Chapter 16

Chapter 16: The Spy

The air in Luca's office was thick with tension. Ever since the Vipers had managed to sabotage a series of Moretti Family operations, Luca's paranoia had grown. The precision of the rival gang's moves wasn't coincidence; someone on the inside was feeding them information.

Sitting alone in the dimly lit room, Luca stared at the holographic interface of the system floating before him. The glow of its translucent panels cast eerie shadows across his face. The system had proven invaluable in this war, but tonight it offered something different.

System Alert: Security Breach Detected

Analyzing Internal Threats…

Suspect Identified: Enzo Ferro

Luca's jaw tightened as the name flashed before his eyes. Enzo had been part of the Moretti Family for years, a foot soldier with a solid track record. He wasn't a high-ranking lieutenant, but he was trusted enough to handle logistics and sensitive information.

The system provided additional data: text logs, intercepted communications, financial discrepancies. Luca's stomach churned as the evidence piled up. Enzo had been passing key intel to the Vipers for weeks.

A knock at the door broke his concentration.

"Come in," Luca said, his voice calm but cold.

Marco entered, his imposing frame casting a long shadow across the room. "You called for me, Boss?"

Luca turned off the system display with a flick of his hand. "We've got a rat," he said, standing up and moving to the window. "Enzo Ferro. The system confirmed it."

Marco's eyes narrowed. "Enzo? Are you sure?"

"Positive. The bastard's been selling us out to the Vipers. They've been one step ahead of us because of him." Luca turned back to Marco, his expression grim. "I need you to bring him in. Quietly. No one else can know."

Marco nodded. "Consider it done."

---

Enzo was easy to find. He was at a card game in one of the Moretti-controlled backrooms, laughing and drinking with a group of soldiers. Marco approached him with a casual demeanor, but there was steel in his eyes.

"Enzo," Marco said, clapping a hand on his shoulder. "Boss wants to see you. Now."

Enzo hesitated, his smile faltering. "Everything okay?"

Marco's grip tightened. "Let's go."

The other men at the table watched as Marco escorted Enzo out of the room, their curiosity piqued. But no one dared to ask questions.

---

The basement of the Moretti safe house was dark and cold, a place designed for interrogations and executions. Enzo was shoved into a metal chair at the center of the room, his hands bound behind him. A single bulb hung from the ceiling, casting harsh light on his pale face.

Luca entered the room, his footsteps echoing ominously. He was dressed impeccably, as always, but there was a deadly air about him tonight. Marco and Sal stood at the edges of the room, silent and watchful.

"Enzo," Luca began, his voice calm but cutting. "Do you know why you're here?"

Enzo looked up at him, his eyes darting nervously. "No, Boss. I swear, I don't know—"

"Don't lie to me," Luca interrupted, his tone sharp as a knife. He pulled a folder from the table beside him and tossed it onto Enzo's lap. "That's all the proof I need. Bank transfers, intercepted calls, text messages. You've been feeding the Vipers information for weeks."

Enzo's face drained of color as he stared at the folder. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out.

"You betrayed your family," Luca continued, his voice low and dangerous. "Do you have any idea what that means?"

"Boss, please," Enzo finally managed to say. "It's not what it looks like. They—they threatened my wife. My kids. They said they'd kill them if I didn't help."

Luca's expression didn't change. "And you thought selling us out would save them? You think the Vipers care about keeping promises?"

"I didn't have a choice!" Enzo pleaded, tears streaming down his face. "I didn't want to do it, but they gave me no option!"

"You had a choice," Luca said, stepping closer. "You could've come to me. You could've trusted your family to protect you. Instead, you chose to betray us. And because of you, good men are dead."

Enzo broke down, sobbing uncontrollably. "I'm sorry, Boss. I'll do anything to make it right. Please, just give me a chance!"

Luca stared at him for a long moment, his expression unreadable. The system chimed softly in his vision.

System Recommendation: Eliminate the Traitor.

Rationale: Betrayal undermines loyalty. A clear message must be sent to maintain order.

The room was silent except for Enzo's sobs. Finally, Luca turned to Marco and Sal.

"Take him outside," Luca said quietly.

Enzo's sobs turned to desperate pleas as Marco and Sal dragged him out of the chair and up the stairs. Luca followed, his steps heavy.

---

The night was cold and still as they led Enzo to a secluded spot behind the safe house. The alley was dark, the only light coming from a flickering streetlamp. Marco and Sal forced Enzo to his knees, his cries echoing in the empty streets.

Luca stood in front of him, his hands in his pockets. He looked down at Enzo, his expression devoid of emotion.

"Any last words?" Luca asked.

Enzo looked up at him, his face streaked with tears. "I'm sorry," he whispered.

Luca nodded. "So am I."

He pulled a gun from his coat and aimed it at Enzo's head. For a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath. Then a single gunshot rang out, and Enzo slumped to the ground.

Luca stared at the body for a moment, then turned to Marco and Sal. "Clean it up."

As they moved to carry out his orders, Luca walked away, his mind heavy with the weight of what he'd just done.

---

Back in his office, Luca poured himself a glass of whiskey and sat in silence. The system chimed again.

System Update: Threat Neutralized. Loyalty Reinforced.

But the notification brought no comfort. Luca knew this was the price of leadership, but it didn't make it any easier. He took a sip of his drink, the bitter liquid burning his throat.

The family was safe—for now. But the war was far from over, and Luca knew more difficult decisions lay ahead.

"Trust is everything," he muttered to himself, his voice barely audible.

And in the quiet of the night, the system remained silent.