Bound by Duty

Chapter 6 Power is not only about violence

They pulled up to the hospital, and Vincenzo stepped out. A nurse hurried past them, avoiding eye contact. A doctor stood at the far end of the corridor, speaking in a hushed tone, outside De Luca’s private room. Two guards stood outside the door; Vincenzo slowed his steps. “Stay sharp,” he murmured to Matteo as they approached the guards. “What happened?” One of them straightened immediately. “Signore, your father had another heart attack, so we had to rush him to the hospital.” Vincenzo’s eyes narrowed. The second guard nodded. “Signore, he is stable now.” Vincenzo didn’t break his gaze for a few seconds; then he nodded once and pushed the door open. Inside the room was dim. De Luca lay in bed, pale but conscious. Machines hummed softly around him. At his side was Isabella; she turned as soon as Vincenzo entered. “You made it.”

He stepped closer, his attention shifting immediately to his father. De Luca’s eyes moved slowly toward him. “Vincenzo…” he whispered. He leaned in slightly. “I’m here.” Seconds passed, and De Luca said nothing.

“Your brother should be on his way,” Isabella broke the silence. “He should be here soon.” Vincenzo nodded, but his focus remained on his father. De Luca exhaled slowly, his hand shifting slightly on the bed as he stared at Vincenzo. “The warehouse.”

“How do you know that?”

“I know everything that happens…” De Luca responded, having a faint, almost invisible smirk on his face. “Then you know what happened there?” said Vincenzo. De Luca’s breathing suddenly grew heavier, but his eyes never left Vincenzo. “Do you understand what this looks like? He asked, but Vincenzo remained silent. “Because I don’t think you do.”

“The situation is under control.” Vincenzo retorted, “Is it?” De Luca interrupted him before he could finish the sentence. “We’re already tracing everyone connected to the route. Nobody moves product like that without leaving a trail.”

“But somebody already did,” De Luca replied coldly. Vincenzo looked away briefly before speaking. “I’ll recover the product.”

“That is not enough anymore.” De Luca’s breathing deepened slightly as he spoke. “The moment news spreads that we were hit successfully, every opportunist in Milan begins thinking the same thing.” His eyes narrowed dangerously. Vincenzo immediately shook his head. “Nobody’s going to think that.”

“They already are.” De Luca slowly lifted a trembling hand toward him. “Power is not only about violence, Vincenzo. It is perception. The second people believe you are weak, they begin testing boundaries.” He swallowed painfully before continuing. “Rivals become ambitious, and ambitious men are dangerous.” Vincenzo nodded again, slower this time.

“So, listen carefully. You do not respond to this quietly; you apply pressure everywhere.” His breathing grew uneven again, but he pushed through. “Every family operating in Milan and beyond should feel us breathing down their necks.” De Luca coughed harshly into his fist before continuing. “Right now, somebody believes they can strike us without consequences.” He stared at Vincenzo again. “You change that immediately.”

Vincenzo slowly nodded while folding his arms. He didn’t move at first. Then, slowly, he drew back from the bedside and turned to Isabella. “Mother… let’s speak with the doctor.” Isabella rose without hesitation; they stepped out into the corridor, and that’s when the television caught their attention, mounted high on the wall, its volume low but clear enough.

News Anchor: “In what investigators are calling a gang-style execution, five men were found dead earlier this morning at a warehouse in the countryside. Authorities say the killings bear the hallmarks of a turf war between rival factions. The identities of the victims have not yet been released…”

Vincenzo and Isabella stopped walking for just a second before they continued. “Mother,” he said under his breath, “Father can’t stay here, not when we still don’t know who’s behind the attack.” She didn’t look at him, her gaze fixed ahead. “Have you found anything?” Vincenzo shook his head once. “I’ve reached out to all of our informants,” he hesitated for a second before continuing, “no one is claiming to have any knowledge of the hit.”

“Either they’re lying… or they’re just as blind as we are.” Isabella responded calmly, “Someone is playing a deeper game.” They reached the doctor’s office. Vincenzo didn’t knock; he opened the door and stepped inside. “Signora Isabella, Vincenzo,” the doctor said, rising from his chair, “I was just about to send for you; please sit.”

The doctor remained standing for a moment before he slowly took his seat across from them. “As I explained earlier, your husband’s heart is failing, at this stage… There is very little we can do with conventional treatment.” Isabella flinched as the words sank in. “Then what are you suggesting?” she asked. The doctor leaned forward slightly. “There is… an experimental procedure; we can try it may buy him some time.” Before she could respond, Vincenzo interrupted the doctor. “Can this be done at home?”

“At… home?”

“We don’t want him here; it’s not secure.” Said Vincenzo

The doctor stared at him for a while. “…Yes,” he said eventually, “With the right equipment and supervision, it can be arranged.”

“Then that’s what we’ll do,” Vincenzo replied.

“But I cannot discharge him immediately; I need at least forty-eight hours to monitor his condition. If he stabilizes enough, then we can move him.”

Vincenzo nodded, “That’s fine, but our men will be stationed here, starting now.” The doctor hesitated briefly before nodding, “Of course.”

Vincenzo stood up immediately. Isabella followed suit. They both moved towards the door, and before he could reach for the doorknob, it opened. Valentino stood on the other side behind him; Angelica followed. “Mother,” Valentino said, stepping in slightly, “I was told you guys were here.” His eyes flicked briefly to Vincenzo. “How is Father?”

“His condition is deteriorating,” Said Isabella. “But for now, he’s stable.”

“Ciao, brother,” Vincenzo greeted him. Valentino nodded once. Then, without another word, they all turned and began walking down the corridor together. “I heard there was a hit at one of the warehouses this morning,” Valentino said as they walked. Vincenzo didn’t slow down. “Yes.” Valentino glanced at him. “Do you know who’s behind it?” He paused and turned his head just enough to meet Valentino's gaze. “No, we don’t.”

“How’s business?” Vincenzo asked

Valentino hesitated, then said, “Everything is running smoothly.”

Behind them, Angelica, her eyes moving between the two brothers. Ahead, Matteo appeared at the end of the hallway. He waited until his eyes met with Vincenzo, then he cut his gaze towards the door. Vincenzo caught it immediately. “I’ll be back,” he said, already stepping away. Isabella didn’t wait; she turned and moved back toward De Luca’s room without a word. Valentino and Angelica followed shortly after. As they walked, Angelica leaned in slightly. “Do you think he knows?” her voice barely above a whisper. Valentino didn’t look at her. “I don’t think so, if he did… There would already be chaos.”

“I’ve been thinking,” Matteo said as they both moved toward the exit. Vincenzo pushed through the hospital doors, the cool air hitting his face. “Go on.” Matteo glanced around before continuing, “I think we should call Antonio.” Vincenzo stopped and looked at him. “You mean Antonio Santoro?”

Matteo nodded. “Yes.” Vincenzo’s expression hardened slightly. “No.”

Matteo frowned instantly. “Hear me out.”

“No,” Vincenzo repeated, cutting him off. “Not yet.” Matteo stepped closer, lowering his voice. “You know Antonio is good at this sort of thing.”

“I said no, Matteo,” Vincenzo interjected. Matteo sighed. “Come on, Vincenzo, remember Naples, the shipment that disappeared.”

“We handled it.” Vincenzo retorted, “Only after Antonio pointed us in the right direction.” Matteo replied. “Everyone thought the Gambinos had taken it. He was the only one who kept saying we were looking in the wrong direction.” Vincenzo didn’t interrupt him. “And that’s exactly why we should bring Antonio in.” As Matteo finished talking, he turned and walked to his car. Matteo exhaled, frustrated, but followed him. “Vincenzo,” he called out; still no response, “Vincenzo,” Matteo said again, more serious this time.

“I know exactly what this is,” Vincenzo said. Matteo went quiet; Vincenzo’s eyes stayed fixed on the road ahead. “And if I’m right…” he continued, his voice dropping lower, “…it’s too early for the services of Antonio.” Matteo looked at him carefully, “…too early?” Vincenzo didn’t answer; instead, he slammed his foot down on the accelerator, and the car shot forward.

Matteo kept looking at him, waiting, “Vincenzo…” he pressed. “You’re not telling me anything,” but Vincenzo said nothing; he just drove. Eventually, he spoke again, “I’m heading home; Lucia is waiting for me. I’ll drop you off at your place.” Matteo leaned back slightly. “Okay”