A Warning in Blood

The aftermath of the docks raid had been swift and brutal. DeLuca's empire bled, his shipments lost, his men dead. But Luca knew a man like DeLuca wouldn't stay silent for long.

The retaliation came faster than expected.

Luca had barely stepped into his penthouse when Henry called. His voice was sharp, urgent. "You need to see this. Now."

A cold dread settled in Luca's chest.

Thirty minutes later, he and Sofia pulled up outside one of their warehouses—their strongest distribution point, the one place DeLuca shouldn't have been able to touch.

But as soon as Luca stepped out of the car, he smelled it.

Blood.

Sofia stiffened beside him, her eyes locked on the scene before them.

The warehouse doors hung open, swinging slightly in the wind. Inside, the air was thick with the metallic scent of death.

Bodies.

Five of his men, strung up by their wrists, their throats slit, the blood pooling beneath them in a macabre display. And on the farthest wall, smeared in crimson:

"STAY IN YOUR PLACE, ROMANO."

Sofia swallowed, her hand gripping Luca's arm. "Bastard."

Luca barely heard her. His pulse pounded, rage burning through his veins.

Henry stepped beside him, jaw tight. "It's a declaration of war."

Luca stared at the bloodied message, his teeth clenched.

DeLuca thought this was a warning.

He was wrong.

This was permission.

Sofia's fingers brushed against his. "What's the next move?"

Luca turned to her, his expression unreadable. Then he reached for his gun, checked the chamber, and slid it back into his holster.

"The next move?" His voice was dangerously calm. "We end this."

Sofia met his gaze, understanding flashing between them.

DeLuca wanted to play games?

Luca was done playing.

—

Next Chapter: No More Mercy – Luca strikes back, and DeLuca realizes he's made the wrong enemy.