Chapter 7 No Turning Back

The scent of smoke and blood clung to Adriana's clothes as the SUV sped through the darkened streets. The fiery remains of Salerno's warehouse were still visible in the rearview mirror, a towering inferno consuming his empire-one she had set ablaze.

But there was no satisfaction in victory. Not yet.

The files she had stolen sat heavy in her lap, their contents more dangerous than a loaded gun. Salerno owned judges, police chiefs, and even politicians. These weren't just names-they were insurance policies, shields that had kept him untouchable for years.

And now, she held his power in her hands.

Enzo, driving at breakneck speed, glanced at her through the mirror. "You're awfully quiet."

Adriana exhaled. "I'm thinking."

Luca, riding shotgun, chuckled. "That's never a good sign."

"We have what we came for," Enzo added. "We should lay low, regroup."

"No." Adriana's voice was firm. "We keep moving. If Salerno set that trap, he'll be expecting us to run. We do the opposite."

Matteo, still tending to a bullet graze on his arm, frowned. "What's the opposite of running?"

Adriana looked down at the list of names in the file.

"We take his allies away from him."

The First Strike

The crew didn't return to their safe house. It was too exposed now. Instead, Adriana directed them to a secure location-an old underground casino that her father had used for high-stakes meetings. No cameras. No records. No prying eyes.

As soon as they arrived, she spread the stolen documents across the poker table.

"There's a pattern here," she murmured, scanning the pages.

Luca leaned over her shoulder. "What kind of pattern?"

"Salerno doesn't just bribe people-he owns them," Adriana said. "If someone crosses him, he doesn't just have them killed. He ruins them first. Their families, their finances. Everything."

She pointed to a bank statement from a high-profile judge. "See this? He's in deep debt. Salerno covered it. That means this guy is stuck-he'll do anything Salerno asks."

Enzo smirked. "So we make him regret that loyalty."

Adriana nodded. "We start with him. Publicly. If Salerno's men see his allies falling, they'll start questioning their own loyalty."

Matteo crossed his arms. "And when Salerno realizes we're targeting his people?"

Adriana met his gaze, her eyes cold.

"He'll come straight for me."

A Public Fall from Grace

By dawn, the plan was in motion. The corrupt judge, Peter Moreau, had spent years covering up Salerno's crimes. But his financial records, conveniently exposed to the press, painted a different story.

News channels erupted with scandal.

"Judge Moreau Linked to Mafia Money Laundering!"

"Bribery, Fraud, and Mafia Ties-The End of Moreau's Career?"

By noon, the judge had resigned. By evening, he had fled the city.

Adriana smirked as she watched the footage in the casino's dimly lit lounge.

"One down."

But she didn't have time to celebrate.

The phone on the table rang.

Everyone tensed. Only one person could be calling.

Adriana let it ring once, twice, before picking up.

"You just signed your death warrant, ragazza."

Salerno's voice was like gravel-rough, full of barely restrained fury.

Adriana's fingers curled around the receiver. "I expected your call sooner."

"You made a mistake," Salerno growled. "You think you can play this game? You're a child holding a loaded gun, and you don't even know where to aim."

Adriana smiled, though her grip on the phone tightened. "I'm aiming just fine."

A pause. Then, a low chuckle.

"Enjoy your little victories," Salerno said. "I'm coming for you. And when I do, you'll beg for a bullet."

The line went dead.

Luca let out a breath. "That sounded... promising."

Adriana set the phone down and turned to her crew.

"He's coming. We need to be ready."

An Unexpected Betrayal

Two nights later, the first bullet came for her.

Adriana had been walking through the underground casino's corridor when she felt it-a shift in the air, a presence behind her.

She ducked.

The silencer barely made a sound as the bullet whizzed past her head, embedding itself in the wall.

She spun, gun drawn-

And froze.

The shooter wasn't Salerno's man.

It was someone she trusted.

Matteo.

Her stomach twisted. "You?"

Matteo's gun trembled in his grip. His eyes flickered with guilt, regret-but also determination. "I had no choice."

Adriana took a slow step forward, keeping her own gun trained on him. "Salerno got to you."

"He got to my sister." Matteo's voice cracked. "He has her, Adriana. If I didn't do this-he'd kill her."

Adriana's mind raced.

She had been prepared for a war. But betrayal?

That cut deeper.

Footsteps echoed in the hall-Luca and Enzo rushing toward them.

Matteo's grip on the gun tightened. "Please, Adriana." His voice was barely a whisper. "I didn't want this."

Adriana exhaled. Then, she made her choice.

She lowered her weapon.

"You're coming with us," she said. "We're getting your sister back."

Matteo's eyes widened. "What?"

Adriana stepped closer. "I don't leave my people behind."

She turned to Luca and Enzo. "We hit Salerno. Tonight."

Luca grinned. "Now you're talking."

The Final Move

Adriana wasn't playing anymore.

Salerno wanted a war?

She was about to end it.