Chapter 25: Double Game

Marco, Franco, Salvo, and Colombo got into the black car, while the two silent men sat in front of them. The atmosphere was tense, as if everyone in the car knew they were about to get into a spiral of trouble.

Marco finally spoke: "If you're going to take us to Valerio, please don't do it like in the movies and make us wear bags over our heads."

One of the men turned to him and said coldly: "We're not drama buffs, Marco."

Franco whispered to Salvo: "That makes me less anxious… or more, I don't know."

Colombo, who had been staring out the window, said coldly: "I'm sure this car is equipped with tracking and surveillance devices. Hello surveillance, I hope you enjoy watching us."

The other man turned to him and pointed to his ear, where he was wearing a small earpiece, and said with a fake smile: "Thanks for the greeting."

Marco muttered: "They even seem to have a sense of humor… very bad."

Date with Valerio

After a short drive through the streets of Milan, the car stopped in front of an old building, but it looked as fortified as a castle. They were dropped off at the door, and entered under the watchful eye of armed men.

Valerio Rossi was waiting for them in a large room, where he was sitting behind an elegant wooden desk, drinking a glass of whiskey.

"Welcome, my friends. I expected to meet again… but not so soon."

Marco smiled and sat down in the chair opposite him, while the rest remained standing. "Well, we like surprises."

Valerio put his glass on the table and said seriously: "But I don't like it when someone tries to spy on me."

Franco raised an eyebrow. "It's good that you don't like spying, but don't you do the same with everyone?"

Valerio smiled lightly. "There's a big difference between spying on your opponents and trying to hack into your own systems. You've put yourself in a tough spot."

Colombo, who had been silent the entire time, finally spoke up: "If we were able to infiltrate your information, then your systems aren't as strong as you think."

Valerio looked at him with cold eyes, then said: "You're interesting, Colombo. But I don't appreciate people who play outside the rules."

Marco decided to intervene before things got any worse. "Look, we're not here to declare war on you. We just want to know what we're going to be a part of."

Valerio nodded, then relaxed in his chair. "Okay, I'll be honest with you. The project you found… 'Project Zeros'… is a plan to take down the ten mafia bosses. But not just to eliminate them, but to replace them with a new organization… one with rules, order, and power that no one can touch."

Salvo frowned. "In other words… you want to be the new mafia."

Valerio didn't deny it, he just raised his glass and said, "We want to be the new order."

A Dangerous Offer

Marco exchanged glances with Franco and Salvo, then said slowly, "Why us? Why do you want to include us in this project?"

Valerio smiled. "Because you're different. You don't follow the old rules, you don't owe allegiance to anyone. You're the type who can adapt to change… and thrive in it."

Franco asked, "And what happens if we reject the offer?"

Valerio lit a cigar, then said calmly, "Then you'll just be an obstacle in the way."

A heavy silence fell in the room. The offer was clear: either join, or be removed from the game… by force.

Marco looked at Valerio, then said with a slight smile, "It seems we have a lot to talk about."