Soon they are going to know about her past and identity in a few chapters!!

Victor's POV:

In the dimly lit study, I and Leonardo sat across from each other at an ornate desk that had witnessed countless discussions of family matters. The air was thick with tension, a stark contrast to the polished calmness we often wore.

My brow furrowed as I regarded my brother. "Salvestro saw Isabella sneaking out?"

Leonardo nodded grimly, his fingers drumming a nervous rhythm on the polished surface of the desk. "Yes, and not just that. He followed her and saw her entering an abandoned warehouse down by the docks."

My gaze turned icy, the gravity of the situation settling over me. The implications were clear, and my mind began to churn with possibilities. "This can't be a mere coincidence, Leo."

Leo's jaw tightened, his voice a low murmur. "No, it can't. We've always been cautious about anyone who gets too close to our operations. Isabella's secrecy raises concerns."

My thoughts churned, my concern for our youngest sister evident in my voice. "Isabella is family, our sister. We've worked hard to keep her away from our affairs, to shield her from our world. If she's involved in something dangerous..."

Leonardo's gaze remained steady, his apprehension mirroring mine. "It could jeopardize not only her safety but also our family's reputation and security."

Leonardo's "I am sure she's involving herself in something dangerous..."

Our conversation was punctuated by the soft knock on the study door. It creaked open, revealing the imposing figure of Salvestro. He hesitated, sensing the charged atmosphere in the room.

My gaze fell on him, his voice cool and controlled. "Salvestro, come in."

Salvestro stepped into the room, his demeanour respectful yet apprehensive. "Bosses."

Leonardo leaned forward, his eyes never leaving Salvestro's face. "You were careful, I trust?"

Salvestro nodded, his expression serious. "Yes, I made sure I wasn't detected. The warehouse was abandoned, as far as I could tell."

Leo's lips thinned, his tone resolute. "We can trust her but as her elder brothers we need to keep an eye on her for her own safety Vic"

Salvestro nodded and bowed "I'll keep an eye on her, and report any unusual activities." Then quietly excused himself from the study,

I leaned back in my chair, a heavy sigh escaping me. "We've spent years shielding her from our world. She's our sister, Leo. I can't bear the thought of her getting caught up in something dangerous."

Leonardo's voice was laced with empathy. "I know, Victor. She's the youngest among us. We've always tried to provide her a different life, away from the shadows that define us."

A pang of worry clenched at my heart. "We can't let her get hurt. We need to find out what she's involved in, without alarming her."

Leonardo's gaze softened as he met my eyes. "We can't confront her directly, not yet. She'll shut us out if she senses we're prying."

"Agreed. We need to show her we're concerned, not suspicious." I said quietly

Leonardo's agreement was unwavering. "We'll find a way to protect her, Victor. She's part of our family, and we'll shield her from any harm."

A heavy sigh escaped me, the weight of our responsibilities settling on my shoulders. "Speaking of protection, we have our own matters to deal with. The Russians have been pushing their influence into our territory."

Leonardo's eyes narrowed in agreement. "Yes, they're growing bolder, testing our limits."

I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the desk. "And we can't afford any more missteps. Our shipment almost got stolen last week. We need to tighten our security."

Leonardo's expression grew more serious. "Our reputation is at stake. We've worked too hard to let rivals infiltrate our operations."

"Daniel and Antonio won't react kindly to that," I remarked, my brow furrowing.

"On top of that, we have the Spanish buyers pressuring us for heroin, and the French mafias expecting cocaine and weapons. The market demands it, and we can't ignore that."

Leonardo's fingers tapped a rhythm on the desk, his mind clearly processing the multitude of concerns we juggled. "We need to ensure our alliances are strong, that we maintain control over every transaction."

Our responsibilities were never-ending, and our decisions carried weight far beyond our immediate concerns. "We can't afford any vulnerabilities. Not in this business."

My fingers drummed lightly on the desk. "Agreed. The French are important partners, and we can't afford to lose their support. They have connections that can benefit us."

Leonardo's gaze held mine, his thoughts aligning with mine. "And we must tread carefully with the Spanish. They're influential, but we can't be too dependent on a single market."

"Our priority is maintaining control. Our alliances need to remain strong, and our territory secure."

Leonardo's voice was a low murmur, a reflection of the constant juggling act we performed. "The balance between supply and demand is delicate. We need to ensure we're meeting expectations."

I nodded, the challenges clear in my mind. "And we can't forget our own people. Keeping them loyal and well-compensated is crucial."

Leonardo's gaze met mine "We'll handle it, Victor. Just like we always have."

The door to the study burst open, and a smirking Romeo and Gio entered, pulling along a furious and unhappy Isabella who looked positively murderous. Our eyes met in a moment of shared understanding, and I couldn't help but raise an amused eyebrow at the unexpected intrusion. brothers..

"She's going to play chess with you," Enzo announced with a grin, seemingly materializing out of thin air, accompanied by Armando, who let out a resigned sigh. Couldn't blame him; he often seemed the most responsible among us.

I leaned back in my chair, a half-smile forming. "Well, isn't this a surprise?"

Isabella's glare could have melted steel, but the corners of her lips twitched in a mix of annoyance and begrudging amusement.

Gio chimed in, mischief dancing in his eyes. "And I've got the snacks covered. You can't resist Bella's favorite."

Armando's voice was resigned but amused. "Alright, let's give them some space."

Leonardo, who had been sitting there all along, offered a faint smile. "A strategic game to match a strategic family." I simply smirked exchanging looks with him.

With some convincing and a fair amount of sibling teasing, Isabella finally took a seat across from me at the chessboard.

In the midst of our calculated moves, I broke the silence, my voice laden with cryptic intent. "You seem to have secrets, Isabella. Secrets that even I might find intriguing."

Isabella met my gaze, her eyes glinting with a mix of defiance and mystery. "Oh, do I? Perhaps you're not the only one who can play games."

The conversation had taken a curious turn, and our moves on the chessboard mirrored the subtle dance of words between us. With each piece moved, Isabella's responses grew increasingly cryptic, making everyone in the room more and more suspicious.

"Have you ever walked through shadows, Isabella?" I inquired, my tone dripping with veiled meaning.

Isabella's lips curved in a knowing smile. "Shadows often hold more truth than the light."

"ok that's enough" Leo spoke looking at the discomfort of our brothers.

As the game neared its end, Isabella's moves took a surprising turn, one that left me momentarily stunned.

With a triumphant grin, Isabella declared, "Checkmate."

A collective gasp echoed through the room, and for a moment, silence reigned as the reality of Isabella's victory sunk in. Shock and disbelief painted the expressions of my siblings, each of us realizing that Isabella had managed what few could—outsmarting me in both strategy and wits.

I stared at the board, disbelief mingling with respect for her skill. She had outmaneuvered me, surprising us all. I couldn't help but chuckle, my surprise mingling with a genuine happiness for her achievement.

Romeo slapped me on the back with a hearty laugh. "Who would've thought, huh?"

Gio grinned, his eyes dancing with mischief. "The undefeated Victor, defeated by his own sister."

Armando's laughter was infectious, the tension of the day momentarily forgotten. "Well played, Isabella."

Leonardo's smile was a mixture of pride and amusement. "You are truly skilled at this, aren't you?"

Isabella's response was light, her tone teasing. "No, our eldest brother is just not good enough in chess."

I chuckled softly at her playful retort, realizing that the tables had indeed turned. "I won the bet. Honoring your promise."

She left with a satisfied smile, and I exchanged a glance with my younger brothers. Their mischievous grins told me that there was more to this chess game than met the eye.

"What did you bet with her?" I asked, curious about the nature of their wager.

Enzo and Gio exchanged a glance before Enzo answered, a hint of sheepishness in his tone. "Oh, we bet that if she won, we wouldn't trouble her in school, especially about boys. Gio can be too careless sometimes."

Gio protested half-heartedly, "Hey."

I rubbed my forehead with a mix of exasperation and affection. Why did I have such silly, endearing brothers, and why did I love them so much?

Sighing softly, I addressed them with a mixture of seriousness and fondness. "It's your first day tomorrow, Enzo. Armando, take care of her and keep an eye on her."

Armando nodded in acknowledgment, "Don't worry, Victor. We've got this."

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