“We tracked him all the way back to a compound in Long Island. That’s where all of Rubio’s forces seem to be regrouping,” Teo says. “But we have other problems, Leon.”
I fix my gaze on him, already dreading his next words. “Spit it out.”
“Max didn’t just betray us by aligning with the Cartel,” Teo begins, his voice grim. “He’s been feeding us lies for months, severely inflating the damage we’ve done to Amos Rubio’s network. The Cartel isn’t as weak as we thought.”
I let his words sink in, a slow burn of rage building in my chest. “How badly did he twist it?”
“Badly,” Teo says bluntly. “All those supply lines Dante thought we’d taken out? Most are still running. The smuggling routes we thought were torched? Fully operational.”
Dante runs a hand down his face, the realization hitting him just as hard. “That son of a bitch.”
“And it gets worse,” Teo cuts in, his voice tightening. “The attack at the casino was just the beginning. Max coordinated simultaneous strikes on both of our families—the Guild and the Prince’s Hand.”
I’m going to murder that traitorous bastard with my bare hands.
“My warehouses were hit last night, and my men are still fighting to take them back. Four of your casinos in Manhattan were robbed mercilessly. We’ve both been crippled.”
I grip the edge of the bed, my knuckles whitening.
“Rubio’s playing this perfectly,” I mutter. “And I let his crown jester into my fucking court.”
“No one is blaming you, Leon.” Isabella’s voice is softer than the others, but it doesn’t take the sting away.
Teo leans back, his eyes sharp and calculating. “But we need to be smart about this right now. We regroup, dig in, focus on recovery?—”
“No.”
His dark eyes flash with surprise.
“We don’t dig in. We don’t wait.” I sit up straighter, ignoring the stabbing pain in my chest. “We hit Amos Rubio where it hurts. Now. Before he can consolidate his gains.”
“You’re serious,” Dante says, arching a brow.
“Dead serious,” I snap. “Rubio thinks he’s crippled us, which means he’s overconfident. He’ll be celebrating his victory, holed up in that mansion of his. If we wait, he’ll regroup and come for us again, this time with everything he’s got.”
Teo shakes his head. “We’re spread thin, Leon. We’ve got manpower issues, supply issues. And let’s not forget you just got shot.”
I glare at him. “Rubio took my wife. I’m not giving him time to gloat.”
“You’re thinking emotionally,” Teo counters, his voice low and steady. “This isn’t just about Mia. It’s about the survival of the entire Italian empire in New York. You can’t throw what’s left of us at him without a plan.”
“You think I don’t have a plan? I’ve been playing chess with Amos Rubio for months. I know his weaknesses.”
Teo exchanges a glance with Dante, then sighs. “Fine. Let’s hear it.”
“We go straight for Rubio’s compound,” I say. “The heart of his operation. We catch him off guard, make him bleed, and make it clear that we’re still standing.”
“It’s risky,” Dante says, rubbing his jaw.
“It’s necessary,” I reply. “Gather what we have left. I’ll lead the attack myself.”
“No, you won’t,” Teo says flatly. “You’re not leaving this bed until you’re cleared to stand without toppling over. If you insist on moving forward with this, fine. But Dante and I are running point.”
I want to argue, but I know he’s not backing down. Not here, not now. Hell, my own body is screaming at me to stay down, to heal.
But Isabella isn’t the only one who knows how to lie.
“Fine. But you take my plan at my word,” I say, leaning back with a grim smile. “You’d better burn that mansion to the ground.”
