The Aftermath

The scent of blood and gunpowder still lingered in the air as Luca stepped out of DeLuca's club, his suit streaked with red. The city was quieter than usual, as if it sensed the shift in power, the change in the underworld's hierarchy.

Sofia stood beside him, her breathing steady despite the chaos they had just unleashed. Henry pulled up in an SUV, his face unreadable as he glanced at Luca through the open window.

"Is it done?"

Luca slid into the backseat, resting his gun on his thigh. "DeLuca's dead."

Henry let out a breath, but there was no relief in his expression.

"That's what you wanted, right?" Sofia asked, watching him carefully.

Henry didn't answer immediately. He started the car, pulling away from the burning wreckage of DeLuca's empire. Only when they were back on the highway did he finally speak.

"You know what happens now."

Luca leaned back against the leather seat. He knew. He had spent years climbing the ranks of the underworld, studying the rules, learning the game. The moment DeLuca's body hit the floor, a power vacuum was created.

And the vultures would come.

"They'll test you," Henry continued. "DeLuca had allies. Business partners. People who relied on him. They're going to want answers—or revenge."

Luca's jaw tightened. He had been prepared for this.

"Let them come."

Sofia smirked. "That's the attitude."

But Henry wasn't smiling. "Luca, this isn't like before. You didn't just take out a rival. You executed the man who ran half the city's underworld."

Luca's voice was calm, unwavering. "Now I run it."

Silence filled the car.

Henry finally sighed, shaking his head. "Then you better be ready for war."

—

Next Chapter: The Price of Power – With DeLuca gone, new enemies emerge, and Luca realizes that ruling the underworld comes at a dangerous cost.