CHAPTER FOUR

The Don Ricardo Lorca sat behind his large desk as he addressed his followers.

"Gentlemen, we have an opportunity to take down the Hernández family once and for all." Ricardo said in a firm voice with a bit of amusement. "Alessandro Hernández thinks he is the law but he is going to meet a befitting and humbling end."

The faces of Ricardo’s followers litted up with determination and excitement as they nodded in agreement. One of them spoke up.

"We know they are planning to expand into new territory. If we can disrupt their plans, we can gain the upper hand."

Ricardo smiled as he said "I like the way you think. Let's make it work. We have been waiting for the perfect moment to strike, and now it's here." His tone was beginning to go higher as the smile was replaced with an angry gaze, and he continued. "For years the Hernández have hindered us, thinking they are above us, but now, we will show them our true strength."

Knowing the risks involved in going against the Hernández family, some of the followers exchanged nervous glances but not for long. They shook it off as they listened to their leader. If not for anything, but the fact they're still standing all these years as the rival family of one considered as the most powerful family is a testament to the strength and resilience of their leader.

"We'll make our move tonight and we will succeed," Don Lorca concluded.

...............................

Alessandro sat in his study contemplating his family's next move when Alejandro entered the room with concern visible on his face.

"Don, I have received words that the Wolfino family is planning something. I don't know what it is, but I have a feeling it is not good." Alejandro said

Alessandro sighed and responded "I've been expecting this. They have been trying to get their hands on the new territory for months."

Alejandro nodded. "True Don but we can't let them have it. It's just too valuable."

"No need for worries though, we have a plan in place. We'll be ready for them."

.........................

The Hernández family's estate was clothed in pitch darkness and silence. Alessandro stood at one end of the estate as his eyes scanned through the environment. He was surrounded by their most trusted guards all dressed in black.

"Alejandro, report," Alessandro spoke quietly into the communication device.

"All quiet, Don," Alejandro responded "But I think we have eyes on us."

Alessandro's gaze narrowed as he spoke "Keep scanning the area. I want to know the moment anything changes."

A faint sound came from the woods nearby just as Alessandro finished speaking. The guards surrounding him immediately raised their guns, ready to fire.

Alessandro's eyes was locked on the woods where the sound came from. The sound grew louder, and soon, figures emerged from the darkness. The guards were about to fire when Alessandro signaled them with his hands to wait.

As the figures drew closer, Alessandro recognized them as Lorca’s men, and they were seriously armed with ammunition. His eyes focused on the seeming leader of the group, a well built man with a scar on his right eyebrow. "Ricardo’s Underboss, Victor," Alessandro muttered to himself.

Victor viewed the Hernández estate with disdain in his eyes as he focused on the guards and the main house. "Alessandro Hernández, we've come to take what is owed us." He said in a loud and clear voice.

Alessandro responded coldly "The nerve of Hernández to send his minions to me. Victor, move along, I'm giving you an opportunity to run along to atone for this grave disrespect against me."

Victor, now visibly annoyed by Alessandro's response, replied, "You think you're above us, Hernández? You think you can dismiss us like we are nothing?

Alessandro's expression remained calm. He was beginning to find Victor's irritation and and anger amusing. "I'm giving you a chance to leave, Victor" he repeated. "Don't make me take it away from you."

Victor snorted "You're not in a position to make threats here Alessandro. You are clearly surrounded."

The guards surrounding Alessandro tightened their grips on their guns, while moving their fingers to the trigger. Alessandro raised his hand, signaling them to cease fire.

Victor took a step forward, fixing his eyes on Alessandro where he stood in the distance. "We're not leaving until we take what is owed us"

"You're making a big mistake, Victor," Alessandro said. "You're going to regret this."

Without warning Victor's guards advanced forward, their guns drawn. The Hernández guards responded instinctively, raising their own guns and forming a protective barrier around Alessandro.

Tension filled the air as the two groups faced off with their guns loaded, ready to launch an attack. As the standoff continued, Victor smiled faintly as he nodded to one of his men.

The man stepped forward unveiling a rocket-propelled greenade launcher. Alessandro's eyes widened as he shouted, "Take cover!"

There was scampering all around when sounds of gunfire erupted from the nearby woods. The Hernández guards returned fire, and the scene descended into chaos.

Alessandro's counter move kicked in as his hidden guards led by Alejandro, stationed in the woods, joined the scene. The Lorca men were caught off guard as their formation began to falter.

Despite being clearly outnumbered, Victor still strived to fight on. He had promised his boss, Don Ricardo he would succeed tonight, and in their line of work, it was better to die in battle than cowardly retreat, a failure. "You're a hard man to kill Hernández" Victor spat angrily as he pointed his gun towards Alessandro.

He was about to pull the trigger when the sound of sirens filled the air. The police had arrived, in response to an anonymous tip. The Lorca men hesitated, torn between the option of standing their ground or retreating. For one, they were in the Hernández boundary and it would be considered trespassing if they were caught by the police.

Alessandro seized the opportunity and shouted to his men "Take them down!" The Hernández men surged forward, closing in on the Lorca men between themselves and the police.

As the dust settled, Alessandro stood tall. Victor laid at his feet, defeated. The police moved in, surrounding the Lorca men and taking them into custody.

Alessandro's eyes met those of the police commissioner, who nodded in respect. "Looks like you've got things under control, Don Hernández."

Alessandro smiled, his mind already racing with the implications of this victory. "Just another day in the life, Commissioner."

His eyes narrowed as a pair of familiar headlights turned a corner. Followed by the soft buzz of his phone tucked into his pants.

******************

Alejandro walked towards his usual all-black Cadillac before swinging the door open and sliding into the backseat. He slammed the door closed, staring out the window, with a lot swirling through his mind.

Just then his phone screen lit up and that was when the realization sunk in, seeing that one text. And a photo of the one woman he’d been thinking about all week.

Gabriella…

And the text read; “She's next,”