Chapter 18: The Twisted End

The atmosphere on the street was no quieter than inside the café. Military vehicles were moving fast, their engines roaring louder with each passing moment. They were racing against time, and every step they took brought them closer to an unexpected danger.

Marco, Franco, and Salvo were walking quickly through the narrow alleys, heading to the address Nico had given them. They didn't talk much, each one of them lost in their own thoughts, trying to put together the pieces of the puzzle that was starting to unfold before them.

"I can't believe we're running after a mysterious person." Franco said, panting slightly. "I think I'm starting to hate this game."

"The only thing we have to hate is being late." Marco said, turning back. "If we don't get there quickly, Luca Ferri will control everything."

Then suddenly, footsteps were heard coming from behind them. Marco felt something strange in his heart, as if everything was about to explode. Everyone stopped in their tracks, and crept up the wall.

"Did you see that?" Salvo whispered, staring into the darkness.

Then a group of people appeared in the alley, dressed in dark clothes. They had that air you knew so well. They were from Luca Ferri's gang.

"We're in trouble." Marco said, turning quickly. "We need to hide."

But before they could make a move, they heard a voice coming from the darkness. The voice was soft, yet sharp. "Don't go far. You won't need to run."

The man who spoke was the same one they met at the café, the mysterious man who said he knew everything about Luca Ferri.

"You?!" Marco said, staring at him in astonishment. "Didn't you leave me at the café?"

The man smiled coldly, and said, "It's time for you to understand the truth. All of these events were not just a coincidence. I'm here because I know what you're planning, and I need your help."

"Help us?" Franco said, raising an eyebrow. "Do you realize what we're doing? We're at the center of a conspiracy involving Luca Ferri, and now you're saying you need us?"

The man looked at them with disdain, then said, "Everyone thinks Luca Ferri is the target, but the truth is that there's someone bigger than him. I want to help you stop him, but there's a price to pay."

"Are you threatening us?" Salvo said, smiling sarcastically.

"Not a threat. Just a fact." The man said, approaching them. "I need to get into that building, or Luca Ferri will find out."

Marco was thinking quickly. The information the man had might have seemed strange, but it made some sense. "So, what do we need?"

"We need a solid plan, and we need someone inside the building where Luca Ferri hides all his secrets. But you need to know who's pulling the strings, and who's supporting him in the shadows."

"What do you mean?" Franco said, looking at the man expectantly.

The man looked at them and said: "Behind Luca Ferri, there is someone stronger, someone no one knows about. Someone who plays the game deeper and wider than anyone else. But don't pay attention to that now. First, we have to get past the guards."

Then the man turned to lead them through the dark alley. They had no choice but to follow him, because they knew that time was running out quickly.

As they moved through the dark streets, their steps were in sync with their heartbeats. Every moment brought them closer to the truth, but every step brought with it more mystery.

When they reached the entrance, Marco looked at the man and said: "What now?"

The man replied with a mysterious smile: "The next stage. We will find out who is behind this game. But remember, there is always betrayal around every corner."

Then he pointed to the door that led to a dark room inside the building. "This is the entrance. But don't forget… everyone here is watching you."

As they prepared to go inside, Marco felt something strange. It was as if everything was about to explode. They were standing at a crucial point in the game, but none of them knew what awaited them inside this mysterious building. Was this the final step towards the end? Or was it just the beginning of another chapter in the mafia game whose dark details were beginning to unfold?