Page 191 of Unleashed
"An alliance," Gianna says. "Between the Sterlings and the Milanos. Our first act will be removing the Greek bloodline from existence. Here in Arizona, back in LA, and I'll go as far as Greece if I have to."
Hunter nods. We all understand the fury. She lost her eldest brother. We lost Paulie. Hunter almost lost Lola and Wyatt. Whatever our differences, the Greeks are a common wound.
"And why do you think we need you, Gianna? You know who we work for. You know how far our organization runs across the states. What does an alliance give us that we don't already have?"
She pulls out a cigarette and a lighter. "Can I smoke in here?"
"Yes," Hunter grunts.
I know he hates it in the house.
The flame dances in her eyes as she lights it. She takes a slow inhale, tips her head back, and exhales toward the ceiling. Then she passes the cigarette to Dom to hold. He takes it without blinking.
"An alliance gives you California. We cut you in on our supply lines. Cocaine. Weed. Guns. Whatever other ventures we're involved in." She taps her nail against the table. "I run the real estate arm. Properties in every major city. Eyes everywhere, including a handy motorcycle club. A team that can hack any system on the planet. A team that can track anyone, anywhere. And of course, it connects you to our family in Sicily. That's reach you don't have."
Hunter takes it in. Doesn't respond yet. Letting her fill the silence the way people do when they're selling.
"We want to play on your team. We understand the power Enzo holds, and we have no interest in undermining it. We want to add to it. But to take full control of the territory, we need the Greeks gone first."
Hunter runs a hand over his stubble. "So why are you here and not Vito? Your father is head of the family."
She smiles and glances at her pointed black nails.
"Because my father finally came to his senses that the Milano family can only survive if we evolve. I've spent my entire life proving that to him." The smile fades. "After my brother died, he gave me a shot. One shot to prove I'm worthy of heading the family now that Max, God rest his soul, has passed."
The pain in her voice isn't a performance. I understand it in a way I wish I didn't. Fabio watches her, his sadness seems different. Something I can’t pinpoint… yet.
The difference between us is that she's channeling her grief into taking an empire. I'm channeling mine into burnout.
"Enzo doesn't look for alliances," Romeo says.
She turns to him and arches an eyebrow. "I'm sure he can be persuaded."
The problem is, Romeo's right. Enzo wants LA for himself.
Her gaze lands back on me. "You'd have free rein in LA, Ace. You could walk right in, shoot that motherfucker who stole your girl, and take her back. No consequences. I'd even help you."
I can feel Hunter's stare burning into the side of my head.
"But if you step foot in my territory without this alliance, you won't make it back out. That I promise you."
The threat lands. She doesn't bother to dress it up.
I sit back. Cross my arms over my chest. "I don't need to go to LA."
A grin twitches on her lip. "Then Harper belongs to me."
"The fuck does that mean?" I hiss, sitting forward.
She tuts. "There's the switch. Interesting." She laughs, looking at Dom. "Love. His weakness."
"You think threatening me is going to get us to open this door? I thought you were smarter than that," I say flatly.
She shrugs with an elegant rise and fall of her shoulders. "I'm just doing my job. Reading you all. Seeing what makes you tick."
"And what makes you tick, Gianna?" Colten asks from beside me.
Her eyes flick to his, and something passes between them that charges the air in the room like a storm front moving in. Colten's breath hitches. His hand grips his thigh under the table, and I'm close enough to see his knuckles whiten.
