bloodlines and betrayal

The first strike

"Over here!" Nico whispered, pointing to a stack of crates marked with the Mancini emblem. Inside were bundles of cash, bricks of cocaine, abs and enough weapons to supply a small army.

"Start loading ," Luca ordered. "Abs light the rest".

The men worked quickly, stuffing duffel bags with whatever they could carry. Meanwhile, Nico and another man doused the remaining crates with gasoline.

As they finished, a sudden shout echoed from the far end of the warehouse. More guards.

"Contact!" Tony's voice came through Luca's earpiece.

Gunfire erupted, shattering the silence. The Romanos returned fire, their training evident in the precision of Their shots. Luca ducked behind the crate, firing off rounds at the advancing Mancinis.

"Move!" get out of there. "We have got what we need, get out!"

The team began retreating towards the exits covering each other as they left. 

Nico lit a match and tossed it onto the gasoline-soaked crates. Flames erupted instantly, spreading with terrifying speed. The fire engulfed the stash, smoke curling into the rafters as the heat intensified.

"Fall back!" Luca shouted over the crackle of the fire and the chaos of gunfire.

The Romanos moved in a coordinated retreat, firing in controlled bursts to keep the advancing Mancinis at bay. Luca stayed close to Nico, his pistol barking as he took down another guard who tried to flank them.

As they reached the west exit, the roar of an engine drew Luca's attention. Through the haze of smoke and chaos, a black van screeched to a halt outside the warehouse, and more Mancini soldiers spilled out, armed to the teeth.

"Tony!" Luca called into his radio. "East side—what's your status?"

"We're pinned down," Tony's voice crackled back. "Four, maybe five more shooters just came in. We need backup!"

Gritting his teeth, Luca glanced at Nico. "Take the others and head back to the SUVs. I'll help Tony."

Nico hesitated, his face a mix of concern and determination. "I'm not leaving you."

"You'll follow orders!" Luca snapped, his tone brooking no argument. "Get the men out of here. That's final."

Reluctantly, Nico nodded and signaled for the rest of the team to follow him. Luca turned and sprinted toward the east side, weaving through the crates and flames as gunfire rang out behind him.

When he reached Tony's position, the scene was pure chaos. Two of the Romano men lay motionless on the ground, and Tony was crouched behind a stack of barrels, exchanging fire with three Mancini enforcers.

"Luca!" Tony shouted as he spotted him.

Without hesitation, Luca slid into cover beside him and opened fire. His first shot struck one of the Mancinis in the chest, dropping him instantly. The second man ducked behind a crate, but Luca anticipated the move and fired again, hitting him in the shoulder.

"Push forward!" Luca ordered, and Tony followed his lead.

Together, they advanced, their coordinated assault overwhelming the remaining Mancini soldiers. Within moments, the threat was neutralized, and the east side was clear.

"You good?" Luca asked, glancing at Tony.

Tony nodded, though his face was pale, and blood stained his sleeve. "Just a graze. We need to get out of here before more show up."

As if on cue, the warehouse shook with a thunderous explosion. Luca turned to see the fire had reached a stash of ammunition, sending shrapnel and debris flying.

"Move!" he barked, and the two men sprinted toward the east exit.

By the time they reached the SUVs, the rest of the team was already waiting. The vehicles roared to life as Luca and Tony jumped in, and the convoy sped away from the burning warehouse, the glow of the flames fading into the distance.

Luca leaned back in his seat, his chest heaving. They had struck a blow against the Mancinis, but the cost was high—and he knew this was only the beginning.

As the city skyline came into view, his phone buzzed with an incoming call. It was Enzo.

"Luca," his father said, his voice calm but firm. "Did you send the message?"

"It's sent," Luca replied. "But they'll send one back. Count on it."