Chapter Seventeen.

Valentino.

I sat at the dimly lit table, my fingers tracing the rim of my whiskey glass.

The room was quiet except for the faint hum of voices from the other end. Across from me sat Don Riccardo, a powerful figure who had long been an enemy of the Del Luca Empire.

Our meeting was dangerous, but I had no hesitation. I had a plan, and nothing would stop me now.

Riccardo leaned forward, his sharp eyes watching me closely. "You have guts coming here, Valentino. Your brother would kill you if he knew."

I smirked. "Vincenzo won’t know. He’s too busy playing the noble king. That’s why he will fall."

Riccardo studied me for a moment before nodding. "So, tell me. What exactly do you want?"

I took a sip of my drink before answering. "I want to destroy him. Everything he has built, everything he cares about. I want it to burn."

Riccardo laughed. "Ambitious. But Vincenzo is strong. His empire is vast."

"That’s why I need an ally," I said smoothly. "You want revenge for what he did to your men. I can give you that. In return, I need resources."

Riccardo stroked his chin, considering. "And how do I know you won’t betray me once your brother is gone?"

I leaned in, my voice low. "Because our goals align. Vincenzo's empire is a threat to you. If he falls, you gain more power. And me? I only want to watch him suffer."

Riccardo was silent for a moment, then gave a slow nod. "Very well. We will discuss the details soon."

" But I wonder why you would want to destroy your brother, when he has been nothing but generous to you. He has always paraded you as the best, so why do you want to see him fall."

I clenched my jaws, I knew Ricardo would be nosy. " I guess you can say I am greedy, and I want more than a measley second in command."

He chuckled. " I guess the saying, don't give too much to dogs or they turn around and bite you is quite accurate."

I smiled at him, ignoring his comment.

I stood, shaking Riccardo’s hand firmly. "Pleasure doing business."

As I left the meeting, my mind was already racing. This was only the beginning.

I stepped into my black car, leaning back against the leather seat. The city lights blurred past as I thought about my brother.

Vincenzo had always been the favorite, the golden child. Our father had entrusted him with everything, leaving me in the shadows. But no more.

I didn't think much of it because I didn't care, but then the only woman I ever loved was taken by him too.

No matter how hard I tried to get her to even look at me, she was so focused on Vicenzo, always around him.

He didn't even deserve her, he was a fucking looser who didn't deserve her, but yet she choosed him over me.

Vicenzo has always looked at me like I would always be second, I guess that's why she choosed him over me. Because she felt I wasn't good enough for her.

I would take what I deserved, and I would make Vincenzo pay for everything , every moment of being overlooked.

But there was one problem—Matteo. He had taken Isabella somewhere I could not reach her. That was unexpected.

A small breach in my plan. Isabella was supposed to be my leverage, my way to make Vincenzo weak. And now she was gone, hidden away.

I clenched my jaw. Matteo had been a fool to cross me. He would regret it soon enough. But I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm. I had Luca on the inside. Luca would find Isabella. Luca would report back soon.

And besides, Matteo doesn't lose as a threat, he's just one arrogant fool who thinks he has the world at his fingers because of his skills.

If he poses to be a problem, which is very impossible I would have to take him out.

"One little setback won’t stop me," I muttered to myself.

I reached for my phone and dialed a number. After two rings, a voice answered. "Luca. Any slight update?"

"Not yet, boss," Luca responded.

"Watch over her." I said coldly. "Because if you fail, you know what happens."

"I won’t fail."

I hung up and stared out the window. I had waited too long for this. My brother had stolen everything from me—our father's love, the empire, the respect of the men. But soon, Vincenzo would have nothing.

I imagined it—my brother broken, his empire in ruins. I could almost taste the victory. And when the time came, I would be the one standing over him, watching as everything crumbled.

I closed my eyes and smiled to myself.

"Soon," I whispered. "Very soon."