Snow still clung to the rooftops of New York, but beneath it, the city was burning. In the ruins of Rocco Serra's penthouse, now a skeletal shell, smoke curled from shattered glass. A new flag flew atop the tower: a black crown over crossed daggers. Word had spread. A new Don had risen. And he wanted blood.
In an abandoned old district warehouse, beyond layers of concrete and forgotten infrastructure, Luca Varga stood in near darkness, his silhouette barely visible against the dim flicker of candlelight.
He held a serrated knife in one hand, the other gripping the worn edge of an old wooden table covered in maps, photographs, and handwritten notes pinned to the crumbling wall. His face was gaunt, eyes hollowed by months of sleepless nights and relentless pursuit.
Across from him, Enzo leaned back in a rusted chair, arms crossed, his jaw tight with tension.
"What are we gonna do about Lucien?" Enzo asked, voice low, gravelly like broken glass."You not planning on letting him take over the city, right?"
Luca didn't look up. He dragged the whetstone along the blade with slow precision. "No, I don't intend on letting him do that."
Enzo raised an eyebrow. "You think he knows about you?"
Luca turned and took a look at the map. "Obviously, he knows, after all, I'm the one who put a bullet in Rocco's skull."
Enzo exhaled sharply through his nose. "Then why hasn't he come for us yet?"
"Because he wants us to come to him," Luca replied, finally meeting his Enzo's gaze. "He wants us to be afraid. He wants us to be reckless."
Outside, snow fell in heavy sheets, muffling the world above. Inside the bunker, the only sounds were the soft scrape of steel on stone and the occasional groan of the aging ventilation system. The air smelled of mildew, gun oil, and burnt coffee.
Enzo tapped the map in front of him. "We've got movement here. Two blocks west of Little Italy. His men are setting up shop in the old bakery. They're moving product fast."
Luca studied the markings. "That's too close to our safe house."
"I know," Enzo said. "I think It's not just a distribution point. But It could be a message."
Luca stood slowly, muscles stiff from hours of sitting. He walked over to a makeshift weapons rack built into the wall and selected a Glock 19 with SWITCH. He checked the magazine, slammed it home, then slid the weapon into the holster at his back.
"Then we move tonight," he said simply.
Enzo raised an eyebrow. "You sure? That place's gonna be crawling with his boys."
Luca turned to face him fully. "Exactly. We hit them hard, we send one right back."
Enzo smirked, rising to his feet. "Hmpf, now you're talking my language."
They gathered their gear in silence. Enzo wore his usual tactical vest, layered under a long coat that concealed a pair of pistols and a folding knife. Luca preferred simplicity, black jeans, a dark hoodie, gloves, and a scarf pulled high over his mouth. Only his eyes remained exposed, sharp and calculating.
They stepped into the cold, disappearing into the city streets.
The city streets stretched ahead, dimly lit by flickering streetlamps and the occasional neon sign buzzing with static. Trash stirred in the wind, caught between the cracked pavement and overflowing bins. Somewhere in the distance, a siren wailed, blending with the low hum of late-night traffic.
Their footsteps were quick but cautious as they moved down the sidewalk, past shuttered storefronts and graffiti-tagged walls that told stories of old turf wars and forgotten protests.
Luca stopped suddenly, raising a hand. Enzo halted behind him, his fingers brushing the grip of his weapon.
"Someone is following us." Enzo said as he exhaled through his nose slowly. "How long do you plan to remain hidden?" He said aloud.
From a narrow alleyway just behind, a figure stepped out, a man in a tattered winter coat. Luca drew the Glock 19.
"Whoa, easy man," the man said. "I'm not armed."
Luca narrowed his eyes. "You shouldn't be following me unless you are trying to get yourself blasted."
The man smiled nervously. "Tell that to Lucien's boys. I had no choice."
Enzo stepped forward. "Who are you exactly?"
"My name's Rico. I used to work for Rocco. Before everything went to hell."
Luca studied him carefully. "You're alive. That makes you either lucky or dangerous."
Rico shrugged. "Maybe both."
"What do you want? Are you here to avenge your old boss Rocco?"
"I have information you may need about Lucien, of course. His operation, you're going after the bakery tonight, right? Let me help."
Luca exchanged a glance with Enzo.
"And why would you help us?" Enzo asked.
Rico hesitated. "Because Lucien doesn't care about people like us. He's not a Don yet. He's just a butcher. He'll burn this whole city to ash if it serves his ego."
Luca stepped closer, studying the man's face. "I'll keep this short. Leave, I don't need your help."
Rico sighed. "You're walking into your death, trust me." His voice cracked slightly.
"Vince said the same thing," Luca smirked coldly. "Look what happened to him."
Enzo stepped forward. "Rico, you say? We dont need your intel nor your help. Understand?"
"Besides, what makes you think we were hitting the bakery?" Said Luca with a mocking laugh.
Enzo and Luca walked away, leaving Rico standing there
Alone.
Disappointed.
After walking for a few blocks, they took an alleyway slick with ice and slush. Neon signs flickered in the distance, casting ghostly reflections on wet pavement. The city pulsed with life, unaware of the storm brewing beneath its streets.
Lucien's men patrolled the neighborhood in pairs, dressed in sleek suits that contrasted sharply with the working-class locals. They carried themselves like conquerors, not enforcers.
Enzo finally broke the silence. "That Rico guy from earlier on, what do you think about him?" He looked at Luca. "It seems he knew we were planning to hit the bakery.
Luca sighed. "I found it a little bit odd as to how he figured that out. "His gaze still locked at the bakery.
"I don't trust him." Enzo muttered. "I should have taken him down."
Luca finally looked at Enzo. "You think he might give heads-up to Lucien."
Enzo nodded.
"I don't think he'll do that,"
Enzo raised an eyebrow. "What makes you so sure?"
Luca smiled faintly. "We'll see what kind of a person he is." Luca turned and walked away. "Change of plans, let's roll out,"
"Wait, what about the bakery?" He whispered.
Luca didn't respond. he just kept walking away.
Enzo muttered. "Dammit," then finally followed Luca.
Both of them disappeared into the crowded city streets.