CHAPTER 45: PRE REVEAL

The doors of the white room used for punishment, the same room where Emilio’s life ended, opened up, and Luciano walked in.

Apart from the four boys seated on the floor, bound together, there were no others present, just the way Luciano wanted it.

He walked in, and moved straight to the center where all the guys could see him.

"Carpo," their lips quivered at his presence.

"Save the salutations. Give me my gun Salvatore," he said at the same time.

A wicked grin plastered on Salvatore’s face, as he walked over with the pistol in his hand.

"Here carpo."

"Grazie."

His attention returned to the four guys. "I have just one question, how did Lorenzo get a hold of all four of you? Is it the same way he convinced Emilio to pay his debts?"

Their lives flashed before their eyes, knowing there was no mercy in sight.

The gravest sin had been committed, and not even God himself could come down and make Luciano forgive them.

Luciano cracked the gun when they didn’t begin responding immediately.

"Luce!" One of the boys called in a pleading tone. "Have mercy."

"How did Lorenzo get a hold of all four of you," he questioned again, this time, pointing the gun directly to the head of the one that had asked him for mercy.

"The borders," his lips loosened immediately. "He said we could earn twice what you pay us. We just needed to let his container move freely."

Luciano kissed his teeth in disbelief. "You fell because of your greed. Do you hear that, Salva?"

"SiLuce

. Stupid stupid reason." He shook his head.

"You live under my roof, don’t you?" Luciano asked.

"Sicarpo." They chorused.

"I pay you all weekly. And then for every deal I personally close, you all get bonuses. Your families live in my city, Aurivilla. They get paid stipends too, just for living in my city. There’s no one in all of Aurivilla that can ever claim that they lack anything valuable. I provide even the things that the government doesn’t. Yet you go against me because of greed?" He laughed, still unable to wrap his head around it.

"Turns out the saying that a man’s greed is insatiable wasn’t wrong at all," Salvatore chipped in.

"Well that greed is about to cost them their lives,"

Bang!

He fired directly to the first man’s head. Blood splattered all across the white walls, and spilled even on his shirt.

"Carpo, please. It won’t happen again. Have me—"

Bang!

The second shot went directly to the man’s chest.

The last two did not bother to beg, seeing how it went for the first two.

They only closed their eyes and prayed for the salvation of their souls.

Their deaths came quicker.

Luciano tossed the gun over to the waiting hands of Salvatore.

"Parade their bodies, even down to Aurivilla. Let everyone be fully aware of the fate that awaits them, if they go against me and my rules. They are always welcome to leave my city if they don’t want to keep to my rules."

His boots crossed the blood clumps of dead bodies, as he walked out of the room.

Vittorio was just outside waiting for him when he stepped out.

"You look like a bone marrow," he said, as he reached into his pockets, and pulled out a handkerchief. "Wipe your face. The

clothes can’t be saved."

"Just like the souls of the departed," Luciano replied, and accepted the handkerchief.

A half smile covered Vittorio’s face. "I think Adin has something for us."

"So soon?" Luciano asked.

"That’s why there’s a prefix of think. I’m not sure yet. He just said, Vitto, I might have something for you."

"Hmmm, I want to hear it. But first, I have to change out of these clothes. Cannot stand the stench of filthy imbecilic blood."

"You’re the one who shoots to spill blood. More elegant aims protect your clothes."

"Nah, it’s not satisfying if their blood is not gushing out."

"LuceNera for a reason." Vittorio fully smiled this time.

They took a turn, just as Elio approached.

"Luce!" He called out on seeing Luciano, and broke into a run.

He slowed down as he caught up with them. "I’ve been looking all over for you Lu–" he paused on seeing the blood stains on Luciano’s shirt.

Instinctively, he took a protective step backwards for cover.

Vittorio chuckled. "Calm down piccolo. It’s the blood of the unrighteous."

"Oh, the traitors? Damn!"

"You’re almost one yourself." Luciano eyed him.

"Come on Luce

–" he groaned. "I even wrote you a letter. I’m sorry, okay? I didn’t think–"

"Yep, you didn’t think. That’s the problem. When you and Marcello are together, your already pea sized brains diminishes further–" he paused and breathed out. "Where is the letter? Salvatore turned to alcohol for help while reading through it, so I’m assuming it will be good enough to draw tears from my eyes?"

Elio burst out laughing. "Not that good, but yeah, we put our heart into it. I left it in your room."

"You went to my room?" His eyes widened.

"Yeah I did. I even saw—"

Luciano cleared his throat, cutting him off. "Let’s go to the information room. Adin requires our presence immediately." He dragged Elio with him.

"Wait, what are you hiding?" Vittorio asked as he followed after them. "Besides, didn’t you want to change your clothes?"

"I changed my mind! I’ve decided to bask in their blood instead." Luciano replied at the top of his voice.

"Luce, why are you hiding the fact that–"

"Complete those words and I’ll snatch your mouth right off your face," he threatened.

Elio went silent, but not even the threat could keep the amusement off his face as they walked into the information room.

Eva was already on screen waiting for them, when they walked in.

"Is that Elio?" She smiled on seeing him. "You grow an inch taller every time I see you."

"I’m twenty one, Eva. Not a child." He rolled his eyes.

"Luce treats you like one, so you must be."

The door opened, and Vittorio walked in.

"Where is Adin?" He asked, on seeing just Eva.

"Compiling as much information as he can gather. When I tell you what we’ve found out is juicy? Trust me."

"Tell me right now," Luciano demanded as he sat on his special chair.

"I can’t do that Luce. Not until Adin is done."

"That was faster than expected. I doubt it has been two hours yet."

"What is this even about?" Elio asked, studying the big map with the dotted lines on the wall.

It was the one thing they kept a secret from him.

"Nice try. You have no business with that," Vittorio replied.

"I meant why we’re here," he moved away from the map. "I’m fully aware you’re not going to tell me about the map."

"It’s about Valentina. You’re here to know the real truth about Valentina Quinn," Eva eagerly said, too excited for the reveal.

"Or should I say, Valentina Wallace Quinn," Adin said, as he appeared on screen.

Luciano’s heart doubled, and he leaned out of his seat.