13. Counterattack

CHAPTER 13

COUNTERATTACK

The Ricci family compound was a hive of activity when Enzo and Matteo arrived. Security had been doubled, with armed guards patrolling the perimeter and checking everyone who entered. The atmosphere was tense, a far cry from the opulent calm that usually permeated the estate.

Don Ricci was waiting for them in his study, his face etched with worry lines that seemed to have deepened overnight. He embraced Enzo briefly, then turned to Matteo with a nod of respect.

"Glad to see you on your feet, Salvatore," he said gruffly. "We need all hands on deck for this one."

Matteo inclined his head, still moving stiffly from his injury but determined not to show weakness. "I'm ready to do whatever's necessary, sir."

Don Ricci gestured for them to sit, then leaned forward, his hands clasped on the desk. "The situation is worse than we thought. The Morettis aren't just making a play for our territory – they're trying to dismantle our entire operation. We've lost three key business partners in the last week alone, and there are whispers of more defections to come."

Enzo felt a chill run down his spine. He'd known things were bad, but this... this was catastrophic. "What's our plan?" he asked, forcing his voice to remain steady.

His father's eyes flicked to him, a hint of surprise and approval in their depths. "That's what we're here to discuss. I've called in every favor, every contact we have. But we need a strategy, and fast."

For the next hour, they pored over reports and intel, piecing together the Morettis' plan of attack. It became clear that this wasn't just an opportunistic grab for power – it was a carefully orchestrated campaign that had been in the works for months, if not years.

"They've been playing the long game," Matteo mused, his brow furrowed in concentration. "Slowly chipping away at our defenses, waiting for the right moment to strike."

Don Ricci nodded grimly. "And now they think they've found it. With the chaos from the docks and the hit on Enzo, they're betting we're vulnerable."

Enzo felt a surge of guilt at the mention of the hit. If he hadn't been so reckless, if he'd been more careful... He pushed the thoughts aside. Now wasn't the time for self-recrimination. They needed solutions.

"What if we turned their strategy against them?" he said slowly, an idea forming. "They think we're weak, divided. What if we use that to our advantage?"

Both Matteo and his father turned to him, interest piqued. "Go on," Don Ricci prompted.

Enzo leaned forward, excitement building as the plan took shape in his mind. "We let them think they're winning. Feed them false information, make it look like we're falling apart from the inside. Meanwhile, we consolidate our real assets, shore up our defenses where it really matters."

"A classic misdirection play," Matteo said, a note of pride in his voice. "It could work, but it's risky. We'd be walking a fine line."

Don Ricci was quiet for a moment, considering. Then, to Enzo's surprise, he nodded. "It's bold," he said. "Dangerous. But it might be our best shot." He fixed Enzo with a penetrating stare. "You're sure about this? Once we set this in motion, there's no turning back."

Enzo met his father's gaze steadily. "I'm sure. It's time we showed the Morettis and everyone else that the Ricci family isn't going down without a fight."

A ghost of a smile played at Don Ricci's lips. "Alright then. Let's get to work."

The next few weeks were a whirlwind of activity. Enzo found himself at the center of a complex web of deception and counter-intelligence. He worked closely with Matteo and a small team of their most trusted associates, carefully orchestrating the illusion of a crumbling empire while secretly shoring up their true strongholds.

It was exhausting, nerve-wracking work. Every move had to be calculated, every piece of information carefully vetted before being leaked. One misstep could bring the whole plan crashing down around them.

But as the days passed, Enzo found himself thriving under the pressure. For the first time in his life, he felt like he was truly contributing to the family business, using his quick wit and natural charm for something beyond just partying and causing trouble.

Matteo watched Enzo's transformation with a mixture of pride and concern. One night, as they lay tangled together in bed, finally able to snatch a few moments of peace, he voiced his thoughts.

"You're amazing, you know that?" he murmured, pressing a kiss to Enzo's temple. "The way you've stepped up, taken charge... I always knew you had it in you, but seeing it in action is something else."

Enzo preened a bit under the praise, but he could sense there was more. "But...?" he prompted.

Matteo sighed, his arms tightening around Enzo. "But I worry about you. This life, this world... it has a way of changing people. I don't want you to lose yourself in all of this."

Enzo was quiet for a moment, considering Matteo's words. "I know what you mean," he said finally. "And I'd be lying if I said it wasn't a rush, being in the thick of things like this. But I haven't forgotten our plans, Matteo. Once this is over, once the family is safe... we're still getting out. Together."

Relief flooded Matteo's face. He leaned in, capturing Enzo's lips in a deep, passionate kiss. "Together," he agreed when they finally broke apart. "Always."

As their plan unfolded, the Morettis grew bolder. They began making more overt moves, thinking the Riccis were too weak to retaliate. It was exactly what Enzo and Matteo had been counting on.

One rainy night, as they huddled over maps and surveillance photos in Don Ricci's study, Enzo spotted their opening.

"There," he said, pointing to a warehouse on the outskirts of the city. "That's where they're storing the bulk of their illegal weapons. If we hit that, we could cripple their operation and send a clear message that we're not as weak as they think."

Matteo studied the location, his expression thoughtful. "It's well-guarded," he mused. "But not impenetrable. With the right team, the right plan... we could do it."

Don Ricci looked between them, a mixture of pride and worry in his eyes. "It's a big risk," he said. "If something goes wrong..."

"It won't," Enzo said with a confidence he didn't entirely feel. "We've got the element of surprise on our side. They think we're barely holding it together. They'll never see this coming."

After a long moment of deliberation, Don Ricci nodded. "Alright," he said. "Make it happen. But be careful. Both of you. I can't afford to lose either of you now."

The next few days were a frenzy of preparation. Matteo assembled a team of their most skilled operatives, while Enzo worked on the logistics, planning every detail down to the second. It was the biggest operation they'd ever attempted, and the stakes couldn't be higher.

The night of the raid arrived, cool and clear. Enzo and Matteo stood side by side, overlooking the warehouse from a nearby rooftop. The air between them crackled with tension and anticipation.

"You ready for this, baby?" Matteo asked, his voice low and intense.

Enzo nodded, adrenaline already coursing through his veins. "Born ready. Let's show these bastards what happens when you mess with the Ricci family."

With a final shared look of determination, they gave the signal. The team moved in with precision, each member knowing their role inside and out. Enzo and Matteo led from the front, years of working together allowing them to move as one, anticipating each other's every move.

The Moretti guards were caught completely off guard. By the time they realized what was happening, it was too late. Enzo and Matteo's team swept through the warehouse like a well-oiled machine, neutralizing threats and securing the weapons cache with ruthless efficiency.

As the last of the Moretti men were subdued, Enzo stood in the center of the warehouse, surveying their handiwork. They'd done it. They'd struck a major blow against their enemies and proved that the Ricci family was far from finished.

Matteo appeared at his side, a fierce pride shining in his eyes. "You did it, baby," he said, pulling Enzo close. "You planned this whole thing, and it went off without a hitch."

Enzo leaned into Matteo's embrace, feeling a heady mixture of exhilaration and relief. "We did it," he corrected. "I couldn't have done any of this without you."

Their moment of triumph was short-lived, however. As they began to clear out the warehouse, preparing to transport the seized weapons back to Ricci territory, a commotion erupted outside.

"Boss!" one of their men called out, panic evident in his voice. "We've got company. Looks like the Morettis called in reinforcements!"

Enzo and Matteo exchanged a look of grim determination. They'd known this was a possibility, had prepared for it. But the reality of facing down an angry Moretti force was still daunting.

"Get the weapons loaded," Matteo barked out orders. "We need to be ready to move at a moment's notice."

Enzo nodded, already moving to help coordinate the evacuation. But as he turned, a stray bullet shattered the window above him, sending glass raining down. Matteo was at his side in an instant, shielding him with his body.

"We need to get out of here," Matteo growled, his eyes scanning for threats. "Now."

What followed was a chaotic firefight as they fought their way to the waiting vehicles. Enzo found himself in the thick of it, adrenaline pushing aside fear as he returned fire and helped cover their retreat.

As they peeled away from the warehouse, tires screeching on wet pavement, Enzo allowed himself a moment to breathe. They'd done it. They'd struck a major blow against the Morettis and escaped relatively unscathed.

But as he caught Matteo's eye in the rearview mirror, he knew this was far from over. The Morettis wouldn't take this lying down. They'd retaliate, and when they did, it would be with everything they had.

The war was just beginning, and Enzo and Matteo were right in the middle of it. As they sped through the night, heading back to the safety of Ricci territory, Enzo couldn't shake the feeling that their lives were about to change irrevocably.

Whatever came next, he knew one thing for certain: He and Matteo would face it together. The Enforcer and his Brat, united in love and ready for whatever challenges lay ahead.