Page 48 of Beneath the Shadows

Without waiting for a response, I turn and leave the room. Everything about tonight has been carefully planned, down to the last detail. Giancarlo needs to see that I’m a man of my word, someone who honors his agreements. Drugs and humans are where the real power lies now. Aligning with DeLuca andLa Fortaleza Ocultawill secure my position in both.

But every deal comes with a price.

I stand at the restaurant window, watching as Marco climbs into the back of his car. He doesn’t realize the trap he’s walking into. The route I’ve arranged for him will lead straight into an ambush. Once Marco’s out of the way, there will be no one left to question my authority or undermine my decisions.

It’s time to set my plan into motion.

As his car pulls away, I signal my men. They nod and slip into position, ready to execute the next phase. The importance of what I’m doing tonight isn’t lost on me. It fuels my resolve. This is the moment I’ve been waiting for.

Several minutes later, my car arrives. I slide onto the smooth leather seat. Everything’s falling into place. Giancarlo and Emilio will see me as decisive and ruthless, a leader who won’t hesitate to do what needs to be done.

As I replay my conversation with Marco, I think of his warnings about security. If only he knew—he’s the backup plan, the sacrifice pawn in a much larger game.

Giancarlo made it clear—Marco has to be removed. Though they never did business together, word travels fast in our world. Men like Marco and my father cling to their old-school principles, keeping the business “clean” by avoiding human trafficking and drugs. Giancarlo sees Marco for exactly what he is—a liability.

He refuses to move forward with the deal until Marco is out of the picture, and Emilio stands firmly with him on this. Both are presenting a united front—nothing happens until Marco is eliminated. They’re watching tonight, waiting to see if I’ll deliver.

It just so happens that Giancarlo’s demands line up perfectly with my own suspicions about Marco’s loyalty. Ever since he walked in and found my father dying on the floor, he’s been questioning my authority, watching me like a hawk. I know it’s only a matter of time before he turns Antonio and the rest of my men against me. He won’t stop until he steals the position that’s rightfully mine.

Marco and I were never going to coexist in this new order. His removal isn’t just about pleasing Giancarlo—it’s about securing my place. It’s kill or be killed, and I won’t stop until every threat, every hint of opposition, is buried beneath my feet.

The city lights blur past the windows, the glow of nightlife barely registering. My focus is razor-sharp, locked on what needs to happen tonight. There can be no mistakes. This is my moment to secure my place as the king of Philadelphia.

When I arrive at the meeting spot, a nondescript warehouse on the outskirts of the city, I step out of the car and adjust my jacket. Giancarlo’s men meet me at the door, moving in to pat me down checking for weapons. I remain calm, fully aware that everything hinges on tonight.

Inside, the atmosphere is electric. Giancarlo and Emilio are already here, their expressions guarded but curious. They know how significant this meeting is. How it will shape the future of our alliance. I offer a confident smile, extending my hand. “I appreciate you taking the time to meet tonight,” I say, my voice steady.

Emilio steps forward and shakes my hand. “We’re here to ensure our partnership gets off on the right foot.”

“Absolutely,” I reply smoothly. “Our interests are aligned, and tonight’s events will prove my commitment to our agreement.”

As the meeting progresses, we sip our whiskey, discussing the next steps—the timing of shipments coming into the port and how everything will be coordinated. I nod along, keeping my responses sharp, but my focus is divided.

My phone sits on the table next to my glass, and every time it vibrates, I glance down, waiting for confirmation. The whiskey burns in my throat, but it’s the waiting that’s the real agony.

Finally, the message I’ve been waiting for arrives.

Unknown Number:It’s done. There are no survivors.

I allow myself a fleeting moment of satisfaction before looking up. “Gentlemen,” I say, my voice carrying authority, “I believe this marks the beginning of a prosperous future for all of us. To our new alliance.”

We raise our glasses in a toast, sealing the deal. The words carry more meaning than the toast itself. Giancarlo and Emilio exchange a glance, and I know they understand what I’ve just confirmed. Marco’s out of the picture. My commitment to them is solidified, and from this moment forward, there will be no one left to question my authority.

As the meeting concludes and we part ways, a grim satisfaction settles in. Marco’s sacrifice was a necessary step. With the DeLucaFamigliaandLa Fortaleza Ocultaon my side, the possibilities are endless.

The night may be dark, but it’s full of promise.

The future of La Famiglia is now mine to command, and I’ll lead it with a newfound sense of authority and ruthless brutality, forging it into the empire it was always destined to be.

Antonio

Vigo’s insistencethat Dante and I attend his so-called party doesn’t sit right. He’s always thrown lavish gatherings packed with women, booze, and excess—but never anything like this. These women aren’t here by choice. Trafficked women are a new filthy byproduct of his deal with the DeLucaFamiglia.

The thought makes me sick, but what bothers me more is how hard he’s pushing for us to be there. That bastard’s too savvy to demand something like this without a reason. He knows damn well that a Capo and his underboss don’t go to a meeting unguarded. At the very least we should be in the area keeping eyes on the situation. So why the hell is he so desperate to get us to the hotel tonight?

Yet, here we are, walking into his trap—or at least what feels like one.

“I’m going to follow them,” I say, my eyes scanning the road ahead as unease coils tighter in my chest.

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