Luciano DeLuca had always believed he could control everything, money, power, loyalty, fear. Yet as he stood in his war room, staring at the grainy video of Aria chained in that filthy warehouse, all his power meant nothing. For the first time in years, he felt truly powerless. And he hated it.
"She's strong," Matteo said beside him, watching the screen freeze on her defiant eyes. "But they won't keep her alive forever. They're baiting you."
"I know." Lucas' voice was low, deadly calm, but his hands betrayed him they trembled slightly as they gripped the edge of the table. "And I'm going to let them think it's working."
Matteo frowned. "You're walking into a trap."
"Of course I am," Luca snapped, then exhaled, forcing his tone to soften. "But this isn't about winning a war, Matteo. This is about Aria."
