to form. "Let's divide our forces into two teams. One team will focus on gathering intel, identifying La Mano Roja's leadership and their hideouts. The other team will take out their strongholds, disrupt their operations."

Ivan's face set in a determined expression. "I want to make one thing clear: we will not show mercy. We will not hesitate. We will take out anyone who stands in our way."

The room fell silent, the weight of Ivan's words sinking in. The men knew what was at stake, and they were ready to do whatever it took to protect their families and their territory.

As the discussion continued, the plan began to take shape. The Bratva and La Famiglia De Luca would work together, using their combined resources and expertise to take down La Mano Roja.

After a while with the discussion on how to take down the La Mano Rojas, Mikhail stood up, his tall frame commanding attention. "The meeting has been adjourned. We'll reconvene tomorrow to discuss further plans for taking down La Mano Roja."

As he walked out of the meeting room, he caught sight of Donatella pacing around the hallway. He ignored her and continued down the stairs, his focus on walking towards the door to exit the empire.

But Donatella's voice stopped him in his tracks. "Mikhail!"

He paused, his hands in his pockets, and turned to face her. His eyebrow rose as she walked towards him, her eyes flashing with anger.

Donatella stood in front of him, her face inches from his. "You embarrassed me in front of your...mistress," she spat. "I don't even know her name, and I don't care to know."

Mikhail's face remained impassive, but a hint of confusion crept into his voice. "I have bigger shits to deal with right now. La Mano Roja sent a message to the Bratva. If you want this alliance to succeed, don't question me."

Donatella's anger didn't falter. "I know about La Mano Roja, but you humiliated me in front of...her. You didn't even acknowledge me."

Mikhail's smirk was swift and mocking. "Are you jealous?"

Donatella's mouth opened in shock, and then she laughed, the sound forced and brittle. "Me, jealous? Of her?"

Mikhail's amusement was evident in his voice. "You think I ever wanted to be with someone like her? She's not worth it. And you think I want to be with someone like you? You're not worth it either. Women are weaknesses to men like me, and it's already beginning to show."

Donatella's face burned with anger, but Mikhail's words cut deeper. He took a step closer to her, his voice cold and steady.

"Let me make one thing clear: this marriage is an alliance. It's a price we both have to pay for the Bratva and La Famiglia De Luca to stand firm. So, don't ruin it. I'm pretty sure your father won't be proud of you this time around."

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Donatella seething with anger and humiliation.

**********

A day later, the Bratva was expecting a shipment to land in the country, and most of their men were already at the seaport, waiting for its arrival. But they had a severe attack from the La Mano Roja's men.

Mikhail was in his penthouse, laying on his bed with Vera. They just had an intense make out, and while they're both trying to catch their breath from the rough sex they just had, Mikhail's phone rang, and he stretched his hands to take his phone from the bed stand, and check the caller ID, he saw "Dedushka". He answered it.

Pakhan's voice was urgent on the other end. "Mikhail, they attacked our men at the seaport. They killed a lot of them, and they're chasing after the survivors now. Nikolai's already left with most of our men. The De Lucas were preparing to leave, but they've offered to assist us."

Mikhail's face darkened, his anger and shock evident. "What? How did this happen?"

Pakhan's voice was tight with tension. "I'm heading out with a few of Ivan's men to pursue La Mano Roja."

Mikhail's response was swift. "Send me the location. I'll be there."

He ended the call, and Vera looked at him with concern. "What's wrong?"

Mikhail ignored her question, his voice steady and cold. "When I get back in here, I don't want to meet you here."

With that, he stood up and walked out, leaving Vera looking after him with a mix of worry and fear.

Mikhail got towards his Range Rover, his heart racing with anticipation. His phone beeped, and he glanced at the screen - Alexis had sent him the location. He drove with speed theading to the seaport. As he arrived at the seaport, he was met with chaos and destruction. Bodies lay on the ground, and the sound of gunfire echoed through the air.

Mikhail's eyes scanned the scene, his gun at the ready. He spotted the La Famiglia De Luca and the Bratva surrounding the area, many of their men already fallen. He walked towards his grandfather, Sergei.

"I guess I was late," Mikhail said, his voice laced with regret.

Sergei turned to him, his expression grim. "No, you're not. We also came and met this mess."

Capo Ivan stepped forward, his voice laced with apology. "I'm very sorry we had to bring La Mano Roja into this. We didn't mean to create a mess."

Pakhan's expression was stern. "It's fine. We already made a deal, and we must fulfill our part."

Suddenly, gunfire erupted, and one of the Bratva's men fell to the ground. Mikhail yelled, "Heads down!" Everyone scrambled for cover, trying to protect their leaders.

The battle was intense, with bullets flying everywhere. Mikhail sighted some of La Mano Roja's men and took out at least three of them. The La Famiglia De Luca and the Bratva fought back, trying to take down their enemies.

As the fight raged on, they found themselves surrounded by La Mano Roja's men. Both sides pointed their guns at each other, ready to fire. But just as the battle seemed to be at a stalemate, a figure appeared, taking out La Mano Roja's men with precision shots.

The rest of La Mano Roja's men were confused and tried to escape, but Mikhail and the others took them down. As the dust settled, they saw Natalia Morozov walking towards them, gun in hand.

Mikhail's eyes narrowed, his voice angry. "What are you doing here?"

Natalia smiled, her eyes sparkling. "You're welcome."

Pakhan's expression turned furious as he walked towards Natalia, shaking her body. "Do you know what you have caused? What if something had happened to you? What if you died on this spot?"

Natalia's voice was steady. "I'm strong. You've been training me for this. I finally proved myself worthy."

As Pakan and Natalia exchanged words, Adrian appeared, his eyes meeting Natalia's for a brief moment before they both snapped back to reality, acting like they never saw each other.

Just then, Ronan yelled, "Capo's been shot!" Pakhan rushed towards Ivan, his face etched with concern. "Quickly, we need to get out of here!"

They quickly retreated to their cars, driving back to the Bratva's empire. But Mikhail stayed behind, monitoring the area, making sure they were safe. His eyes scanning the area for any signs of danger. Suddenly, he heard a voice behind him. "Find anything suspicious?"

He turned to see his brother, Alexei, standing behind him. Mikhail's face remained expressionless as he turned back to his task. "I don't know. I need one of them alive."

Alexei smiled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Great plan."

Together, they searched the area, their footsteps quiet on the ground. Suddenly, they heard a faint whimpering sound. Mikhail's eyes locked onto the source, and he strode towards it. Alexei followed closely behind.

As they approached, they saw one of La Mano Roja's men, soaked in blood and trembling with fear. Mikhail dragged the man to his feet, his grip unforgiving. "Take him to the Bratva empire," he ordered Alexei.

Alexei nodded, carrying the man to his car. Both brothers drove back to the empire, their faces set in determined expressions.

Upon arrival, they found the courtyard in chaos. The Capo's wife and daughters were crying, and the atmosphere was tense. Mikhail's eyes narrowed as he took in the scene. Alexei took the La Mano Roja man to the underground, where they took the prisoner for interrogation or tortures them.

As Mikhail stepped into the dimly lit room, Donatella approached Mikhail, her eyes red-rimmed from crying. "What happened? How come my father was shot? You... you deserve that."

Mikhail's face remained cold, his eyes unyielding. "Be glad he's not dead. And at least we were able to take down many of La Mano Roja's men, even though we lost most of ours."

Ronan appeared, coming down from the stairs, his face etched with concern. "Dona, your father is fine. He's already been treated. The wound on his arm is nothing serious."

Donatella's expression softened slightly before she turned and walked away. Ronan turned to Mikhail, his voice filled with gratitude. "Thank you very much. This is the first time we've actually won a fight against La Mano Roja thanks to the Bratva. On behalf of La Familia De Luca, we're saying a big thank you."

Mikhail nodded curtly, his face expressionless, before walking away. Ronan's eyes followed him, his voice barely above a whisper. "At least this is the first step to avenging Giovanni Bianchi."

Ronan clenched his fist, determination burning in his eyes. He turned to his men, his voice filled with excitement. "We need to celebrate. At least we were able to conquer La Mano Roja for the first time. Even though we lost most of our men, it was worth it."

The men cheered, their voices echoing through the courtyard. Ronan's smile was a mixture of relief and determination. "Let's celebrate this small victory. It's a step in the right direction."