122- The search for the unknown

**VITTORIO CASSINI’S POV**

I look closely at the frightened man and maintain an ironic smile on my lips. I gesture for them to release him, and when the men let him go, he takes steps back. Unsatisfied, he tries to run towards the door, and I observe this pathetic scene. I roll my eyes and see one of my men by the door, holding the fugitive and bringing him back, forcing him to sit on the sofa.

"Why are you running, Vicente?" I furrow my brows as I ask.

"This is all too weird, man!" He whines, shrinking back on the sofa.

"Who do you work for?" I ask straightforwardly.

"I work for the mechanic on the corner of my street. I swear I'll return the tires I took for my old car." He cries and tries to justify.

I've been in this life for years, and I know that even if this man has gotten involved with someone in crime, he's neither a subordinate nor a leader of any region.

I order a thorough search of the entire house, rooms, furniture, and whatever else there might be. I look around as the men spread throughout the house; it won't take long due to its small size. One of them brings me documents, and I carefully examine them. His name is Vicente, and he's 34 years old.

"Pull up his criminal record." I hand the document to Enzo, who takes out his phone and does as I ordered.

"I'm clean, man! I've never stolen or killed anyone; I borrowed the tires." He continues nervously, rambling on about random things.

I observe one of my men descending the stairs carrying a backpack. I furrow my brows as I notice it's something of interest. When they hand it to me, I open it and realize it's a backpack filled with a lot of money, stacks of bills. This is exactly what I needed to understand what's going on.

"His record is clean, no crimes, boss!" Enzo informs.

"I told you!" He widens his eyes, trembling.

"Who gave you this money and the motorcycle in your garage?" I stare directly at him.

The man pauses, reflecting on my question, and then looks back at me, fear still evident on his face.

"I knew this would cause trouble, damn it!"

I take a deep breath, trying to contain the anger I'm feeling, as I'm sure they're plotting against me. I'm losing patience, and my good mood is slipping away.

"Who gave you this crap?" I yell, and he shrinks. I look at my subordinate and order, "Give him an incentive."

My subordinate punches him squarely in the face, and he screams in pain. He closes his eyes and groans as I watch the blood trickle down his nose.

"Are you going to answer?" I ask, and he remains silent. "Cut off two of his fingers!"

"NO!" he shouts, spreading his arms.

I smile when I realize that ordering to cut off fingers is a foolproof option. The man looks around and, even with difficulty, sits back on the sofa. I keep my gaze on him and cross my arms over my chest.

"I don't know his name. I was leaving town when a man came to me and offered me a lot of money for a job. Man, I'm in debt, and I couldn't refuse; it was a lot of money and the motorcycle of my dreams." He cries in despair.

I know exactly how this works. A person in misery lured by quick money; they use their weakness to make them do what they want. They're used for a plan and can be discarded when they're no longer relevant to the operation.

"What does he look like?" I ask once more, attentive to the information.

"Tall, blond hair, blue eyes. He dresses very well, and you can tell he's wealthy. I didn't hear his name because they called him 'boss.' The only thing he asked for in return for the money was that I report to the police what they themselves did, and they shot me in the foot… look!" he points to his bandaged foot. "Luckily, it was just a graze, could've been worse."

The man sighs, and I absorb all the information. He's more of a victim in this story than anyone else in this house or this attack. I take a deep breath and look at Enzo, who remains attentive to my orders.

"Alright, thank you for the information!" I look at the men and order, "Let's go!"

I walk to the door, followed by everyone. Heading towards the car, Enzo accompanies me and walks by my side to the car.

"Shouldn't we kill him, sir?" he asks, surprised at leaving him alive.

"No need. I won't carry out this death; soon enough, the man who paid him to do this job will kill him for giving me this information. He'll meet the fate he sought, and it won't be me who does it." I respond calmly and get into the car.

As I sit, I begin to reflect on how I will uncover more about this man. Physical characteristics aren't enough to take drastic actions. But now I'm sure there's a 'boss' trying to destroy me.

"I want a meeting with all the leaders in the Region!"

"Yes, sir!"

I need to show my power before this damn bastard manages to find allies to defeat me. I will step down from the leadership of the Italian mafia when I decide, and I'll leave someone in my place who will never dare to disturb me and my family after my departure.

I'm worried about Giullia, Luca, and Bella, as well as my in-laws who are also part of the family. I'm allocating numerous men to take care of security, and I feel inadequate when I imagine that this might not be enough.

I want everyone by my side, living in the house I consider a fortress. I will marry, defeat this damn bastard who crossed my path, and leave with my family. I won't allow myself to kneel in front of any wretch again.

"Home, sir?" The driver asks.

"Where is my wife?" I look at Enzo beside me.

"I was informed that she just left for the house where she's acquiring for her parents."

I feel anger consume me at the thought of that man being with Giullia again. I'm not a fool to not notice his interest in her. I avert my gaze, analyzing what I should do. I conclude that I will go to the house where she is.

A long time ago, I stopped trusting the people who came around me.