In the expansive dining room of his villa in Naples, Antonio Greco sat among his most trusted men. Across from him sat his eldest son, Matteo, his expression tense as he delivered the news. "Luciano's getting bold. He's making moves in Palermo, trying to cut into Salvatore's hold. And he's sending men toward our interests too."
Antonio's eyes narrowed at the mention of Salvatore De Luca—the man who sat like a king in the underworld, his territory stretching far and wide. He was the one figure that neither Greco nor Luciano could easily topple. It was an unspoken truth that, despite their individual power, both Antonio and Luciano harbored ambitions of taking Salvatore down. His empire was too large, his influence too potent, and his network too fortified for their liking.
"Salvatore De Luca is spreading himself too thin," Antonio mused, his gaze dark and calculating. "With Luciano already clawing at his borders, it could weaken his position."
Matteo, leaning forward, nodded. "If Salvatore feels pressure from Luciano and us, his empire could start to crack. But if Luciano keeps pushing into our affairs, he'll be another problem entirely."
Across from Matteo, Enzo, Antonio's consigliere, steepled his fingers thoughtfully. "It's risky. We all know Salvatore doesn't tolerate any challenge lightly. But Luciano's tactics are rash. It might be a chance for us to divide and conquer."
Antonio considered this, his fingers drumming lightly on the table. "So long as Luciano and Salvatore remain at each other's throats, we stand to benefit. But we must ensure we're not drawn into an alliance that backfires. Salvatore's resources are extensive, but his own pride could be his downfall."
Matteo's lips twisted into a smirk. "Then we make Salvatore believe we're focusing on Luciano. Let him think we're sitting back while he and Luciano take shots at each other."
"Precisely," Antonio replied. "We let them weaken one another, and then we strike. Salvatore is the king, yes, but kings fall. It's only a matter of time."
Matteo chuckled, his gaze dark with anticipation. "What's our next move?"
"Start by tightening our networks in Rome and Venice," Antonio instructed. "If Salvatore's focus is scattered between his rivals, we'll have our opening soon enough. As for Luciano, we'll keep an eye on his ambitions. He's too eager to play in De Luca's field without understanding its depths."
The room filled with murmurs of approval as the men absorbed Antonio's strategy. They all knew the power Salvatore held—its breadth, its reach—but they also knew that his control over such a large territory made him vulnerable.
Enzo raised his glass. "To seizing opportunities. And to waiting for the king to stumble."
Antonio lifted his own glass, his gaze steady, the hint of a smile on his face. Salvatore De Luca may have built himself an empire, but every empire had cracks—and Antonio intended to find them. With Luciano's recklessness stirring the pot, the perfect opportunity might come sooner than he expected.