25. The Calm Before The Storm

The city, for the first time in years, felt still. It was as if the death of El Lobo had silenced the streets, muted the constant buzz of power struggles, and forced everyone to take a collective breath. But I knew better than to believe in the illusion of peace. This was a fragile calm, a lull before the inevitable storm.

As the new queen of the city, my role had shifted. El Lobo's reign of terror was over, but that didn't mean the world around me had settled. The remnants of his empire scattered like broken glass, dangerous and sharp, waiting for someone to pick up the pieces and rebuild—or destroy.

I sat in my office, the weight of the throne heavy on my shoulders. The view of the city from here was breathtaking, but it did little to ease the tightness in my chest. The glass of whiskey in my hand did little to calm the nerves either, though I drank it anyway, savoring the burn as it slid down my throat.

"Adriana, we need to talk."

I looked up to find Rico standing in the doorway, his posture tense, his face unreadable. The look in his eyes told me everything I needed to know. There was no peace, not yet. Not while there were still enemies out there, waiting for a chance to strike.

"Come in," I said, setting the glass down. "What's happened now?"

Rico stepped inside, shutting the door behind him. His eyes flicked to the glass, but he didn't comment. "We've received intel," he began. "It's about the Corvelli family."

The mention of their name made my blood run cold. The Corvellis had been a thorn in the Vasquez family's side for decades. Their ambition was unmatched, and they had always been a source of tension between the families that controlled the city. But with El Lobo gone, I had hoped they might finally fall into line.

"They've made a move," Rico continued. "They've been quietly rebuilding their empire. And they've been looking to form an alliance with some of our former enemies."

My stomach churned. "Which enemies?"

"Giovanni's old associates," he said. "Some of the remaining factions from the Corvelli and Ricci families are regrouping. We've had eyes on them, but they're moving fast."

I clenched my fists, my mind racing. El Lobo's death had sent shockwaves through the criminal underworld, but it seemed that the power vacuum he left behind was already being filled. And if the Corvellis were involved, it meant war was on the horizon. Not a conventional war, but one fought in the shadows, behind closed doors, with whispers in the dark and knives in the back.

"We need to act fast," I said, rising from my seat. "If they're trying to consolidate power, we can't let them get too far."

Rico nodded. "I'll get the men ready. But we need to be careful, Adriana. We don't know who we're dealing with yet."

"I don't care," I snapped. "We strike first, before they have a chance to get comfortable. The city belongs to the Vasquez family, and no one is taking it from us."

Rico hesitated before speaking again. "There's something else."

I raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"

"Salvatore Bianchi," he said, his voice lower now. "He's not happy with your rise. He's been making moves behind the scenes. I've had reports from some of our allies, and it seems he's trying to rally support against you."

The mention of Salvatore's name made my blood boil. The head of the Council of Families had always been a thorn in my side. I had expected him to challenge my leadership, but I had underestimated his ability to work in the shadows. If Salvatore was gathering support against me, it meant I had to prepare for another war—this time not just with the Corvellis, but with the council itself.

"Of course he is," I muttered. "The old guard never likes change."

"We can't let him undermine you," Rico said, his voice firm. "We need to find out who's backing him and neutralize them before it gets out of hand."

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my thoughts. "We'll handle the Corvellis first. After that, we deal with Salvatore and anyone else who dares to challenge me."

The Hunt Begins

The next few days were a whirlwind of planning and strategy. I couldn't afford to waste time, not with so many enemies closing in from all sides. We worked quickly, reaching out to our allies, securing the resources we would need, and tracking the movements of the Corvelli family and Salvatore's supporters.

I knew I had to act fast before either side had the chance to regroup. I couldn't let them make the first move. The city would be mine, or I would burn it to the ground trying.

Rico and Lucia were instrumental in gathering intel. Lucia, with her connections and sharp instincts, had infiltrated some of the Corvelli's inner circles, feeding us valuable information on their plans. She had also found a weak point—something I could use to my advantage.

"I have a lead on their operations," Lucia reported one night, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "They're using a warehouse on the outskirts of the city to move their assets. They've been importing weapons and drugs."

"That's our target," I said, my voice cold. "We hit them hard and fast. Take out their resources and send a message."

Rico nodded. "We'll move tonight."

The Raid

Under the cover of darkness, we assembled a small but powerful strike force. The plan was simple—hit the warehouse, disable their operations, and leave no trace. We couldn't afford to let the Corvellis know we were coming.

As we approached the warehouse, my heart pounded in my chest. The air was thick with tension, but I remained focused. This was it. The first strike in what would be a long, bloody battle for control of the city.

The moment we breached the doors, chaos erupted. Gunfire rang out, and the men inside scrambled to defend themselves. But they were no match for us. We moved with precision, taking out the guards and securing the warehouse in a matter of minutes.

I stood in the center of the chaos, my breath steady despite the adrenaline coursing through my veins. "Get their files," I ordered, my voice cutting through the noise. "Find out who's behind this."

Rico and Lucia moved quickly, gathering the intel we needed while I kept watch. We weren't here just to send a message—we were here to take the heart of their operation. And once we had it, we would make sure the Corvellis knew the Vasquez family was not to be underestimated.

The Message Sent

By the time the night ended, the warehouse was a smoldering ruin. We had taken out their weapons, their resources, and most of their men. But more importantly, we had sent a message.

This was just the beginning.

As I stood over the wreckage of the warehouse, I knew that this victory would only fuel the fire. The Corvellis would come for us, but we would be ready.

And when Salvatore Bianchi made his move, I would be waiting for him too.