Chapter 38: A Trap in the Dark

Café Venosa – 2:00 AM

Marco sat in his usual chair in the café, staring at the empty coffee cup in front of him. The atmosphere in the café was tense, the offer he had received hours ago still dominating his thoughts. Franco was sitting next to him, holding a cigarette that he had not yet lit, while Salvo was playing with the handle of the small knife he always carried.

Luca was leaning against the wall, watching everyone with his sharp eyes. As for Daniele, who was in the middle of all this chaos, he looked like he wanted to disappear into the shadows of the café.

"Well, are we going to sit here all night like ghosts?" Franco said, stretching his arms out. "Let's be honest, this offer seems more like a trap than an opportunity."

Marco didn't answer immediately. He was thinking about the consequences, about the next step. Then he said in a calm voice:

"Carlo is a traitor, there's no doubt about it. But he's also someone who knows how this game is run."

Salvo laughed sarcastically: "And also someone who could kill us all at any moment if he felt we were plotting against him."

Luca sighed and said in a low voice: "The question is: do we use him before he betrays us again? Or do we get rid of him before he gets the chance?"

Franco looked at Marco and said with a sarcastic smile: "Oh, our great leader, what do you see in your magic balls?"

Marco ignored the mockery and said: "We don't trust Carlo, but we also don't give him up easily. If we are in a trap, we have to know who set it."

An unexpected encounter

Before anyone could comment, the door to the cafe slowly opened, and a new person entered. He was a thin man, dressed in black and wearing dark glasses. He walked quietly to the table, and sat down without invitation.

"Good evening, gentlemen." He said in a cold voice.

Salvo raised an eyebrow and said, "Man, is there a sign on the door that says 'Mafia meetings here'? How do all these strangers walk in like they know us?"

The man smiled slightly and said, "I'm not a stranger… My name is Nicolo. And I think I have something that might interest you."

Marco wasn't in the mood to evade. "Speak quickly."

Nicolo took out his phone and placed it on the table, then pressed the play button. A voice recording appeared… It was Carlo's voice!

"Listen to me well, I'm playing both sides, but no one suspects me. Marco and his buddies are like pawns in this game, and we can easily get rid of them once the time comes."

Salvo opened his mouth in shock: "Well… That was clear and honest!"

Franco clapped his hands and said sarcastically: "Great! Can we finally send him on a one-way trip to the bottom of the sea?"

Marco, despite his anger, remained calm. He looked at Nicolo and asked him: "Where did you get that recording?"

Niccolò smiled and said, "Let's say I'm a secret collector. The question is… what are you going to do with this information?"

The Double Game

Marco looked at Luca and asked, "Can you bring Carlo here?"

Luca smiled dangerously and said, "Oh, I'd be happy."

Franco looked at Marco curiously and said, "What are you planning?"

Marco turned the coffee cup in his hand and said, "If Carlo is playing his own game, we'll make the game wrap around his neck."

Salvo frowned and said, "Man, don't keep me waiting… what exactly are you planning?"

Marco finally smiled, but his smile was filled with mystery: "We'll play his game… but on our terms."

Niccolò looked at them with interest and said, "Well… it looks like things are going to get interesting."

He then stood up, taking one last look at Marco before walking out of the cafe, leaving everyone in anticipation of what was to come.

On this night… the game was about to take a deadly turn.