Page 144 of Righteous Enforcer
Either way, I need to share this with Alessandro. I storm into his office. He's on the phone but ends the call when he sees my expression.
"What?" he asks, leaning back in his chair.
I toss my phone onto his desk. "Read it."
Alessandro picks up the device, his eyes narrowing as he scrolls through the message. His face gives nothing away, but I notice the subtle tightening of his jaw.
"Another game," he finally says, sliding the phone back to me. "The Bratva are getting desperate."
"Maybe," I concede. "Except it confirms the doubt I’ve had about Marco Vitale. If this is a double-cross by him and he’s working with the Bratva, we’re fucked.”
“Who even sent this?”
“I think it’s Eva.”
He rolls his eyes. “Fucking hell, Adriano. You can’t possibly still believe in her. Not after everything she’s done?"
I don't know what I believe anymore. The woman I loved, the mother of my child, or the spy who betrayed my family. Which version of her is real? All I know is that something about this message rings true.
"It doesn't matter what I believe about Eva," I say. "What matters is this information gives us an edge. If they're planning to ambush our shipment tomorrow, they expect us to walk right into it."
Alessandro leans forward, interest finally sparking in his eyes. "And you think we should use this against them."
"Now that we know, we can set a trap of our own. Vitale says he’ll be there to help us, but he’s with Bratva. Call him. Tell him we don’t need him.”
“If the Bratva is planning an attack, we will need him?—”
“Not if he’s with Ivan. We need a plan of our own. One that takes them by surprise. Delay the shipment. They can live a day off the coast. It’s short notice, but we can bring in Luca and Cristian. I bet they can share a few men. And Pauly Colombino in Brooklyn owes you. We get there early and surprise them. Take the Bratva out once and for all, and the Vitales while we’re at it.”
Alessandro considers this. “It would be fucking nice to get rid of Ivan once and for all.”
I nod. "Ivan thinks he's clever, but he's predictable. If we move first, change the parameters, we can finish this tomorrow."
“It’s short notice for Luca.”
I shrug. “Pauly can make it. Either way, we can't ignore this warning."
Alessandro steeples his fingers, gaze fixed somewhere beyond me as he deliberates. "Fine. We adjust our plans. Redirect the shipment, set up a counter-ambush. If the Bratva are planning to hit us, we'll be ready for them instead."
Relief washes through me. "I'll coordinate with?—"
"Adriano." Alessandro's voice cuts through mine. "This doesn't mean Eva is on our side."
"I know that."
"Do you?" His eyes narrow. "Because I need your head clear for this. Not clouded by hope or sentiment."
I glare at him. "My head is clear."
"Good. Eva has always been your weakness?—”
"Eva isn't my weakness," I snap.
Alessandro's expression tells me he doesn't believe me. "Just remember who she is, what she's done.”
“You think I don't remember that every fucking day?"
"I think you want to find reasons to forgive her."
