Chapter 11
The encrypted phone call to his lead enforcer set the sprawling Bellucci estate into an immediate, highly coordinated tactical lockdown. The bright, cinematic sunlight pouring through the massive windows suddenly felt exposing. Adrian sat behind his heavy mahogany desk, the crystal glass of whiskey abandoned. He pulled up a secure, multi-screen display on his terminal. The Chicago syndicate, known as the Falcone family, was a massive, aggressive organization that relied on brute force rather than strategy. If they had orchestrated the infiltration of Camille and Miles, it meant they were preparing for a hostile takeover of Adrian's lucrative eastern supply routes.
"Boss," a deep voice rumbled from the doorway.
Dante, Adrian's oldest and most ruthless underboss, stepped into the study. The forty-five-year-old man wore a pristine dark suit, his fair, heavily scarred face set in stone. He had managed the perimeter security for a decade, and the breach enraged him personally.
"The Chicago files are loading now," Dante reported, standing respectfully near the desk. "Our cyber division intercepted a series of encrypted bank transfers originating from a shell company in Illinois. The funds were deposited directly into an offshore account owned by Miles Caine. The payments started six months ago."
Adrian’s jawline, sharply defined by the short, neatly trimmed stubble, locked tight. "Six months. They have been planning this coup since the spring. They believed I was distracted by the engagement."
"They thought you had gone soft, Adrian," Dante murmured, his American accent thick with disgust. "They thought a pretty face and a wedding would blind you to the knife at your throat."
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Adrian stood up smoothly. The deeply masculine, intimidating aura he projected filled the room, entirely erasing the charming, romantic movie-star aesthetic.
"They underestimated my vision, Dante," Adrian whispered softly, his volume incredibly low but carrying absolute, terrifying authority. "And they drastically underestimated the price for threatening my blood. Prepare the strike teams. We are not waiting for them to make the next move. We are going to Chicago tonight."
