Page 126 of In Ruins
“Is every single man who vowed their life to the Andretti family here?” I ask Aldo.
“Yes, boss. Every single one of them is here,” he replies.
“Let’s go then,” I say, walking out of the room with Aldo and Xander following behind me.
I make my way up, and when I step onto the open floor of the warehouse, it’s humming with movement and activity from my men.
They’re checking weapons, speaking in low clipped voices. There’s tension in the air. It’s ripe with the impending violence we’re about to unleash.
My men all stop what they’re doing when they catch sight of me. My gaze sweeps over all of them, taking in their faces. They’re all sporting serious expressions, along with loyalty and their readiness for what’s about to come.
This is what they all signed up for when they joined our family. They all knew they could be asked to put their lives on the line at any moment, and they all swore that oath to me to my father. To the Andretti family.
“Boss!” they all say in unison as they get into position, forming lines in a few rows, giving me all their attention. They all must know by now that this is not a routine meeting. This is a meeting to signal that we’re about to go to war.
“My wife has been taken,” I say, and hear the collective intake of breath. I can feel their anger and disbelief at what’s happened, but no one interrupts me. They’re all paying close attention, waiting to hear what I’m about to say. “I already know who took her. Salvatore Rossi and Bernardo Bellucci are working together. They’ve kidnapped my pregnant wife. Now, one or both of them currently have her somewhere, holding her captive.”
I hear some say we'll find her, we’ll get her back, they’ll pay and a few more words along those lines, as well as outrage at the two of them daring to take my wife.
“What’s the plan, boss?” Pete, one of my lieutenants, asks, a gleam in his eyes like he’s ready for the bloodshed to begin already.
That’s one of the things you can’t miss about some of them. They’re in the life because it’s the only way they can spill blood without anyone thinking that something’s wrong with them. Though I don’t think any of them would even give a shit.
“We’re going to be splitting up into a few teams. Aldo and I will lead the two main teams. I’ll be going to Salvatore’s house, and Aldo will be going to Bernardo’s,” I say, and they nod in understanding. I know Aldo is probably mad as hell with me because he likes to stick close to me to take care of me, according to him. The man acts like I’m not a cold-blooded killer. I look over to where he’s standing and see him roll his eyes, which makes a smirk play on my lips. I know he’s dying to say some shit, but he won’t in front of my men. He only gives me shit when it’s just the two of us or when Xander’s in the midst.
“I want the rest of you to split yourselves into teams, and some of you check out all of Bernardo and Salvatore’s businesses to see if they’re keeping my wife at any of those premises. Check where they usually frequent to see if anyone has seen anything, and I want some guys patrolling the streets to see if you come across anything or anyone with information,” Aldo tells them.
“If you see any of their soldiers anywhere, if anyone stands in your way, shoot to kill. Though try not to kill anyone innocent, mainly any women, children, or the household staff, unless they engage with you. If they look like they’re a threat, kill them. Try not to destroy their businesses because I’ll be taking over their territories once this is all done. Is everyone clear on what they’re supposed to do?”
“Yes, boss!” they all say in unison.
“Xander will be keeping an eye on things. He’ll be our eyes and ears. Make sure you’re all wearing your headpieces so youcan communicate with him. He’ll give you the specs on their business premises before anyone goes in. Now I want you all to go grab extra weapons because we’re going to war!”
Everyone suits up and grabs extra weapons and ammo before they walk back into the room.
“Get out of here and get to your fortress as fast as you can,” I tell Xander, and the ass salutes me before jogging out of the warehouse.
“Wear your damn vest dickhead,” Aldo quietly murmurs from next to me a moment later, and I can’t help the chuckle that leaves me. “And don’t get yourself killed.”
“Back at ya, sweetheart,” I grumble, and he just gives me the finger. He gets a call and answers, speaking for just a second.
“The SUVs are ready,” he says.
I put my fingers between my lips and blow, the loud whistle getting everyone’s attention. “SUVs are ready. Let’s head out!”
“Let’s go rock these assholes’ world,” he says, a huge smirk on his face.
“Yes. Let’s do this. I’ve been waiting to smoke these assholes for a long time. We’re fucking ending this tonight,” I say with no hesitation in my voice, no doubt at all about what needs to happen.
My other men are already gone, and it's only Aldo’s and my team remaining here. We get into our vehicles and pull away at the same time, heading in different directions. It doesn’t take long to get close to Salvatore’s mansion, but I stop when we’re a mile away.
“Can everyone hear me?” I ask my team and hear their yeses come in one by one. “I want you guys to surround the property, and on my signal, shoot to kill. Let me know when you’re all in position.”
Thankfully, every team has its own channel to communicate, so I don’t have to hear everyone in my ear. Xander has thatpleasure. But they can switch the channel in case they need to speak to me.
“In position,” comes one after the other from my men, and I it’s showtime.
“Let’s fucking do this!” I say and start my vehicle. My two men already have their rifles at the ready. I make my way to Salvatore’s mansion, slamming my foot down on the accelerator when we’re close to his gates. The vehicle tears through the closed gates, the iron screeching as it twists before buckling under the force, giving way.
