NEGOTIATION

Chapter 4: The Negotiation

Alex's eyes locked onto Luca's, his mind racing with strategy and planning. He knew that he had to be careful, that one wrong move could spell disaster.

Luca, on the other hand, seemed completely at ease. He was leaning back in his chair, a smirk playing on his lips as he eyed Alex.

"Well, well, well," Luca said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Look what we have here. The infamous Alessandro De Luca."

Alex's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched in anger. He knew that Luca was trying to provoke him, but he refused to rise to the bait.

"I'm here to negotiate," Alex said, his voice firm and calm. "Marco wants you to come in."

Luca raised an eyebrow, his expression incredulous. "And why would I do that?"

Alex smiled, a cold, calculated smile. "Because Marco has something you want," he said. "Something that will make it worth your while to cooperate."

Luca's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing. "What could Marco possibly have that I would want?"

Alex leaned forward, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Information," he said. "Information about the Morano family."

Luca's eyes flickered, a flash of interest sparking in their depths. Alex knew that he had hit a nerve.

"What kind of information?" Luca asked, his voice cautious.

Alex smiled again, a triumphant smile. "Let's just say that Marco has something that will give you leverage over the Moranos," he said. "Something that will make it possible for you to take them down."

Luca's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing. Alex knew that he was thinking, weighing his options.

"I'm listening," Luca said finally, his voice firm.

Alex nodded, a sense of satisfaction washing over him. He knew that he had Luca right where he wanted him.

"Here's the deal," Alex said, his voice firm. "You come in, and Marco gives you the information. You use it to take down the Moranos, and Marco gets a share of the profits."

Luca raised an eyebrow, his expression skeptical. "And what's to stop me from just taking the information and running?"

Alex smiled again, a cold, calculated smile. "Because Marco has insurance," he said. "Insurance that will guarantee your cooperation."

Luca's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing. Alex knew that he was thinking, weighing his options.

"I'm not sure I like the sound of this," Luca said finally, his voice firm.

Alex shrugged, a careless gesture. "It's the best offer you're going to get," he said. "Take it or leave it."

Luca's eyes flickered, a flash of anger sparking in their depths. Alex knew that he was pushing Luca's buttons, but he refused to back down.

"I'll take it," Luca said finally, his voice firm.

Alex nodded, a sense of satisfaction washing over him. He knew that he had won, that Luca was now in his pocket.

"But remember," Alex said, his voice firm. "Marco is watching. If you try to double-cross him, you'll regret it."

Luca's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing. Alex knew that he understood, that he knew the stakes.

"I won't forget," Luca said finally, his voice firm.

Alex nodded, a sense of satisfaction washing over him. He knew that he had done his job, that Luca was now under Marco's control.

As they left the bar, Alex couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. He had negotiated a difficult deal, and he had come out on top.

But as they walked, Alex noticed that Luca seemed quiet, subdued. He seemed lost in thought, his eyes fixed on some distant point.

"Hey," Alex said, his voice soft. "You okay?"

Luca nodded, his eyes flicking back to Alex's face. "Yeah," he said. "I'm fine."

Alex raised an eyebrow, skeptical. He knew that Luca was hiding something, that there was more to the story than he was letting on.

But for now, Alex was willing to let it slide. He had gotten what he wanted, and he was satisfied.

As they walked, Alex couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. He knew that Luca was a wild card, that he was unpredictable and prone to violence.

But for now, Alex was willing to take the risk. He had a job to do, and he was going to see it through.

No matter what it took.

The sun was setting over the city, casting a golden glow over the streets. Alex and Luca walked in silence, their eyes scanning the crowds for any sign of trouble.

As they turned a corner, Alex spotted a familiar face - Sophia, the woman from the bar. She was standing outside a small café, her eyes fixed intently on Alex.

Alex's heart skipped a beat as