While Lion and Tiger cleaned up the smaller businesses of the Gallo Familia with their chosen team, Vlad and Jose raided the separate cash houses of the Gallo. They weren’t there for the assets but to gather evidence proving that the money came from dirty hands and to look into their other cases.
The Gallo Familia was cautious and used different names to run their legitimate businesses. Since the authorities didn’t know these businesses and properties belonged to the Gallo, they had the confidence to arrest the people running the places and seize all their assets.
This was one of the steps to bring down the Gallo. Because there was no proof linking these to the Gallo, Gallo Familia couldn’t get anything. What they thought was a clean and perfect cover had a significant disadvantage if they got caught.
Jose entered one of the cash houses, a dimly lit room with old, dusty shelves stacked with papers and a few flickering fluorescent lights above. The air smelled strongly of stale cigarettes and cheap cologne. Despite its shabby look, there was a sense of order and secrecy, typical of a mafia setup.
Jose, wearing glasses that gave him an air of respectability, approached the front man of the cash house. He adjusted his glasses occasionally as he spoke, a habit that made him seem both thoughtful and slightly intimidating.
“Good afternoon,” Jose began, his voice smooth yet commanding. “I’m here to learn more about your operations. I’ve heard this place is quite… lucrative.”
The front man, a burly fellow with a wary look in his eyes, leaned back in his chair. “It’s just an ordinary loan company,” he replied, his tone dismissive.
Jose chuckled softly, adjusting his glasses again. “Ordinary, you say? I’ve seen many loan companies, but none quite like this. Surely, there’s more to it than meets the eye.”
The man shrugged, feigning indifference. “We provide loans, people pay us back. Simple as that.”
Jose leaned in slightly, his gaze piercing. “And what about the cash flow? It seems unusually high for a place like this.”
The front man shifted uncomfortably, clearly annoyed. “Like I said, it’s just a loan company. People need money, we help them out.”
Jose sighed, a hint of impatience creeping into his voice. “You know, I’ve been around long enough to recognize when someone’s hiding something. Why don’t you save us both some time and tell me what’s really going on here?”
The man crossed his arms defiantly. “There’s nothing more to say. We’re legitimate.”
Jose adjusted his glasses once more, a slight smirk playing on his lips. “Legitimate, huh? Well, I suppose we’ll see about that.”
“So, tell me,” Jose began, his voice smooth yet firm, “how does a place like this manage to keep such a high cash flow? It doesn’t quite add up for a simple loan company.”
The front man shifted in his seat, trying to maintain his composure. “Like I said, we provide loans, people pay us back. It’s straightforward.”
Jose leaned forward slightly, adjusting his glasses with a deliberate motion. “And the name on the paperwork, it’s not really the owner, is it?” he asked, his tone mysterious and knowing. He reached into his coat and pulled out a set of documents, laying them on the table. “See here? The place is registered to someone who doesn’t even exist.”
The front man’s brow furrowed, a hint of confusion mixed with suspicion crossing his face. “What are you getting at?” he asked, trying to sound casual but failing to hide his unease.
Jose paused for a moment, letting the tension build before speaking again. “The Gallo Familia,” he said softly, almost as if sharing a secret.
At that moment, the front man’s eyes narrowed, and he stood up abruptly. The reaction was immediate; within seconds, dozens of men appeared, surrounding Jose. It was clear now-they were all operatives of the Gallo Familia. “Who are you? What do you know?” the man demanded, his tone now sharp and interrogative.
Jose remained calm, not answering the question directly. “I’m just here to find out more about this place,” he said, giving the man a piercing look. “Because if not, there will be bloodshed here, and this place will become your grave,” he added in a chilling voice.
The man laughed, sizing up Jose, thinking he was just a small-time player. “Do you know that the Gallo Familia is almost on par with the Costa Familia? Which means we’re valued by the Sicilian Familia? Aren’t you afraid that your little group, which I’ve never even heard of, might just disappear from the face of the earth?”
Jose adjusted his glasses and nodded. “If that’s the case, let me introduce myself. I am Jose, the current Don of the Abate Familia. Our goal is to uncover all the illegal cash flow happening here,” he paused before continuing, “Surely you know what that means, don’t you?”
The man chuckled mockingly. “Oh, the lowly Abate Familia, nearly wiped out recently,” he taunted. “Are you here to completely wipe out the Abate Family and just become history in Rome?”
“Well, let me tell you, we have someone with the last name Gray in our hands. Just earlier, our associates took down your ice factory, and it just so happened your biggest drug dealer was there. Oh, and any minute now, another one of your small businesses might fall, and there’s nothing you can do about it,” Jose said.
The man was taken aback and quickly pulled out his phone to call the factory boss, but after several attempts, no one answered. He glared at Jose. “What have you done? Aren’t you afraid that the Don of the Gallo and the Sicilian Familia will find out?”
Jose laughed coldly. “Will the Don and Sicilian find out?” He adjusted his glasses again. “What difference does it make if they do? Sooner or later, we’ll face them. Besides,” he paused, giving a mysterious look, “haven’t you wondered why I’m telling you this?”
The man’s previous arrogance began to fade, realizing the audacity of the person in front of him to challenge the Sicilian Familia despite knowing their power. “Tell me, what’s the point of you saying this now?” he asked.
Jose stepped closer to the man, adjusting his glasses. “Because… there’s nothing a dead man can do!” With that, he attacked the man.