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"We might have to pivot," Dario explains. "Capture my father first, if we can. I haven't seen Frank anywhere. Have you?"
We both shake our heads.
"In that case, follow me," Dario commands, and without hesitation, we do.
We dart through the hail of bullets, relying on our instincts and trust in each other to keep us safe. As we slip past yet another group of rivals, I marvel at how it feels as if the three of us have been fighting side by side for years, our movements perfectly in sync.
Dario's eyes flick to mine, a silent communication passing between us as we seamlessly coordinate our next move. Just as we're about to enter the next zone of battle, which we must survive to breach into the mansion, I notice something from the corner of my eye.
"Over there!" I shout, pointing to an exposed area where several of Frank's men have congregated. Dario nods, his jaw set with determination and he and Leonardo exchange looks. Together, we charge forward.
"Cover me," he orders, and Leonardo and I do so without hesitation, providing him with the space he needs to disarm one gunman after another. Each time he engages, I see the fire in his eyes, the passion that drives him to fight using art, not bloodshed.
"Jasmine, watch out!" Dario calls, snapping me back to the present. I duck just in time to avoid a hail of bullets, feeling the rush of air as they pass above my head.
"Thanks," I gasp, my pulse racing. He gives me a quick nod before turning his attention back to where it belongs.
And then, suddenly, the tide shifts. Frank emerges from a hidden doorway, his hands with a gun raised right at Dario. "Stop!" he shouts, his voice cutting through the cacophony of gunfire. "Everyone, stop!"
To my surprise, both sides cease firing, their attention now on Frank. His men stop to follow his lead. Ours stop to protect our future don. In that brief, eerie hush, I catch my breath, afraid for Dario's life.
I take a step forward, to protect him, but Leonardo holds me back. I turn to see Dario's brother place a finger on his lips, and a hand to his ear, urging me to listen.
Frank stands tall, confident and in control, his gaze fixed on Dario. He had never planned for this confrontation to go down this soon. "Your father sent you out here, to do his bidding? That coward."
"My father didn't send me," Dario explains.
Franks scoffs. "All these years, Dario. I thought you were better than your father. I know we shared out differences," he tuts, "but I never took you for one who sells his soul for a place at the table."
At this point, I can't hold back anymore. I stand tall, my gaze locked on Frank as I begin to speak. "Dario isn't here to take you down," I explain, my tone firm and unwavering. "He's here to bring his father down. And he has the evidence to do it, thanks to you."
Frank's eyes narrow as he considers my words, the tension in the air growing thicker with each passing moment. The battlefield falls silent, our fates now hanging in the balance.
"Show me," Frank demands, his voice cold and hard.
I step aside, revealing Leonardo who stands behind me. As Frank stares at his unfamiliar face, I can't help but feel a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, we have a chance to end this madness and find justice for those who've suffered at the hands of the Don.
I glance over at Dario, our eyes meeting for a brief moment before Frank speaks again. "Who is this man?"
All eyes turn to Leonardo as he takes a deep breath before he begins brokering a coalition. "The Don orchestrated the shooting at the arms deal and framed you for a breach of trust you didn't commit. He wanted to start a war and eliminate you, Frank. He knew you were getting close to discovering his secrets."
Frank's eyes widen, processing the information before turning to Dario and I with a frown on his face. "Why should I trust a stranger's words?"
"Because he isn't a stranger," Dario explains. "He's my brother."
Frank pales, his eyes turning between Leonardo and Dario. "Heavens," he whispers, taking in their faces. "Why didn't I see it before? But, impossible. I've never heard –"
"That I had a brother?" Dario questions.
Frank shakes his head in agreement.
"Come hai potuto? Quando nemmeno io sapevo..."– How could you? When I didn't know either – Dario explains.
"You didn't know?" Frank repeats, in disbelief.
"He couldn't know, could he now?" Leonardo steps forward, his voice low, velvety, about to disclose the truth that can make or break the deal we wish to broker. "Not when his father killed our mother when he learned of my existence. Don Marchetti hid me from Dario, for revealing me would mean –"
"Admitting to our mother's murder," Dario finishes the sentence.
