CHAPTER THREE

Alessandro Hernández stood by the large window of his office, staring at the city below. His thoughts though, were far away from the city view, calculating, as usual. Due to the nature of his position as the head of the Hernández family, he was a man who always had a plan and strategy for everything. He had to run all stages of a plan in his head, considering possible setbacks and proffering solutions to them before acting on anything.

His mind wandered back to the early days of the Hernández family's rise to power. Giovanni Hernández, his grandfather, had been an ambitious man. He had built the family's business from scratch. He started out as a small-time smuggler working with some gangs but in time, he had grown, broken out and quickly expanded his operations to real estate, constructions and security, forming alliances with other powerful families and eliminating anyone who stood in his way.

Alessandro's father, Leonardo Hernández had taken over from his father, Giovanni, and continued growing the family's business. He had been a ruthless leader known for his brutal ways and his ability to achieve anything he wanted. This ability earned him a lot of loyal followers who were inspired by him.

As the current leader of the Hernández family, he was determined to take the family's business to new heights. With his vision for the future, he planned on expanding operations and solidifying their position as the dominant organization in the city.

A knock at the door broke the silence.

In a gruff but usual commanding voice, he replied "Come in."

The door opened slowly and Alejandro stepped inside the office, closing the door behind him. He bowed his head slightly as he greeted his father. He observed his father's appearance as he walked in. The man he stood before may have the same blood flowing through him, but that was all he ever was to him personally, his sperm donor.

As he stared intently at Alessandro who stood tall gazing out the window, all he could see was the Don Alessandro Hernández, head of the Hernández family, notable for his passion in ensuring that the Hernández family remains the dominant family. He had no fond memories of the Don as a father. The Don only ever related to him as a boss grooming him to carry on his legacy as the head of the family.

Alejandro straightened, his focus returning entirely to the conversation at hand. Despite his personal feelings, he knew better than to let his emotions show. Alessandro wasn’t the type of man who tolerated weakness, especially not from his heir.

"Alejandro, we need to discuss the future of our family's business." He listened to Alessandro speak in the firm and commanding tone he was known and respected with. "The Lorca family is making moves, trying to encroach our territory. We can't let that happen"

Alejandro could detect the faint trace of agitation that was laced with his father's firm voice as he spoke. The Don was never easily disturbed, and if he was agitated now, it meant this situation was serious. Alejandro had been raised in this world, and he knew exactly what it meant when his father spoke with such force as he only gets this way when the family's recognized authority is being seriously threatened, he thought.

Alejandro nodded, his expression serious. "I agree, Don, but what is the plan?"

Alessandro turned to face him, his gaze calculative as he spoke. "We are going to make the first move. We will expand our operations into the new territory, and show the Lorca family that we are not to be underestimated. This will serve as a warning and lesson to all entertaining any funny thought of going against us in the future."

Alejandro’s eyes narrowed "What about the potential risks? We cannot just rush into this without thinking it through. We ought to strategize this properly to avoid and minimize casualties and losses on our side".

Alessandro waved his hand in a dismissive manner. "I have already thought this through Alejandro, and made all possible strategies there is to this matter, and this is the right move for our family. We need to act now, and fast, and I expect you to support me on this."

Alejandro maintained a calm, unperturbed expression but inside he was fuming. He knew that the Don's carefully strategized plan would lead to more violence and possibly, a bloodbath. He also knew that he could not defy the Don openly.

"I understand, Don." Alejandro responded calmly though his mind was racing. He would have to look for a way to ensure the operation went on smoothly, reducing the damage as much as possible, as he knew that there was no going back once the Hernández family made its move against the Wolfino family. If things got out of control, it would be blood on their hands, and there was no telling how much blood.

Almost immediately Alessandro finished speaking, his phone rang, echoing in the silence. He watched as the phone rang for a moment before taking the call.

"Hernández," he said in a firm voice.

Alejandro watched his father's eyes narrow as he took the call. "Something is up." He said quietly to himself. It was a brief conversation but Alessandro's expressions grew serious as he continued on the call.

"I'll take care of it." Alessandro finally said as he ended the call.

Maintaining his calculative gaze, he turned back to Alejandro. "It seems we have a situation that requires our attention." He said.

Trying to maintain the normal tone of his voice, Alejandro responded "What is it father?"

Looking sternly at Alejandro, Alessandro's gaze lingered before he finally said "The Lorca’s have made a move. We need to respond quickly."

Turning back to the window, Alessandro spoke. "Prepare yourself, Alejandro. This is the beginning of something big."

As he left the office, Alejandro couldn't shake off the knowledge that he was being pulled more deeply into the family's business, and farther away from his own desires and planned future.

“If only it was that easy!” He mumbled under his breath, wishing he could somehow back out from whatever the hell that family had planned.

Unfortunately, working with Hernández side by side made that quite hard.

“Bloody hell!”