Thinking Smart

Thinking Smart


IZZY'S POV

A few days later I gathered the council in the back room. The air was tight, thick with tension, like everyone knew something had just cracked. Matteo leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching me closely. I didn’t need him to speak, not yet.

“Sit down,” I said, my voice firm. “We need to talk.”

They shuffled into their chairs, murmuring quietly, I ignored the whispers. Marco hadn’t been officially punished yet, but everyone knew I had doubts. I needed them to feel my presence, not just hear my words.

“I know what some of you are thinking,” I started, looking around the table. “You’re thinking this is weak, that because I haven’t thrown him out or worse, I’m letting things slide.”

A younger captain frowned. “You… you’re letting him go?”

I shook my head. “Not yet but I’m thinking and while I think, I need to make something clear. Loyalty isn’t optional, if you’re here, you’re here for me, not Marco, not anyone else,Me. That’s the rule. Simple.”

One of the older councilmen, Russo, leaned back in his chair. “And what if someone doesn’t agree?”

“Then we deal with it,” I said, leaning forward. “But right now, I’m not punishing anyone. I’m watching, observing and testing.”

A murmur went around the room. Matteo’s gaze swept over each face, silently backing me up. I kept my eyes on the council, letting them feel the weight of my words.

“Loyalty isn’t about words,” I said. “It’s about action. Who’s going to follow through when things get messy? Who’s going to keep the family together when there’s chaos? Who’s going to stand by me, not just say they will?”

I watched them shift in their seats. Some avoided my eyes, some met them directly, I made mental notes. This was more important than any paper deal or territory line. This was the real test.

“I need answers,” I said, voice sharp. “Not tomorrow or next week, today. If there’s anyone here who has doubts, speak now.”

Silence. Thick, uncomfortable. I let it stretch, I could feel the energy shift. Some were scared, some calculating, some… nervous. That meant they cared.

Finally, Vance spoke up. “We’re with you, Izzy. All of us but we need to know what’s next with Marco.”

I nodded slowly. “He hasn’t been judged yet, but make no mistake, his actions don’t go unnoticed. He’s clever, but not invisible, he knows he crossed a line and when I make my decision, everyone will see that line clearly.”

A young lieutenant, trembling slightly, asked, “And what if others try to use him? Spread rumors, stir trouble?”

I leaned back, letting the weight of my presence answer before I spoke. “Then they’ll find out quickly. I’m not going to let whispers grow into problems not under my watch and trust me, Matteo and I will know before you do, don’t test me.”

Matteo gave a subtle nod. I didn’t need to say anything about it, he was already covering the room. Eyes sharp, muscles relaxed, but ready.

I stood, walking slowly around the table, letting my words sink in. “We need to tighten the circle. Keep it small, keep it safe. Every report, every plan, every move I make, if it’s supposed to stay private, it stays private. Understood?”

“Understood,” they said, one by one. Some hesitant, some more sure. I could feel the cracks, the nerves but I could also see the ones who would stand with me, no matter what.

“Good,” I said. “Now here’s what I expect. Immediate reports on every operation, no decisions leave this room without my approval. You follow that, and you’re protected. You don’t, and you’ll learn how fast mistakes cost. That’s not a threat, that’s reality.”

Vance’s lips pressed together. “You’ve changed the rules fast, Izzy. People will feel that.”

“Good,” I said. “Let them feel it, let them understand who’s in charge now. It’s not about fear, it’s about clarity. They need to know I’m the one making the calls and if they want to stay in this family, they follow.”

I paused, letting my words hang. The room was silent except for the quiet hum of the city outside. Matteo stayed against the wall, arms folded, calm as ever.

Then one of the captains muttered, almost to himself, “I think she means it.”

I smiled faintly. “I do and that’s all that matters.”

The council finally relaxed slightly, leaning back in their chairs, but the tension hadn’t left. It couldn’t, not yet. This was the kind of loyalty that had to be earned daily, not just commanded in a meeting.

I met Matteo’s eyes, and he gave a small, approving nod, I didn't need to say it aloud. We both knew the next steps would be careful, quiet, and precise. Marco was out there, and the longer I waited, the more dangerous he became.

“Alright,” I said, raising my voice slightly. “This meeting is adjourned. Watch your people, watch the streets, and most importantly watch yourselves. I’m watching too, don’t disappoint me.”

They filed out, muttering, nodding, calculating. I stayed behind, Matteo at my side, letting the silence settle.

“You did well,” he said quietly. “They’re with you for now.”

“I know,” I replied. “And for as long as it lasts, they need to feel it. Nobody steps out of line without consequences.”

He studied me for a moment, then said, “Exile or punishment, it’s going to be more complicated than you think.”

“I’m ready,” I said. “Whatever comes next, I’ll handle it.”

He gave a small smile, almost approving. “Good, because this family doesn’t wait and neither should you.”

I walked over to the window, staring out at the city below, letting the quiet hum of traffic fill the space between my thoughts. The names on the page blurred, but I didn’t need clarity yet. I needed perspective.

Some of these people have been here forever. They know the rules or at least, they think they do. I have to make them remember who’s really in charge.

I turned back, walking toward the shelves, tapping the file lightly against my palm, my mind raced. Marco, he’s
clever, he won’t just bow out quietly. I need to be smarter, faster.