chapter 8

Retaliation 

The aftermath of the strike left the Romano estate I'm a heightened state of vigilance. The men were restless, their nerves taut like strings about to snap. Luca knew they'd landed a heavy blow against the Mancini's, but it was only a matter of time before the response came.

The call came late that evening. Luca was in study with Enzo, reviewing reports from Their operatives when Nico barged in, his face pale and his breathing uneven.

" They hit one of our safe house" Nico said, his voice trembling with anger.

"South side. Three men dead. They left a message". 

Luca and Enzo exchanged a glance, before Luca stood, his jaw tightening. "What kind of message?".

"See for yourself." Nico replied grimly.

The three of them climbed into an armored sedan, flanked by a convoy of SUVs, and sped towards the south side.

The street was eerily quiet as they approached the safe house, a small nondescript brick building tucked between two factories.

When they arrived, the scene was gruesome. The bodies of Romano men lay sprawled near the entrance, their blood pooling on the cracked concrete. On the above them, scrawled in red paint, were the words. "They started this, we will finish it".

Luca clenched his fists, his nail biting into his palms. He crouched next to one of the bodies, recognizing the man. It was Rocco, a loyal soldier who'd served the family for years. His face was frozen from an expression of pain, anger and terror.

"They tortured them". Luca muttered, his voice thick with rage. 

Enzo stepped forward, his cane tapping against the ground as he surveyed the scene, his face showing betrayal, no emotion, but Luca could see the storm brewing in his father's eyes.

" They're testing us", Enzo said quietly.

" They want to see if we'll flinch".

"We won't", Luca growled, standing and facing his father.

"We hit them again, harder this time, no stash houses, no symbols. We take their people".

Enzo turned to him, his gaze sharp. "And when does that end, Luca? You burn their men, they burn our, before long we're fighting over ashes". 

"They already made it personal", Luca argued. "This wasn't about territory, they wanted to send a message, and they did it with Rocco's blood".

Enzo sighed, his shoulders heavy. "Revenge doesn't build empire, strategy does".

Luca frustration bubbled beneath the surface, but he nodded. He knew his father was right - chaos will only weaken them. But the fury in his chest demanded action.

As they returned to the mansion, Luca retreated to the training room. He worked the punching bag relentlessly, each strike a release of the anger and guilt that crunch inside him. 

Nico entered after a while, standing silently as Luca punched the bag. "I know you want to make them pay", Nico said, " we all do, but you don't have to carry all this alone dear". 

Luca stopped, breathing hard, he turned to his friend, his face hardly but his eyes weary. "I'm not carrying it alone, I'm carrying it for them".

"For who"?

"For Marco, for Rocco, for everyone who trusted me to lead and pay the price".

Nico nodded solemnly. "Then let's make it count". 

Luca's mind was already racing, formulating a plan. If the Mancini's wanted war, he would give it to them, but on his own terms.