Chapter 24: Partnership with the Devil

Marco sat in the Venosa Cafe, looking at Franco, Salvo, and Colombo, as street lights streamed through the glass windows. Everyone was silent, contemplating the offer Valerio Rossi had made them.

Franco finally broke the silence and said, "Well, if we accept the offer, what does that mean for us?"

Marco intertwined his fingers and said slowly, "It means we'll be in the middle of a storm. We'll help them bring down the mafia bosses, but at the same time, we'll be keeping a close eye on them. Nobody gives us anything for free."

Salvo drank his coffee in one gulp and said, "Do you realize that you're literally planning to trick people who might kill us before we move 'Bongiorno'?"

Marco smiled wryly, "Isn't that what we've been doing all along?"

Columbo, who was busy with his laptop, said in a calm voice: "Before we decide, we need to gather as much information as possible about this organization. We can't go into war blindfolded."

Franco nodded. "Well, where do we start?"

Marco looked at Columbo and said: "From within their systems."

The First Breakthrough

Hours later, they were all in Columbo's small apartment, which was filled with computers and screens displaying complex codes that only Columbo himself could understand.

"Well, let's see what we can find." Columbo said, snapping his fingers before starting to work on the keyboard at an unnatural speed.

Franco and Salvo watched him in amazement.

"Dude, are you sure you're human?" Salvo asked.

Columbo didn't take his eyes off the screen, just said: "I'm sure I'm more advanced than you."

Marco laughed lightly, but remained focused. "What information can we get on Valerio and his organization?"

A few minutes later, Columbo's fingers stopped, and a screen containing encrypted files appeared in front of him.

"I found something…" he said in a low voice.

Marco approached him. "What is it?"

Columbo opened one of the files, and it contained the names of several prominent figures in the criminal world, including the ten leaders of the gangs.

But the most interesting file had a simple title: "Project Zeros."

"This looks dangerous." Franco said as he stared at the screen.

Columbo tried to decrypt the file, but suddenly, a warning appeared on the screen:

"A hacking attempt detected. The site will be tracked."

"Damn it!" Columbo shouted, and began typing quickly to hide their trace.

Marco jumped out of his chair. "You mean someone now knows that we are trying to spy on them?"

"Not yet, but we need to get out of here immediately!" Columbo said as he shut down all the systems.

Salvo quickly stood up. "Does that mean our party is over?"

"It's just getting started." Marco said as he put on his coat.

The Surprise Encounter

When they got out of the apartment, it was cold, and the streets were quiet. They were walking fast, trying to get away from the place as quickly as possible.

But suddenly, a black car stopped in front of them, and two men in smart suits got out.

"Oh, I don't like this at all." Salvo whispered.

One of the men took a step forward and said in a calm but firm voice:

"Mr. Marco, our boss wants to talk to you."

Marco didn't show any tension, just put his hands in his pockets and said: "And who's your boss?"

The man didn't even smile. "You know him very well… Valerio Rossi."

Franco muttered: "Great, it didn't take them long to find us."

Marco looked at everyone, then said with a slight smile: "Well, let's see what he wants."

They got into the car, knowing that tonight could change their entire destiny.