Love In The Crossfire

ostrils as he stood on the balcony of the DeSanto

he darkness enveloping him. In the distance, sirens waile

w other trusted men. The attack on the Moranos had sent a clear message, but Alex knew it wa

ed, his tone sharp.

sing oak desk, a cigar clutched between his fingers. Vincenzo leaned against the

out preamble. "Hesitating in the middle of a

ts. "I wasn't hesitat

n't assess in the middle of a battle, Alessandro. You act. That's w

ed that arguing with Lorenzo was a waste of time. His father's w

"You'll oversee the next shipment personally. I want to send

s?" Alex asked,

ething so soon," Vincenzo said with a s

o Mia-her tear-streaked face, the way her eyes had locked on his in the middle of the chaos. She wa

ano, and that mad

a hospital bed downtown, and the mansion felt colder without his booming p

lamming his fist against the wall. "S

p glare. "You'll do no such thing," she said. "Your fathe

, Ma

defend our family, but we won't act recklessly. Let the DeSantos thi

red for the DeSantos burned bright, but she couldn't forget the look

a small, quiet church on the outskirts of the city. It was a place she often

d her. She turned sharply, her heart pounding, but relax

ilies, stepped into the light. "You shouldn't be here, M

Mia replied. "Everythi

"Suffocating, huh? Maybe because you're

but she said nothing. C

eople are already whispering about how

id quickly. "He didn't spar

hrug. "But if anyone else starts thinking the

s skin. The shipment had arrived on schedule, but he couldn't shake the feeling that s

The DeSantos' men worked quickly, unloading crates of illicit g

cting trouble," Vincenzo s

careful,"

id. "But don't let it slow you

licker of movement caught his eye. He turned sharply, his gun dra

i

ex hissed, striding toward her. "Do yo

te the fear in her eyes. "Your family's shipments are destroying t

. "I'm not above anything," he said. "But this

tepping closer. "But I d

elf at a loss. He could see the defiance in her eyes, the sp

he said finally, his voic

nterrupted. "But don't pre

to his family and the undeniable pull he fe

he said. "Before

. Alex watched her go, a strange ache in his chest. He knew