Chapter 37- Territory Wars
Lucia Maps spread across Dante’s office like a battlefield plan, each colored section marking territory claimed by different families. The harbor district looked like a patchwork quil – Valentini blue bleeding into Romano red, with concerning patches of rival colors eating at the edges. “The Chen family is moving on the east docks,” Marco reported, pointing to a yellow section that hadn’t been there last week. “Using the worker tmcertainty toeblish a foothold.”
“And the Russians?” Dante’s voice carried that dangerous calm that meant trouble was coming.
“Testing boundaries in the warehouse district. My brother traced a patter of recent incidents. “Small provocations so far, but escalating
I studied the map, seeing what they missed. “They’re not just testing. Look at the pattern – they’re trying to split our territories, create a wedge between Romano and Valentini operation.
Dante moved behind me, his heat Cambiar nor as he looked over my shoulder. “Explain.”
“Here.” I painted to several seemingly random incidents. “Astacks on joint ventures Rumors spread to both our crews about the other family’s. loyalty. They’re trying to break the alliance before it fully forms.”
“Smart girl.” Papa’s voice from the doorway made us all tum. He looked better after a week out of the hospital though still not fully recovered. He moved to the maps with measured steps, studying the potters I’d identified. “They fear our families united more than they fear us separately.”
“Then we shour them exactly what that unity looks like.” Dante’s hand settled on my lower back, a gesture that felt natural now. “Starting with the harbor project
The comtruction permits—” Marco started.
“Are already approved. I pulled up the documents on my tablet. “Final signatures this aftemoon. We break ground next
Papa’s eyebrows rose slightly. “You moved quickly.”
“Thad motivation.” My eyes met Danic’s briefly
“The timing is good,” Marco noted. “Shows strength when we need it mou.”
week”
We have a situation at Terminal Six.”
“Speaking of srength..” Antonio lounged in the doorway, his casual pose belying the tension in his voice. “We
Everyone tensed. Terminal Six was the heart of our slipping operations and the most contested territory since the strikes began.
“What kind of situation?” Donie’s voice had gone deadly soft.
“Chea’s crew crying to porch our retuming workers. Offering better terms, protection.” Antonio’s hand brushed his concealed weapon. “Things got heared. Shots fired.”
““Casualties?” Papa demanded.
“Two of ours wounded, nothing serious. Three of their in the hospital” A ghost of Antonio’s usual smirk appeared. “They wanted it. We finished it.”
“This changes things” Marco started pubering papers. “If Chen’s moving to open violence-
“No.” The word came from both Dance and me simultaneously. Our eyes met, shared understanding passing between us.
“This is exactly what they want,” 1 continued: “Give them excuse for larger retaliation, destabilize both our families while we’re still integrating
operations.”
“So we just let them shoot our people? Antonio’s voice carried familiar heat.
“No.” Dante’s smile held shadows and promises. “We respond smart. Lucia?”
I moved to the maps again, mind racing through possibilities. Terminal Six is crucial for the harbor project. We need it stable before construction stans. If we could demonstrate the benefits of joint operations…
“The union contracts Papa said slowly, following my thought process. “If we offered similar terms to Chen’s workers..”
“Better terms,” Dante corrected. “Show them the achantage of choosing our alliance over tcmporary gain” His hand squeezed my hip slightly. “My wife thinks in strategies, not just reactions.”
The pride in his voice,
“It’s not just about money.” Ladded. “These families have worked our docks for generations. They cre about legacy, about their children’s fixtures.” I pulled up employment projections for the harbor project. “Look at the long–term opportunities we’re creating. Education programi. apprenticeships, real pachs to advancement.
“Using their loyalty against Chen, Papa nodded slowly. “While strengthening our own position.”
“Smart and vicious.” Antonio grinned. “Our little sister’s learned some Romano trains.”
“Valentini strategy,” I corrected, though I felt Dante’s silent amusement. “Mama always said the best victories leave your enemies questioning their
own choices.”
“Spraking of choices…” Marco’s phone buzzed. His face tightened as he read the message. “Chen’s calling for a sit–down. All families, neutral ground. Discussing recent territorial disputes.”
The room grew very still. In our world, such meetings either prevented wars or started them.
Chapter 37. Territory War
“When!” Dante’s voice was neutral, but his hand tightened on my hip,
“Tonight. The old church in Lättle Italy.”
Papa straightened, authority settling over him like a cloak despite his recent ineis. ‘Ill handle Chen-”
“Well handle Chen,” I cut in fimily.
Something flickered in Papa’s eyes – pride, resignation, maybe acceptance. He looked between Dante and me, seeing something that made him nod slowly.
“Together then.” He turned to Marco: “Call our captains. Full security protocols” To Antonio: “Coordinate with Romano teams on perimeter control.” Finally, to Dante and me: “You two_prepare our response to Chen’s provocations. Show them exactly what they’re facing “
As everyone moved to their tasks, Dante pulled me aside. His eyes hella dangerous intensity that still made my pulse race.
“You’re getting better at this,” he murmured low enough for only me to hear. Balancing families, strategy, power….
Thad a good teacher.” I meant it to sound teasing, but his expression remained serious.
“You don’t need teaching, cara.” His thumb traced my check with surprising gentleness. “You were born for this I just helped you sex s
I should have pulled away. Should have maimained professional forts before this crucial meeting.
Instead, 1 found myself leaning into his touch as the room emptied around us. “Partners, remember?”
His smile held heat and promise. “In everything”
