Bound by Honor

2. Rocco

2

ROCCO

A s I emerge from the warehouse, the cool night air does little to quell the inferno raging within me. The streets are cloaked in darkness, and my firm strides echo through the stillness like a steady drumbeat.

No one stands in my way. My reputation precedes me, earned through years of hard work and ruthless determination, clawing my way up the hierarchy of the Cosa Nostra. My very presence silences any murmurs of dissent or rebellion. But tonight, even that is not enough to soothe the fire burning inside me.

My phone vibrates loudly in my coat pocket, shattering the silence like a bullet through glass. "Leone," I answer with a low growl, annoyed at whoever dares to disturb me at this ungodly hour.

"Boss, it's Luca. There's been a situation." The hesitation in his voice gnaws at my gut, a forewarning of chaos brewing in the shadows.

"Spit it out," I snarl, my patience wearing thin as I brace myself for whatever news awaits me on the other end of the line.

"Valentino Ricci. He's gone—murdered. The hit was clean, with no witnesses. The word on the street is it happened less than an hour ago." He were taken out with precision and no witnesses, leaving behind a void in the hierarchy of the ruthless world they lived in.

I’m at a loss for words. The death of a don of the five families demands immediate retribution.

As the words reach my ears, it feels as if the very ground beneath me shifts and trembles, a seismic ripple through the foundations of my kingdom. This isn't just a loss of a business associate—it's a personal blow. Valentino was more than just an ally—he was my friend.

My hand clenches tightly around the burner phone, the plastic creaking under the pressure of my grip. Valentino Ricci is dead, and with his death comes a debt that can only be paid through blood. It's a dangerous game, but fortunately, I’m very familiar with playing it.

"Understood." My response is sharp and swift, like a weapon being unsheathed. "Keep your ears to the ground, Luca. I want to know who's responsible." I end the call, my mind racing with the implications of this unsanctioned act.

Duty binds me as tightly as blood, urging me toward my next move. And although revenge is at the forefront of my mind, securing the safety of his daughter Sofia takes precedence. I owe it to my friend to keep his only heir from meeting the same fate— a fate that now hangs heavy over us both like a dark cloud threatening to unleash its fury at any moment.

As we approach my home, the night air is thick with an ominous energy. The shadows seem to press closer, whispering words of treachery and violence, but my resolve cuts through them like a blade. Loyalty is everything in these circles, and I’m bound by honor to protect Ricci’s daughter and heir.

I burst through the doors, my heart pounding with the weight of responsibility. "Where are my men?" I bark, sweeping my gaze over the gathered faces of my soldiers. Each one steadfast, their loyalty reflected in their eyes. "We have a situation that needs our immediate attention," I declare with urgency. "Valentino Ricci has been snatched from us, and his daughter Sofia is now at the mercy of our enemies."

The room falls silent as my words sink in, each person understanding the gravity of the situation.

The air vibrates with electricity as we strategize, determined to save Sofia and deliver vengeance for her father's murder. Loyalty above all else—that is the unbreakable creed we follow.

“Has any new information come to light about the perpetrators?” The question reverberates off the walls, shattering the tense stillness surrounding us like a gathering storm. It comes from my underboss and second-in-command, his brow furrowed with determination. He is one of my most loyal and reliable allies, and I trust him with my life.

"That information is still incoming," I reply, my voice firm and unwavering as I lock eyes with each man present. "But rest assured, we will not let this go unpunished. Right now, our priority is protecting his family. We must move swiftly to protect Sofia before she joins her father in the grave." As I speak, every muscle in my body tenses with determination and fury. "Find her and bring her here."

"Is that wise, boss?" another subordinate asks, skepticism lacing his tone. "They’ll expect us to move her and might follow."

"Her safety is nonnegotiable," I snap, leaving no room for debate. "Every resource we have goes into keeping her out of harm's way. Is that understood?"

I nod sharply, and a chorus of yeses echoes in my ears. "Luca, you coordinate the extraction. Use whoever and whatever you need. Make it smooth and silent."

"Understood, boss." With a confident nod, my second-in-command acknowledges my instructions.

"Everyone else, keep your eyes and ears open." I issue my commands with an air of authority. "I want updates every hour. If a rat so much as sneezes in this city, I expect to hear about it."

As I scan the room, I note the hard faces and even harder men who have gathered at my command. Each one is ready and willing to do whatever it takes to protect our organization. "Each of you plays a vital role in our operation." Our eyes meet and lock for a brief moment, and then I turn to Luca. "Is the estate ready for her?"

"Secured and swept, boss. It's a fortress," Luca replies with utmost confidence, his tone laced with reverence for the task at hand.

I gather my subordinates around me, their eyes trained on my every move. I take a moment to survey them, knowing their loyalty and dedication is unshakeable. "Good," I finally say, my voice low and commanding.

"I want a perimeter set up—no one enters or leaves without my say-so." The sound of guns being cocked fills the air as the weight of our mission settles upon us.

My men nod in agreement, their expressions grim but determined. "Remember," I remind them, "we're not just enforcers, we're guardians."

With those words, they disperse like a well-oiled machine, ready to prowl the city with a singular focus—protecting Sofia Ricci at all costs.

For me, it's more than just duty—it's a matter of honor that demands perfection. And when we find who’s responsible for threatening our charge, I’ll make sure they understand that my bite is much more frightening than my bark could ever be.