Page 55 of His Ruthless Obsession

"I told you to stay hidden." His thumb brushes blood from my cheek - not mine. "You could have been killed."

"They had you outnumbered."

"And I'd fucking die for you any day."

22

NERIO

It doesn't take long after they see their capo go down for the other guys to start retreating. Marco looks to me, and I give him a nod. We're going to let some of them run, to tell the others.

I want my message spread. Don't fuck with the Buetis.

I wipe blood from my knuckles, standing between Jazz and the mess behind me. Her breath comes quick and shallow - she's trying hard not to look past my shoulders at what's happening in the alley.

"Tony, make sure they're dead." My voice cuts through the night air. "All of them." Some can run, but I'm not leaving that many survivors.

"Already on it, boss." Tony's footsteps crunch over broken glass. A muffled thud follows, then another.

Marco drags his sleeve across his face, smearing red. "Found their phones. Want me to take care of them?"

"Crush them, then dump them in different spots. Nothing traceable."

Behind me, Jazz shifts her weight. I reach back without looking, my hand finding her hip. She's trembling, but stays put.

"This one's still breathing," calls out Gio from deeper in the alley.

"Fix it," I say.

A single gunshot echoes off the brick walls. Jazz flinches against my back.

"Clean this up," I tell the guys. "Marco, coordinate with disposal. I want this alley spotless by morning."

"Got it covered." Marco's already pulling out his phone. "I'll call in the cleaners."

I survey the aftermath while keeping Jazz close. The metallic tang of blood hangs thick in the air, mixing with exhaust fumes and the acrid stench of gunpowder. My guys are scattered around, some nursing wounds, others helping secure the scene.

"Pete, how's that arm?" I call out to one of my soldiers slumped against the wall.

"Just a graze, boss." He presses a hand to his bicep, blood seeping between his fingers. "Nothing that needs more than a few stitches."

Marco limps over, favoring his right leg. "We got lucky. Could've been worse if they'd brought more men."

"They underestimated us." I flex my bruised knuckles. "Typical Mantione arrogance. Always thinking they can muscle in wherever they want."

"Should we expect retaliation?" Tony asks, wiping his blade clean on a fallen enemy's jacket.

"Not immediately." I scan the bodies being dragged away. "This was meant to be a show of force. Instead, they'll crawl back to Luca with their tails between their legs."

Jazz's fingers dig into my back. I turn slightly, keeping her shielded while addressing my men.

"Get the wounded to Sam's clinic. Tell him it's urgent." I gesture to Pete and two others nursing injuries. "Marco, oncedisposal's done here, spread the word. The Buetis aren't playing games anymore."

"What about their capo?" Marco nods toward the still figure being loaded into a van.

"Leave him where they'll find him. They need to see what happens when you cross into our territory."

The message is clear - we're not looking to start a war, but we won't back down. Sometimes showing mercy sends a stronger message than killing. The Mantiones will think twice before trying this again.

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