Chapter 13

Chapter 13: The Viper's Strike

The air was tense as night fell over Luca's territory, the streets quieter than usual. The Moretti Family's recent expansion had made waves, unsettling the delicate balance of power in the city. Luca sat in his office above a bustling nightclub, reviewing reports from his newly acquired allies. Marco leaned against the wall, chewing a toothpick, while Sal was sprawled on the couch, casually flipping through a newspaper.

"This alliance with Razor is already paying off," Sal remarked, not looking up from the paper. "His guys cleared out a whole Viper stash house yesterday."

Luca nodded, his eyes scanning a map of the city displayed on his desk. Marked territories and routes painted a picture of their growing influence—and the shrinking grip of the Viper Syndicate.

"They're bleeding," Luca said, more to himself than to the others. "Desperate animals are dangerous. The Vipers won't go down without a fight."

"Let them come," Marco said, his voice full of bravado. "We've got the numbers now. They don't stand a chance."

Luca's lips pressed into a thin line. He didn't share Marco's confidence. The system had been eerily silent since his last update, and that silence gnawed at him like an itch he couldn't scratch.

System Alert: Imminent Danger Detected.

The sudden notification flashed in his vision, accompanied by a faint chime.

"Marco, Sal," Luca barked, standing abruptly. "Something's wrong."

---

Before they could respond, the first explosion rocked the building. The windows shattered inward, shards of glass raining down like lethal confetti. The floor beneath their feet trembled violently, sending Sal tumbling off the couch. Smoke and dust filled the room as a second explosion followed, this one closer.

"Move!" Luca shouted, grabbing a pistol from his desk drawer.

Marco and Sal scrambled to their feet, their expressions shifting from confusion to grim determination. The three of them bolted toward the back exit, the sounds of chaos and gunfire echoing from below.

---

System Objective: Survive the Attack.

Tactical Suggestions: Evacuate Immediately. Avoid Direct Confrontation.

Luca cursed under his breath as the system's cold, clinical guidance filled his mind. He knew it was right—staying to fight was suicide—but the thought of abandoning his men and his territory stung like betrayal.

They burst into the stairwell, the acrid smell of burning wood and metal assaulting their senses. Marco took the lead, his gun drawn, while Sal covered their rear.

"We've got to get to the car," Marco said over his shoulder. "We can regroup from there."

Luca nodded, his jaw clenched. Every instinct screamed at him to fight back, to make the Vipers pay for this audacity, but the system's warnings overrode his anger.

---

The trio made it to the ground floor, where the nightclub's main room was a scene of utter devastation. Tables were overturned, bodies lay sprawled in pools of blood, and the bar was engulfed in flames. Moretti enforcers exchanged gunfire with masked Viper thugs, the deafening cracks of gunfire mingling with the screams of the wounded.

Luca's heart sank at the sight, but there was no time to mourn. Marco pulled him toward the back door, where Sal was already scanning the alley for threats.

"We've got company!" Sal yelled, firing a quick shot at a figure emerging from the shadows.

The alley was swarming with Vipers, their weapons gleaming under the flickering streetlights. Luca's mind raced as he raised his pistol and fired, his shot catching a masked attacker in the shoulder.

"System, I need options!" Luca hissed under his breath.

System Activation: Tactical Awareness.

Suggested Action: Flank the Enemy. Utilize Nearby Cover.

Luca's vision shifted subtly, highlighting potential escape routes and cover points in the alley. He grabbed Marco by the arm.

"Take the left, stay low," Luca ordered. "Sal, keep their attention on you."

The plan unfolded with surgical precision. Marco darted behind a stack of crates, firing at the Vipers from an angle. Sal provided suppressing fire, his bullets ricocheting off the walls and keeping the attackers pinned down.

Luca moved swiftly, using the chaos to his advantage. He reached a parked van, slipping behind it for cover. From his new position, he took out two more Vipers, their bodies crumpling to the ground.

---

The fight felt like it lasted an eternity, but in reality, it was over in minutes. The remaining Vipers retreated, dragging their wounded with them. Luca, Marco, and Sal didn't waste a second, sprinting toward the waiting car at the end of the alley.

As they climbed in, Sal slammed the gas pedal, the tires screeching as they sped away.

---

The car was silent save for the labored breathing of its occupants. Sal's knuckles were white on the steering wheel, while Marco reloaded his weapon with trembling hands.

"Boss," Marco said after a long pause, his voice low. "What the hell just happened?"

Luca stared out the window, watching the city lights blur past. His mind was a storm of emotions—anger, guilt, and a burning desire for vengeance.

"They wanted to send a message," Luca said finally. "They wanted us to know they're still in the game."

"And they almost got us," Sal muttered. "We barely made it out."

Luca's jaw tightened. "We're not running anymore. This was the last time."

---

Back at a safe house on the outskirts of the city, Luca paced the room, his mind racing. The system chimed softly, breaking his train of thought.

System Update: Survival Confirmed.

New Objective: Retaliate Against the Viper Syndicate.

Luca stopped, his hands clenched into fists. He turned to Marco and Sal, who were nursing minor injuries on the couch.

"We're hitting back," Luca said, his voice cold and firm. "No more waiting, no more playing defense. We're taking the fight to them."

Marco nodded, his usual bravado replaced by a steely resolve. "What's the plan?"

Luca glanced at the system interface, where a map of the Viper Syndicate's operations was already taking shape.

"We dismantle them piece by piece," Luca said. "Their stash houses, their supply lines, their leadership—we burn it all down."

Sal grinned despite the tension in the room. "Now that's more like it."

Luca's gaze hardened, his determination unwavering. The Vipers had made their move, but they had underestimated him.

"They wanted a war," Luca said. "Let's give them one."