Chapter 50

Chapter 50


The mansion’s heavy iron door swung open as Luca stepped inside. His shoes clicked sharply on the marble floor. He’d been gone all day, but he did not stop to greet anyone. He slung his jacket over his arm and walked down the long hallway. On either side, silent portraits and candle sconces kept watch.

He made straight for Raffaele’s office. The door was ajar. Inside, the room was dim. A single lamp cast a pool of amber light across the thick wooden desk. Papers lay scattered, and half-empty glasses lined the side table. Raffaele sat behind the desk, slouching in a leather chair. His shirt was unbuttoned at the top, his tie loosened. A glass in his hand was almost empty.

Raffaele lifted his head as Luca entered. “You said it was urgent.”

Luca swallowed. “The trailer was taken. Men are dead. You asked for me to handle it.”

Raffaele didn’t reply. He stared at the glass in his hand.

Luca watched him, unease settling in his chest. “We need a plan.”

Raffaele drained the glass in one smooth motion then set it down with a thud. He looked at Luca, red rims around his eyes. “Enough talk,” he said softly. He stood up and stared down at Luca.

Luca met his gaze. “Yes, Boss.”

“Go to the training room.”

Luca hesitated. “You going too?”

Raffaele didn’t answer. He stepped back, pointed down the hallway. “Go.”

The training room door closed behind them. Inside, bright lights revealed a cage ring with heavy mats. Racks of weights lined the walls, and punching bags hung from the ceiling. The air smelled of sweat and leather.

Raffaele stripped off his shirt, revealing lean muscles. Luca dropped his coat, rolled up his sleeves, and moved toward the ring.

He kept his voice low. “They found the bodies. After the hit, the trailer kept going… into the woods.”

Raffaele lifted his fists. “Square off.”

They circled each other. Luca fed the report as they measured reach. “No camera footage. Only word from the passing trucker. It was clean. Fast. MVP-style.”

Raffaele’s first jab snapped toward Luca's jaw. Luca blocked and countered with a light kick. “The crate was untouched.”

Raffaele's next punch landed against Luca’s ribs. Luca gasped but kept talking. “It’s a message. Whoever did this... they know your routes. Your tactics.”

As Raffaele landed another blow against Luca’s chest, Luca winced. “And they weren’t from the inside—or so we thought. Then the driver was shot too.”

The hard words cut deeper than the punches. Raffaele’s face hardened. His next punch knocked Luca back by a step.

They moved around the ring in silent rhythm. Luca jabbed with one hand while answering. “I have men searching every path. Tracking the white trailer’s direction now. No name on the plates.”

Raffaele pressed forward and struck Luca’s shoulder. “Are you losing time giving me updates?”

Luca bent but didn’t fall. He threw another kick. “No, sir. Everyone’s fit. But we aren’t finding leaks. Someone wiped it clean.”

Raffaele caught Luca’s arm and spun him, slamming him into the ring’s edge. Luca griped but stood again. “I’ve… placed counter-surveillance. I’ll find them.”

Raffaele doubled his intensity. Each punch grew heavier, more personal. Luca felt bone on bone, but he stayed upright.

They paused in the center of the ring, both breathing hard. Raffaele looked at Luca, eyes burning. “You think this is just another heist?”

Luca shook his head. “No. It's personal. And… it's big.”

Raffaele struck Luca across the chest. Luca stumbled but steadied. “If it’s big enough to kill my men... then it’s big enough to kill you.”

Luca swallowed. “Yes, sir. I understand.”

Raffaele allowed Luca to lift his guard. Luca took the moment, stepping in with a swift kick to Raffaele’s ribs. Raffaele grunted, eyes narrowing.

Luca took a breath. “I tracked the last sighting east side entry near the forest. I’ll patrol with two squads tonight. We have checkpoints ready.”

Raffaele responded with a fast jab to Luca’s face. Luca felt his cheek sting but stayed firm.

Raffaele's voice was low. “When we find them…” he paused, chest heaving, “we end them.”

Luca nodded, following with a light body kick. “Yes, sir.”

They continued exchanging strikes, faster now. Raffaele’s hits grew sharper. Luca’s rhythm staggered under pressure.

A heavy silence pressed into the room, broken only by the thud of gloves and the clack of bones.

Raffaele found an opening and landed a powerful uppercut. Luca stumbled back, spitting grit.

"Or I was thinking it's that same woman. She is the only one it can print directly at as it now."

Raffaele lunged in, fists ready. Luca tensed.

Then, Raffaele stopped.

He stepped back and dropped his arms. “Enough.”

Luca coughed, chest tight, eyes wide.

Raffaele stared at him. His breathing slowed. “Go.”