𝟸. "... 𝙽𝚘𝚠, 𝚋𝚞𝚜𝚒𝚗𝚎𝚜𝚜"

"The meeting with the press was successful. I cancelled your flight to New York since you'll be staying back for the ball. Mr Easton filled your spot at the meeting yesterday but expects you to attend the next one" Harrison informed and my gaze on the city was unrelenting.

"And...a Cipher dropped in earlier today"

That one got me and I paused and turned around to face him. Once I saw the black card in his hand, I knew who it was from.

I took it from him, "You may return back to LA" I ordered and he bowed and left. Turning back to the glass walls, I raised the card up into the sunlight and read the inscription which was in

Arabic.

𝟔:𝟎𝟎 𝐏𝐌. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐛𝐲𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐡

I put it back into my pocket and continued staring out to the city. The sun was in the horizon, about to set, reminding me of what I had to do.

My phone began ringing and I got it out and glanced down at it. Cursing under my breath, I knew what to expect. I answered, not speaking a word, I just listened.

It's usually just an order, a problem... I had to get sort out. They always needed me, the call ended after that and I let out a sigh.

I walked towards the table and grabbed my coat before stepping out to the elevator and there was Silvano stepping out. "Hey, boss!"

"Not the time" I jostled, walking past him to the elevator but he got in before it slid close. "Where are we going?" He asked, leaning beside me and I glanced at him.

Sighing and knowing fully well there was no changing his mind. "We've encountered a few problem with The Dymatrix"

"What's up with all these stupid organizations?" He gritted while I put on my blazer, "They are growing balls, we just need to pick up a little package" I said and the doors slid open and we stepped into the lobby.

The room fell silent, the chatter fading into a tense stillness as everyone instinctively stepped aside. The grand double doors groaned open, revealing the sleek cars pulling up in front of us with an air of authority. Without a word, we slid inside, the heavy doors slamming shut behind us with a finality.

"Did you come prepared?" I asked.

"Always" he answered, getting out a bat and I sucked in a breath, turning back to him. He snickered and got out a rifle too, "Always" he repeated and I lowered the gun.

"This is a peaceful talk" I informed. "But you have a shot gun" he pointed out and I glanced at the window, shrugging. "Peaceful talk"

We arrived the underway and we both stepped out, analyzing the environment, I spotted few men at the rooftop, we were under their raider, their pistols pointed at us.

We began heading to the warehouse at a distance, the men around lowering their weapons as we walked past them towards the double doors.

We stopped at the door and the small peep hole was opened and we saw black eyes staring back at us. The door got pulled open and we stepped into the building.

The warehouse filled with goods and packages about to be shipped away.

The Dymatrix was born out of chaos, founded during the aftermath of a devastating global conflict that left countries scrambling to rebuild their militaries. The organization was started by Dmitri Kaelov, a brilliant but disillusioned weapons engineer who had once worked for one of the world's largest arms manufacturers. Betrayed by his government and scapegoated for a failed military operation, Dmitri faked his death and vanished, vowing revenge on the corrupt systems that had used him.

Using his insider knowledge of weapon manufacturing and supply chains, Dmitri built a covert empire, recruiting some of the world's most dangerous mercenaries, black-market traders, and disavowed scientists. They named the group Dymatrix-a nod to Dmitri's obsession with precision and control, symbolizing the systematic way they would infiltrate and dominate the global arms trade.

We were meeting the broker today, Kane. The door to his office was thrown open and we stepped in, his eyes shot up to us and he lowered his glasses.

Kane is a man of small stature with an imposing presence that far exceeds his height and he's known as The Grinning Snake, his silver tongue and sharp mind make him Dymatrix's deadliest weapon in negotiations. Beneath his charm lies a cold, calculating manipulator who sees everyone as pawns.

"Peaceful talk, indeed" he muttered under his breath after glancing at the bat Silvano held. I let out a breath and took the stool opposite him.

Don't let the size deceive you, this man was as cunning as a snake. "Travis Ferrari in the flesh, I wasn't expecting you, I'm not prepared for—"

"Cut the crap, where's the package?" I went straight to the point, letting out a breath of frustration, he chuckled to himself. "Refreshment first, house rule" he mentioned and the sound of clutter at the other side, cause us both to turn to Silvano who just broke a shelf.

He took a step back, not meeting my eyes, why do I take this bastard anywhere?

"I know you fancy this" Kane gestured at the table to the tray of fresh cigars, he knew I couldn't resist. I grabbed one and lit it up before taking a drag, "Now, business" I stated.

He cleared his throat before reaching under the table and placing the suitcase on the table, I signaled Silvano and he clicked it open, revealing the 4 items, only one piqued my interest.

"C4U Dynamite" Silvano said, picking it up. "Becareful with that" Kane warned.

"Thought you it was said to be impossible" I said, letting out another breath of smoke. "With Forge all things are possible" he answered, letting out a cackle.

Silvano shut the suitcase and took it up. "I guess Dymatrix are done paying their debt" I mentioned, getting up from the seat but he still had that sinister smile on his face.

"And what about the Society?" he asked, his voice calm but laced with a challenge. We paused mid-step, instinctively turning back to him.

Then, with a sharp clink, something dropped and rolled off the edge of the table, its metallic glint catching the faint light. Our gazes snapped to the object on the floor—a grenade.

Kane leaned back nonchalantly, a sly smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "My bad."

"Shit!" I hissed, shoving Silvano toward the door as panic set in. The world seemed to slow, and for a moment, all I could hear was the pounding of my heartbeat. Then came the explosion—a deafening roar that swallowed everything.

When I finally clawed my way out of the haze, the air was thick with smoke and debris. Darkness closed in around me, punctuated by the sharp, relentless ringing in my ears. My head throbbed, a dull, unyielding pain, and as I struggled to piece together what had just happened, one thought emerged crystal clear: Kane had planned this.

I groaned and turned around to see Silvano yelling out commands but it sounded distant and I couldn't understand a word he was saying. He immediately grabbed me by the blazer, yelling out shits I couldn't still understand.

Letting go of me, I fell back into the ruins. My head still banging with the ache, that double crossing snake, Kane.

I let out a groan and spotted my cigar beside, that is relieving. I grabbed it, dusted it out before fishing for the lighter in my pocket. "Are you fucking kidding me?!" Silvano yelled and I heard that one.

"I'm not getting through this shit sober" I stated, lighting the cigar and taking a drag out of it. "We've been ambushed"

"How typical" I murmured, taking another drag. "Travis!"

I let out one last groan before forcing myself to my feet. Barely a second passed before one of the men lunged at me. No warning, no hesitation. "Not even a heads-up?" I muttered, exhaling smoke and stepping aside with ease.

He charged again, faster this time, his face twisted with determination. I didn’t wait. Grabbing the stool beside me, I swung it with all my strength, the crack of wood against his skull echoing through the room. Before he could hit the ground, I yanked the gun from his waistband, my movements quick and practiced, and fired without missing a beat.

The room went quiet, save for the faint scent of burnt metal and smoke lingering in the air.

The suitcase.

I searched around for it in the chaos, it had being kicked to the end of the room. I cleared out the goons in my way and threw the gun away when it was out of bullets and used my hands instead.

Knocking out the last man, I took out the cigar from between my lips and breathed out the smoke. I grabbed the suitcase and began heading out of the building, grabbing the pistol from the floor, I shot down more men running towards me.

Thrashing the burnt out gun, I got into the driver's seat of the car before hitting the start button, multiple cars began pulling up from the back. Silvano hopped in immediately, "were you leaving me?!" He exclaimed but I was too busy getting us the hell out of here.

I marched the pedals and the car screeched but then an SUV barricaded us at the entrance, I cursed and backed up but then we hit something at the back.

We were surrounded, the one at the front began shooting at us, Silvano got out the window and fired back. I reversed back as they jumped down their cars, still firing.

One hand on the wheel, one cocking my gun.

"Shit! " Silvano cursed as I swerved to the left, derailing out of the road and into the bushes. I got control immediately and carelessly got back into the road, almost hitting some cars but I took control once again. He fell back, letting out a breath of relief.

I reached for the suitcase and got it open, to make sure everything was in place. I paused, my eyes shooting open when I realized something was missing. "Where's the C4U Dynamite?!"

Silvano turned to me with a grin and just about the same time, the bomb went off, clearing off everything behind.

➬➬➬➬➬➬➬➬➬➬➬➬➬➬➬➬➬➬➬➬➬➬

I pressed the button and the doors slid shut, dipping my hands into my pocket, I stared into the glass walls of the elevator.

My fist burned from the bruise but it was the least of my problem, the least of the shits plaguing my mind right now.

The doors opened from behind and I stepped in, The Labyrinth. He turned around to face me, not surprised as to what I looked like this evening. "6:15" he read the time out for me.

"Mi dispiace (𝙸'𝚖 𝚜𝚘𝚛𝚛𝚢). I was out dying at 6" I replied, getting out a cigarette and popping it into my mouth. "What did you have to sort out this time?" my Uncle asked.

"The Dymatrix. They ambushed us," I growled, my voice low and sharp. "Le dannate palle (𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚍𝚊𝚖𝚗 𝚋𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚜)" I cursed under my breath, flicking the lighter open and igniting it. The flame danced for a second before I snapped it shut. "I told you to expect this—"

"How dare they?!" My voice exploded, reverberating through the room. I slammed my hand down, the sound ricocheting off the walls. "I made them! I built the fucking Dymatrix from the ground up. Even the fucking Prime Minister! I gave them the blueprint, the system they thrive on!" My fists clenched, trembling as I took a step back and exhaled sharply. "They’ve forgotten."

"Which makes phase two of the plan even bigger," he said evenly, his tone laced with a cold pragmatism.

I turned on him, my glare cutting through the room, sharp enough to wound. For the first time, I truly looked up, my eyes scanning the dimly lit space. The tension hung heavy, suffocating, as if the room itself was waiting to erupt.

The Labyrinth is an intricate maze of dimly lit corridors, towering shelves, and concealed alcoves, each section meticulously arranged with classified documents, photos, videotapes, coded ledgers, and objects tied to decades of criminal activity.

The air is heavy, a mix of aged paper, metal, and faint traces of something chemical, as if the room itself is alive and fiercely protective of its contents. The lighting is sparse, with a faint golden glow emitted from vintage wall sconces and flickering bulbs that hang precariously from the high ceiling, casting long, ominous shadows that shifted as you move.

The walls are adorned with maps marked with pins and strings, photos with faces scratched out, and cryptic messages in multiple languages.

The Labyrinth wasn’t just a storage room; it was a masterpiece of paranoia and precision, a shrine to the calculated ruthlessness of the mob world. It ensured that only those who truly understood its codes—its layers of deception and meaning—could navigate it and leave unscathed.

Which, of course, included me. And my uncle, Alexandro.

I took another slow drag of my cigarette, the ember flaring briefly in the dim, cavernous room as I stepped deeper into the maze of shadows and secrets. His voice echoed softly, measured and deliberate, from behind me.

“There’ve been murmurs about your absence in the Society.”

I exhaled smoke, the faint glow of my cigarette casting fleeting shadows on the walls. “I’ve been busy cleaning up their messes, as usual.”

“Perhaps,” he mused, his tone sharp but tinged with amusement, “that’s why so many organizations are starting to turn their backs. They’ve forgotten—forgotten what you bring to the table, as you said.”

I stopped and turned to him, my gaze meeting his. “And what would you have me do, Uncle? Bend over backward for them?”

His silver eyes—sharp as a blade and cold as steel—locked with mine, unwavering.

“No,” he said, his voice a quiet storm. “You remind them. You shake them. Just enough to put everyone back in their place, a gentle reminder…” He stepped closer, his polished shoes clicking softly against the tiled floor until he was standing toe to toe with me. “…And then we move to phase two.”

I didn’t blink, the weight of his words settling over me. My mind already raced ahead to the inevitable conclusion. “The Summit in Greece,” I murmured.

He tilted his head slightly, a knowing smirk playing at the corners of his lips. “You should attend. Surprise them.”

I turned back around, letting out a low sigh, smoke curling from my lips. “They’re so helpless without me.”

His laugh echoed softly behind me, rich and smooth, like the first pour of fine whiskey. “Exactly.”

➬➬➬➬➬➬➬➬➬➬➬➬➬➬➬➬➬➬➬➬➬➬

I straightened my tie, glancing at my reflection in the polished glass, and I let out a low breath. The Ricardo's Ball. It was the kind of place where power wasn't spoken-it was worn, carried, exuded.

My fingers brushed over the cufflinks, my movements steady. The Ricardo estate always had a way of pulling you in. Gold-draped halls, chandeliers so bright they could blind you, and music so smooth it could make you forget where you were. Almost. Because in the corners, in the shadows, that's where the real game was played.

Deals. Lies. Promises that would be broken before the night was out.

This wasn't just a ball. It was a chessboard. Every move mattered. Every piece could take or be taken. And as I ran my fingers through my hair and turned toward the door, I knew one thing for certain.

The game had just began and the stakes were higher.

I haven't been out in society for a while, I was invited but not expected and I was only here for a reason, a reason that was inevitable.

I stepped through the grand doors, my shoulders squared, my stride unhurried, yet deliberate. The room didn't go silent-no, not here-but there was a shift, subtle but unmistakable. Conversations faltered mid-sentence. Eyes darted my way, some openly curious, others cautious, assessing. A few tried to act indifferent, but their stiff postures gave them away.

I paused just inside, letting the weight of my presence settle over the room like a storm cloud on the horizon. The chandeliers cast a golden glow over my sharp suit, tailored to perfection, and the faint smirk on my lips said I knew exactly what I was doing.

A woman in a crimson gown leaned closer to her companion, whispering something behind, her eyes never leaving mine. Across the room, a cluster of men in dark suits exchanged glances, their conversation suddenly hushed.

Some of them recognized me. Some didn't. But it didn't matter. What mattered was that I didn't need to introduce myself. My presence spoke louder than words ever could.

The orchestra played on, the music threading through the tension, but the energy in the room was different now. Electrified. I scanned the crowd, my gaze sharp, deliberate, daring anyone to hold it for too long. A few tried, their eyes meeting my before flickering away.

And then, as if on cue, the murmurs began. Quiet at first, just ripples in the sea of voices, but growing with every passing second. Why was I here and What did I want? They wouldn't ask me outright-not yet. But they would watch. Oh, they would watch.

I moved further into the room, my steps measured, the faint smirk never wavering. The Ricardo's Ball had its players, its pawns, and its kings. But tonight, I was the wild card. And by the way the crowd shifted around me, they all knew it.

Men who ruled countries and women who could destroy them with a whisper. Every glance, every word-it all meant something. No one came to a Ricardo event just to drink champagne.

They were here for the game. They were surprised I was here but they needed me and they also knee that.

From my peripheral vision, I sighted her, walking towards me, her stride purposeful, her gaze on mine unrelenting. She was the reason I was here, I couldn't turn her down this time.

"Tell me you didn't have a hand in the bombing in Sicily" she said, linking her hands with me as we walked further into the room.

"Non posso mentire di venerdì, 𝚖𝚊𝚖𝚖𝚊 (𝙸 𝚌𝚊𝚗'𝚝 𝚕𝚒𝚎 𝚘𝚗 𝚊 𝚆𝚎𝚍𝚗𝚎𝚜𝚍𝚊𝚢, 𝙼𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛)" I answered and she shook her head. "You got an invitation a week earlier, but you didn't RSVP"

"I'm not here to stay, mamma. Just to keep up appearance" I answered, holding my head high as we walked past. "What a surprise" she muttered under her breath and I smirked.

In moments, I got acquainted with few familiar people around, which could be everyone but I kept my circle small. "Mr Ferrari" someone called from the group of people around and I turned.

My gaze settling on a man in a dark suit with a woman—she had a bump indicating she was pregnant, she was right beside him. I turned and faced then fully, his features were familiar but I couldn't place where I knew him.

A chuckle escaped his lips and he straight out his hand to me. "Christian Hall" he introduced and I finally remembered why he was so familiar.

"Christian" I called, my hands still in my pocket not accepting the handshake he was proposing. He noticed and withdrew his hands, "it's been a long" he mentioned.

"It has indeed" I agreed, my gaze moving to the woman beside him. "Oh and this is my wife, Rachael" he introduced and I shot her a court nod.

"It's no surprise meeting you out here in your own country," he said, his tone carefully neutral. "Business?"

"Something like that," I replied, my voice steady.

"Well, we’ll be leaving tonight, heading back to Utah. The city isn’t safe anymore—not with the bombings, the chaos, and now the death of the Prime Minister’s wife." He listed each point as if ticking off a death sentence, his expression unreadable.

I nodded curtly, masking the storm brewing inside me. "Safe trip. Enjoy the party." With that, I turned on my heel and walked away, not sparing him a second glance.

There was no room for sentimentality. We were once business partners, perhaps even allies, but now we were nothing more than strangers. It was better this way. For his own sake, for the sake of his unborn child, he needed to keep his distance. One conversation, one moment of weakness, could seal his fate, and I wasn’t about to be the reason he didn’t make it home.

The cool night air wrapped around me as I stepped out onto the balcony, the muffled sound of the party fading into the background. I leaned against the railing, pulling out a cigarette with steady hands. Flicking the lighter, the soft glow illuminated my face for a brief second before the smoke curled upward, disappearing into the night sky.

I took a long drag, letting the nicotine calm the nerves I couldn’t show. The game had changed, the players scattered, and trust was a currency no one could afford. The weight of it all hung heavy in the air, but this was the life I chose—or perhaps the life that chose me.

I felt a tap on my shoulder and when I turned, a mask figure straight out an obsidian card to me. An Umbra.

I grabbed it without hesitation and got it open, they've noticed the wave I was causing in Italy.

𝐘𝐨𝐮'𝐯𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐚𝐫 𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲. It read.

I scoffed, flinging it down from the building. They called war when they executed that ambush and I've only just began. Letting out a puff of smoke, I felt a presence behind and already knew who it was.

"How long are you gonna keep away from Washington?"

"I don't have business there" I answered, flickering the ashes on the railings. "He needs your help, you know that" she went on to say and that's when I leaned away, knowing fully well I have overstayed my welcome.

"Travis" she called as I headed back towards the party, "See you in June, mamma" I answered, dropping the cigarette and heading in but she grabbed hold of me and I knew I couldn't escape.

"There's someone I'll like you to meet" my mother said, pulling me from my walk to the exit. "Questo non è il momento giusto... (𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚒𝚜 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚛𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎)" Before I could finish, we were standing in front of a woman.

Her eyes shot open and she took a step back, casting her head down and tucking her long began hair behind her ear. "Travis... " Rosa began, a fulfilled smile on her lips.

"... This is Aurora from the Conti family" she introduced and my eyes settled on the woman who still had her head cast down.

This was the only reason she wanted me here, she wanted to do this. "And Aurora, this is my son... "

"Of course, I know Mr Ferrari" she spoke up, looking up at me. "His accomplishments is wide spread and known by all"

My mother nodded in approval while I stared straight at her, her long blonde hair matching her bright flowing dress. She exuded some kind of bright aura that attracted people around her.

"Nice to meet you, miss Conti" I spoke up and she smiled brightly, looking down shyly, her cheeks a bright red. "Aurora is the acting CFO of the Conti's group and she-"

My phone beeped in my pocket and I got it out, holding up a finger to them and checking out the message. It was from Silvano, he was right on time.

"Devo 𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚊𝚛𝚎 (𝙸 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚐𝚘)" I looked up at them once again, "I hope we see some other time in the future, Miss Conti. Have a good night" with that I turned on my heels and headed towards the exit, tucking my phone back into my blazer.

I stepped through the double doors, my footsteps echoing softly against the polished floor, and made my way toward the stairs.

"How long are you going to keep doing this?" her voice called out from behind me.

I didn’t stop. My grip tightened around the banister as I descended, willing myself not to look back.

"Travis, it’s been years!" she pressed, her words chasing after me like a ghost I couldn’t outrun. "Are you still searching for her?"

That one stopped me cold.

I froze mid-step, her pointed question cutting through the silence. Of course, she knew that would strike a nerve—it always did. Slowly, I turned back around to face her, my chest heavy with unspoken words.

She stood tall at the top of the stairs, her arms crossed like a judge delivering a sentence. Her piercing gaze bore into mine, as steady and unrelenting as ever.

I let out a long sigh, shoulders sagging under the weight of the moment.

"Goodnight, Mother," I said, my voice flat, each word carefully measured. Then, without waiting for her response, I turned away and continued down the stairs.

𝐇𝐞𝐫.

"Boss! " Silvano called out, leaning away from the car once he saw me. I got down the stairs, signaling the other men to begin driving out. "How is the party? Any future Mrs Ferrari?" He teased but I was in no mood for that.

"Call the Committee. The Summit is this Thursday" I stated before climbing into the car. It was time to set things straight.