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Chapter 55: The Clown
New York. A Private Museum.
"Gianna is dead! That's excellent!"
Hearing the news from his subordinate on the other end of the phone, Santino was overjoyed. Gianna was finally dead, and his long-awaited opportunity had finally arrived. After so many years of simmering resentment, he had finally seized his moment to shine. Santino swore he would work relentlessly to revitalize the Camorra Family, proving to his foolish late father that he was definitively more outstanding than his sister, and that the family would achieve far greater glory in his hands.
At this moment, he was eager to return to Italy immediately and hold a grand coronation ceremony. However, before he left, a few crucial matters needed immediate resolution.
John Wick wasn't dead. This outcome was fully within his expectations—if the assassin was truly that easy to kill, Santino wouldn't have hired him to eliminate Gianna in the first place. But no matter how resilient the "Baba Yaga's" life was, he would eventually have to be eliminated. If John Wick didn't die, the High Table might eventually discover his conspiracy against Gianna, which would be disastrous for his future rule.
There was also a significant secondary reason. As the saying goes, he who instigates evil will face a bad end. What if someone followed his example and hired John Wick to kill him? Then he would truly be suffering the immediate, violent consequences of his own actions.
Thinking of this, Santino immediately called the Continental Hotel and issued a high, open bounty of five million dollars for John Wick's head. This open contract, available to every assassin on the network, ensured maximum competition and speed.
"And Tommy Vercetti, that guy is also a serious threat," Santino murmured to himself, his eyes narrowing with a particularly venomous glare. Although their positions were different, he had to grudgingly admit that Tommy's personal ability was truly exceptional. In Italy, Tommy had been Gianna's highly capable subordinate, helping her solve many difficult problems. Later, even when imprisoned in Redhaven Prison, he was still able to make a name for himself, setting up some kind of popular prison restaurant. He was supposed to serve a ten-year sentence, yet he managed to get out in three years. This audacity terrified Santino, forcing him to quickly find a way to send the man to New York again.
He originally thought that Tommy Vercetti, being alone and without much power in a new city, wouldn't be able to achieve anything significant in New York. But he never expected that in just over a month, Tommy would completely dismantle the Russian Gang leadership and absorb the Red Circle Club into his own territory. Not only that, but the guy also quickly established a burger shop and a whole bunch of factories, clearly intending to make a big, long-term splash.
This result left Santino feeling profoundly horrified. It must be said that capable people shine anywhere. If that man was given a few more years, what kind of criminal empire would he build? Thinking of this, Santino secretly burned with hatred. Why did his sister always get all the talented people in this world? Why couldn't such a powerful helper be his subordinate?
However, since they were already enemies, he decided to see it through to the most brutal end. Pouring himself a glass of red wine, Santino swirled the clear liquid, and through it, he visualized his next maneuver.
He formulated a cunning plan. Isn't Tommy very capable? Then let him make good use of it. First, he would order Tommy to deal with the "Beggar Gang" led by Boris and seize their vital intelligence network; then, he would command him to subdue the Weaving Mill to increase his own strength. Santino wasn't afraid that Tommy would see through his intentions, because he was using an outright, undeniable open conspiracy. If Tommy dared to refuse his orders, it would be considered betraying the family, and he could openly send assassins to eliminate him. If Tommy didn't refuse, that would be even better; he would simply wait to be squeezed dry of his value and used until he died in some dangerous operation. No matter what that dangerous man chose, the final outcome would be the same.
Soon, a wild burst of cruel, self-satisfied laughter echoed in the museum room.
New York. A Private Apartment.
This was Franklin Clinton's new home. Using the substantial share he received from the last mission, Franklin rented a house for himself outside of the chaos of his previous neighborhood. To be honest, if he could, he certainly wouldn't have wanted to leave his home, but his Aunt Denise was simply too annoying, constantly bringing a large group of female friends to his house to do strange, loud fitness exercises. Coming every day was just too much for him to handle. Therefore, he would rather spend a little more money to move out and live by himself. At least, here he was much more relaxed and free, doing whatever he wanted without having to listen to his aunt's incessant nagging.
"Shit!" On the TV, the game character died again. Franklin cursed, angrily threw the controller aside, picked up the bag of potato chips on the table, grabbed a large handful, and chewed loudly.
Just then, the doorbell outside suddenly rang.
"Could it be Lama?" He had only told Lama about moving. Even his aunt didn't know about his new home. So, he subconsciously thought it was Lama coming to visit him.
But when he opened the door, he found that the person standing outside was not Lama as he had thought, but a bearded, somewhat pale man in a sharp suit.
This man was none other than John Wick, who had just returned from Italy. On his way back, he had encountered three waves of desperate assassination attempts. Although he eventually eliminated all those assassins, he himself was still injured and urgently needed a quiet place to heal. Moreover, because he had to go through security checks for the plane, he didn't carry any weapons or ammunition, and he also desperately needed a place to resupply. His old home was definitely out of the question; that place was a key surveillance target for his enemies.
It was precisely for this reason that John Wick came as planned, hoping to rest here and have a temporary respite, as per the secret arrangement with Tommy Vercetti.
"Yes, that's right, there is such a thing." After hearing the man's explanation, Franklin nodded. He remembered that his boss had indeed told him about this plan. Moreover, this guy also had his boss's business card, which served as proof.
"Wait a moment." Franklin was still cautious. He took out his phone and called Tommy Vercetti. After describing John Wick's appearance and confirming the story was accurate, he then fully opened the door and invited John Wick in.
"My boss said, if you need anything, just tell me first, and I'll get it for you."
John Wick nodded stiffly. He needed many things: first, a doctor to treat his serious gun wound, then a clean set of clothes, and also plenty of high-calorie food and water to replenish his body. Of course, most importantly, he needed a handgun. Only then could he go and kill Santino, fulfill his agreement with Tommy Vercetti, and finally end the massive bounty placed on him.
"Okay, no problem." Franklin quickly agreed. Since this was the boss's friend, he was essentially his friend. He might not necessarily commit murder or arson for him right now, but for small things like finding a doctor or providing food, he could definitely help.
In this apartment, John Wick quietly began to heal his wounds. On the other side, Tommy Vercetti, having received the news, would soon arrive in New York.
On the plane. "Whose call was that just now?" Gianna looked up from her window, using her hand to push the bothersome strands of hair behind her ears. However, her question was not answered; instead, she received a strange, urging remark.
"Don't talk, keep eating," Tommy Vercetti said, his eyes focused on the upcoming plan, anticipating the final move against Santino.