Lucas exhaled slowly, a sense of calm washing over him as he leaned back in his chair, his head resting casually on his hand. “Kulas, Kulas, Kulas,” he began, his voice carrying a hint of amusement. “Did you really think you had won?”
Kulas stood rigid, the cold barrel of the gun pressed against his head a stark reminder of his precarious position. He dared not move, knowing full well the consequences of a single misstep. “What’s happening?” he asked, his voice barely concealing his panic as he slowly turned to see who held the weapon.
To his shock, it was Don Giovanni, his pistol trained steadily on Kulas. The sight sent a jolt of fear through him, and he stammered, “Giovanni, what does this mean?”
As Kulas’s eyes darted around the room, he caught sight of Don Ramon, who appeared equally stunned by the sudden shift in power. But what truly left Kulas reeling was the sight of Lucas’s men, one by one, rising to their feet. Tiger stretched, a satisfied grin on his face as he praised the team. Jose and Vlad stood as well, their expressions triumphant.
“Good work!” Lion shouted, his voice filled with pride.
“Thank you, sir!” came the enthusiastic response from Don Giovanni’s men, their loyalty now clear.
Kulas’s mind spun with confusion, his gaze snapping back to Giovanni. “What does this mean, Giovanni? Have you betrayed me?” he demanded, his voice trembling with a mix of anger and fear.
Don Giovanni shrugged nonchalantly, a faint smile playing on his lips. “Just giving you a taste of your own medicine, Kulas. The kind you invented.”
Don Kulas’s eyes widened in disbelief, struggling to comprehend the betrayal unfolding before him. Don Giovanni leaned in, his voice calm yet laced with a simmering anger. “Everything you witnessed was just a show, orchestrated by Lucas and me,” he revealed, his words cutting through the tension like a knife.
Giovanni continued, his tone steady as he recounted the past. “When you betrayed the Genovese, you told me we were merely attending a dinner because you knew I wouldn’t agree to your plan. But I had no choice once you brought down the Genovese. Let me tell you, Kulas, I have remained loyal to the Genovese, even to the last of their bloodline!”
Kulas’s face twisted with rage, his voice rising as he accused Giovanni of treachery. “Damn! You traitor!”
Giovanni merely smirked, unfazed by the accusation. “Did you think of the word ‘traitor’ on the night you betrayed the Genovese?” he retorted, his voice dripping with disdain.
Giovanni’s eyes narrowed as he recalled the past. “That’s why you stopped me from drinking the wine you brought that night, wasn’t it? It was laced with a potent poison. Besides cowardice and betrayal, what else do you know? You even killed the young Genovese woman who was supposed to be my son’s fiancee! If you didn’t know, Kulas, my son died from the heartbreak of losing her, and we covered it up as an illness. You destroyed me, Kulas, but I stayed by your side, waiting for this moment.”
With a cold resolve, Giovanni aimed the gun back at Kulas’s head. “Any last words?” he asked, his voice icy and devoid of emotion.
But before Kulas could utter a response, Giovanni’s patience wore thin. He pulled the trigger without hesitation.
Bang!
The gunshot echoed through the room, and Kulas’s head snapped back, his life extinguished in an instant. His body crumpled to the ground, lifeless.
Don Giovanni turned to Lucas, offering a respectful salute. “Lucas, I owe a great debt to your father. My loyalty remains steadfast, and I will continue to support you as the last of the Genovese bloodline.”
Following Giovanni’s lead, his men faced Lucas, their voices united in a pledge of allegiance. “We stand with you, Lucas! Our loyalty is yours, now and always!”
Lucas nodded, acknowledging their commitment. Rising from his seat, he addressed the room with a determined voice. “Let’s clean up this scene. Today, we have triumphed, and from now on, the Sicilian Familia is no more. The nightmare that plagued the people of Rome is over, and we will usher in an era of peace.”
Lucas continued, his voice strong and clear, “And as for the three Families, Abate, Mercado, and Gallo, they will-”
Before he could continue, Don Ramon stepped forward, eager to declare his loyalty. “I pledge my service to you, Lucas, for as long as I live.”
Lucas smiled, shaking his head gently. “Serve the people, not me. After what we’ve accomplished, it’s our duty to ensure a free and peaceful Rome.”
Don Ramon nodded enthusiastically, like a loyal hound. “I will serve for the betterment of our city.”
With a renewed sense of purpose, Lucas proclaimed, “The four Families will maintain peace across the cardinal directions. The Abate will oversee the East, Mercado the South, Gallo the West, and Costa the North.”
A cheer erupted from the crowd, voices ringing with hope and determination. “Long live Lucas!”
Lion and Tiger exchanged knowing smiles as they listened quietly, their respect for Lucas growing with each word.
Lion leaned closer to Tiger, speaking in a low voice. “You have to hand it to Boss Lucas. His strategies and foresight are something else. He knew exactly how to weaken each enemy and strike them at their most vulnerable points.”
Tiger nodded in agreement. “Yeah, it wasn’t easy, the battles we’ve been through. But meeting Lucas was a turning point. He’s been a great boss and support for us.”
Lion continued, “He really kept his promise to bring balance to Rome and maintain peace. It’s impressive.”
Tiger chuckled, “Who would dare challenge someone like him now? It’s like he’s from the future, knowing all the possibilities before they happen.”
With a shared sense of purpose, the two walked forward, kneeling on one knee before Lucas. “We remain loyal to Boss Lucas and are ready to serve to keep peace in the city.”
Following their lead, One Eye, Jose, and Vlad stepped forward, each kneeling in turn. One Eye spoke first, “One Eye, with the hundred army, pledges eternal loyalty.”
Jose followed, “Jose of the Abate Familia, pledges eternal loyalty.”
Finally, Vlad declared, “Vladimir of the Mercado Familia, pledges eternal loyalty.”
Their men followed suit, kneeling on one knee, their voices rising in unison as they pledged their allegiance.
One of the men spoke up, “We stand with you, Boss, ready to uphold the peace you’ve promised.”
Another added, “Your vision for Rome is our mission. We will protect it with our lives.”
A third voice chimed in, “Under your leadership, we have found purpose. We pledge our loyalty to you and the city.”
Lucas smiled and nodded, addressing the gathered crowd with sincerity. “I have no intention of claiming the throne left by my father as the most powerful mafia leader. All I desire is to live peacefully with my family. A peaceful place where my wife and child can walk freely without fear or worry.”