The Bratva's Bride.

e chaos. Bullets flew through the air, striking buildings

any sign of safety. "Protect the Capo!" he shouted to th

they returned fire, trying

elled to the driver of Ivan's ca

. The tires screeched and popped, one by one, as the driver struggled to ma

e crash and his eyes widened in alarm. "Fuc

face etched with concern. Ivan stumbled

ht, Capo?"

ill coughing. "

hrough the air, forcing them to duck for cover. "Let's

hem surrounded. Cars hemmed them in, trapping them. One of La Mano Roja

nse was insta

. Guns down," the man said,

at Giovanni and the others. The Capo, Ivan, stepp

eyes wide

was firm. "I sa

then slowly lowered th

, facing La Mano Roja's

er smiled. "Simple. W

the drug exchange?

hange the drugs and the money. You gave us the drugs, we paid you

ider. "No, we still want

w and urgent. "Ronan, g

Ivan's arm and pulled

leader shouted, "No! You don't get to lea

he leader, and he barked an o

tandoff ensued. Ronan had already gotten Ivan into the

ickly. The La Mano Roja leade

r, dodging and weaving to avoid the shots. As the car sped away, Giovan

Giovanni's aim was deadly, and at least ten of La Mano Roja's men w

ave vanished. Suddenly, a gun was pointed at Giovanni's head. "Well, who do we have here

man, their guns locking. "I think you're the con

se was immediate.

my drugs back, and I'm not l

irked. "Wel

t of the leader's hand. However, just as Giovanni was about to gain the upper hand, he fel

Giovanni in the chest. The bullet pierced through his chest, and another shot hit his hand, causin

y back, or else I'll shoot you in t

nd bleeding from his hand, lo

eyebrow. "You're loya

ut resolute. "I'll be loyal

wisted in anger, and he s

e. The leader yelled at his men, "Let's go!" Th

n arrived, Ronan s

d.The guards dispersed, searching f

cream of pain. Everyone rushed to the scene,

rough the streets. Ronan turned his head, pain etched on his face. Ivan

face twisted in grief, and ordered Ronan, "Carry the body

(LA FAMIGLIA D

ce where the underbosses of the La Famiglia De Lu

apo to take his seat. Ivan De Luca sat down, his presence commanding attention, and the others followed suit, taking their

Luca's expression turned grave. "Giovanni is dea

n Marino's jaw clenched, his teeth grinding in anger, and his fist tightened. The und

oke up, his voice laced with panic

k from a successful drug exchange with the La Mano Roja when w

fore Giovanni died, we were discussing how we've been at war with the La Mano Roja for over five years. But you, as

nst it from the start, but you insisted because you'

le, and Ivan De Luca rubbed his tem

let this slide. He is the consigliere of La famiglia

s. "We don't have what it takes to win a war with the La

fist on the table. "We must find a way to win this war

inued, his voice measured. "Ben is right. We don't have what it takes

e do, Capo?" Barino as

each of his underbosses. "We need to regroup, reassess our s

rds hanging in the air.

o whispers as Ronan's face turned dark. "La Mano Roja's men b

ed, whispering to

"That's our number three best club in the

nd he turned his face aw

ce, Ivan spoke up, his voice

ntion of the Bratva sent a chill down their spines, a reminder of the

form an allian

nt, with no one d

dangerous, Capo. The Bratva is not to be dealt with lightly

birthday is coming up soon. There's a possibility we might get an invite

e up, "I think I have a little bit of con

do that, Barino? What d

at we just need is to get an invite, and we will be

"We must not fuck this up. This is our only way to av

een adjourned. Barino, I expect a response from you in two days' time.

o leave, his expression somber. "I'm off. We even forgot to d

s Giovanni's burial. But for now, we have many things on the ground, we nee

and caution, as the underbosses tried to navigat