Chapter 83: The Devil, They Call You

"Does it? From where I sit, Enzo Valentino and Isabella Russo are independent operators. What they choose to do with their organization is not my responsibility."

"You’re funding them. Providing infrastructure. Weapons. That makes you complicit in their actions."

Alexei laughed....a rich, genuine sound. "You’re direct. I appreciate that. Most men in your position would dance around the point for twenty minutes before getting to the threat."

"I don’t have time for dancing."

"Clearly. Very well, Mr. Valentino. Let’s speak plainly." The humor left Alexei’s voice. "I entered into a business arrangement with Enzo and Isabella because I saw opportunity. A new organization, unbound by the old alliances, with connections to two of the most powerful families in your region. From a purely strategic standpoint, it makes sense."

"And now?"

"And now you’ve made it clear that supporting them comes with consequences. Potential war with Dimitri Valentino. That’s...." Another pause. "That’s not something I entered into lightly."

"Then you should have done more research before signing contracts."

"Perhaps." Alexei’s tone shifted, became more thoughtful. "Tell me something, Mr. Valentino. Why should I care about your threats? The Volkov family has survived worse than a territorial dispute with an Italian Don."

"Because it wouldn’t be a territorial dispute." Dimitri’s voice was absolutely zero. "It would be total war. I would systematically dismantle every operation you have in Western Europe. I would poison every deal, sabotage every shipment, turn every ally against you. And when you had nothing left, when your father asked you how you destroyed decades of careful expansion in a matter of months, you’d have to tell him it was because you backed the wrong horse."

Silence on the other end.

Dimitri let it stretch, let the weight of his words sink in.

"You’re serious," Alexei said finally.

"Deadly."

"All this over a woman?"

"Over my woman. And the people she cares about. And the principle that nobody....nobody.....threatens what’s mine without consequences."

Alexei was quiet for a long moment. When he spoke again, his voice was different. Respectful.

"I did my research on you, Mr. Valentino. I know your reputation. The Devil, they call you. Ruthless. Strategic. Capable of extreme violence when necessary." A pause. "But I also know you’re not irrational. You don’t start wars you can’t win. So tell me, what are you proposing? That I withdraw my support from Enzo and Isabella entirely?"

"No." Dimitri had thought this through carefully. "That would make you look weak. Unreliable. Bad for business."

"Then what?"

"I’m proposing neutrality. You honor your existing contracts with them. Provide what you’ve already promised. But you make it clear, very clear....that if they use your resources to target my interests or anyone under my protection, you’ll cut them off immediately. No warnings. No second chances."

"And if I refuse?"

"Then we find out which of us is better at total war." Dimitri’s voice was calm. Almost pleasant. "Though I should warn you, I’ve never lost."

Another silence.

Dimitri could almost hear Alexei calculating, weighing options, running scenarios.

"You’re putting me in a difficult position," Alexei said finally.

"No. Enzo and Isabella put you in a difficult position by not being transparent about who they intended to target. I’m offering you a way out that preserves your reputation and your investment."

"A way out that benefits you."

"Of course. But it also benefits you. You get to maintain your alliance without declaring war on me. That’s called compromise."

Alexei laughed again, this time with what sounded like genuine appreciation. "You know, Mr. Valentino, in another life, we might have been friends. You think like I do. Strategically. Always three moves ahead."

"In another life, perhaps. In this one, we’re potential enemies having a very polite conversation about boundaries."

"Fair enough." Dimitri heard the sound of ice clinking in a glass, Alexei was drinking. "Alright. Here’s what I’m willing to do. I’ll honor my existing contracts with Enzo and Isabella. I’ll provide the funding and infrastructure we agreed upon. But I’ll add a clause, one they’re not going to like. Any action they take that provokes war with you, Antonio Valentino, or Lorenzo Russo will result in immediate termination of our agreement. Frozen assets. Withdrawn support. Complete severance."

"And if they’ve already made moves before you can implement this clause?"

"Then I’ll clean up the mess. Personally." Alexei’s voice was hard now. "I’m not interested in inheriting their war, Mr. Valentino. I’m interested in expanding into profitable territories. If they make that impossible, they’re a liability I can’t afford."

Dimitri considered. It wasn’t perfect, he’d have preferred the Volkovs withdraw entirely. But it was workable.

"Acceptable," he said. "But I want that clause in writing. Signed by you. Delivered to me within twenty-four hours."

"Done. I’ll have my lawyers draft it today."

"And Alexei?" Dimitri’s voice dropped. "This conversation stays between us. Enzo and Isabella don’t need to know I contacted you. Let them discover the new terms on their own."

A pause. Then: "Agreed. It will be more effective that way. More... educational."

"Exactly."

"You know," Alexei said, "Enzo and Isabella are not going to take this well. They’ll see it as betrayal."

"Good. Maybe it’ll teach them that actions have consequences."

"Or it’ll make them more desperate. More reckless." Alexei’s voice held a warning. "Desperate people do stupid things, Mr. Valentino. Be prepared for that."

"I’m always prepared."

"I believe you." The sound of ice again. "One more thing. This woman, the one you’re protecting so fiercely. She must be extraordinary."

"She is."

"Then I hope she’s worth it. Because you’ve just made some very dangerous enemies to protect her."

"I made those enemies the second I chose her." Dimitri’s voice was absolute. "And yes. She’s worth everything."

"Then I wish you luck, Mr. Valentino. You’re going to need it."

The call ended.

Dimitri stood at the window for a long moment, phone in hand, mind already moving to the next problem.

Alexei would implement the clause. That much was certain, the Volkovs were too smart to risk war over a new partnership.

But Enzo and Isabella would react. Probably within hours of discovering the new terms.

The question was: how?

His office door opened. Marco.

"Boss. We’ve got movement."