The next day, Alessandro was coming downstairs into the living room when he noticed his father, Victor Romano, talking on the phone. Victor looked tense, pacing back and forth with a frown etched deeply into his forehead. Alessandro walked over and sat beside him, trying to gauge the situation. After a few minutes, Victor ended the call, his expression a mixture of frustration and worry.
“Dad, what happened? You look tense,” Alessandro asked, his curiosity piqued.
Victor’s eyes flashed with fury as he turned to his son. “You are asking me, you bastard?” he spat.
Alessandro blinked, taken aback by the sudden outburst. “What do you mean?”
Victor’s voice was low and menacing as he leaned closer. “Let me ask you, who did you offend recently?”
Alessandro racked his brain, genuinely puzzled. “No one,” he replied, shaking his head.
Victor’s glare intensified. “Think about it,” he demanded, his voice growing louder.
“I haven’t offended anyone, Dad,” Alessandro insisted, his confusion turning to frustration.
Victor’s face twisted with anger. “Where were you yesterday?”
“Yesterday… I was with Amara. I went to dinner with her,” Alessandro said, trying to remain calm.
For a moment, Victor’s eyes softened, but the reprieve was brief. “Then why did Rowan Falcone attack our bases last night in the north?”
Alessandro’s eyes widened in shock. “Rowan attacked our base?”
“Yes,” Victor confirmed, his tone filled with a mix of rage and exasperation.
Alessandro struggled to process the information. “But why would Rowan do that?”
Victor’s eyes bore into him with intensity. “That’s what I am asking you,” he replied, his voice laced with frustration. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a crumpled piece of paper. “That’s not it. He even sent a message for you. Here’s the note.”
Victor handed the note to Alessandro. Alessandro unfolded it, his confusion mounting as he read the words aloud: “Dare to touch what’s mine, and the target next time won’t just be your base.”
Alessandro stared at the note, his mind racing. “But what did I touch that belongs to him?” he asked, genuinely perplexed.
Victor’s expression darkened. “Think, Alessandro. Think hard. What did you do yesterday?”
“I was with Amara. We went on a dinner date, but nothing else happened,” Alessandro replied, trying to recall every detail of the evening.
Victor’s brow furrowed with frustration. “Maybe you did something in the past few days,” he suggested, his voice heavy with suspicion.
Alessandro shook his head, genuinely bewildered. “I was at home only. I haven’t done anything that would provoke Rowan.”
Victor leaned back, his eyes narrowing as he tried to piece together the puzzle. “There must be something you’re missing. Rowan wouldn’t attack our base without a reason.”
Alessandro felt a pang of frustration. He had no idea what he could have done to spark Rowan’s wrath. “I really don’t know, Dad. I’ve been careful.”
Victor sighed, rubbing his temples. “This isn’t just about you, Alessandro. Rowan’s actions are a direct threat to our family. We need to figure out what triggered this and address it immediately.”
Rowan sat in his office, the dim light casting shadows across the room. His desk was strewn with papers, maps, and various notes detailing the intricate web of his operations. He leaned back in his leather chair, deep in thought, when a knock on the door pulled him from his reverie.
“Come in,” Rowan called out, his voice steady and authoritative.
The door opened, and Kyle, his trusted assistant, stepped inside. He was a young man, sharp-eyed and efficient, who had proven his loyalty to Rowan time and time again. “Boss, it’s all done,” Kyle said, a hint of satisfaction in his tone.
Rowan nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. “Good,” he replied, his voice calm but with an undercurrent of satisfaction. He gestured for Kyle to take a seat.
Kyle moved quickly, sitting down opposite Rowan. “We managed to secure the northern base, and our men reported minimal resistance. The Romano family’s presence was completely eradicated.”
Rowan leaned forward, his eyes narrowing as he processed the information. “Excellent work, Kyle. Make sure our men fortify that position. We can’t afford any surprises.”
Kyle nodded. “I’ve already put plans in place for that. We’re reinforcing the perimeter and increasing the number of patrols. The base will be secure.”
Rowan’s gaze drifted to the window, his mind already thinking several steps ahead. “What about the message to Alessandro? Did he receive it?”
Kyle smirked. “Yes, he did. Our sources confirm that he read the note. He should understand now that any move on Amara will be met with severe consequences.”
Rowan’s expression hardened. “Good. Let this be a lesson to him and anyone else who thinks they can challenge us. Amara is off-limits.”
Kyle shifted in his seat, a hint of curiosity in his eyes. “Do you think Alessandro will back down, boss?”
Rowan sighed, leaning back in his chair. “He better. But we need to be prepared for anything. The Romanos are not known for backing down easily. We must stay vigilant.”
Kyle nodded, taking note of Rowan’s instructions. “I’ll ensure that our men are on high alert. We’ll monitor their movements closely.”
Rowan gave a satisfied nod. “Good. And keep an eye on Amara as well. Make sure she’s safe. She means a lot to me, and I won’t let anyone harm her.”
Kyle’s expression softened slightly. “Understood, boss. I’ll make sure she’s protected.”
There was a moment of silence as both men contemplated the weight of their actions. Rowan knew the path he had chosen was fraught with danger, but he was determined to protect what was his. His eyes met Kyle’s, and he saw the unwavering loyalty in his assistant’s gaze.
“Thank you, Kyle,” Rowan said, his voice sincere. “You’ve done well. Keep up the good work.”
Kyle stood up, a sense of pride evident in his posture. “Always, boss. I’ll keep you updated on any developments.”
As Kyle left the office, Rowan leaned back in his chair, his thoughts returning to Amara. He knew that his actions had put her in a difficult position, but he couldn’t bear the thought of losing her.