Blood On The Streets

The Romano estate was that much quieter than usual, the heaviness of recent losses palpable in every nook and cranny. There Luca sat at his desk, all cold determination in gingery visage. The ambush on their safehouse had rattled the family but not shattered it. If anything, it had hardened Luca's determination.

Sofia stepped inside, briskly moving with a handful of documents. She slapped them onto the desk in front of Luca, her green eyes lit with alarm.

"I have confirmed it," she started. "Giovanni Rossi isn't only providing Isabella with weapons he's providing her with access to our routes and contacts. He's been playing both sides the whole time."

Luca sat back on his chair, staring at the wall as he contemplated the betrayal. "Giovanni's greed always made him a danger, but this… this is war."

"This is what has to be done quickly," Sofia urged. "If we delay he'll dig in, and we'll be exposed to another attack by Isabella."

Luca nodded. "We'll deal with Giovanni. But we'll do it on our terms. No reckless moves."

A Dangerous Alliance

Meanwhile, Giovanni sat in his luxurious office, a glass of whiskey in hand. The war between the Romanos and the D'Amicos was unfolding precisely as he'd desired: chaotic, bloody and lucrative. But under his smirking surface was a gnawing anxiety he couldn't get rid of.

His phone buzzed, and he responded with a smirk. "With all of that, Isabella, what am I owed the pleasure?"

Isabella's voice was crisp on the line. "The Romanos are being way too quiet. Something's off. I need more weapons, Giovanni, and I need them now.'

Giovanni chuckled. "Patience, my dear. You'll get what you need. But I'm not a charity, just keep that in mind." This war ends when I decide it ends."

Isabella ended the call and left Giovanni to his thoughts. He didn't trust her any more than he trusted Luca. But for the moment, they were both useful tools.

Setting the Trap

Back on the Romano estate, Luca rallied Sofia, Marco and a select group of trusted allies.

"We are going to draw out Giovanni," Luca said. "Lay out a lead on a fake shipment of cash and weapons moving through the northern docks. He won't be able to resist."

"And when he shows up?" "What?" Marco's voice was raring to go.

"We make an example of him," answered Luca, his voice very cold. "Giovanni believes he's untouchable. Time to remind him that nobody is above the Romanos."

Sofia went on, "We need to make it believable. Isabella might get wind of this, and we cannot be caught unaware by her interference."

A Meeting in the Shadows

The plot was ready, and Giovanni was bought the lure (hint) about a huge consignment moving through the docks. As predicted, he was unable to resist.

That night Giovanni arrived with a small gang of armed men at the docks. The area was quiet, only the sound of waves hitting the beach.

"Where's the shipment?" Giovanni said, peering into the shadows.

A voice replied from the darkness. "Exactly where you thought it would be."

Beside him stood Marco and a handful of armed men, and in the light of the dim hallway, Luca stepped out.

Giovanni's smirk faltered. "Luca. This is… unexpected."

"Not quite as unexpected as your betrayal," Luca said coldly. "You thought you could profit off this war while getting away with it scot free?"

Giovanni threw up his hands in faux innocence. "Now, now, Luca. It's just business. You more than anyone should know that."

Luca's visage did not change. "You've made a mistake, Giovanni. And mistakes have consequences."

Just as Giovanni opened his mouth to respond, Sofia stepped out of the shadows. "Your greed has made you blind, Giovanni. You're not the only one who can play games.

Giovanni had realized too late that he'd been played. The distant sound of sirens indicated the police were on the way Sofia's doing.

"You will not kill me," Giovanni sneered. "You need me alive."

Luca's eyes narrowed. "Not anymore."

Luca and his men melted into the shadows as the police descended, leaving Giovanni to answer for his double-dealing.

Aftermath

Back on the Romano estate, Luca and Sofia debriefed the night's events.

"With Giovanni gone, Isabella's going to be more desperate than before," Sofia said. "She's losing her allies."

"That makes her more dangerous,' Luca said. "Desperate people do desperate things.

The war was not over, but for the first time in weeks, the Romanos held the advantage. As the city of Trento braced for what would come next, Luca knew for sure one thing: that the bloodshed was far from over