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Fuck.
Nico gives me a meaningful look.
I run a hand through my hair.
We can’t change it now.
Nico sighs into his coffee, taking a single sip before turning around to grab a tumbler from a cabinet and dumping it into his to-go cup.
We’re at the warehouse in less than twenty minutes, learning a lot from the phone calls Albert makes on the drive there.
The sky is still dark by the time we arrive. The buildings and streets are shrouded in an early morning darkness, complete with thick fog swirling around the towering stacks of shipping containers. The sound of the waves lapping against the dock fills the space between us.
Headlights cut through the fog as the rest of the men arrive.
Nico stands next to Albert, arms crossed against his chest, a grim expression etched on his face. They are mirrors of each other.
The old guard, and the new.
The air crackles with tension. We all sense the unsaid. We’re at war.
My jaw tightens as I survey the scene before us, always on alert. Everything and everyone is quiet, too quiet for my liking. The familiar hum of activity that usually fills the air is absent this morning. Instead, it has been replaced by an eerie stillness that feels oppressive.
Albert cracks his knuckles and clears his throat. We’re all assembled, it’s time to find out why.
He nods his head towards the building, as clear an order as we’re going to get.
The men exchange uneasy glances as they begin to file behind one another through the doorway. It’s still so early – some are yawning and others are shifting uncomfortably.
We’ve had many years of peace. There are some in the inner circle that have never even known a time of war. I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen Albert this angry.
I turn to follow them inside, walking alongside Nico.
Nico’s voice is low and steely. “What the hell do you think happened out there?”
I scratch my neck, following in step. “We now know without a shadow of a doubt that the Cossi family has declared war.”
By the time we’re all crowded into the small conference room, the tension is palpable – as is the sense of urgency.
I look around the room. It’s utilitarian at best. A long wooden table, empty crates, and an assortment of chairs. A large city map is tacked up on one wall and a whiteboard with arrival notices is hanging on the other wall.
Everyone takes a seat wherever they can. Albert moves to the head of the table and Nico and I flank him.
Giovanni steps forward as everyone takes their seat. I stare at him with laser focus.
“We were ambushed this morning on the coast of Colombia by the Cossi family, just after leaving the port of Cartagena.” His voice is quiet and measured but carries through the room.
“They came out of nowhere, catching us off guard. We believe this to be the third attack they have launched against our business.”
Alec’s fists clench and Tommy slaps a hand on the table, his frustration boiling over.
“We’re certain it was the Cossis?” Albert asks.
There are murmurs amongst the men.
Nico shoots me a knowing look. If Albert is asking a question in this room, he already knows the answer.
Fuck.
