10

Lucian's pov

I leaned against the cold glass of my apartment window, staring out into the dark night. The smoke from my cigarette curled into the air, dancing and fading as I took another drag. It had been three weeks since we stole the shipment from the Rivera family, three weeks filled with a sense of triumph and growing unease.

I should have been celebrating our victory, but the happiness of the heist had faded, replaced by an ever-increasing tension. The Rivera family was not the type to sit back and let a slight go unanswered.

I could almost remember tigress's reaction when we secured victory over the shipment. It gave a sense of satisfaction and plus she makes this cute face when she's angry.

The shipment was supposed to give us the upper hand, a powerful tool against our rivals. But in the back of my mind, I knew we had only lit a fuse. The Rivera family was fierce, and

As I stared into the darkness, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I’d made a mistake. My thoughts drifted to Isabella Rivera, the daughter of the enemy. My father had pushed for a marriage alliance with her, believing it would strengthen our position.

But I’d resisted, thinking I could handle things without that kind of commitment. I didn’t want to tie myself to a rival family, especially one so full of vengeance. Now, I was starting to realize how foolish that decision might have been.

The door creaked open, and Davide, my second-in-command, stepped into the room. He looked tense. and I instantly knew he had bad news. I put my my cigarette down ,trying to prepare myself for whatever he was about to say.

“Lucian,” he said, his voice steady but low. “We need to talk.”

“About what?” I asked. I could see the tension in his face.

“The Riverras fired back. It’s worse than we thought.”

I felt a knot form in my stomach. “What do you mean worse?”

“They’re coming after us. We’ve lost three men already. They’re not holding back. They’re out for blood.”

My mind raced as I processed his words. Losing men wasn’t just a minor setback; it meant the Rivera's were serious. They weren’t just protecting their territory; they were going for a full retaliation. It was like poking a bear. “What kind of attack?”

“They hit our supply routes first. They know how we operate. They took out our drivers, and now they’re blocking off the routes we use for deliveries.”

I cursed under my breath. This wasn’t just about revenge; it was a calculated move. They were cutting off our resources, trying to weaken us before they made their next move. “What’s the plan? How do we respond?”

“We need to regroup and figure out our next steps. But we can’t do it alone, Lucian. They’re hitting us hard, and we’re outnumbered.”

I nodded, my mind spinning. The more I thought about it, the more I realized how precarious our situation was. This was a battle we hadn’t anticipated, and it was escalating quickly. I took another drag from my cigarette, trying to focus.

It was all because I didn’t agree to the marriage alliance with Isabella. I should have seen it coming. My refusal had left us vulnerable, and now I was paying the price for my stubbornness. My father had always emphasized the importance of alliances, and I had been foolish to dismiss it.

“Boss, we need allies,” Davide urged, breaking my train of thought. “If we’re going to fight back, we need support from other families or we’ll be torn apart.”

“Do you really think anyone would side with us after the Rivera’s retaliation? They’re going to be hesitant. They know how fierce the Rivera's are.”

“We could reach out to the Moretti's,” he suggested. “Their rivalry with the Rivera's has been long-standing. They might be willing to help if we ask.”

I rubbed my forehead, trying to think clearly. The Moretti's were another powerful family in the city, and while they had their own issues with the Rivera's, they weren’t exactly our friends either. But maybe... maybe it was time to consider another

alliance. My thoughts wandered back to Vivienne Moretti, a fierce woman with a reputation for being just as ruthless as her family.

“Vivienne...” I mumbled, realizing what I needed to do.

“What?” Davide asked, looking puzzled.

“Vivienne Moretti,” I said slowly, my thoughts racing. “If we’re going to move forward, we need to solidify an alliance, but not with Isabella Rivera. We need to approach Vivienne.”

“Her?” Davide’s expression shifted. “You really think she’d be willing to team up with us after everything that’s happened?”

“It’s not about what’s happened,” I said, shaking my head. “It’s about what’s happening now. If we can convince her that our alliance is beneficial, it might give us the leverage we need against the Rivera's. We can’t afford to be stubborn. This is a war, and we need every advantage we can get.”

I glanced out the window again, the night dark and foreboding. The world outside felt hostile, as if it was echoing the chaos in my mind. I thought of Vivienne—strong, capable, and equally determined.

She had her own ambitions and her own grudges against the Rivera's. If anyone could understand the importance of power and alliances, it was her.

“What do you want to say to her?” Davide asked, his voice bringing me back to reality.

I took a deep breath, the weight of my decision settling in. “I need to convince her that a marriage alliance would strengthen both of our families. It’s the only way we can counteract the Rivera threat.”

“Marry Vivienne?” Davide sounded skeptical. “You think she’ll agree to that?”

“She’ll see the advantage in it, especially with the Rivera's threatening us. I’ll make her understand. It’s about survival now.”

“Alright, but be careful, Boss. That bitch doesn’t play games.”

“I know,” I said, my mind already racing with plans. “That’s why I need to be smart about this. It’s time to stop playing by our own rules. If we’re going to survive this, I need to think strategically. I need to take risks.”

I turned my gaze back to the window, the city lights flickering in the distance. The Rivera's were fierce, and they were coming for us. But I refused to back down.

As I stared out into the night, I couldn’t help but think about Tigress. If I wanted to navigate this dangerous game, I needed to forge an alliance that would not only protect my family but could also shift the balance of power in our favor.

The cost of power was steep, but if I played my cards right, I might just emerge unscathed.