Chapter 17: The Next Step

The air was silent after the last threat from the big man. Marco stood sternly, his eyes watching the gun the man was pointing at them, and every step the man took caused a vibration in the air as if he was pressing on their nerves.

"We need to be calm." Franco whispered as he watched the man carefully.

Marco was trying to think quickly. The man in front of them was holding a heavy gun, and he was clearly not just an ordinary guard, but part of a larger network. There was something unusual about this moment, as if this confrontation represented a turning point in the game they were participating in.

"You're not just an ordinary dealer, are you?" Marco said, trying to buy some time. "Who sent you?"

The big man looked at him with disdain, then said in a calm voice, "Luca Ferri sent me. I don't think you'll be in a position to ask anything."

Then he added, with a sly smile, "But you only have one chance. If you want to survive, you have to cooperate."

While Marco was trying to decipher the situation, Franco was looking at the paper that Nico had handed him. "This guy won't stop us. We have a better plan."

"A plan?" Salvo said, raising his eyebrows. "Do you have any idea what's going on here? These aren't just a gang, they're part of something bigger. Every step we take makes us more vulnerable."

But Marco wasn't going to be stopped. He knew there was no time to back down. "Yes, we have a plan. We just have to get to this address, then we know where to hit them."

The big man laughed lowly, as if these words were less than a threat. "Don't think you'll make it out alive. Luca Ferri is not someone to be toyed with."

Before anyone could answer, suddenly, Marco's phone rang. The number was unknown. Marco looked at the phone for a few seconds, then decided to answer.

"Yes?" Marco said, his voice full of tension.

On the other end of the line, the voice was unclear at first, then the familiar voice came: "Marco, listen carefully. We are in a safe place, but don't waste time. Luca Ferri is moving now. If you plan to get that information, you have to hurry. The goal now is not to escape, but to attack."

"Who is talking?" Marco asked, but at that moment he realized that the voice was coming from a mysterious person, one of those who were watching the events from afar.

"It doesn't matter who I am now. Just know that Luca Ferri will be attacked if you reach the address I sent you. And be careful, this game is bigger than you think."

"When will we meet?" Marco said, turning his head towards Franco and Salvo, who began to move cautiously.

"When the moment comes, you will see me. Just be careful, don't trust anyone."

He quickly hung up the phone, the atmosphere becoming more tense than before. The decisive moment was approaching, but Marco knew that even one wrong move could cost them their lives.

"If that's true, then we have our last chance." Marco said, addressing Franco and Salvo.

Franco didn't hesitate to reply: "We won't let anyone stand in our way. We'll get to the address, and we're ready to fight."

But before they could move, they heard a distant noise. It was coming from the main street. A group of military vehicles were approaching quickly. Luca Ferri's vehicles were moving, and everyone knew that if they delayed another moment, the attack would become impossible.

"We have to leave now!" Salvo said, running towards the back door of the café.

"Where's the address?" Marco asked, picking up the paper that Nico had handed him.

Franco pointed to the paper, and quickly said: "To the left, in the second alley after the big building. We need to get there before they get around them."

But before they could head towards their destination, the door of the café suddenly opened, and another person appeared who did not seem to be part of this conflict.

"Stop!" the person said, raising his hand to stop them. He was wearing a formal uniform, and his eyes held a bit of suspicion.

"Who are you?" Marco said, staring at the man.

"I'm here to help you." The man, who looked to be in his forties, said, carrying a small bag in his hand. "I know everything about Luca Ferri. If you want to succeed in your mission, you have to take me with you."

"You..." Marco said, hesitating for a moment. "But how..."

"I'm here to give you the information you need, but I can't help you if you don't trust me." The man said, then added with an ominous smile: "Luca Ferri knows everything about you. This fight won't be easy."

As Marco watched the man, he began to realize something new. This game wasn't just a war between gangs. There was someone watching them, and little by little, the mysteries began to come together, but without everyone revealing their cards to them.