24. Damian

24

The pulsing beat of the music reverberates through The Underground, the rhythmic vibrations matching the frenetic pace of my thoughts.

As I survey the crowded dance floor from the VIP lounge, brandy glass in hand, where bodies writhe and twist in a display of unbridled hedonism, my mind keeps returning to the one person I'm deliberately keeping away from this world—Alexis.

An ache settles deep within my chest as I think of her, safe and sound at home, removed from the dangers that lurk within the shadows. The Brotherhood is a constant threat, and I would sooner die than allow them to harm the woman who has managed to breach the fortress around my heart.

My jaw tightens as I consider the impossible dilemma I face. I want nothing more than to lose myself in Alexis, find solace in her company and forget—even if for a moment—the burdens I bear. But the fate of my parents and sister loom large, a painful reminder of the price paid by those I dared to hold dear.

If Alexis were to become truly mine, she too would be marked, a target for those who seek to eliminate me. My fingers clench into fists as I contemplate the endless ways in which my enemies could use her against me.

The mere thought of her being harmed sends a surge of protective rage through my veins. No one will harm her. No one.

With a deep exhale, I force myself to turn my attention to the business at hand. The latest shipment will be arriving soon, and I need to ensure everything is in order. But Alexis remains at the forefront of my mind, a constant source of both longing and trepidation.

My gaze lifts from the dance floor as the door to the VIP lounge swings open and Nat strides in.

Even after all these years, the sight of her still manages to steal my breath away—not because of her beauty, though there is no denying she's a striking woman, but because of the uncanny resemblance she bears to our parents.

In Nat's features, I can see the delicate, refined beauty of our mother, the same high cheekbones and smile that have captivated so many. Yet, it's the way she carries herself—the confident swagger, the unwavering determination in her every step—that's a mirror image of our father, the man who built this empire with an iron fist.

A pang of nostalgia and regret tugs at my heart as I watch Nat approach. Though she's my second-in-command, a part of me still sees the little girl who had once looked up to me with such adoration.

Now, her gaze is hardened, honed by years of navigating the treacherous waters of our Family's enterprise.

"The shipment's here," Nat announces without preamble, her voice clipped and efficient. "I've already handled the logistics. Everything's been weighed, bagged, and sorted, ready to be distributed as planned."

I nod, my expression betraying none of the turbulent emotions stirring within me. "Good work," I say, my eyes briefly flickering with a barely perceptible hint of pride.

In moments like this, I'm reminded of just how capable and invaluable my sister is to the family business—a stark contrast to the vulnerable child she had once been.

The door to the VIP lounge swings open once more and Edo steps inside. His intense gaze sweeps over the room before locking onto me.

"We've got some funny business going on out there on the main floor," Edo says, his voice low and tinged with a hint of urgency. "Thought you might want to take a look."

My brow furrows, my grip tightening momentarily on the glass I hold. "What kind of ‘funny business'?" I ask in a clipped tone.

Edo's eyes narrow. "Not sure, exactly, but it's got my hackles up. Might be worth checking out personally, you know?"

I glance over at Nat, who has been standing silently, her expression unreadable. A silent understanding passes between us, and I give a curt nod.

"Alright," I say, setting down my glass and straightening my suit jacket. "Lead the way, Edo."

We make our way down the staircase, my sharp gaze scanning the dance floor as we descend. The pulsing music and writhing bodies do little to distract me from the underlying tension that now permeates the air.

As we near the main bar, I catch sight of a commotion brewing near the back entrance. My jaw tightens, and I quicken my pace, Nat and Edo flanking me like twin shadows.

"Let's see what's going on," I murmur, my voice low. Whatever is unfolding, I'm determined to nip it in the bud before it can threaten the delicate balance I have worked so hard to maintain.

The last thing I need is for the cops to raid this place. I'm already on thin ice with them.

Suddenly, the doors burst open, and a flood of armed Invicta members spills into The Underground. Chaos erupts as screams of terror pierce the pulsing music as patrons scramble to flee the sudden onslaught.

Fuck!

My eyes narrow, my body tensing like a coiled spring as I recognize the rival gang's insignia emblazoned on their tactical gear.

Without a moment's hesitation, I bark orders to my soldiers, who immediately spring into action, drawing their concealed weapons and forming a protective barrier around me and Nat.

Nat's expression is grim, her fingers curled around the grip of her handgun as she scans the chaotic scene, her tactical training kicking into high gear. "Edo, secure the VIP lounge!" she commands, her voice cutting through the pandemonium. "We need to hold that position at all costs!"

Edo nods sharply, his own weapon raised as he leads a contingent of Iacopelli men toward the staircase, engaging the Invicta forces in a brutal exchange of gunfire.

My gaze sweeps over the emptied dance floor, my mind racing as I formulate a plan of action. The Invicta members are clearly attempting to storm the club, no doubt seeking to disrupt my operations and send a message.

But I have no intention of yielding an inch to these fuckers.

This club is mine.

With a nod to my remaining soldiers, I surge forward, my weapon raised and my finger poised on the trigger. The sound of gunshots echoes through the cavernous space as we clash in a violent struggle for dominance.

We fight to repel the Invicta onslaught, the air crackling with the staccato of gunfire. My eyes narrow, my focus honed with the intensity of a seasoned predator as I methodically pick off one Invicta soldier after another.

Nat's commanding voice cuts through the chaos, her orders barked with the precision of a seasoned military tactician. Edo mirrors her movements, his weapon steady as he and his team hold the line at the VIP lounge staircase, determined to protect our stronghold.

Suddenly, I feel a searing pain in my shoulder, and I glance down to see a crimson stain blossoming on my tailored suit jacket. A hiss of frustration escapes my lips, but I refuse to let the injury slow me down.

This is my goddamn turf, my domain, and I'll be damned if I let these fuckers desecrate it.

As the smoke and sounds of battle fill the air, my mind races, trying to piece together how Invicta managed to pull off this brazen assault. Undoubtedly, this will make national news, and the police will soon be swarming the club, their badges and questions a nuisance I can't afford.

Bobby Shields's fingerprints are all over this.

My jaw tightens, my grip on my weapon unwavering despite the searing pain in my shoulder. That bastard Shields had taken everything from me once before, and I'll be damned if I let him do it again.

With renewed vigor, I surge forward, my soldiers flanking me as we systematically eliminate the Invicta forces. The clash of our gangs is a grim, unforgiving dance, each side fighting with the desperation of those who have lost far too much.

As the battle rages on, my eyes narrow, a cold resolve hardening my expression. I will not be cowed—not by Shields's petty vendetta, not by the looming threat of police intervention.

This is my world, built on the foundations of blood, sweat, and an unyielding determination to succeed.

The fallout from this clash will make national headlines, dragging my family's name into the spotlight once more. But in this moment, as the acrid scent of gunpowder fills the room, all that matters is ensuring the Iacopelli clan emerges victorious.

I will not rest until Shields and his Invicta fucks are purged from my territory, no matter the cost.

The Invicta soldiers are shouting something and my eyes narrow.

They're demanding to know the whereabouts of one Alexis Hartley.

A flicker of alarm crosses my features—how the hell do they know about her?

"Now they've got fucking Invicta after her?" I growl, my grip tightening on my weapon. "Who the fuck is this girl?"

If The Brotherhood has teamed up with Invicta, we're fucked.

The realization that my enemies have somehow discovered Alexis's connection to me only fuels the burning rage within me. She doesn't deserve any of this, and the thought of her being targeted makes my blood boil.

We fight with a renewed ferocity, determined to eliminate the Invicta threat and protect the woman I'm so fiercely drawn to, despite my efforts to keep her at arm's length.

My men fight with the aggression of those defending their home turf, while the Invicta soldiers, sensing their precarious position, grow increasingly desperate.

In the end, we emerge victorious, eliminating the majority of Invicta soldiers. Nat manages to capture one lone Invicta soldier, and I plan to personally interrogate him myself. I'm not leaving until I get some goddamn answers.

My jaw tightens as I survey the carnage that mars the once vibrant atmosphere of The Underground.

This attack had been a direct challenge to my authority, a brazen attempt by Shields to strike at the heart of my empire. But I'm no stranger to such threats, and I'm determined to ensure that Alexis and all that she represents remain out of the crosshairs.

With a nod to my soldiers, I turn my attention to the task of securing my territory and ensuring that the fallout from this clash will not jeopardize the delicate balance I have spent years cultivating.

The battle may have been won, but the war against Shields and Invicta is far from over.

I stride over to where Nat and Edo are standing, my shoulder still throbbing from the gunshot wound.

"Did you get anything out of that Invicta piece of shit before he bit down on the cyanide?" I growl, pinning them with a piercing gaze.

Nat shakes her head, her expression one of barely contained fury. "The fucker took the coward's way out," she spits. "Bit down on a hidden cyanide capsule before we could stop him. Didn't say a goddamn word."

"FUCK!" I roar, my knuckles whitening as I clench my fist. "Fucking figures."

There goes any opportunity to find out what the fuck Shields is playing at.

Edo steps forward, his blood-stained brow furrowed. "Speaking of which, how the hell did Invicta know about Alexis? Why are they looking for her?"

My eyes narrow, a grim realization dawning on me. "It's obvious, isn't it?" I say, my heart hammering as all the pieces come together. "The Brotherhood and Invicta are teaming up. They must have shared information about her."

Edo's eyes widen, the implication of this revelation clear. "But why?" he presses, his voice tinged with confusion. "What the fuck is so special about this Alexis Hartley that two of our biggest rivals are after her?"

I shake my head, my brow furrowed in deep thought. "I don't know," I admit, my frustration evident. "But we're going to find out."

Before any of us can say another word, our phones simultaneously chime with new messages. I feel a chill run down my spine as I read the contents, my expression darkening. Nat swears violently.

"Mario Rafa is dead," I announce, my voice low and grave. "And Scarlett is now the head of The Brotherhood."

Edo curses in Italian, the gravity of this news weighing heavily on us all. My grip on my phone tightens, my mind racing with the implications of this change of power.

"Shit," Edo mutters, the word barely audible over the cacophony of sirens in the distance. "This just got a whole lot more complicated."

"The bitch killed Mario," Nat whispers, still staring at her phone. "She finally did it."

I nod, my gaze hardening with a renewed determination. "We need to find out what the hell is going on," I say, my voice laced with a sense of urgency. "And we need to protect Alexis, no matter the cost."