Bound by Duty

Chapter 5 There has been an emergency

Dawn had already begun to break on the outskirts of Milan, and a pale wash of light spread across the countryside as Vincenzo drove along a narrow gravel road. Slowly, the warehouse ahead of him emerged from the shadows, and his tires crunched softly on the gravel as he brought the car to a stop. He stepped out, scanning the property. The front doors were open. “Something isn’t right,” he muttered under his breath before rushing back to the car, He open the glove compartment and pulled out an Italian-made revolver, checked the chamber and saw it was loaded with a quiet click he c****d the weapon and slowly move towards the front doors, his boots pressing against the gravel with each step echoing faintly before being swallowed by the vastness of the warehouse, he entered into the warehouse the air carried a metallic scent, he moves slowly each step in front of the other, then he saw it.

A body, lying face-up on the floor, brutally carved across the face with a butcher knife, distorting it beyond recognition, he froze instantly, staring at the body in front of him. Seconds later, he sighed heavily before stepping forward, while glancing over his shoulder with each step. Inside revealed more bodies as he moved deeper, his grip tightened around the gun, and his eyes continued to scan the entire perimeter. A pull of blood slowly dripping on the floor caught his attention, and he followed it to a door. For a moment, he just stared at the door before eventually kicking it open. He slowly stepped forward, one foot in front of the other. An old man lay crumpled against the far wall but both hands were gone Vincenzo stopped and stood completely still, his heart pounding heavily, Seconds later his gaze landed on a black card stained with blood on the floor he slowly picked it up, suddenly Sirens sounds filled the silence, distant at first but slowly the sounds begins to get closer, he moved instantly and slipped back into his car, the engine roared to life as he sped down the gravel path. Police vehicles rushed past him in the opposite direction, lights flashing, sirens screaming, but he continued driving. Only after several minutes did he slow down, pulling off to the side of the empty road. He reached for his side pocket and brought out his phone. Before he could dial, the phone rang. He glanced at the screen for a second before answering, “Ciao, Vincenzo, how are you?”

“I’m fine,” he replied, though his eyes remained fixed on the road ahead. “What’s going on?”

“There has been an emergency.”

His grip tightened slightly on the phone. “What happened?”

“Your father… he had another heart attack. This time, it’s worse.”

Vincenzo exhaled slowly. “Is he stable?”

“Yes, for now, but he’s asking for you, for everyone; he wants the family gathered.” Vincenzo interjected, “Mother, we have another emergency.”

“I just came from one of the warehouses in the countryside, the men stationed there, the ones guarding the products… They’re all dead, and the products are gone, and the police are already there. I barely avoided them.” Isabella's voice dropped slightly. “Do you think… it could be one of the rival’s families?” Vincenzo’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t know.”

“Then find out,” she said, her tone sharpening with authority. “At a time like this, we cannot afford to look vulnerable; whoever is behind this… they need to be dealt with, but be here before sunset.” Vincenzo nodded, even though she couldn’t see him; seconds later, the call ended. He didn’t hesitate. Immediately, he dialed another number.

“Vincenzo?” Matteo’s voice came through. “I thought you were in the countryside.”

“I was, and you won’t believe what I walked into.”

“What happened?”

“One of the warehouses was hit,” Vincenzo said flatly. “All the men guarding the Russian shipment are dead. Matteo went silent for a second. “…and the products?”

“They're all gone.”

“Madonna mia!” Matteo muttered. “So where are you now?”

“On your way back, contact every informant on our payroll. A hit like this doesn't happen without someone hearing something. I want names, rumors, anything and everything. We need to find out which idiots are behind this and meet me at the club”

“On it,” Matteo replied. The line went dead. Vincenzo lowered the phone slowly, then pressed harder on the accelerator. The city was fully awake by the time he reached Milan. He drove straight to his personal parking space at the club. The engine’s roar faded, but he remained seated. He stayed there for a while before eventually stepping out. He walked towards the entrance while adjusting his coat. Two men at the door nodded immediately. “Signore.” Vincenzo didn't acknowledge them. He simply walked past. Inside, the bass of low music vibrated through the walls, not loud, not distracting, just Controlled. The main floor was quiet, but Vincenzo didn’t slow down. He moved straight to the back. Matteo was already there, leaning against the bar, his drink still untouched. The moment he saw Vincenzo, he straightened up. “You look like hell.”

“What do you have for me?” Vincenzo asked, shrugging off his coat. “Nothing, Vincenzo; none of our informants claim to have any knowledge of the hit.” he glared at Matteo before turning away to pour himself a glass of whiskey. “I’m thinking this wasn’t just any hit,” he said quietly. “What do you mean?” Matteo inquired

Vincenzo looked up. “How did they know about the warehouse… And more importantly, how did they know what was inside it?” Matteo exhaled slowly. “So, what are you saying?”

“This wasn't a lucky guess; whoever did this knows about our operations.” Matteo ran a hand through his hair while pacing slightly. “And the police? You think that was part of it, too?” he asked. “The timing was too perfect.” Said Vincenzo, reaching into his pocket, pulling something out, and placing it gently on the counter between them. Matteo leaned in, squinting. “…What is that?”

“I took it from the scene.” Matteo picked it up carefully, his expression twisted as he looked down at the blood-stained card. “This belongs to…”

“I don’t know, but it looks familiar.” Vincenzo's eyes narrowed. “I've seen something like it before, back in Sicily.”

“When?”

“During my big day with Lucia.” Matteo immediately set the card down as if it had burned him. “I told you marrying into the Lucchese family was inviting trouble.” Vincenzo ignored the comment. Instead, he leaned forward, resting both forearms on the counter. He tapped the bloodstained card. “We need to find out who this really belongs to and how it ended up in that warehouse.”

“You think it's connected?” Matteo asked, “Maybe, I don’t know, just a gut feeling.” Vincenzo continued. “Get me footage from every security camera within a ten-block radius of the warehouse.”

Matteo blinked. “That’ll take time.”

“Then make time, and if the owners refuse, you know who to call.” Matteo opened his mouth to retort, but closed it, the words dying in his throat, before either of them could speak again. The door opened. Both men turned instantly. One of Vincenzo’s men stepped in, slightly out of breath but trying not to show it. “Signore…” Vincenzo’s expression remained stern. “What is it?” The guard hesitated before speaking, “There’s been another incident.” Vincenzo’s grip tightened slightly around his glass. “Where?” The guard swallowed, “At the villa, De Luca has been rushed to the hospital.” Matteo stepped forward. “Your father.”

Vincenzo's grip hardened as the glass let out a faint creak; he slowly set it down and immediately reached for his coat. “Get the car ready.” The guard didn’t hesitate. “Yes, signore.”

Vincenzo didn’t speed. That was the first thing Matteo noticed: no reckless turns, no desperate acceleration, not because of traffic, just deliberate movement through the streets of Milan. “Talk to me,” Matteo said quietly from the passenger seat. “What are you thinking?” Vincenzo didn’t answer; instead, he kept his eyes fixed on the road.