Chapter 9: The First Battle

"Down!" Valentina screamed, throwing herself at Alessio. They crashed to the ground as a bullet whizzed over their heads, hitting a tree with a dull thud.

In the same moment, Dante charged at Marco, knocking the gun away from Valentina's head. The two men fell to the ground, fists flying.

"The sniper!" Valentina gasped, pulling Alessio behind a big rock. "On the roof of the foundry!"

Rico and his men scattered for cover as more shots rang out. The peaceful night burst into chaos.

"Stay here," Alessio ordered, checking his gun.

Valentina grabbed his arm. "No way. I didn't drive all the way here just to hide behind a rock."

A flash of pride crossed Alessio's face. "Then stay close."

Across the open, Dante had pinned Marco to the ground. "Call them off," he growled, pressing his gun to Marco's head.

Marco laughed, blood dripping from his split lip. "Too late. They have their orders."

The sound of coming footsteps made them all freeze. Marco's troops were coming.

"We're outnumbered," Rico said, ducking behind their cover. "We need to retreat."

"No," Valentina said strongly. "If we leave now, Marco wins. We need to end this tonight."

Alessio looked at his sister with new respect. The scared girl who had patched his wounds in Dante's house was gone. In her place stood a warrior, her green eyes blazing with purpose.

"She's right," Dante said, pulling a handcuffed Marco over to them. "Tonight's our best chance. They won't expect us to fight back."

Alessio nodded. "What's the plan?"

Dante pointed to the factory. "Most of their men are inside. If we can draw them out, split their forces..."

"We can pick them off," Alessio finished.

Valentina studied the area. "The cars," she said suddenly. "If we set off the alarms, it might distract them."

Rico grinned. "I can do that."

"Take two men," Alessio ordered. "The rest of us will circle around and hit them from behind."

Marco snorted. "You're all going to die."

Valentina knelt in front of him, her voice deadly calm. "Maybe. But you'll die first." She turned to Rico. "Keep him here. If anything goes wrong, shoot him."

Rico nodded, his face serious.

The plan came together quickly. Rico and two men would create a distraction with the cars, while Alessio, Dante, Valentina, and the rest of their combined forces would attack from the back of the foundry.

As they prepared to move out, Dante pulled Alessio away. "Watch your sister," he said quietly. "She's braver than she is careful."

Alessio's eyes narrowed. "Why do you care?"

Dante held his eyes. "Just do it."

They moved through the darkness, keeping low. The factory loomed ahead, its windows glowing with faint light. Valentina's heart pounded in her ribs, but her hands were steady. She had never been in a real fight before, but tonight she would prove herself.

The car alarms went off in the distance—one, then three, then five, a cacophony of noise breaking the night. Shouts came from the foundry as Marco's men rushed out to inspect.

"Now," Alessio whispered.

They charged from the dark, guns blazing. Marco's men, caught by surprise, rushed for cover.

Valentina stayed close to Alessio, matching him shot for shot. A man appeared in front of her, weapon raised. Without pause, she fired, hitting him in the shoulder. He went down with a cry.

"Nice shot," Dante said, appearing beside her.

The battle raged around them, bullets flying, men shouting. Alessio and Dante moved like they had fought together for years, covering each other, communicating without words. Valentina watched in amazement as these two longtime enemies fought side by side, their movements perfectly coordinated.

She ducked behind a barrel as shots pinged off the metal around her. When she peeked out, she saw Alessio surrounded by three men.

"Alessio!" she cried, raising her gun.

But before she could fire, Dante was there, taking down two of the men while Alessio handled the third. Their eyes met across the battlefield, a quiet acknowledgment passing between them.

Valentina felt a strange pressure in her chest. There was something between her brother and Dante, something more complex than hatred.

A shout from behind made her turn. Rico was running toward them, his face pale. "They took Marco!" he gasped. "They overwhelmed us!"

"Who?" Alessio asked.

"Men in suits. Professional. They just appeared out of nowhere."

Dante's look hardened. "The Vegas."

The fighting around them had slowed, many of Marco's men fleeing or surrendering. But this new threat loomed bigger.

"We need to find him," Valentina said. "Marco knows everything about our families."

Dante nodded grimly. "If the Vegas get that information..."

"We're all dead," Alessio ended.

They regrouped quickly, tending to the wounded and gathering information from captured men. One of Marco's lieutenants, bleeding from a bullet graze on his arm, was surprisingly willing to talk.

"Marco's been working with the Vegas for months," he said. "He promised them both your territories in exchange for protection and a cut of the profits."

"Where would they take him?" Dante asked.

The man shrugged. "They have a place downtown. Old hotel called The Paramount."

Valentina knew it—a once-grand building now fallen into disrepair, the perfect place for a criminal group to set up shop unnoticed.

"We need to move fast," she said. "Before Marco tells them everything."

Alessio studied her, worry in his eyes. "It's too dangerous. You should stay back with Rico."

Valentina crossed her arms, her stance defiant. "I just fought alongside you. I earned my place."

"She's right," Dante said, startling them both. "She's proven herself."

Alessio looked between them, then sighed. "Fine. But you stay close to me."

They gathered their surviving forces—a mix of Moretti and Russo men, former enemies now fighting together. The irony wasn't lost on Valentina.

As they prepared to leave, Dante pulled Alessio aside again. This time, Valentina moved close enough to hear their talk.

"If something happens to me," Dante said quietly, "make sure your sister gets out safely."

Alessio's face was unreadable. "Why do you care so much about her?"

Dante glanced toward Valentina, catching her eye. "Because she reminds me of someone I used to know. Someone I couldn't save."

The sensitivity in his voice made Valentina's heart ache. Who had Dante lost? What pain was he carrying?

But there was no time for questions. They moved out, a strange alliance of once-bitter enemies, headed toward an uncertain confrontation.

The old hotel was silent when they arrived, its windows dark. Too quiet.

"I don't like this," Rico mumbled.

Neither did Valentina. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up. There was a problem.

They entered cautiously, guns ready. The lobby was empty, dust covering the once-elegant furniture.

"Spread out," Alessio ordered. "Check every floor."

They split into teams. Valentina stayed with Alessio and Dante, moving up the grand staircase to the top floor. Each step creaked under their feet, the sound unnervingly loud in the quiet.

The top floor was as empty as the hallway. Room after room revealed nothing but abandoned furniture and peeling wallpaper.

"Maybe they're not here," Valentina whispered.

Dante shook his head. "They're here. I can feel it."

They reached the last room—the presidential suite. The door was closed, unlike the others. Alessio put his ear against it, then nodded. Voices inside.

Dante held up three fingers. Three... two... one...

They burst through the door, guns raised.

The scene inside made them all freeze.

Marco sat in a comfortable chair, untied, a drink in his hand. Beside him stood a tall woman in an expensive suit, her gray hair cut in a sharp bob. Behind her were five men with military-grade weapons.

But it was the person on the woman's other side that made Valentina's blood run cold.

Luca. Dante's right-hand man.

"Welcome," the woman said easily. "We've been expecting you."

Dante's face went white. "Luca? What is this?"

Luca smiled coldly. "Change of plans, boss. I found better partners."

The woman stepped forward. "I'm Helena Vega. I believe Marco has told you about our arrangement?"

Marco raised his glass in a mocking toast. "Nothing personal, Alessio. Just business."

Valentina's mind raced. They had walked right into a trap. Once more.

"Drop your weapons," Helena directed.

Dante's finger stiffened on his trigger. "Luca, you traitor—"

"I said, drop your weapons," Helena repeated. She snapped her fingers, and a side door opened.

Two men dragged in a bloody figure. Rico. His face was beaten almost beyond recognition.

"Your men downstairs already surrendered," Helena said calmly. "I suggest you do the same, or your friend dies next."

Valentina looked at Alessio, then at Dante. Their expressions reflected her own despair. They had no choice.

Slowly, they dropped their guns.

Helena smiled. "Excellent. Now, let's discuss the future of this city. My city."

Valentina felt a hand on her arm. One of Helena's men, pulling her away from Alessio.

"Let her go," Alessio growled.

"I'm afraid I need insurance," Helena said. "Your sister will be joining us for a little trip. Just until our business is concluded."

Panic flashed in Alessio's eyes. "No!"

Valentina fought against the man's grip, but another appeared, grabbing her other arm. They dragged her toward the door.

"Alessio!" she cried.

As they pulled her away, the last thing she saw was Dante and Alessio standing side by side, surrounded by enemies, watching helplessly as she was taken.

And in that moment, she realized something terrifying.

For the first time in her life, her brother couldn't save her.