—Good to know —Vitale responded, feeling a little more relaxed—. Listen to me, I would like us to work together.
Mark crossed his arms and smiled, an expression that mixed fun with defiance.
—Do you want us to be partners? Do you know that I am one of the most powerful drug traffickers in the city? —asked with an imposing tone—. What could you contribute to me?
Vitale stared at him, his gaze cold. I knew I was in a dangerous area, but I wasn't going to back down.
—Eh worked with people this powerful —his voice was firm—. I worked for the Bellinis, I was in criminal gangs..... I have experience.
Mark raised an eyebrow, evaluating Vitale as if he were a piece on a chess board, his smile fading a little. Replaced by a more serious expression.
—Did you work for Capo Bellini? —He said, his voice full of curiosity—. That sounds interesting. Tell me what made you want to be my ally?
Vitale sighed and decided to be more direct.
—I'm needing money —I confess, your voice firm—. I know how this world works. From a very young age I became involved in crime.
Mark stared at him, evaluating not only his words, but also the intensity in his eyes.
—What are your qualities? —I ask I maintain an inquisitive tone—. If you worked for Bellini you should have some money.
—I am able to handle a problem on my own —Vitale's voice was still firm—. I manage alone. I fell into prison because Bellini betrayed me, I left very recently. And I have to recover what I lost.
Mark frowned, betrayal echoing with him. He had been in similar situations.
—Okay —He got up from his seat with determination— I'll give you a hand, let's work together. I do the business and you do the dirty work. We will earn money.
Vitale smiled, although his expression was still serious. Aware of what he was doing.
—I think it's good that we are partners. —He responded, shaking Mark's hand firmly—.
Mark nodded slowly, telling him he would see him tomorrow morning. Mark felt the weight of the agreement between them. He knew that every decision had its consequences, but there was something about Vitale's determination that told him it could be useful.
—Care —Advertio Mark—. In this business, things can get complicated quickly.
Vitale heard what Mark said and just looked at him, left the room and left the building. Feeling more relaxed knowing that he will be able to get back on his path and what he longed for most: Recover his life and show that he was not finished.
It was already noon, the sun was beginning to shine louder. Vitale decided to return to the place where he should stay for now. Feeling how the heat gave him a new boost.
I return to the neighborhood, a great silence....., I only hear the creaking of his steps. He arrived and opened the door, he found Domenico back.
—Vitale you're back! Tell me how it went with Mark? —Domenico exclaimed, his curiosity evident in every word.
Vitale sat in a worn chair, feeling the wood creak under his weight. I wait a few moments, searching for the right words before answering.
—I got it. Now we are partners. Tomorrow he wants to see me: it seems like he has a job.
Domenico's face became serious . —I don't know if that's good or bad, the criminal world is complicated. One bad step can make you lose everything... just as it happened to you.
—I don't need you to remind me —Vitale said. His voice full of frustration.
He stood up abruptly, leaving the chair behind. Without having anything for lunch, he went to his room, feeling how coldness was beginning to take over him. I just wanted the next day to arrive to earn the money I longed for.
He sat on his bed a little stressed, he didn't want to look bad to Domenico: in the end, he was his trusted friend. Maybe he reacted like that because he was a little stressed.
Vitale took a dusty book that rested on a small table. An old thriller that he had always liked. When I opened it, the pages creaked softly. He tried to immerse himself in the plot, leaving his thoughts behind.
While reading. He felt the tension in his shoulders begin to loosen, although his mind continued to wander between the printed words. The hours passed without him realizing it: the sun slid out the window, tinting the room with a warm yellowish glow and then slowly fading away.
Closing the book after what seemed like an instant and an eternity at a time, Vitale realized how much time had passed. His mind was still full of thoughts and the uncertain future that awaited him, but at least he had managed to feel better with that book.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the city, where the illegal prevailed, kingpin Geovanny Bellini, known as one of the most respected men in his golden days, was being held in his luxurious mansion. Its walls were adorned with valuable works of art and opulent furniture: in the garage, classic cars shone that spoke of the power and wealth he had accumulated over the years.
Men loyal to Bellini gathered in the manicured gardens, chatting quietly while exchanging cautious glances. The atmosphere was charged with an air of tension: they knew that any mistake could cost them dearly. In a secluded room of the house, Bellini attended to mafia problems with a cold and calculated calm. Despite his advanced age, his voice remained authoritarian.
—We need to figure this out quickly —Said one of his men, nervous as he adjusted his tie—. We cannot allow this deal to slip away from us.
Bellini stared at him, his dark eyes full of wisdom and danger. —Patience is key in our business —Respondio—. One wrong move could ruin everything.
Bellini's man thought for a moment, weighing his words, until he finally decided to give him important news.
—Excuse me, sir, do you remember Vitale? It seems he was released from prison recently. Do you want to finish what you started?
Bellini breathed a heavy sigh, as if the mere mention of the name would bother him.
—Please... You have worked for me for many years and you still do not understand how I would act when faced with such unnecessary information. We shouldn't be interested in a person like him; "He's a poor devil", —said disdainfully, waving his hand as if chasing away a fly.
Taking a few steps forward, Bellini approached her man, her penetrating gaze leaving no room for doubt. —I'm not interested in his life; That was in the past. What he does is irrelevant. If you say he just got out of prison, then it means he has nothing. Better make sure this business ends in a good way —ordered, his low but authoritative voice echoing through the room like an ominous echo.
The man nodded, feeling the weight of the decision in the tense air between them. He knew that disobeying Bellini was not an option