bloodlines and betrayal

Uncovering The Truth

Luca's car hummed softly as it cruised through Chicago's empty streets, the city cloaked in the early morning stillness. His mind raced faster than the engine, replaying the night's events and the weight of his father's command. Marco had always been the family's battering ram, a blunt instrument in their war chest. Luca had long suspected his brother's recklessness would lead to trouble, but he never imagined it would come to this.

His first stop was the Romano family's northside nightclub, The Velvet Room, a glittering den of vice that doubled as a nerve center for their operations. Even at this hour, the club pulsed with energy. The music had stopped, but the air was thick with smoke and the murmur of hushed conversations.

In the back office, Luca found Jimmy Russo, one of Marco's closest confidants and a lieutenant in the Romano organization. Jimmy, a wiry man with slicked-back hair and a perpetual smirk, looked up as Luca entered. His smirk faded when he saw Luca's expression.

"Luca," Jimmy said cautiously, leaning back in his chair. "I heard about Marco. Damn shame. You know I would have been there if I could have been."

"Save it," Luca said, shutting the door behind him. "I need information."

Jimmy straightened, his instincts kicking in. "What kind of information?"

"Marco was hit outside Bianchi's. Someone tipped the shooters off," Luca said, his voice low and deliberate. "You were running point on security for his crew this week. Tell me what you know."

Jimmy's face paled, and he shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Luca, I swear, I didn't hear anything about this. If I had, I'd have flagged it. Nobody knew Marco was going to Bianchi's until the last minute."

Luca leaned in, his voice icy. "That's not what I asked. Who's been sniffing around? Who's been talking to the Mancinis?"

Jimmy hesitated, and Luca's patience wore thin. Grabbing him by the collar, Luca slammed him against the wall. "I don't have time to play dumb, Jimmy. If you know something, you tell me now, or I'll assume you're part of it."

"All right, all right!" Jimmy stammered, hands raised in surrender. "There's been chatter. A couple of Mancini guys, low-level enforcers, have been hanging around the docks asking questions. Carlo mentioned it last week, but he said it wasn't worth worrying about."

Luca froze. "Carlo said that?"

Jimmy nodded quickly. "Yeah. He said he'd handle it."

Letting go of Jimmy, Luca stepped back, his mind racing. Carlo had been vocal about the Mancinis being responsible, but now it seemed he might have known about the brewing threat long before Marco was attacked.

"Keep your mouth shut about this," Luca said, his voice sharp. "If I find out you're holding anything back, you'll wish the Mancinis got to you first."

Leaving Jimmy shaken, Luca headed back to his car. The pieces of the puzzle were starting to fall into place, and an ugly picture was forming.

Carlo had always been loyal—or so Luca had believed. But now, with the weight of Marco's blood hanging over the family, Luca was beginning to wonder if betrayal had been growing within their ranks all along.