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"I know," I assure him.
As we gather around the table, I lay out the details of the situation, the concern etched across my face. I explain how Mia has gone missing and the urgency with which we need to find her. But as I glance around the room, I'm met with unsettling indifference.
"We already knew she was a liability, and now she's been eliminated," one of them states nonchalantly, the words hitting me like a punch to the gut. The callousness in their tone and lack of concern is a bitter blow.
How can they dismiss her life so easily?
A seed of anger starts to grow within me, fueled by their nonchalant reaction. I can't understand how they fail to see the gravity of the situation. Mia is more than just a liability; she's my partner, my love, and a member of our family whether or not she's made mistakes.
Painfully, I realize that this is exactly what she wanted Antonio and I to understand before she was taken. She's right--I am a hypocrite.
I rise from my seat and level a cold stare across the table, daring them to challenge me. "Mia is family. End of discussion."
There are murmurs of dissent, but I quickly cut them off with a fierce glare. "We need to find her, and we need to find her now. Any resources we have should be devoted to that end."
"Do you understand what this will do to our reputation if we cannot locate her?" I continue, my tone hardening. "We will be seen as weak and vulnerable, targets for any group that wishes to take advantage of us."
Some shift in their seats, seeming to finally grasp the gravity of the situation.
"Look, let's not waste any more time. We need to take action before it's too late," I say, my voice rough with urgency and determination.
The room falls silent as we all contemplate the gravity of the situation. I can tell that everyone is thinking the same thing, that we need to find Mia before it's too late, not just for her safety but for our own as well.
I take a deep breath, trying to calm the rage boiling inside me. I need these men on my side, but it's hard to trust them when their loyalty seems so tenuous. "Do any of you have leads or information that could help us find Mia?"
Silence stretches out uncomfortably until finally, one voice speaks up. "Maybe we should find a contact in law enforcement."
Antonio and I watch as the room erupts in protests.
"Think about it!" the man calls for reason. "We've been fighting with the Petrov family for longer than any one of us has been alive. We've tried everything--except this."
Antonio steps forward. "As much as I hate to admit it, Frank, you have a point. If we want to take the Petrovs down once and for all, we need to do whatever we can."
The rest of the men nod in agreement, and I know I've gained back some control of the situation. But the anger still simmers inside me, and I know that this is far from over. The Petrovs are ruthless and cunning, and they will stop at nothing to hold onto their power.
"Who can we contact?" another man speaks up in question.
Antonio and I exchange a look.
"We will need to meet with our contact discreetly," Antonio informs them, "and make sure he understands the gravity of the situation. Once we have more information, we can decide on our next course of action."
There are murmurs of agreement from the men gathered around the table. I can see the tension in their faces; they know that this is a critical moment for our family.
"We'll also need to keep an eye out for any suspicious activity," Antonio adds, his eyes scanning the room. "If anyone hears anything, no matter how small, report it immediately."
Again, nods of agreement ripple through the group. I can feel a sense of unity settling over us as we all realize what's at stake.
As the meeting comes to a close, I stand and address the group one last time.
"Mia is family," I repeat, my voice hard as steel. "We will do whatever it takes to bring her home."
The rest of the men nod in solemn agreement as we file out of the room, tension building inside me with every step. Antonio and I are last to leave.
Once we're alone, Antonio turns to me.
"That went better than I expected," he admits.
I grunt in response. "They had no right to think of her as a liability."
