Everyone has a price tag

The door creaked open, and Vito stepped inside, his face a mask of calm, though Bella could see the storm brewing in his eyes. He had always been her protector, but now, more than ever, she needed him to be her partner in this war.

"It's done," Vito said, his voice low. "I've made the first move. Roberto's supply chain will be disrupted in less than 24 hours."

"What's the next step?" she asked, her voice steady, though her heart pounded in her chest.

Vito glanced at her, his sharp eyes reading her expression. "You're sure you want to go through with this? Once we start this, there's no going back. Roberto will fight back harder than you can imagine. He won't stop until one of us is dead."

Bella didn't flinch. She had made her choice, "I'm sure," she said. "He's crossed too many lines. It's time he learned what happens when you betray the wrong people."

Vito nodded, satisfied with her resolve. "We need to hit him where it hurts the most. His leadership is already shaky. I've heard rumors from my contacts, there's dissent within his ranks. If we strike now, we can turn his men against him."

"Who do we go after first?" Bella asked, her voice sharp and decisive.

Vito smirked, the predator in him coming to the surface. "Marco."

Bella's breath caught in her throat. Marco had been Roberto's right-hand man for years, he was more than just an enforcer, he was a trusted ally, a brother in arms. If they could turn Marco, it would send shock waves through Roberto's entire organization.

"You think he'll betray Roberto?" Bella asked, doubt creeping into her voice.

Vito's expression hardened. "Everyone has a price. And Marco? He's tired. Tired of the blood, tired of the chaos. He's looking for a way out. We give him that, and he'll turn."

"Set up a meeting," Bella said, her voice steady. "I'll talk to him myself."