Page 69 of His Ruthless Obsession

"And what could that be?" Sal's grip tightens.

"Your son."

My breath catches. The don goes rigid behind me.

"Bullshit."

"Bring him in," Nerio calls over his shoulder.

Two of Nerio's men escort a young man through the door. Even with zip-tied hands, Luca Mantione carries himself with an aristocratic air. His expression remains neutral, almost bored, as if being held hostage is merely an inconvenience.

"Simple trade." Nerio's lips curve into a predatory smile. "The girl for your boy."

To my surprise, the don barks out a laugh, but I feel his fingers tightening against my scalp. "You expect me to believe you'd harm him? Everyone knows Luca's untouchable. The families have rules about heirs."

"Rules?" Nerio's smile widens. "Like the one about not targeting civilians? Seems you broke that one when you grabbed Jazz."

"She's hardly civilian, working for you." Sal yanks me closer, making me stumble. "No deal. The girl stays with us. You have no real leverage here."

Luca catches my eye across the warehouse. His expression hasn't changed, but something calculating lurks behind his steady gaze. Like his father, he radiates danger — but a controlled, patient kind that makes my skin crawl.

Nerio's expression shifts, predatory amusement dancing in his eyes. "Perhaps we can discuss a different arrangement." He motions to Elliott, who steps forward with a sleek tablet. "Something more personal."

Elliott's fingers fly across the screen. The tablet comes to life and he flips it so that the don — and I — can see as a video feed connects, showing a small room with concrete walls.

My breath catches as I recognize the girl sitting on a narrow cot — Maria Mantione, the don's beloved niece. Marco and Nerio talked about her getting kidnapped a few weeks ago by another rival family. She's unharmed, wearing designer jeans and a cashmere sweater that probably cost more than my monthly rent.

A dark-haired man tends to her, checking her vitals with gentle movements. His forearms are covered in intricate tattoos that ripple as he works.

"Maria." The don's voice cracks. His grip on my hair loosens slightly.

"She's safe," Nerio says, voice smooth as silk. "Looks like she's being well cared for by the Cappallettis. Enzo Rossi, if I'm not mistaken. Their fixer."

The tattooed man on screen — Enzo — offers Maria a bottle of water. She takes it without hesitation, not even seeming to be wary of the man.

"You found her." But the don doesn't sound happy. His words drip with venom.

Nerio shrugs, adjusting his cufflinks. "Release Jazz, and I'll give you the location. Simple exchange."

"And if I refuse?"

"Then Maria stays where she is, and this warehouse becomes a bloodbath." Nerio's smile doesn't reach his eyes. "Your choice, Don Mantione. The location for Jazz's freedom. Seems morethan fair, considering you broke protocol by taking her in the first place."

Elliott zooms the feed in on Maria's face. She looks tired but unafraid, even managing a small smile as Enzo says something that makes her laugh.

The sight has the don's fingers tighten in my hair again, making me wince. "You orchestrated this. You took her."

"Wrong family." Nerio's voice remains calm, but his eyes glitter with dangerous amusement. "The Cappallettis grabbed her three weeks ago. Your security really is pathetic."

"Bullshit." Spittle hits my cheek as the don snarls. "You're working with them."

"Please." Nerio straightens his jacket. "I wouldn't work with Giovanni if he offered me half of Chicago. But I did find her." He nods to Elliott. "Show him the metadata."

Elliott's fingers dance across the screen, pulling up timestamps and location data. "Live feed, streaming from their safehouse. Want to see the GPS coordinates?"

The don's breathing grows ragged. On screen, Maria accepts a sandwich from Enzo, taking small, careful bites.

"If you hurt her-"

---