Chapter 136 Starting A War

The car screeched to a halt as they reached Alexander's manor, and Alessandro yanked the door open, storming toward the massive metallic gate, only to be stopped by the guards. His men, who had been trailing him in other cars, quickly arrived, ready to back him up. "Let me the fuck in! My wife and children are in there!" Alessandro shouted, his voice thick with rage. "Sorry, sir, we can't let you enter without the Duke's permission," one of the security guards responded sternly. "Do you even fucking know who I am?" Alessandro roared, his anger boiling over. "Whoever you are, sir, we can't let you in," the guard shot back, matching Alessandro's intensity. Infuriated, Alessandro drew his gun and aimed it at the guard's head. "Do you want to fucking die?" He was beyond furious. There was no way he could think calmly, not with the thought of his wife and children trapped inside that mansion. What if the Duke had already taken them captive? What if he had twisted Mia's mind to leave Alessandro and stay with him? No, he couldn't just stand here and let that bastard win. He had to get inside and talk to his wife. As Alessandro approached the gate, the guards raised their rifles, aiming directly at him. In response, Alessandro's men drew their guns, pointing them right back at the guards. The guard at the gate had already radioed for backup, and more guards and soldiers were on their way. Matteo, who had rushed over after parking the car, stepped in between them, trying to defuse the situation. "Put the gun down, Alessandro," he insisted, grabbing his friend's arm in an attempt to lower the weapon. Alessandro glared at Matteo, anger flashing in his eyes. "What the hell do you think this is?" he snapped, annoyed at Matteo's interference. "Let me handle this, okay?" Matteo murmured reassuringly. He knew his friend, who was madly in love with his wife, was in deep trouble and that things would only get worse if gunshots were fired. The fallout could expose Alessandro's secrets and ruin his image. "Trust me," he pressed, seeing the frustration in Alessandro's eyes. With a huff of irritation, Alessandro reluctantly lowered his gun and gestured for his men to do the same. "Let's talk this out calmly," Matteo proposed to the guards, who cautiously lowered their weapons in response. "Alright, we'll wait here. Inform the Duke and Miss Peterson that we're here," Matteo instructed, his tone firm but measured. But Alexander had already arrived, having been informed about the chaos at his manor gate. "What's going on here?" he frowned, taking in the scene of armed men gathered outside his home. The guards straightened up and saluted. "Sir, this man is causing trouble. He demanded to enter without your permission," one of the guards reported. The Duke's eyes narrowed as he recognized the mafia king. He knew Alessandro Valentino and his family all too well. The animosity between them was not new—it had begun twenty-seven years ago with the murder of Alexander's father and his sister's mysterious disappearance. When they investigated, the name Antonio Valentino, Alessandro's father and the mafia boss of western Italy at the time, had surfaced. Antonio had been the one who aided the traitor intent on wiping out the Montecarlo family in a single day. But with no concrete evidence, they had been unable to take action, and the true identity of the traitor remained a mystery to this day. "What the fuck are you doing here, Alessandro Valentino?" Alexander demanded, stepping toward him, the sight of Alessandro igniting all the painful memories and rage he had tried to bury. In that moment, he forgot all about etiquette and manners. "I'm here to take my wife and children back," Alessandro replied, stepping forward until they stood inches apart, the hatred and disgust in their eyes unmistakable. "Wife and children?!" Alexander scoffed, confused. "Yes, Lord Alexander. Mia is my wife, and Gia and Maximo are my children," Alessandro declared. Alexander's mind raced as he processed the revelation. Now it made sense why Maximo had looked so familiar—he was the spitting image of the Italian don. It meant only one thing: Alessandro was telling the truth, and Gia and Maximo were his children. But why hadn't Mia ever mentioned this? He needed to hear it from Mia herself before jumping to conclusions. After all, he would trust his sister over a lying, murderous mafia boss. "Why should I believe you?" Alexander snapped. "Do you have any proof that you're the twins' father?" "I don't fucking need to give you proof. Give my wife and children back, or there will be a war," Alessandro bellowed. "Really? Then let it be war," Alexander snarled, his nostrils flaring with anger. "Wait, both of you!" Matteo intervened once again. "There's no need to start another fight." He turned to the Duke. "If you don't believe us, why don't you call Mia and ask her?" Matteo suggested. "No. You won't see her until I'm sure she's safe from any threat you pose," Alexander shot a glare at Alessandro, making it clear whom his comment was directed at. "If you think you can marry her, it's not going to happen while I'm alive, you bloody fucker!" Alessandro roared, lunging at the Duke and grabbing his collar. But Matteo quickly intervened, grabbing Alessandro's hand before things could escalate further. "What the hell did you just say? Marry my own sister?! Gross! Are you insane?" Alexander scowled, his expression a mix of shock and disgust. But his declaration stunned both Matteo and Alessandro into silence.