Chapter 50: A Storm Is Coming

Marco returned to the Venosa Cafe after meeting with Fabrizio. He entered the cafe with confident steps, but he knew very well that what awaited him was no joke. He sat down at the usual table, where Salvo, Franco, Luca, and Colombo were waiting for him.

Franco (jokingly while sipping his coffee): "Do you still have your head?"

Marco (smiling wickedly): "It seems that I have proven that I am too handsome for them to kill me."

Salvo: "And what happened?"

Marco (putting his foot on the table indifferently): "Fabrizio offered me protection... under his wing."

Luca Ferri (frowning): "And did you accept?"

Marco (laughing): "Do I look like someone who would accept being a subordinate to someone?"

Everyone looked at each other, then nodded, and it became clear that the answer was clear.

Lucino (wiping a cup next to them): "Do you know what this means? You've put yourself directly in front of Zacrota."

Colombo (busy with his laptop): "Actually, you have a bigger problem... The news is starting to spread."

Everyone turns to Colombo, who turns the screen to show a post on a mafia forum, which reads:

"Marco DellaFierro rejects Fabrizio's offer... and declares war on Zacrota!"

Franco (shocked): "Where did they get that information?"

Colombo (sarcastically): "Oh, I don't know, maybe because you said it too loud before you went out?"

Marco (laughing): "It's okay, I wanted everyone to know anyway."

Luca (angrily): "That means we have to prepare, war is coming."

Marco (with a calm smile): "We always knew this moment would come. It's time to prove that we're not just a new gang... we're the new leaders of the game."

---

The next day, Zacrota's headquarters

Inside a luxurious mansion on the outskirts of Milan, Zacrota sat in his large leather chair, silently reading the news. Anger was boiling inside him, but he was not a man who was easily provoked.

In front of him stood Domenico, who looked a little nervous, and said:

Domenico: "As I expected... Marco did not accept the offer."

Zaccrota placed the newspaper on the table, then lit a luxurious cigar and said with terrifying calm:

Zaccrota: "I wish he was smarter... but he chose to be my enemy."

Domenico: "What are we going to do?"

Zaccrota (with a cold smile): "We will show him why I am the one who rules this game."

Zaccrota gestured to one of his men, who took out a phone and made a short call.

Zaccrota: "I want a message to reach him... a bloody message."

---

At the Café Venosa

Everyone was busy making their future plans, when an unknown man entered the café. He was carrying a small wooden box.

He walked over to the table where Marco and the others were sitting, placed the box in front of them, then turned and left without saying a word.

Salvo (confused): "What is this?"

Franco (apprehensive): "Don't open the box, it might be booby-trapped!"

Luca (taking a deep breath): "I'll open it."

Calmly, he took out his small knife and slowly opened the lid. As soon as he opened the box, everyone fell silent.

Inside was a human finger... and a ring engraved with the Zacrota logo.

Colombo (staring at the finger): "Well... this isn't a traditional letter."

Marco (clenching his fist angrily): "The game has begun."

He looked at his companions, his eyes shining with determination.

Marco: "If Zacrota wants war... we'll show him what it means to face us."

Next Chapter: First Encounter!