Page 17 of La Dolce Vita

The man smirked. "This way."

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Mollo Beverello,Bay of Naples

"Wait here," Giovanni said.

"Boss?" Umberto called out in objection. Giovanni got out of the car. Both of his men did as well, but stayed near the vehicle. Giovanni didn't pause or glance back to acknowledge their concern. He gave an order and they damn well needed to obey it.

A dank wind pushed hard at his chest. The stench of the garbage on the streets to the smells of pastries baking from the cafes overcame him. The dark lenses of the sunglasses he wore weren't needed. The day was hidden behind many grey storm clouds. He glanced up to the tall cruise ships. Several were docked. Tourists with cameras around their necks and shopping bags on their arms flooded the streets. He didn't want his men to follow. He didn't fear for his safety. He dared anyone to take aim. Napoli, the Campania, and all those within it belonged to him.

At the end of the walkway a woman appeared. She was a vision amongst the blabbering faces of tourists. Her dark eyes were piercing. Her long, wavy, black hair was tossed over to one side of her face. She had a flawless olive tan, and wore a modest dress with thong sandals. Still the swell of her breasts, the small of her waist, and the shape of her hips were clearly defined. Not many men would turn away. She smiled for Giovanni. He nodded once to acknowledge her. The woman turned and started down a side street. Giovanni followed. He side stepped several and followed his guide. The port authority offices were down this way. He knew better than to pass through any of their doors. And then someone stepped out of one into the narrow alley. A tall and burly Italian with a protruding belly that hung over his pants, and sweaty armpits, fixed a hard stare Giovanni's way. The man nodded with respect. Giovanni stopped his pursuit of the beauty who had led him in the right direction. The hand off was smooth enough to be missed by tourists or thepolizia. But in Giovanni's dark underworld it was a clear sign.

They were ready for him.

"Don Giovanni," a man said when he crossed under the threshold.

"Dov'è?" Giovanni asked.

"He is this way," his escort said.

Giovanni was led through a building littered with luggage, purses, and other stolen items. It was a treasure trove that gypsies arrived hourly to add to. There were raised voices. Men shouted at each other to the back of the building. Something, or the presence of someone, had them riled. Giovanni ignored them. He was directed to turn right and go through another door.

"Salve!"Mateo Benicia, the younger brother of Don Benicia, greeted him with a kiss to both cheeks and a hug. "Don Giovanni, we've been waiting."

"How's Don Benicia?" Giovanni asked.

"Well. He sends his thanks for the wonderful gift you provided for Liza's wedding. She's the pearl of his heart." Mateo kissed his fingers and tossed the compliment to the air. The woman who led Giovanni to the meeting was in the room. She had arrived through another entry. She stared at Giovanni the way women often did when they wanted to entice him. Giovanni removed his sunglasses.

"A wedding is a big event for a father. And I am her godfather. It was my pleasure," Giovanni said.

There was shouting outside the door. It grew louder. Mateo Benicia gave one of his men a look and the man hurried out. Giovanni caught the exchange. "Trouble? Because of me?"

"No," Mateo waved it off. "It's manageable. Forgive any perceived rudeness you may have seen, Gio. This is your territory. We all know and respect the leniency you have granted. I'll have the men under control."

That was the problem. Giovanni didn't trust or forgive any longer. In fact, he loathed the Benicia clan and the alliance that had brought him to this den. Out of all of his accomplishments and failures, since he entered his father's world, Giovanni never felt shame. He was a drug dealer now. There was plenty of shame to find within it.

"Allow me to introduce you, Gio. This here is Josef Fenstermacher. The man I told you about."

"Greetings, Don Giovanni," The German said and extended his hand. Giovanni did not offer his. He stared at the man. He'd been distrustful of this meeting. It was why he chose not to bring in Dominic or Lorenzo. The risk was his for the taking.

The German lowered his hand. He gave a nervous chuckle. "I thought you said he was eager to meet me?"

"Don't waste my time," Giovanni said.

"Of course. I have good news," Josef said.

Giovanni glanced to Benicia. The German carried over a briefcase. He set it on top of a crate. The man unclipped the locks and opened the case. Several vials of a dark blue serum were slotted in velvet. Giovanni picked up one and held it up to the light. The liquid looked thick and moved slowly in the vial as it was turned sideways.

"The Chinese call itZuzhòuwhich translates to Damnation. And it's a right word for it. My team has been working on this for weeks to understand its potency."

"What's in it?" Giovanni asked.

"It's derived from opium. But the molecular mix is complicated. From what we learned it's a synthetic hallucinogenic drug. We don't know if it's psychologically addictive, but I believe if taken in large quantities it can be. I've only come across it once or twice, and it's been used mostly for military mind-altering experiments. Drugs like this helped to make soldiers forget their inhibitions, in some cases their identity, allow them to transcend into killing machines, be programmed. Not to make them junkies."

“Mind altering? You can control a person with this? Make them do what you want? Like a robot of some kind?” Giovanni asked.

“Of course. It allows a person to be programmed. They are more susceptible to be influenced to do your will.”

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