Chapter 4 MEETING WITH VINNIE

We were happy together. My mom worked in a Chinese eatery before we moved to London, and the government sponsored my schooling. I received a scholarship to study in London.

"Wow," Luca exclaimed. A knock soon came on the door; it was the bartender with a tray carrying the glass of water Luca had previously requested. "Thank you," he said gratefully before closing the door.

After clearing her throat, Giulia continued, "I went for training-a computer training-in which I learned how to hack into people's devices. But instead of misusing it, I decided to use my newfound skills to help the country, which is why I applied to be with the CIA."

Another knock interrupted their conversation. It was Lorenzo, panting heavily. "How are you, bro? And who is she? I literally dropped everything just to get here," Lorenzo asked.

"I'll tell you everything, I promise, but right now, let's focus on why we are here," Luca managed to convey to Lorenzo. They joined forces to figure out a plan. "Giulia, you're going to go back there!" Lorenzo suggested.

"He will kill me if I go close to his territory!" she complained.

"Come on, man! That's like sending a hen into the lion's den, knowing it won't come back in one piece," Luca chimed in, acknowledging Giulia's fears.

""You don't have to be scared. I'll explain what you need to do, and you just need to follow my lead," Lorenzo retorted. Giulia and Luca nodded in agreement.

Giulia arrived at Vinnie's place, where he was holding her mother captive. Vinnie stood close to her, with a guillotine ready to execute her mother. Instantly gripped by fear at the sight, Giulia couldn't help but scream, "Monster!" This triggered Vinnie, who was already frustrated that she hadn't completed her task.

"Where is my drive? You'd better pray that all the information in it is complete, or she'll lose her head," he said angrily, glaring at her mother while signaling his executioner to position her head between the guillotine's blade.

Suddenly, gasoline filled the room, causing everyone-Vinnie, her mother, and his men-to become unconscious. Luca and Lorenzo made their way into the room, their noses and Giulia's already covered with gas masks. They quickly assisted Giulia's mother out of the room and captured Vinnie and his men, tying their hands and legs to chairs.

Luca sat down calmly, waiting for Vinnie and his men to regain consciousness. Soon, unable to wait any longer, he ordered Lorenzo to fetch him some water, which he splashed onto Vinnie's face, waking him up instantly.

"Vinnie, I've been wondering who you are and what I've done to you that would make you so cruel as to meddle with my business, especially involving these two innocent women just to get to me," Luca said.

Vinnie spat, refusing to respond at first until Luca threatened to burn down his ranch.

"I've always wanted to be the only one with fame and wealth-until you came along with your stupid development. It pissed me off that you keep growing despite my every attempt to bring you down," Vinnie replied in rage, his eyes gleaming red like those of a demon.

"It's funny how I have enemies unknown to me," Luca smirked. "This is the last time I will have this meeting with you. I will not kill you, but since your aim is to destroy me in order to restore your almighty status, then today I would like to propose an alliance with you. You will be my ally, my ears and my mouth; all information concerning my elimination from the business must be directed to me. Am I clear?" Luca said authoritatively.

Realizing he was powerless, Vinnie agreed to Luca's terms and conditions. He told his men to back off and erase any records they had on Luca. He further encouraged them to embark on a new mission, one that did not involve Luca but was instead orchestrated by Luca and Lorenzo.

From there, Vinnie signed a document instructing him to stop meddling with Luca's empire, or he would be killed. He pledged his allegiance. Giulia and her mother left, promising to never involve themselves in anything concerning Luca.

Luca returned home and realized he needed a maid to help with some house chores. He put out a notice stating that he was in need of a housekeeper. As a very wealthy man, he always loved showcasing his wealth and fame.

"Welcome back," one of his workers greeted him, bringing out a slipper which he placed on the floor. As Luca stepped through the towering doors, he was greeted by a grand foyer. The ceilings rose three stories high, with a dazzling chandelier made of glass casting prismatic light over polished marble floors. A sweeping staircase, curved and lined with ornate railings, spiraled upward toward a gallery-style landing.

To the left was a formal living room-expensive and elegant. Rich velvet drapes framed tall windows, and antique or designer furniture was arranged around a massive stone fireplace. To the right, a formal dining room sat behind grand archways. His mansion was magnificently beautiful. He went straight to his room, took a bath, and put on his white robe. On his way back to lay on his bed, a knock came at his door. It was his chef with a tray of whole grain toast spread with creamy ricotta cheese and fresh tomato slices with a touch of olive oil. Accompanying it was Greek yogurt topped with seasonal fruits like berries, peaches, or figs, drizzled with honey and sprinkled with granola. Luca took the tray and ate to his satisfaction.

Another knock on the door announced the arrival of Aurora, one of his female workers at the ranch. She stood 4.2 feet tall, beautiful, with long black hair and brown cat-like eyes. She wore brown trousers, a white long-sleeve shirt tucked in with a belt around her waist, a short brown jacket, a milky-looking hat, and leather long-heeled boots.

"I'm really sorry, sir. Since your absence, things at the ranch have gone from bad to worse," she reported.

"What do you mean, Aurora?" Luca questioned.

"Earlier today, we discovered that twenty horses had food poisoning, and two have died. The stables were destroyed, allegedly with a bomb," she continued.

"What do you mean?" Luca asked, a mix of worry and anger crossing his face as he stood up from the bed still clad in his robe.

"Sir, your robe..." Aurora pointed out, reminding him of his state of dress.

"Oh, thank you," he replied, hastily going to get dressed. He put on a black long-sleeve shirt and brown trousers, paired with his brown boots, and tucked a gun into his back pocket. A billionaire like him wouldn't take any risks.

"Let's go," he said as they both headed to the ranch. Upon arrival, Luca could hardly believe his eyes. His horses were lying sick, some already dead. He approached their stables and found a gun. Observing closely, he noticed a signature on it-one he recognized but couldn't quite place. He decided to call for a meeting at the ranch, expecting everyone present to attend without question. Soon, people gathered, including his personal assistant, chefs, cowboys, associates, soldiers, and many others. They assembled as they answered Luca's questions one by one. He kept the gun he found with the intention of conducting a private investigation, as he had little trust in them.

"I stay away for a few days, and my ranch turns into a disaster, and you stand here telling me you have no idea?" Luca said, directing his gaze at his personal assistant, Bruno. Before anyone realized what was happening, Luca shot Bruno twice in the leg in a fit of anger.

""I'm sorry, boss! I wasn't aware of the situation," Bruno exclaimed, his heart pounding with fear. "I had gone to attend to the other ranch in New York."

"I expected better from you, Bruno. You are supposed to pay attention to everything here," Luca said, In rage.

Luca sat down calmly, waiting for Vinnie and his men to regain consciousness. Soon, unable to wait any longer, he ordered Lorenzo to fetch him some water, which he splashed onto Vinnie's face, waking him up ins

"Vinnie, I've been wondering who you are and what I've done to you that would make you so cruel as to meddle with my business, especially involving these two innocent women just to get to me," Luca said.

Vinnie spat, refusing to respond at first until Luca threatened to burn down his ranch.

"I've always wanted to be the only one with fame and wealth-until you came along with

your stupid development. It pissed me off that you keep growing despite my every attempt to bring you down," Vinnie replied in rage, his eyes gleaming red like those of a demon.

"It's funny how I have enemies unknown to me," Luca smirked. "This is the last time I will have this meeting with you. Luca said bringing out a picture, it was Vinnie's family;their survival lies in your hand,he continued , plus in order to restore your almighty status, then today I would like to propose an alliance with you. You will be my ally, my ears and my mouth; all information concerning my elimination from the business must be directed to me. Am I clear?" Luca said authoritatively.

Realizing he was powerless, Vinnie agreed to Luca's terms and conditions. He told his men to back off and erase any records they had on Luca. He further encouraged them to embark on a new mission, one that did not involve Luca but was instead orchestrated by Luca and Lorenzo.