CHAPTER 3 Infiltration

Luca's POV

Few hours ago...

The bar was dimly lit, creating long shadows as I sat with Rico, a whiskey glass resting in my hand. The air buzzed with low conversations and occasional bursts of laughter, but beneath the noise was something heavier.

Tension.

This place wasn't just a bar- it was a breeding ground for whispered deals, hidden threats, and alliances that could crumble with a single wrong move.

"They're bringing in a new guy," Rico said, leaning in closer. "Matteo Greco. The Claudia family's latest pet."

I swirled the amber liquid in my glass, unimpressed. "And?"

Rico smirked. "And he's about to be made a picciotto at the upcoming initiation ceremony."

That caught my attention.

"They trust him that much already?"

"They don't trust him. They need him." Rico's voice lowered. "The Claudias lost too many men this year. Matteo's efficient. Brutal. He's earned his place."

I took a slow sip. "So, what's the plan?"

"You're getting close to him."

I raised a brow. "You want me to be his friend?"

Rico chuckled. "Not exactly. You're going to become him."

It was risky. Suicidal, even.

I liked it.

I leaned back in my chair, my gaze flickering to the bar.

"Luca," Rico's voice snapped me back. "There's something else."

"Her name is Elena," he said, sliding a photo across the table. A beautiful brunette with bright, cautious eyes stared back at me. "They're keeping her away for now. She's in Naples. He's here in Palermo."

"And how does that help us?"

"It's simple." Rico pointed at a waitress behind the bar, yelling at some drunk patrons. "Her."

I followed his gaze and saw the woman looking ready to break a bottle over someone's head. Her fierce attitude stood out, but it was her underlying vulnerability that caught my attention. Looking back at Rico, I let a slow smile show. "I can handle that."

I spent the next few hours watching. Listening.

Matteo Greco was scheduled to arrive at the Claudia family's luxury hotel tomorrow night. The initiation ceremony would be held in a private suite- one filled with high-ranking members of the organization.

Untouchable men.

Unless you got close enough.

Rico and I had already arranged for our men to infiltrate the hotel's staff. Housekeeping. Security. Bartenders.

All in place.

By the time Matteo walked through those doors, we would know every exit, every blind spot.

And if things went south?

I'd make sure he didn't leave alive.

I pushed my empty glass aside and stood. "We move tomorrow."

Rico grinned. "And Elena?"

I smirked.

"I'll deal with her."

It was late when I stepped outside.

The night was cold, but the city never truly slept.

I had only taken a few steps after I left Alessia, She had no idea who I was.

No idea that the man she nearly fought off in the alley was someone far more dangerous than the thugs who followed her.

I heard soft footsteps behind me.

I didn't turn.

Didn't need to.

"I was wondering when you'd show up," I said.

A figure stepped out of the shadows. A man dressed in dark clothing, his expression unreadable.

"You get the girl involved in this," he said, voice low.

I smirked. "Who says I would?"

The man's jaw tightened. "Stay away from her, Romano. She doesn't belong in this."

I exhaled a slow breath. "That's not your call to make."

He took a step forward. "She's already in danger. If she gets any closer-"

"She's already close," I interrupted, my tone casual. "And you know it."

Silence.

Then, a sigh.

"Just don't make her collateral damage."

I didn't answer.

Because deep down, I already knew the truth.

Alessia was more than a wildcard.

She was the kind of trouble that could either ruin everything…

Or change the game entirely.

The luxury hotel stood tall against the Palermo skyline, its sleek glass reflecting the golden glow of the city. To the untrained eye, it was just another high-end establishment- one where the rich drank overpriced whiskey and slept on imported silk sheets.

To me?

It was a fortress. And tonight, I was going to walk straight into the lion's den.

I adjusted the cuff of my stolen hotel attendant jacket, pushing a room service cart down the polished hallway. A chilled bottle of Claudia's finest rested in a velvet-lined case beneath the silver dome.

A gift. A celebration. A distraction.

Matteo Greco had no idea what was coming.

Rico's voice crackled in my earpiece. "You're clear. The guards outside his suite just switched shifts. One's in the bathroom, the other's bored out of his mind. Now's your chance."

I smirked, knocking on the suite door. "Room service."

Silence.

Then, heavy footsteps.

The door opened slightly, just enough for the guard to glance at the cart.

"Who ordered this?" His voice was skeptical.

I shrugged, playing my part. "Mr. Greco. Special delivery from the family."

He hesitated, then turned his head slightly. "Boss, you expecting-"

I didn't give him time to finish.

One swift movement, and I shoved the cart forward, slamming it into his gut. He stumbled back, cursing. Before he could recover, my elbow struck his temple.

He dropped like dead weight.

I exhaled, dragging his body into the suite before shutting the door.

Inside, Matteo Greco stood near the massive floor-to-ceiling window, a glass of whiskey in hand. He turned, irritated.

"What the hell-"

I pulled out my gun, aiming it at his chest.

"Sit down," I said, my voice calm.

Matteo's eyes flickered with recognition. He took a slow sip of his drink before lowering himself into the chair. "Romano."

I tilted my head. "So you know who I am."

"I'd be an idiot if I didn't." He smirked. "The question is, are you here to talk… or kill me?"

I stepped closer. "That depends on how cooperative you are."

Matteo leaned back, unbothered. "You think you can walk in here and make demands?"

I pressed the barrel of my gun against his forehead. "I don't think. I know."

His smirk didn't falter, but his fingers twitched. A tell. He was calculating his next move.

He wouldn't get the chance.

"The Claudia family's initiation," I said smoothly. "When. Where."

Matteo chuckled. "And if I don't tell you?"

I leaned down, voice dropping to a whisper.

"Then I make sure you never see it."

Silence.

Then, finally, a shift.

He exhaled through his nose. "Tomorrow night. Abandoned estate near the coast. Invite-only."

I smiled, patting his cheek mockingly. "See? That wasn't so hard."

I stepped back. But Matteo wasn't done.

"Funny," he mused, swirling his drink. "You came all this way for information, but you missed something important."

I raised a brow. "And what's that?"

His grin widened. "You're not the only one watching me."

My blood ran cold.

Matteo glanced at the balcony. "You feel it, don't you?"

I kept my expression neutral, but my instincts flared.

A trap.

Someone else was here.

I turned sharply-

BANG.

A bullet shattered the window.

I dove, rolling behind the couch as glass rained down. Matteo tipped his chair over, scrambling for cover.

Rico's voice shouted in my earpiece. "Luca! You've got company- get the hell out!"

I cursed, pulling out my second gun. Whoever was outside wasn't shooting to scare. They were here to end me.

I peeked over the couch. A figure stood on the neighboring rooftop, sniper rifle glinting under the city lights.

A professional.

Damn it.

Matteo crawled toward the door, but I was faster. I grabbed him by the collar, yanking him back.

"Who else knows I'm here?" I hissed.

Matteo just laughed, blood trickling from a cut on his cheek. "You're in over your head, Romano."

More gunshots. The walls splintered.

I had seconds to act.

I slammed my fist into Matteo's face, knocking him out cold. Then, I bolted toward the door.

The hallway was empty. I ran, shoving past a cleaning cart. Behind me, an explosion rocked the suite. Smoke filled the corridor.

Whoever was after me wasn't playing games.

I reached the emergency exit, kicking the door open-

And ran straight into someone.

I grabbed my knife, ready to strike-

Then froze.

Alessia.

Her eyes widened as she stumbled back. "What the-"

"Move," I snapped, gripping her arm and pulling her with me.

She resisted. "Luca-"

"No time," I growled. "Unless you want to die tonight."

That shut her up.

We ran.