“Hey! What do you want? And why are you here?” Carlos snapped.The man he’d been talking to frowned, confused. Carlos’s face shifted—tense now, more alert. That’s when he felt it. The cold press of the gun at his waist.Without turning his head, Carlos gave the man in front of him a signal: Don’t do anything stupid.Then, calmly, Carlos looked at the man again and said, “Please leave.”The man hesitated.“Do as I say,” Carlos ordered, eyes sharp.The man stood up quietly and walked away.Carlos finally turned his head slightly toward Dane. “Who are you? And what the hell do you want?”Dane met his eyes. “I’m just a friend who came to visit. Is it wrong for a friend to visit another friend?”Carlos scoffed. “What friend? Whose friend? I don’t know you.”Dane smirked. “Well, whatever. You’re going to be my friend. In fact… you might even become my servant.” His tone was mocking, meant to provoke.Carlos’s face hardened. “What do you want? Just get to the point. I’m a very busy man.”“Go

He dialed Butcher’s number. The phone rang once before Butcher picked up. “How did it go?” Butcher asked. “He accepted,” Dane said, then paused. “But—” “But what?” Butcher cut in sharply. “He said he agrees… but he has to consult someone first before taking the offer,” Dane replied. “What do you mean by that?” Butcher’s voice turned cold. “I told you—either he accepts the offer or you kill him. If he doesn’t agree, he dies. Do you understand?” Dane stayed silent. “Listen carefully,” Butcher continued. “The person Carlos wants to consult is a man who worships money. If Richard offers him enough cash, he’ll join Richard’s side without hesitation. And once that happens, they’ll provide Richard with the manpower he’s desperate for.” “Butcher…” Dane muttered, but Butcher kept going. “Richard is already dangerous. He’s not just a mafia boss—he’s connected to other syndicates. He’s strategic. He doesn’t want to waste lives unnecessarily, but if he’s cornered, he’ll sacrifice thousan

After a one-hour drive, Dane and Carlos finally reached the ship. As Dane stopped his bike in front of it, Carlos got off and stared at the massive vessel. Without saying a word, he stepped closer, eyeing the structure with quiet curiosity.Dane got down from the bike too, adjusting the collar of his suit. He buttoned it calmly, then walked toward Carlos and stood beside him.“I haven’t seen him in person before,” Carlos said, turning his head slightly toward Dane, then looking straight ahead again. “I’ve only seen him once on TV. Back then, he wasn’t painted as a mafia boss—he was shown donating to charity, helping orphans and the less privileged.”Dane didn’t respond. Instead, he moved ahead of Carlos and started walking onto the ship.Carlos followed closely behind.As they stepped aboard, the men stationed on the ship—Butcher’s men—looked directly at Carlos. Some of them watched in silence, while others exchanged glances, sizing him up. There was no hostility, but the air was heav

The contract—Butcher gave it to him. It stated everything: Carlos’s life, his men, his loyalty—everything was now tied to the mafia.As Carlos finished reading it, he paused and prayed. He was a Christian. He usually went to a Catholic church. He had tattoos all over his body. He was a big sinner. But still, before doing anything serious, he always prayed.He touched his forehead, then his chest, then each of his shoulders—making the sign of the cross. When he was done, he folded his arms. Then he looked at the contract once again. Finally, he signed it.After signing, he looked up at Butcher.“Butcher, do I need to cut my hand? Like, my blood—for a fingerprint signature? I hear they usually do that in the mafia,” Carlos said, lifting the paper off Butcher’s desk.Butcher looked at him.“No need for that. In my mafia, we don’t do that. And you… you’re a big sinner. You’re a killer. And here you are, praying,” Butcher said.Carlos looked at him and smiled.“I’m sure you’re also a sinne

The following day, Butcher called for Dane. As Dane entered his office, Butcher hadn’t even spoken yet when Dane stepped forward.“Boss, I think today’s the day he’s going to attack,” Dane said.“Yes, he’s still going to attack today. But that’s not your concern. You won’t be here,” Butcher replied.“I’m sending you to bring someone for me.”He leaned in slightly.“I got intel—my nephew, in Genoa. You’ll take a helicopter. It’s arriving at a specific location. Go there, board it, and get to Genoa City as fast as possible. Make sure nothing happens to my nephew. Both are girls.”Dane didn’t argue.“Yes, sir,” he said, then turned and left the office.Why now? he thought. Why is he sending me out now? I already made up my mind. I don’t want Richard to be taken down before I come back. I will use my own hands to end Richard.He sighed.I need to be ready. First time in a helicopter. I can’t wait.Where’s the landing point? he wondered, heading up to the ship’s deck.He watched the crew r