After breaking Vince's arm, Luca went to the entrance. He took a look at the cloudy, red sky and steeling himself for what's to come.He texted Rocco.
'Its done.'
On the other side of the school, at the football court's entrance, Elio and Rocco were fighting few heavy hitters of Vince's. They had no idea what was happening on the other side. Rocco dodged a punch of Ronnie and his phone notification popped. 'Ding'. He punched back with a full swing Ronnie, making him go back a few steps. Then, he opened his phone and grinned ear to ear. "Elio," he shouted,"Its done." Elio started laughing like a maniac, pushing back two guys at once. Rocco signaled with his finger to his crew to retreat back.
Josh shouted, "You think this is a fucking joke Rocco? You can't just fuck with us. Vince won't let this slide." Elio grinning said, "You might wanna check on the basketball court, Josh."
"What the fuck are you-" His head calmed down. He started thinking and connecting the dots. 'Elio and Rocco fighting us. More like provoking, wait a minute. No it can't be'.
"Ronnie chase after them. I got to check on the Vince". He ran backing trying to call his number. He wasn't picking up. "Fuck".
Elio and Rocco stopped running after few meters, then confronted Ronnie. They actually started attacking them now. Elio threw one of the guys on the floor, kicked him in his stomach. Rocco dodged one of the punch and kicked his knees and kicked that guy's in the face. There was no need to hold back now. It was payback time. Ronnie caught Rocco's punch as he about to hit him. Elio standing, 'What an idiot. There is only one reason Rocco didn't beat Vince.' Rocco hit Ronnie in the ankle and hit his face with the knee. 'The numbers. He is probably the best individually'. In a few minutes, all of the Vince's gang was lying on the floor.
"Alright, let's go see meet the guy who beat Vince" Rocco spat and he and his crew started walking towards the basketball court.
Josh arrived at the court with 7-8 guys. He was shocked to see the scene. Everyone was lying on the floor and Vince was fainted at the half line. "Who did this? It can't be coincidence. Elio and Rocco hatched a perfect plan."
Luca waited for a short time, waiting for Rocco, watching and analyzing Josh with calm eyes. Josh asked and tried to wake up some of the dudes lying on the floor but to no avail. "Wait, they broke his arm. It can't be. I thought he was just a nerd."
"You guys made me, wait for too long."
"Well sorry your majesty. We had some cleanup to do" Elio said sarcastically.
"But it looks like cleanup is not over." He grinned.
"No, that guy is useful. He figured out my plan only with few clues. I will talk to him"
Luca went to the entrance. "Josh." Josh turned around looking at the culprit. The one who hatched this plan and could execute it so well. "Luca. I had no part in Dante's injury."He tried to appeal to him. He saw how cruel this guy could get. He wanted no part of it. "I know. You could be useful to me. I know this doesn't end here. Vince's got 'help'. But I can take care of it. No boot licking, no unnecessary fights. It will all be in control. What do you think?" Luca offered his hand.
Josh had to make a decision. Whether to go with Vince's cousin or Luca. He has seen how crazy and smart this guy was. It took him a day to turn Vince's gang into mincemeat. He was afraid of the consequences that Vince's defeat could have but there was something. A puzzle almost unsolvable, and this guy did it. and Luca would do it again. He had no doubt in his eyes. He took Luca's hand and firmly shook it. "Fine, what do you want then?"
"To prove your loyalty. Bring me Pierro when I tell you. I will text you the location and date" Then he looked at the Rocco and his gang.
Luca stood before Rocco and the others, his gaze intense. "You guys did the impossible. Twenty of you, outnumbered, and you still beat Vince's gang."
He took a step closer, his voice growing sharper. "But this? This is just the beginning. Tonight, we took down Vince. Tomorrow, we take control."
Luca's tone turned cold, filled with ambition. "I'm not here to play small. I'm more interested in the longer game. The school, the streets, the system - its all the same."
His final words were calm."Stay sharp and loyal if you wanna rise"
With those parting words, he went to back to his home as if it was normal day for him.
===============================================
(Next morning)
Luca walked into to the school. Few of his classmates were walking in the same street. They were glancing and whispering. The respect or admiration his classmates was replaced with mix of fear. Luca didn't seem to care about it as much. He had a problem, he solved it as he fit. He was just more proactive about it. He received Rocco's text.
'Boss, we gotta talk.'
'Rooftop after school.'
'Sure' He reacted with a thumbs up sticker.
He focused back on the class. Turning off the phone for now.
After class, a few guys approached Luca. "Let's go, boss." They stood expectantly, waiting for him to lead. Luca gave a small nod and started walking ahead of them.
Before he could leave, Maya stepped into his path. "Luca, I need to talk." Her voice was firm, her eyes fierce as they locked onto his. Luca studied her for a moment, then waved the guys off. "Tell Rocco I'll be there in a few minutes."
As the group walked off, the classroom emptied, leaving only the two of them standing in the fading sunlight. The warm glow illuminated the tension between them, the air thick with unspoken words. Luca stood still, his expression unreadable as Maya crossed her arms, staring up at him.
"What is it, Maya?" Luca asked, his voice steady as he looked down at her.
"Why did you do it?" she demanded, her tone sharp but not angry—more like she was searching for understanding. "Wasn't there another way?"
Luca exhaled, his eyes darkening as he answered, "He injured Dante. Messed with his game, knocked him out of practice. They couldn't stand me, and I was next on their list. This wasn't just about Dante."
Maya's expression tightened. "So, what now? You're going to become just like him? How does that make you any better?"
Luca's gaze never wavered. "I'm not him. I'm not looking for fights inside the school. I only did what was necessary."
Maya's frustration boiled over, her voice rising with an edge of emotion she couldn't hide. "Luca Varalli, you're a real piece of work, you know that?"
Luca smirked, but there was no humor in it. "Thanks, Maya. Get home safe," he replied, his back already turned as he waved her off, the cool dismissal in his tone signaling the end of the conversation.
Maya stood there, watching him go, the last remnants of sunlight casting long shadows over the empty classroom, her words lingering in the air long after he had left.
Luca arrived at the rooftop. Rocco, Elio and Josh were sitting there. That place worked both as the storage and rooftop. So people liked to sneak up there.
Luca took his place at the front seating at that, sitting right to were Rocco and Elio and on the left was Josh. The rest members were also there seating or leaning around there.
"Luca, we have defeated Vince's gang, but he's not alone. Sooner or later, his brother is gonna come. I am still not sure, why he hasn't attacked yet. "
"Us? Yeah right" Elio sneered.
"That's not important now, Elio" Rocco replied, "I know the reason why," he looked at Luca,"One of my contact's told me, that he's busy with infighting in the school. Marco's still very dangerous, he's got muscles and higher-ups as well."
"Higher-ups are not a problem. They will not interfere with such a matter as small as school fighting between kids. Josh, I need constant info on them and their movement. Elio and Rocco, I need consolidation. I need as much strength as Vince had. Do whatever you have to do. For Marco, let's see. I will see to it."
*Ding* He gets a message. Luca grinned . "Also, Josh bring Pierro tomorrow, to the rooftop." Josh nodded.
At night, Luca moved through the shadows of the empty streets, his black hoodie pulled low to hide his face, concealing every feature that could give him away. The cool night air felt heavy with tension, the kind that comes before something violent. His steps were silent, deliberate, as he headed toward an alley where the high-schoolers liked to gather—members of a rival gang, laughing and joking, unaware of the storm about to hit.
He spotted them as he turned the corner: five guys, leaning against the walls, talking loudly, completely relaxed. They had no idea they were being watched. Luca's eyes flickered with cold intent as he moved closer, his heart steady, his mind sharp with focus.
Without a word, Luca lunged, catching one of them off-guard with a vicious blow to the ribs. The guy crumpled, the laughter dying in his throat. Chaos erupted, the others shouting and scrambling, but Luca was already on the second one, taking him down with swift precision.
"Marco sends his regards," Luca growled, his voice low and menacing. His words added confusion, as the rest of them hesitated, unsure of what was happening or who he really was.
He moved through them like a shadow, attacking without mercy, quick and efficient, until the last guy hit the ground with a thud. Silence filled the alley, broken only by the shallow breathing of those left conscious. Luca didn't linger. He disappeared into the night just as quickly as he'd come, leaving them in a dazed, bloody mess.
The word would spread soon—Marco's men had attacked. Exactly as planned.
===================================================
Dante and Luca were walking to the classroom in the school. People were nodding and moving side for them. Dante a bit surprised, "You fucker, you actually did it?"
Luca replied with a smile, "I sure did, and I got a gift for you after school."
Dante raising his eyebrow," A gift? That should be fun"
After the class, Luca and Dante went to the rooftop. Josh was already there, and there was guy who was tied to the chair.
"Oh so it's you, Pierro. "
"It's your gift for returning back to the school." Luca replied. "Welcome to the team officially now, Josh" He put his hand on Josh walked. "Let him enjoy his gift."
"Dante, let's talk about this. It was coz of Vince, he told me that. He threatened-" before he could finish his sentence, a punch hit right in his jaw.
"Oh, I got plenty of talking to do. With both of my fists, bitch"
"NOOOO, AAAAH-" Dante punched him hard enough to break a tooth.
"Any info on Marco?" Luca asked looking at Dante from the gate of the rooftop.
"I've contacted a high school student I know in Valleria High. He's fighting against someone from his grade for control of first year student, and he also told me that Hounds has not accepted him, people just saw him together him some members of Hounds." Josh replied.
"Alright, decent start. Keep it up then"
Dante came back, wiping blood of his hands.
"What's next? Got another gift for me?"
"I do, but it won't be easy one. See you in evening."
Dante had no idea, how far Luca had planned for this to continue.
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I finally reached 2k words. thanks for reading. Hope you enjoy your day.