Chapter 120: The Valentino Warning

Braydon's POV

I decided to try talking to the Valentinos before things got worse. Fighting another war would cost too many lives and we were still recovering from the last one. I called their headquarters and requested a meeting with Marco Valentino himself.

His guy answered and sounded suspicious. "Why does Braydon Steele want to meet?"

"Business. Tell Marco I want to talk about our future arrangements."

"Hold on."

I waited for five minutes before he came back. "Tomorrow. Two PM. The old warehouse on Fifth Street. Neutral ground."

"I'll be there."

I hung up and told Gyran about the meeting. He didn't like it.

"You're walking into a trap."

"Maybe. But we need to try diplomacy first."

"At least bring backup."

"I will. Get five of our best guys ready."

The next day we drove to the warehouse. It was abandoned and smelled like rust and old concrete. The Valentinos were already there with their own security. Six guys in suits were standing around Marco Valentino, who sat on a metal chair in the center of the space.

Marco was younger than I expected. Maybe thirty with dark hair and sharp eyes. He looked at me like he was trying to figure out if I was stupid or brave.

"Braydon Steele. I've heard a lot about you."

"Same here."

"Sit." He pointed to another chair across from him.

I sat down and my guys spread out behind me. His guys did the same. We were outnumbered by one but that didn't matter. If shooting started we'd all die anyway.

"Why are we here?" Marco asked.

"I know you're planning to move against us."

His face didn't change but I saw something flicker in his eyes. Surprise maybe. "Where'd you hear that?"

"I have sources. Good ones."

"And what if I am planning something? What are you going to do about it?"

"I'm offering you a better option."

"I'm listening."

"We divide territory peacefully. You take the east side and we keep the west. No bloodshed. No war. Just business."

Marco leaned back and crossed his arms. "You think it's that simple?"

"It can be."

"The Junkies are weak. Everyone knows it. You lost half your men in that war with the Cosa Nostra. Why should I settle for half the city when I could take all of it?"

"Because you'd lose too many people trying. We might be smaller but we're still dangerous."

"Are you though? Or are you just pretending?"

I kept my face blank. "Try us and find out."

Marco smiled but it wasn't friendly. "That's exactly what I'm thinking about doing."

"Don't. There's a smarter way to handle this."

"Maybe. But I need proof you're worth negotiating with."

"What kind of proof?"

"Show me you're still a threat. Prove your crew hasn't gone soft."

"How?"

He stood up and walked closer. His guys tensed but didn't move. "There's a shipment coming through the docks next week. Drugs from a supplier we both know. If your crew can intercept it and hold it then I'll know you're still dangerous. Then we'll talk about dividing territory."

"You want me to steal from you?"

"Not from me. From a mutual enemy. Consider it a test."

I thought about it. It was risky but it might be the only way to avoid a bigger fight. "And if we succeed?"

"Then we negotiate. Peacefully. Like you want."

"And if we fail?"

"Then I take what I want and your crew becomes history."

I looked at Gyran and he gave me a small nod. We could do this. "Fine. We'll take the shipment."

Marco smiled again. "Good. The shipment arrives next Tuesday at midnight. Pier seven. Don't disappoint me."

"We won't."

"One more thing. If you try to double-cross me or if you tell anyone about this deal, then all bets are off. I'll come for you with everything I have."

"Understood."

Marco walked back to his chair and sat down. "You can go now."

I stood up and my guys moved toward the exit. We walked out without turning our backs on them until we were outside. When we got to the cars Gyran spoke first.

"That was interesting."

"He's testing us."

"Can we pull it off?"

"We have to. If we don't, then he'll attack anyway, and we'll be in a worse position."

We drove back to headquarters and I called a meeting with the senior members. I explained the situation and what Marco wanted us to do.

"This is a setup," someone said.

"Maybe. But it's also an opportunity."

"What if it's a trap?"

"Then we'll be ready for it. Gyran will lead the team. Take ten guys. Scout the location before Tuesday and plan everything down to the last detail."

Gyran nodded. "We'll handle it."

"This has to go perfectly. If we mess this up, then the Valentinos will attack, and we won't have time to prepare."

Everyone understood how serious this was. The room was quiet and tense.

"Get to work. We have less than a week."

The meeting ended and people scattered to start planning. I stayed in my office and looked at the map of the city on my wall. The territories were marked in different colors. Ours is blue and the Valentinos are red. If this worked we could avoid another war. If it didn't then the red would spread over everything and we'd be done.

Gyran came in an hour later. "I've got a plan. It's risky but it'll work."

"Tell me."

He laid out the details and I listened carefully. It was dangerous but it was our best shot. "Do it.

And Gyran?" I called out.

"Yeah?"

"Don't get killed. Evelyn would never forgive me."

He smiled a little. "I'll do my best."

He left and I sat there thinking about Marco Valentino and his challenge. He wanted proof we were still dangerous. Fine. We'd give him proof. And then we'd negotiate peace on our terms not his.

"Gyran?"

"Yeah?"

"Thank you for choosing me even when it was hard."

"I'll always choose you."

She fell asleep in my arms and I stayed awake thinking about the past year. One year ago I didn't know my life could be like this. I didn't know I could feel this much for another person. But here we were together and alive and that was everything that mattered.