Chapter 05 — Face to Face with the Enemy.

Klaus.

"This is completely unacceptable!"

Hector says, and the other council members were dumbstruck.

"What's unacceptable is what happened yesterday. The area your men were supposed to be watching was used as an entry point by the Martinelis — and what's funny is they had no difficulty whatsoever."

I say, calm.

"I don't understand what happened, Klaus..."

Hector says, genuinely confused.

"Klaus is absolutely right — a failure like this is unacceptable, Hector. I believe you can no longer continue as one of Manchestary's council members."

Sergio says.

"What?"

Hector says, stunned.

"Exactly that. You'll be removed from the council. If you can't protect one side of the city, it means any enemy mafia can walk in and slaughter us — exactly what they did yesterday at the Don's consigliere's home."

Sergio finishes, and the other members began arguing the point. His behavior catches my attention — he seems to be working hard to hide how pleased he is. Hector, meanwhile, looks confused and shaken at the prospect of losing his seat.

My brothers appear to agree with Sergio. Felipe shares my thinking: something's off about this whole story. But for now, it's better to play along with Sergio's game.

"I propose the decision be made by vote."

Paul says, and all the members agree.

"Who is in favor of Hector remaining on the council?"

No one raises a hand or says a word, and with that Hector bows his head.

"Then it's settled. You are removed from the council, and from this day on your movements will be monitored around the clock. If evidence surfaces that you aided the Martinelis, you'll be killed in the worst way possible."

I say, and everyone agrees. The smile was written all over Sergio's face. If he thinks he's fooling me, I'll show him who runs this operation — the moment I find out what really happened.

"It has been an honor to serve Manchestary. I want you all to know I would never have betrayed you. I don't know what happened, but I will prove I'm innocent."

Hector says, and Felipe looks at me. After the meeting ends, everyone files out — except me, Felipe, and Hector.

"What would you like to discuss with me, sir?"

He asks, facing me from across the table.

"Hector, I know you would not have betrayed the trust my brothers and I placed in you."

"Then why was I removed from the council?"

He asks, confused.

"Don't be naive. Even though I know where your loyalty stands, the other members and my brothers wanted your head on a plate. Either I removed you or I'd have to kill you."

"You're right. But what do I do — remain a suspected traitor forever?"

I look at him thoughtfully.

"Do what you promised. Prove your innocence and bring me the name of the real culprit."

"Yes, sir."

.....

The night...

"P-please..."

The man screamed and begged me to stop, but I only stopped once I finished sawing through his leg. His screams are music to me, and the blood gushing from the wound is a spectacle.

"You should be grateful I haven't killed you yet. I don't usually let someone who owes me this much live."

I say, stepping on his other leg where there was a wound oozing with infection. He screams even louder.

"Looks like you're doing therapy."

Felipe says from a distance.

"I'm having a little fun."

Felipe laughs.

"I don't want to ruin the fun, but the mafia gathering is in thirty minutes."

"Damn! I completely forgot."

I pull out my gun and put a bullet through the man's eye — he dies instantly.

"I wanted to enjoy that longer."

I walk toward Felipe, my clothes dripping with blood — even my shoes are soaked, leaving bloody footprints with every step.

"Let's go!"

I order, passing him. He falls in behind me.

.....

All the mafias gathered in one place — that's a recipe for real chaos. I hate the fact that Manchestary's enemies will be sharing the same space as us.

Every two years, the councils convene to reach agreements on territories. Some mafias set aside their differences and form alliances during these events — which is exceedingly rare.

"Tonight is going to be very interesting."

Felipe says, eyeing Guxta, the Camorra's capo, his older brother Leon beside him.

"Remind me I can't kill them. At least not here."

I say, and before he can respond, I hear an irritating voice.

"Hades! So glad I found you."

Ana says — Sergio's youngest daughter. She latches onto my arm while pressing her cleavage against me.

"May I accompany you tonight?"

She asks, the subtext clear. I just nod. After tonight, the only way I'll be able to unwind is by fucking someone.

We make the rounds, greeting allies and acquaintances. Before long my brothers arrive with their wives, and shortly after, the Martinelis make their entrance.

"I would love to torture those sons of bitches right now."

Mikael says, swirling his whiskey. The Martinelis glanced our way and openly provoked us.

Victor was ready to kill them on the spot.

"Easy, Demon — we can't do anything here. They have just as many allies in this room as we do. This place would turn into a war zone."

I say.

"You're right."

He says, forcing himself to calm down. I look at the Martinelis with a quiet smile.

"Their smiles won't last much longer."

I finish, almost under my breath, watching them approach.

"Good evening, gentlemen Cassano."

Guxta says, his tone dripping with provocation.

"How dare you speak to us after what you've done?"

Mikael asks, staring him down like he wants to kill him. Guxta just laughs.

"What we've done? Do you have proof of what you're saying, or is this just your overactive imagination?"

Mikael lunges at him and we hold him back.

"Get out of here, Guxta. Don't forget you're in our territory — so you'd better leave before I kill you and hang your head in the town square. And if I were you, I'd pray — hard — because when my turn comes, I won't be merciful."

I say. The music stops. In a matter of seconds, our allies are staring down the Camorra's allies, and a single wrong move would start a war.

Guxta is pulled away by his brother and tensions gradually ease.

"You need to relax, darling."

Ana says, and I had nearly forgotten she existed.

"You'd better disappear before I blow your brains out."

I say, and she practically runs.

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