After collecting himself, Don Luciano returned to his normal composure. As if nothing had happened, he looked at Eugene and spoke."That boy, his appearance is the spitting image of his mother, but inside he's a typical Luciano man.""...Yes.""And we Lucianos need calm advisors to put on the brakes. I had Mateo."Don Luciano glanced at Mateo. Mateo placed his hand on Don Luciano's shoulder and smiled broadly."And that boy has chosen you."Don Luciano's eyes fixed on Eugene. The old man's black eyes were as sharp as if they were seeing right through Eugene."As you might guess, I had you investigated a bit.""Yes.""Adopted by foster parents as an infant, raised in a relatively affluent environment without facing hardships.""That's correct.""For someone with such a background, you seem to be adapting well here.""...""Eugene.""Yes.""Can I entrust Valentine to you?"The distinctively Italian black eyes stared directly into Eugene's eyes. It was a gaze that seemed to penetrate his
"Eugene. I didn't expect you to show up here at a time like this."The young boss of Confezzioni, standing in the middle of the glass greenhouse, was dressed in an expensive black suit as he always was whenever Eugene met him. Contrary to Eugene's expectation that it would take quite some time to meet him, Don Datero was already in this glass greenhouse behind the flower shop in Queens when Eugene arrived."I didn't expect Don Datero to be here at this hour either.""Seems like there's some connection between us."Don Datero smiled lightly."So, what brings you all the way here? Should I take it as acceptance of my offer?""That's not it."At Eugene's firm response, Don Datero exhaled softly with a "Hmm." But his eyes showed no particular disappointment."That's a shame. Then what business brings you here?"Don Datero asked as he ran his fingers over the flowers that filled the greenhouse, as if about to touch them. Though he asked Eugene, his eyes and attention seemed completely focu
"It's difficult to meet right now. As you know, given the current situation... I'll contact you again.""I'll give you a number, contact me through that from now on. It will connect directly. And..."Derek paused briefly, then exhaled with apparent hesitation before speaking again."After this, casual conversation will be difficult for a while. Once this call ends, I'll report that I've made contact with you, and from then on, all conversations and meetings will be under FBI supervision.""I understand what you're saying. But Derek, there's something I need to confirm first.""Go ahead."Instead of speaking immediately, Eugene moistened his dry lips with his tongue.The file that Mateo had shown Eugene on the day of the Commission meeting.That document, which clearly outlined the genealogy of the New York Mafia, was definitely FBI material. There was a collaborator for the Mafia within the FBI.During the Commission meeting, many names of collaborators throughout the judicial system
Valentine stared steadily into Eugene's eyes. He seemed to be trying to gauge his innermost thoughts. In truth, if he decided to extract information, he could do so at will. But instead of probing further, he gently stroked Eugene's cheek with his finger."One shouldn't casually deal with the Mafia. You might get one thing you want but end up being devoured whole in return."After quietly advising, Valentine soon wrapped his hand around Eugene's neck. With his long, powerful hand gripping Eugene's neck, he asked:"Did he touch you?""He has no interest in me that way at all.""I know that. If he had shown that kind of interest and made advances toward you, Confezzioni would be busy selecting a new boss by now.""Then why ask such a thing?"When Eugene asked, Valentine stared intently into Eugene's eyes for a moment before letting out a faint smile."I just get needlessly anxious about anyone touching even a strand of your hair.""He didn't touch a strand of my hair.""I know that too.
"It's not certain yet, but I might have to be away from home for a while because of work. I don't have a good place to leave Angel, so if that happens, would you mind taking care of him?""Angel? How long are you planning to be away?"It probably won't be very long, but I'd feel more at ease leaving him with you. And I can see your face too while I'm at it.""Well, I'd be happy to."The voice on the other end of the line immediately brightened."I'll call you again.""Alright. Even if you're busy, make time to let me hear your voice.""I will."Eugene hung up the phone and gently stroked the nape of Angel's neck, who was sitting quietly beside him. Angel, who had been purring with his backside against Eugene's thigh, flopped over on his side. Eugene scratched Angel's side with a complicated expression.If everything goes according to plan and he manages to get out of here... He would leave America for at least a few years, or possibly forever. Since leaving New York would likely happe
"He's probably more afraid of what Tony Rico would do to him than what we would.""Or he might genuinely not know. In this situation, they wouldn't be telling every underling about their whereabouts. To find Tony Rico, we'd need to catch someone of higher rank.""We've been poking around like rats in a hole, but the officers don't show their tails at all.""They know they're dead if they're caught, so they're hiding and not moving an inch. It's the same for our side too.""If we touch Giovanni, he'd come out like a bullet...""Who doesn't know that? The problem is that if we touch Giovanni without consent, the other families who are watching wouldn't stand still."Pol murmured with a regretful face."We've put men on Tony Rico's girlfriend, so he'll show his tail eventually. I heard he's been deeply infatuated with that woman for the past few months. Being a man with balls, he won't be able to hold out for long."Everyone nodded with dissatisfied faces at Leo's words. In the current s
PrologueWandering alone in New York's back alleys late at night is not a wise course of action. Eugene had generally lived his life by making wise decisions, but today was an exception. This was because he had just received news that he passed the bar exam. Eugene had a celebration party with his friends and left the bar alone very late at night, quite intoxicated, walking slowly through New York's night streets. To make matters worse, he went deep into a narrow, dirty back alley to relieve a sudden urge to urinate.Eugene enjoyed the feeling of relief as he urinated on the street, hiding his body in the darkness of the dim alley. With alcohol making his body sway, his stream of urine wobbled back and forth, painting the wall. Having consumed so much tequila that it might as well have been flowing through his veins instead of blood, the tequila scent in his urine wasn't just his imagination.Eugene heard a suspicious sound just as he finished his business and was straightening his pa
The middle-aged man asked carefully. A faint hope was seeping into his face, which was drenched in sweat. The blonde man, Valentine, suddenly narrowed his eyes and smiled kindly. That smile alone created the illusion that the dark and dirty back alley had brightened. Accordingly, the expression of the middle-aged man bloomed. And the next moment,"Wrong."The blonde man murmured.Phut-!With a low sound, the middle-aged man collapsed. The blonde man walked over to the fallen middle-aged man and casually shot him once in the right cheek. Then he turned the body over with his toe and shot him once more in the back of the head. Phut, phut. Each time a bullet hit, the middle-aged man's body briefly convulsed.The liquid slowly spread around the body of the man sprawled on the dirty floor. Blood should certainly be red, but due to the darkness in the alley, it appeared pitch black. The middle-aged man looked as if he was lying on a pool of black oil.Whether it was the shock or the alcohol
"He's probably more afraid of what Tony Rico would do to him than what we would.""Or he might genuinely not know. In this situation, they wouldn't be telling every underling about their whereabouts. To find Tony Rico, we'd need to catch someone of higher rank.""We've been poking around like rats in a hole, but the officers don't show their tails at all.""They know they're dead if they're caught, so they're hiding and not moving an inch. It's the same for our side too.""If we touch Giovanni, he'd come out like a bullet...""Who doesn't know that? The problem is that if we touch Giovanni without consent, the other families who are watching wouldn't stand still."Pol murmured with a regretful face."We've put men on Tony Rico's girlfriend, so he'll show his tail eventually. I heard he's been deeply infatuated with that woman for the past few months. Being a man with balls, he won't be able to hold out for long."Everyone nodded with dissatisfied faces at Leo's words. In the current s
"It's not certain yet, but I might have to be away from home for a while because of work. I don't have a good place to leave Angel, so if that happens, would you mind taking care of him?""Angel? How long are you planning to be away?"It probably won't be very long, but I'd feel more at ease leaving him with you. And I can see your face too while I'm at it.""Well, I'd be happy to."The voice on the other end of the line immediately brightened."I'll call you again.""Alright. Even if you're busy, make time to let me hear your voice.""I will."Eugene hung up the phone and gently stroked the nape of Angel's neck, who was sitting quietly beside him. Angel, who had been purring with his backside against Eugene's thigh, flopped over on his side. Eugene scratched Angel's side with a complicated expression.If everything goes according to plan and he manages to get out of here... He would leave America for at least a few years, or possibly forever. Since leaving New York would likely happe
Valentine stared steadily into Eugene's eyes. He seemed to be trying to gauge his innermost thoughts. In truth, if he decided to extract information, he could do so at will. But instead of probing further, he gently stroked Eugene's cheek with his finger."One shouldn't casually deal with the Mafia. You might get one thing you want but end up being devoured whole in return."After quietly advising, Valentine soon wrapped his hand around Eugene's neck. With his long, powerful hand gripping Eugene's neck, he asked:"Did he touch you?""He has no interest in me that way at all.""I know that. If he had shown that kind of interest and made advances toward you, Confezzioni would be busy selecting a new boss by now.""Then why ask such a thing?"When Eugene asked, Valentine stared intently into Eugene's eyes for a moment before letting out a faint smile."I just get needlessly anxious about anyone touching even a strand of your hair.""He didn't touch a strand of my hair.""I know that too.
"It's difficult to meet right now. As you know, given the current situation... I'll contact you again.""I'll give you a number, contact me through that from now on. It will connect directly. And..."Derek paused briefly, then exhaled with apparent hesitation before speaking again."After this, casual conversation will be difficult for a while. Once this call ends, I'll report that I've made contact with you, and from then on, all conversations and meetings will be under FBI supervision.""I understand what you're saying. But Derek, there's something I need to confirm first.""Go ahead."Instead of speaking immediately, Eugene moistened his dry lips with his tongue.The file that Mateo had shown Eugene on the day of the Commission meeting.That document, which clearly outlined the genealogy of the New York Mafia, was definitely FBI material. There was a collaborator for the Mafia within the FBI.During the Commission meeting, many names of collaborators throughout the judicial system
"Eugene. I didn't expect you to show up here at a time like this."The young boss of Confezzioni, standing in the middle of the glass greenhouse, was dressed in an expensive black suit as he always was whenever Eugene met him. Contrary to Eugene's expectation that it would take quite some time to meet him, Don Datero was already in this glass greenhouse behind the flower shop in Queens when Eugene arrived."I didn't expect Don Datero to be here at this hour either.""Seems like there's some connection between us."Don Datero smiled lightly."So, what brings you all the way here? Should I take it as acceptance of my offer?""That's not it."At Eugene's firm response, Don Datero exhaled softly with a "Hmm." But his eyes showed no particular disappointment."That's a shame. Then what business brings you here?"Don Datero asked as he ran his fingers over the flowers that filled the greenhouse, as if about to touch them. Though he asked Eugene, his eyes and attention seemed completely focu
After collecting himself, Don Luciano returned to his normal composure. As if nothing had happened, he looked at Eugene and spoke."That boy, his appearance is the spitting image of his mother, but inside he's a typical Luciano man.""...Yes.""And we Lucianos need calm advisors to put on the brakes. I had Mateo."Don Luciano glanced at Mateo. Mateo placed his hand on Don Luciano's shoulder and smiled broadly."And that boy has chosen you."Don Luciano's eyes fixed on Eugene. The old man's black eyes were as sharp as if they were seeing right through Eugene."As you might guess, I had you investigated a bit.""Yes.""Adopted by foster parents as an infant, raised in a relatively affluent environment without facing hardships.""That's correct.""For someone with such a background, you seem to be adapting well here.""...""Eugene.""Yes.""Can I entrust Valentine to you?"The distinctively Italian black eyes stared directly into Eugene's eyes. It was a gaze that seemed to penetrate his
"I'm curious about Eugene's thoughts too."Don Luciano suddenly said. Eyes completely different from his usual ones—heavy and dull—were staring directly at Eugene. With the boss speaking that way, Eugene could no longer refuse."My thoughts are..."Eugene paused, looking briefly at Valentine. He was looking at Eugene with eyes so deeply sunken that his thoughts were impossible to guess. Valentine, who wanted war and wanted Giovanni Belmonte dead, knew that Eugene opposed war. Eugene avoided Valentine's eyes and turned his gaze to Don Luciano.War should be avoided.That was Eugene's thought. But given these people's nature as mafiosi, that was a ridiculous notion. Then minimizing it would be the next best alternative."We should make them pay, but we shouldn't touch Giovanni Belmonte, the boss."Mateo exhaled a faint sigh filled with regret."First, the other three families wouldn't agree, and second, even if we got their agreement or tacit consent, if we hit Giovanni and bring down B
The entrance door opened. All eyes turned."Good morning," Don Luciano greeted as he entered. Unlike the brief glimpse Eugene had yesterday, he now appeared normal, without even an oxygen tube. With Don Luciano leading, followed by consigliere Mateo and underboss Alberto taking their seats, the table was complete, and the meal began in earnest.Eugene ate a still-warm croissant and sipped strong coffee while observing Valentine beside him. Seeing how he drained several glasses of milk in succession and how quickly the bread and salami disappeared from his plate, it was clear his condition had improved.Eugene felt a gaze from across the table. Turning his head, he saw Mateo sitting opposite him, smiling with wrinkles around his eyes. Dressed neatly in a brown suit first thing in the morning, he appeared to be a gentle, gentlemanly old man.The underboss Alberto, seated beside Mateo, leaned toward him and said something. Mateo took his eyes off Eugene and engaged in conversation with A
Though he had left such a message for Derek, the problem was how to approach Belmonte. Before relations between Luciano and Belmonte had deteriorated to this point, there might have been opportunities to make contact somehow, but in this situation, it was impossible.No, even if this situation hadn't developed, the arms trafficking deal with the Russian mafia was such important business that only the leadership and a few key figures among the Belmonte would know the relevant information. There was no way someone from the Luciano side—moreover, someone with the ambiguous status of not yet being an official member but merely someone Valentine intended to make his consigliere in the future—could gain access to such information.If there was someone who could serve as a bridge for Eugene to approach Belmonte..."...Luca Datero."Eugene thought of the young boss of the Confezzoni. The boss of a family that was neither on Luciano's side nor Belmonte's. Perhaps he could help Eugene approach