"Luciano pov"
After Lucy left, I felt an unsettling weight settle in the penthouse. The air was thick with tension, a stark contrast to the usually vibrant atmosphere. Eliot was still adjusting to all the recent changes, and I could sense the unease radiating off him. I instructed him firmly.
To ensure his safety, I had hired one of my most trusted operatives, Nancy, a woman who had proven her loyalty and skills time and again.
I glanced at Eliot, who was pouting adorably. His features were soft, but I could see the flicker of apprehension in his eyes. "Kitty," I continued, my tone gentler, "I'll be returning to the territory soon, and I need you to promise me you'll behave while I'm away."
He looked up at me, his expression a mixture of defiance and vulnerability. "I'm not a child, Luciano. I can take care of myself."
I couldn't help but smile at his stubbornness. "Oh, kitty, are you sad?" I asked playfully, sitting beside him and gently caressing his chin. He quickly removed my hand, a blush creeping onto his cheeks.
"No, I'm not sad," he insisted, though his body language suggested otherwise.
"But your face says something different, kitty," I teased, hoping to coax a smile from him. "You don't have to be shy around me."
Standing up, I buttoned my blazer, preparing to leave. "Don't worry, it's not going to be boring for you, because I hired..." My words were abruptly cut off by the chime of the doorbell.
I moved swiftly to the door, opening it to reveal Nancy standing there, her expression as stoic as ever. "You're right on time, Nancy. Come in," I said, shutting the door behind her.
"It's been a while, boss," Nancy remarked, her voice steady and professional.
"Good to have you back, Nancy. Eliot, meet Nancy, your bodyguard for the duration of my absence." I gestured towards her, feeling a mix of pride and reassurance.
Eliot looked between us, clearly still grappling with the idea of a 'bodyguard.' "So, I have to be babysat now?"
I smirked. "Think of her more as a companion. She'll ensure you have a good time while keeping you safe. Right, Nancy?"
"Absolutely," she replied, her tone devoid of any hint of flattery. "I'll make sure he's entertained."
Eliot sighed dramatically, his annoyance palpable. "Fine, but I still don't see why I can't just stay by myself."
"Because, kitty," I said, my voice soothing, "I need to know you're safe while I handle things back in the territory. The stakes are too high, and I can't afford any slip-ups."
With one last look at Eliot, I added, "Be good, and remember, Nancy is here to help you. I'll be back before you know it."
As I stepped out of the penthouse, the door clicking shut behind me, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease. The territory was shifting, alliances were changing, and I had to stay one step ahead. I trusted Nancy, but the world was a dangerous place, and I had to ensure that Eliot remained untouched by the chaos that swirled just beyond our walls.
THE TERRITORY
Immediately I enter the territory I didn't move, I want to calm myself before entering this hell of a hole.
A knock shake me off my thoughts as I raise my head to see my assistant "TK".
I opened the car door and step out "Welcome back boss," he bowed.
"Have you call for the meeting with the East bloc syndicate and other," I asked with a straight face.
"Yes boss, they are waiting for you." I smirk "let the show begin" I thought while smirking.
The dimly lit room buzzed with tension as the mafia king," Luciano" leaned back in his leather chair, surveying the faces of his most trusted advisors gathered around the polished oak table. Smoke curled from a single cigar perched between his fingers, the only light coming from the flickering candles that cast dancing shadows on the walls.
"I called this meeting to discuss our plans for the land we recently acquired," Luciano began, his voice steady and commanding, drawing the attention of the room. "This is not just any piece of property; it's our next step towards expanding our influence and securing our future."
A low murmur of approval rippled through the group. Giovanni, a seasoned enforcer with a reputation for loyalty, leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "A nightclub, Luciano.. It's the perfect front. We can launder our money, attract high-profile clients, and keep our operations hidden in plain sight."
The room erupted with nods and murmurs of agreement, but not everyone was on board. Antonio, a rival faction leader with a keen sense for risk, crossed his arms defiantly. "A nightclub? You want to put our resources into a flashy place? What if the authorities come sniffing around? We can't afford that kind of attention."
Luciano raised an eyebrow, the tension palpable as he considered Antonio's words. "And what do you propose instead? A rundown warehouse? We need a place that draws people in, not pushes them away. The city is hungry for nightlife, and we will give it to them—our way."
As the debate continued, more voices joined Giovanni's in support of Luciano's vision. "Think of the money we could make," Lucia, the sharp-witted accountant, chimed in. "We can host underground events, attract the elite, and keep our operations well-funded while enjoying the benefits of a legitimate business."
Vito nodded, sensing the shift in momentum. The supportive faction was growing stronger, their enthusiasm infectious. "Exactly. We'll create a destination that no one can resist. A place where deals are made and alliances are forged. And as for the opposition," he added, fixing his gaze on Antonio, "I value your concerns, but this is a risk worth taking. Our numbers are stronger than ever, and I won't let fear dictate our future."
With that, the atmosphere in the room shifted, the weight of Luciano's words settling in. The murmurs of dissent faded, replaced by a chorus of support. The plan was solidified, a new chapter in their empire set to unfold.
"Let's get to work," Luciano concluded, a satisfied smile creeping across his face. "The Hawk has landed, and we will soar higher than ever before."
"The most important reason I called for this meeting was because of some dumb people who think I won't catch them with what they did," I said, my voice low and edged with steel.
"TK," I called out, and TK shoved a blood-smeared Mimi and her father into the meeting room. My father's eyes widened, shock rippling through his bones as he stared at the horrific scene. The others murmured, eyes flickering with disbelief.
TK stepped to the projector, and the screen lit up with pictures—snapshots of Mimi and her dad meeting with the man they'd been hunting for months. The images were clear: a dimly lit warehouse, a smuggler's hand-off, a briefcase exchanged under a flickering bulb.
Then the video rolled. Mimi's voice, low and conspiratorial, filled the room: "Your father's a fool, Luciano. He doesn't even know we're right under his nose." Her father chuckled, "He thinks he's untouchable, but we'll bleed him dry."
The footage showed them counting stacks of cash, loading crates of contraband, and—most damning—handing over a file marked "Luciano's Downfall." My father's face turned ashen, his hand trembling as he reached for his gun.
"Enough," I said, my tone cutting through the tension. "You thought you could play me for a fool. You thought you could hide in shadows and betray me." I stepped forward, my eyes never leaving Mimi's. "You're done."
The room erupted in chaos as my men moved in, restraining Mimi and her father. My father was still in shock.
The projector flickered, displaying one final image: a map of the city, marked with red X's—every location they'd used, every safe house, every drop point.
"TK, burn it all," I ordered. "Leave nothing standing." I said angrily as my men get to work.
I took my gun and shot Mimi fake father twice in the head, the blood split on my face "Take her to the dungeon I still have some questions to ask her." I smirking.
As the room emptied, I stood alone, the weight of my decisions settling like ash.