Chapter 43. Be Set Free

One day, on a routine visit to one of our businesses, we were ambushed by a rival gang who had been trying to take over our territory for years. They opened fire unexpected, killing several of our men and injuring Riccardo badly.

I was by his side every moment of every day as he healed from his wounds, watching in horror as he descended into darkness and anger. He became more ruthless than ever before, determined to exact revenge on the men who had hurt him, regardless of the cost.

At first, I tried to reason with him to show him that there was a better way. But as he became more and more consumed by his need for vengeance, I realized that something needed to change if we were going to survive.

And so, it was that I became more involved in the business side of things, taking on a bigger role in negotiations and dealings with other gangs. I became Riccardo’s right-hand woman, his partner in every sense of the word.

As we worked together to bring peace back to