26. Carlito

Chapter 26

Carlito

The atmosphere in the living room is as cold and sterile as my thoughts. Spread across the table are maps of the inheritance property and dossiers on Matteo’s operations. Leo stands to my right, flipping through papers with the efficiency of a man who’s been through too many of these situations.

“Matteo’s men are on the move,” Leo reports, tapping a marked area on the map. “They’ve been circling the perimeter for days, but this... this is different. They’re testing our defenses.”

I nod, my jaw tightening. “It’s not a test. It’s a warning. Matteo’s making his move.”

The inheritance property was left under the care of a long-standing family friend of Mia’s father—a lawyer named Edward Castellanos. He’s loyal, but his resources are stretched thin. While Edward oversees the property and its day-to-day matters, the security arrangements have been bolstered by my men since Mia and I uncovered its strategic importance.

The property isn’t just leverage; it’s the key to Matteo’s empire. Inside lies a hidden ledger—a document that could dismantle his entire operation. If Matteo gets his hands on it, this war will become unwinnable. And now, thanks to Dominic’s cryptic warnings and Mia’s growing determination, the property has become a battleground.

Across from me, my men exchange tense glances. They understand the stakes, but they don’t know the history. Not like I do.

“I want a triple guard rotation at the property,” I say, my voice cutting through the room. “Every entrance, every inch of the perimeter—covered.”

Leo hesitates, his hand hovering over the map. “Carlito, there’s something else. Matteo’s forming alliances of his own. If we want to hold that property, we’re going to need backup.”

I narrow my eyes. “From who?”

He hesitates, then says, “The Calderone faction. They’ve stayed neutral, but they hate Matteo almost as much as we do. If there’s a chance to sway them—”

“I’ll handle it,” I cut in. “Set up a meeting.”

Leo nods, but his tension doesn’t ease. I can tell he’s questioning my judgment, wondering why I’m personally handling this instead of delegating it. But there’s too much history at play for me to leave this in someone else’s hands.

I’ve known Mia’s father for years—his reputation, his power—but I never knew he had children until Mia came into my life. It was only after our marriage, when the truth about her family’s Mafia ties surfaced, that the pieces fell into place. Her father’s legacy is tangled in this war, and now so is Mia.

The living room door creaks open, and Mia steps inside. Her presence instantly shifts the air. She’s dressed casually, but there’s a determination in her eyes that’s impossible to ignore.

“Do you have a second?” she asks, glancing at the men surrounding the table.

I wave Leo and the others away, and they file out silently, though I can feel their unease. When the door closes, Mia approaches the table, her gaze falling on the map.

“You’re planning something,” she says, her tone measured.

“And you’re holding something back,” I counter, folding my arms.

She flinches but doesn’t back down. “I told you what Dominic said. The ledger is what Matteo’s after—it’s his Achilles’ heel. If you take it from him, he loses everything.”

“And yet, you still look like you’re about to run into the fire yourself,” I say, stepping closer. “What aren’t you telling me, Mia?”

Her lips press into a thin line, and for a moment, I think she might actually tell me. But then the wariness returns to her eyes, and she steps back.

“I just want this to end,” she says softly, her voice cracking slightly.

Her vulnerability strikes a chord deep within me, but before I can respond, Leo bursts back in, his expression grim.

“Carlito,” he says urgently. “Matteo’s men just attacked one of our outposts near the property. It’s an ambush.”

Leo’s words send a surge of adrenaline coursing through me. Matteo’s men attacking an outpost near the inheritance property is no coincidence—it’s a calculated move.

“How many casualties?” I ask, already reaching for my jacket.

“Three injured, none dead,” Leo replies quickly. “But they’re pushing closer to the property. It’s only a matter of time before they escalate.”

“Prepare the vehicles,” I order, my voice sharp. “I want a full detail with me. If Matteo wants to test our defenses, I’ll give him an answer he won’t forget.”

Mia steps forward, her eyes wide with alarm. “Carlito, you can’t just charge into this. It’s what Matteo wants.”

I stop, turning to face her. “And what would you have me do? Wait for him to burn everything down around us?”

Her jaw tightens, but she doesn’t back down. “This isn’t just about the property or the ledger anymore, is it? It’s about power. You’re letting him bait you.”

I step closer, lowering my voice. “This isn’t about power. It’s about survival—yours, mine, and our child’s. If Matteo takes that property, we lose our leverage. And if we lose leverage, we lose everything.”

Her gaze falters for a moment, but then she squares her shoulders. “Then let me come with you.”

The suggestion is so absurd, I almost laugh. “Absolutely not.”

“Why not?” she demands, her voice rising. “This is my family’s legacy, my fight just as much as yours. You said you wanted me to trust you—then trust me to handle this.”

I shake my head, frustration boiling beneath the surface. “This isn’t about trust, Mia. It’s about keeping you alive.”

“And what about you?” she counters, her voice trembling. “You think throwing yourself into a war zone is the answer? If you die, what happens to us? To our child?”

Her words hit harder than any bullet, but I don’t let it show. “That’s exactly why I’m doing this,” I say, my voice softer now. “Because I can’t lose you. Either of you.”

The tension between us is palpable, but before the argument can escalate, Leo clears his throat from the doorway. “Vehicles are ready.”

I glance back at Mia, her expression a mixture of anger and desperation. “Stay here,” I say firmly. “No arguments.”

For a moment, it looks like she might defy me, but then she nods stiffly, her lips pressed into a thin line.

I turn and follow Leo out of the penthouse, the weight of the confrontation settling heavily on my shoulders. As the elevator descends, Leo hands me a tablet displaying live footage from the property’s perimeter.

“They’re pushing hard,” he says grimly. “We’ve reinforced the main gates, but if they breach the east side—”

“They won’t,” I interrupt. “Not if we hit them first.”

The convoy speeds through the city, the tension inside the car thick enough to cut with a knife. My men exchange glances, their hands hovering near their weapons.

“Do you really think Matteo will risk exposing himself like this?” Leo asks quietly.

I shake my head. “This isn’t about exposure. It’s about making a statement. He’s testing our limits, trying to force our hand. But he’s underestimated mine.”

When we reach the property’s outskirts, the scene is pure chaos. Smoke rises from the eastern fence, where Matteo’s men are exchanging fire with my guards. The crack of gunfire echoes through the air, mingling with the shouts of commands and cries of pain.

I step out of the vehicle, surveying the battlefield with a cold, calculating eye. Matteo’s men are better armed than I expected, but their numbers are manageable.

“Flank the east side,” I order, pointing to the far end of the property. “Force them into the open. I want this finished quickly.”

Leo nods, already relaying orders to the team.

As my men move into position, I can’t help but glance back at the city skyline in the distance. Mia is somewhere in that penthouse, likely pacing the floor, her worry almost tangible.

For her, for our child, and for the legacy tied to this property, I can’t afford to lose.

---

The east side of the property is chaos as my men execute the flanking maneuver. Matteo’s crew, realizing they’re outmaneuvered, start to scatter. But I’m not here to let anyone escape.

“Cut off their exit!” I bark into the comms. “No one leaves without answers.”

A sharp explosion rips through the air, sending debris flying. I duck behind a low wall, my instincts sharp as shouts echo through the comms.

“East gate compromised!” one of my men calls out.

“Hold your positions!” Leo orders from his end, his voice calm but commanding.

I stand, peering over the fence. Matteo’s men are retreating, but their escape is methodical, covering each other with suppressive fire. It’s not a disorganized retreat—it’s calculated.

“They’re drawing us in,” I mutter to Leo as he crouches beside me.

He nods grimly. “They want us to overcommit.”

“Not happening,” I reply, gripping my gun tighter. “Push them back, but don’t overextend. Force them to regroup outside the perimeter.”

The sound of gunfire begins to fade as my men secure the perimeter. Matteo’s crew retreats into the surrounding desert, disappearing like ghosts. My guards begin sweeping the area, ensuring no threats remain.

Leo approaches, his face drawn with tension. “Three of ours injured, but nothing fatal. They hit us hard, but it wasn’t a full assault. This was a warning.”

“A warning,” I echo, the words bitter in my mouth. “Matteo’s testing our response. He’s trying to buy time.”

“For what?” Leo asks, his voice low.

I don’t answer immediately, my gaze fixed on the scorched ground near the breached gate. Matteo doesn’t play games without purpose. Whatever his endgame is, it’s tied to the inheritance property—and the ledger Mia uncovered.

The weight of that knowledge settles heavily on my shoulders. I promised Mia I’d protect her, but this battle has only just begun.

“Double the security on the property,” I finally say. “No one gets within a mile without my approval.”

Leo nods, already relaying the order to the team.

As I head back to the convoy, my thoughts drift to Mia. She deserves to know what’s happening here, but how much can I really tell her without putting her in more danger?

When we arrive back at the penthouse, the weight of the day hits me harder than I expect. I step out of the elevator, the tension in my chest easing slightly at the sight of Mia pacing the living room.

She stops when she sees me, her hazel eyes scanning me for signs of injury. “You’re okay,” she says, her voice soft with relief.

I nod, walking toward her. “It was a skirmish, not a battle. Matteo’s testing us, but he won’t win.”

Her expression tightens at his name. “And the property?”

“Secure, for now,” I reply. “But it’s only a matter of time before he makes his next move.”

Mia steps closer, her hand brushing against mine. “Carlito... we can’t keep reacting. We have to take control of this.”

Her words hit a nerve, echoing my own thoughts. I pull her into a brief embrace, the warmth of her presence grounding me.

“You’re right,” I say quietly. “But we do it my way. No risks. No unnecessary moves.”

Mia hesitates but nods, her trust in me a fragile thread I can’t afford to break.

As she pulls away, her gaze lingers on mine. “We’re running out of time, Carlito. Whatever Matteo’s planning, he’s not going to stop.”

Neither will I.

The resolve hardens in my chest as I kiss her forehead and head toward the study. Leo’s waiting with another report, his expression grim.

“It’s not just about the property anymore,” he says. “Matteo’s putting pressure on every front—our allies, our businesses, even our supply chains. He’s tightening the noose.”

A cold fury burns through me. Matteo isn’t just after the property—he’s trying to dismantle everything I’ve built.

“Then it’s time to stop playing defense,” I say, my voice low but firm. “If Matteo wants a war, we’ll give him one. And we’ll end it on our terms.”