Chapter 49: Midnight Appointment

Marco sat in the corner of the café, staring at the card Domenico had left him. The address was vague, just a street number in an area far from the city center, as if the person who sent it didn't want his location to be easily identified.

Salvo (placing the coffee cup in front of Marco): "What are you going to do?"

Marco (thinking): "Of course I'll go. I don't think they invited me there for a chess match."

Franco (laughing): "Or maybe they want you to become a member of their reading club?"

Luca Ferri (seriously): "If it's a trap, you need backup. Don't go alone."

Marco: "The problem is that they asked me to go alone, and any stupid move could mean I won't come back."

Everyone looked at each other, until Colombo said, busy with his laptop:

"I can hack the security cameras in the area, that way we'll monitor the place without having to risk exposing ourselves."

Lucino (surprised): "Wait, are you hacking systems now? Inside my café?"

Colombo (coldly): "Yes, but don't worry, I won't get you in trouble this time... maybe."

Lucino: "That doesn't reassure me at all!"

But the plan was good. Marco would go alone, while Colombo would monitor the cameras, and Luca, Salvo, and Franco would be in a nearby car for backup if anything serious happened.

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11:55 PM

Marco stopped in front of the abandoned building at the address. It looked like an old factory, its windows broken, and the silence was eerily surrounding it.

Marco (to himself): "Well, I'm either walking out of here with a new deal... or in a body bag."

He slowly opened the rusty door, its creaking creeping through the darkness. He walked cautiously, hearing approaching footsteps.

A deep voice: "Finally, the new leader has arrived."

In front of Marco, stood an old man with a gray beard, wearing a smart coat, and next to him Domenico, who looked more threatening than before.

The old man: "My name is Fabrizio, and you, Marco... I hear a lot about you."

Marco (confidently): "Good, because I haven't heard anything about you."

Fabrizio laughed softly, while Domenico raised his eyebrow in annoyance.

Fabrizio: "That's what I like about you, you have courage, or maybe recklessness?"

Marco: "Let's not waste time, why am I here?"

Fabrizio approached, his eyes piercing Marco's gaze.

Fabrizio: "Because you upset the balance. You were just a small piece in the game, and now you want to become a major player. There are those who don't like this idea."

Marco: "And are you upset too?"

Fabrizio (smiling): "It's not me, but someone else is. Zacrota wants your head."

There was silence. Although he expected it, hearing it directly made it all the more dangerous.

Marco (sarcastically): "I didn't think I was that important."

Fabrizio: "You still don't understand the game. What I did isn't just a challenge to Zacrota, it's a declaration of war."

Fabrizio took a deep breath, then said:

"But I have an offer for you."

Marco (crossing his arms): "I'm listening."

Fabrizio: "Join me. I'm not just a gang leader, I'm the one pulling the strings in the shadows. If you're under my wing, Zacrota can't touch you."

Marco looked at the old man, then smiled wickedly.

Marco: "A tempting offer... but I don't like being someone's lackey."

Fabrizio's eyebrows rose, while Domenico growled angrily.

Fabrizio (eerily calm): "Be careful, Marco... rejecting my offer could leave you defenseless."

Marco (confidently): "I don't need protection, I'm the threat."

There was silence for a moment, then Fabrizio burst out laughing.

Fabrizio: "I like your response, but we'll see how long you can hold out with this confidence."

Marco waved his hand and turned to leave, then stopped at the door and said:

"Tell Zacrota that I'm not afraid of him... and if he wants to play, I'm ready."

Marco walked out of the factory, while Fabrizio stared at the door with a mysterious smile.

Fabrizio (whispering to Domenico): "Watch his every move... the war has begun." **