Chapter 12 - The Declaration of War
That evening, the Fierro estate was transformed into a military command center.
Fifty elite guards lined the perimeter. Helicopters patrolled the dark skies over Lake Michigan.
In the war room, Giovanni stood over a digital tactical map of Chicago, flanked by his five senior captains.
I walked in, wearing one of Giovanni’s large black cashmere sweaters, holding a cup of hot tea. Lily was fast asleep upstairs under the care of three private security nurses.
"Giovanni," I spoke softly.
The room went completely silent as the five mob captains instantly bowed their heads in respect to me.
"Leave us," Giovanni ordered his men.
The captains filed out quietly, closing the double heavy doors behind them.
Giovanni walked over to me, taking the tea cup from my hands and setting it on the table. He took both of my hands in his, looking down at my pale face.
"Don Moretti crossed the final line today," Giovanni said, his dark eyes ablaze. "He attacked a hospital. He threatened my family. Tonight, I end the Moretti line forever."
"Giovanni, please," I whispered, clutching his lapels. "It's too dangerous! They have hundreds of men!"
"They have men, Jessica," Giovanni corrected gently, reaching up to stroke my cheek with his thumb. "But I have a reason to live now. Before I met you, I was just fighting for territory. Now... I am fighting for my wife and my daughter."
He leaned down and pressed his lips against mine—a fierce, passionate, breathtaking kiss that stripped away every remaining lie between us.
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"I love you, Jessica," he whispered against my lips. "I loved you the moment you put your hand in mine at that wedding."
Tears spilled down my cheeks as I smiled up at him. "I love you too, Giovanni. Bring yourself back home to me."
