Valentine would have probably intended to repay the debt of the remaining life with Giovanni Belmonte's blood. But now a new Belmonte had appeared."Then Eugene..."Leo trailed off after mentioning Eugene's name. Valentine's back was firm, and his face was not visible."Will you be alright?"Leo, who had long observed Valentine's feelings toward Eugene, asked with worried eyes."...Do we ever forget our debts?"Valentine said in a cold voice. Leo swallowed a sigh and shook his head.Valentine opened the desk drawer. A .22 caliber automatic pistol with a silencer, and a knife. His pale, long fingers traced the cold surface of the weapons. At the end of them were lollipops wrapped in colorful shells. Valentine stared at the lollipops for a moment, then pushed them away with his fingers and took out the weapons.Since coming to the Belmonte mansion, Eugene had not been able to sleep deeply. Today too, after tossing and turning for hours, he had fallen into a light sleep. His body was asl
A few days ago, when Valentine had risked danger to come to the heart of the Belmonte and extended his hand to Eugene... there had certainly been a thin hope in his mind. That even if Valentine learned about Eugene's biological father, he might be shocked but wouldn't change. That he wouldn't try to kill him just because he was of Belmonte blood. But Eugene wasn't optimistic enough to bet his life on that hope. And above all, regardless of his feelings for Valentine, he couldn't trust him to that extent. Because he was a mafioso, a killer.His eyes felt like they were burning. Physiological tears mixed with hot tears flowed down the corners of his eyes. A faint light passed through the blue eyes that had been emotionless. Cracks appeared on the white face that had lacked temperature and emotion.The hand strangling his neck loosened slightly. His lungs, finally finding oxygen, urgently drew in breath."Cla, udio.""......"Even as he painfully drew in breath, Eugene moved his lips.".
It took tremendous strength just to swallow a sip of water. It took a good ten seconds to suck and swallow a few drops of water through a straw. His face contorted with each swallow. In such a state, no food, no matter how soft, could go down his throat. The only thing he could rely on was the IV, and thanks to receiving it continuously, he could hardly feel hunger or thirst.Repeating the cycle of drifting in and out of sleep, his concept of time had completely blurred. Each time he woke up, he couldn't gauge whether hours or days had passed. Even when the sun was up, he couldn't tell if it was morning, noon, or afternoon, and he didn't care to know. However, he was worried about Jerry, who had been innocently beaten up because of Valentine's intrusion, so he checked on him each time he opened his eyes. Perhaps because Eugene showed concern for him, Tony Rico no longer laid a hand on Jerry.After several days, or perhaps a day, or maybe a considerable amount of time had passed. Again
Eugene inwardly repeated what he had just said, as if affirming it to himself.Even as Giovanni's son, Eugene had considered himself still a Biscetti. Just Eugene Biscetti who had found himself in an awkwardly twisted situation.But that wasn't the case. At least in this world of the mafia, Eugene was a Belmonte. The people of Belmonte here said so, and so would the people of Luciano. And more than anyone else, Valentine had branded him as such. You are a Belmonte. The moment Valentine branded him, Eugene ceased to be Eugene Biscetti and became Eugene Belmonte."Boss Eugene. I..."Jerry's voice trailed off. Eugene looked at him with warm eyes. As Jerry had said, who knew how many murders and crimes he had committed as Valentine's direct subordinate, having killed for the first time at just 14 years old. But at least this young man had been faithful to Eugene until now, and even in this situation, despite being persecuted by the Belmontes, he had stayed by Eugene's side."Jerry.""Yes.
The closed reception room door opened. Valentine, the only man with blond hair in this mansion, walked in. Those surrounding the body moved to make space. Leo, who followed behind Valentine, carefully lifted the sheet. The bright blue eyes fixed not on the dead man's face but directly on his neck. Valentine's face remained expressionless as he observed the skin abraded by the rope and the dark strangulation bruises from the victim's struggle.Leo covered the body with the sheet again and studied Valentine's expression. An expressionless, emotionless face from which no feelings or thoughts could be read. Leo cast a brief glance at the neck area of the body hidden under the sheet.The timing of hanging someone on the road leading to the Luciano villa was significant. Even for someone as rough and violent as Tony Rico, this was unnecessarily excessive. Luciano was already heated about Eugene's situation. There was no need to mock and insult Luciano or provoke him in this manner. Therefor
Tony Rico and Fredo Codiseri, who had exited their cars, approached the rear door of the second, central car. Men in black suits surrounded them protectively."It seems Don Belmonte has come in person," murmured the onlookers with voices full of interest. This was the most intriguing of the many scenarios people had anticipated.Tony Rico personally opened the rear door of the central car. Several people approached the car to shake hands with Don Belmonte first. Although smaller in power compared to Luciano within America, Belmonte was an organization that conducted business not only with Sicily's Cosa Nostra but also with Naples' Camorra. It was beneficial to maintain good relationships, if only for business.The expressions of those preparing to greet Don Belmonte with welcoming smiles froze as he exited the car. The person who emerged from the backseat was not Giovanni Belmonte. The man in the black suit appeared to be only in his twenties, and he wasn't even a pure Italian."Who o
"You must have earned quite a bit of hatred from the previous incident."Luca Datero said. Eugene neither confirmed nor denied it.The ceremony ended. Luca Datero stood up from his seat and patted Eugene's shoulder."Shall we have a quiet conversation for a moment?"After asking Eugene, Luca Datero turned to look at Tony Rico, who was sitting behind them. Tony Rico nodded with a displeased look. Having received Tony Rico's approval, Luca Datero now looked at Eugene. Eugene cast a brief glance at Valentine, who was receiving greetings from men on the other side, then nodded.As Eugene had felt since arriving, this funeral home was very large. The interior was decorated in an antique style, with rest areas for the bereaved family or attendees placed throughout. Luca Datero guided Eugene as if very familiar with the place. After passing through several doors, they entered a space where not a single mafia man in a suit could be seen."What kind of conversation did you want to..."Eugene,
After sending Luca Datero away with the excuse of needing to rest a bit more, Eugene sat back against the sofa's backrest. A heavy sigh escaped him. After staring at the ceiling for a moment, Eugene examined his right hand. The hand that had been gripped by brutal strength was beginning to swell. The reddish swelling precisely resembled Valentine's handprint. After a few days, it would likely develop into bruises in the exact shape of the handprints, just like his neck.Eugene cursed softly under his breath while touching his neck, which was concealed by a scarf. The bruise in the shape of Valentine's hand still remained on his neck. While waiting for that bruise to fade, another handprint had been left on his hand. It was impossible not to curse.The sound of a door opening was felt from behind."...Don Date..."Annoyed at having his brief moment of solitude interrupted, Eugene turned his head with a voice tinged with slight irritation. But the one who entered wasn't Don Datero.Vale
'Hey.'The voice that strangely stirred his heart.Eugene tried to shake off the voice lingering in his ears by squeezing his eyes shut. But the sound in his ears simply wouldn't disappear."Are you ready to depart?"A man in his mid-thirties who had opened the door asked. Eugene nodded and stood up. Jerry placed his checked pistol into the leather holster over his white shirt and put on his jacket.Like attending a funeral, three black sedans were waiting. Four armed men got into the front and rear cars, and Eugene took the back seat of the middle car. A man in his thirties was in the driver's seat, and Jerry took the passenger seat. Soon the cars left the Belmonte residence in a line.They were on their way to meet Don Datero. The meeting place was set at the usual flower shop. Though it was just a trip to Queens, the tension was visible on the driver's face and in the cars following closely behind. Jerry was no exception, his sharp eyes constantly checking the front, sides, and the
But all of that had been pointless. Offering Tony Rico as a sacrifice to prevent war between Luciano and Belmonte. Thus ensuring the safety of Giovanni and Valentine, both presumed to be Eugene's father, while extracting himself completely from the awkward situation he had found himself in. That shallow plan had only made things worse."...With the war against Chiano just around the corner, we need to be well-armed, don't we?"Lost in thought, Eugene looked up suddenly at these words. Tony Rico was smiling savagely, showing his teeth."War?""Given the world today, it's not easy to safely acquire large quantities of firearms within America. If we use them incorrectly and get caught, it becomes a headache. But if we use items freshly imported from Russia for this war and then dispose of them, there will be no complications."Using some of the large quantity of weapons imported through the deal with the Russian mafia in the war against Luciano. That was the gist of it. Eugene bit the in
Mateo said with a relieved expression. This was exactly why Luciano poured vast sums of money into the judicial system every year. Simply making someone with a similar appearance confess and be detained? It wasn't that simple. They twisted witness testimonies cleverly, omitted evidence, and substituted or tampered with evidence that had been submitted. Even if there were suspicious aspects of the evidence or witnesses, they pushed the case forward, ignoring them. From street patrol officers to prosecutors and judges—the bribes spread throughout the judicial system were designed to produce significant effects when needed."By the way, how's the search for Carlo Chirico's hit-and-run driver going? It's not even our business but Colvino's, and it's not that big a deal, but you seem to be putting excessive effort into it."Mateo suddenly asked."We've searched through New York and New Jersey like catching mice, but there's not even a trace. Unless they completely dismantled the truck and
Valentine took off his suit jacket and threw it onto the bed. The shirt hidden beneath the black jacket was revealed. The shoulder area was already damp with seeping blood, sticking to his skin. Valentine stripped off the shirt as well and tossed it on the floor.Knock knock.A short knock sounded and the door opened. Leo entered the room carrying a first aid kit. Approaching Valentine, Leo frowned at the open wound."I thought I smelled strong blood in the car. What did you do to make it burst open like that?"Valentine sat down silently in a chair."Wouldn't it be better to call Anita?""If Anita sees this, it'll reach Don Luciano's ears immediately."At Valentine's reply, Leo shrugged and opened the first aid kit, rummaging through its contents.As he cleaned the wound, its appearance, previously hidden by blood, was fully revealed. Seeing the shape of the wound, Leo let out a soft whistle."Someone dug into it viciously. It's not easy to make something like this—whoever did it has
After sending Luca Datero away with the excuse of needing to rest a bit more, Eugene sat back against the sofa's backrest. A heavy sigh escaped him. After staring at the ceiling for a moment, Eugene examined his right hand. The hand that had been gripped by brutal strength was beginning to swell. The reddish swelling precisely resembled Valentine's handprint. After a few days, it would likely develop into bruises in the exact shape of the handprints, just like his neck.Eugene cursed softly under his breath while touching his neck, which was concealed by a scarf. The bruise in the shape of Valentine's hand still remained on his neck. While waiting for that bruise to fade, another handprint had been left on his hand. It was impossible not to curse.The sound of a door opening was felt from behind."...Don Date..."Annoyed at having his brief moment of solitude interrupted, Eugene turned his head with a voice tinged with slight irritation. But the one who entered wasn't Don Datero.Vale
"You must have earned quite a bit of hatred from the previous incident."Luca Datero said. Eugene neither confirmed nor denied it.The ceremony ended. Luca Datero stood up from his seat and patted Eugene's shoulder."Shall we have a quiet conversation for a moment?"After asking Eugene, Luca Datero turned to look at Tony Rico, who was sitting behind them. Tony Rico nodded with a displeased look. Having received Tony Rico's approval, Luca Datero now looked at Eugene. Eugene cast a brief glance at Valentine, who was receiving greetings from men on the other side, then nodded.As Eugene had felt since arriving, this funeral home was very large. The interior was decorated in an antique style, with rest areas for the bereaved family or attendees placed throughout. Luca Datero guided Eugene as if very familiar with the place. After passing through several doors, they entered a space where not a single mafia man in a suit could be seen."What kind of conversation did you want to..."Eugene,
Tony Rico and Fredo Codiseri, who had exited their cars, approached the rear door of the second, central car. Men in black suits surrounded them protectively."It seems Don Belmonte has come in person," murmured the onlookers with voices full of interest. This was the most intriguing of the many scenarios people had anticipated.Tony Rico personally opened the rear door of the central car. Several people approached the car to shake hands with Don Belmonte first. Although smaller in power compared to Luciano within America, Belmonte was an organization that conducted business not only with Sicily's Cosa Nostra but also with Naples' Camorra. It was beneficial to maintain good relationships, if only for business.The expressions of those preparing to greet Don Belmonte with welcoming smiles froze as he exited the car. The person who emerged from the backseat was not Giovanni Belmonte. The man in the black suit appeared to be only in his twenties, and he wasn't even a pure Italian."Who o
The closed reception room door opened. Valentine, the only man with blond hair in this mansion, walked in. Those surrounding the body moved to make space. Leo, who followed behind Valentine, carefully lifted the sheet. The bright blue eyes fixed not on the dead man's face but directly on his neck. Valentine's face remained expressionless as he observed the skin abraded by the rope and the dark strangulation bruises from the victim's struggle.Leo covered the body with the sheet again and studied Valentine's expression. An expressionless, emotionless face from which no feelings or thoughts could be read. Leo cast a brief glance at the neck area of the body hidden under the sheet.The timing of hanging someone on the road leading to the Luciano villa was significant. Even for someone as rough and violent as Tony Rico, this was unnecessarily excessive. Luciano was already heated about Eugene's situation. There was no need to mock and insult Luciano or provoke him in this manner. Therefor
Eugene inwardly repeated what he had just said, as if affirming it to himself.Even as Giovanni's son, Eugene had considered himself still a Biscetti. Just Eugene Biscetti who had found himself in an awkwardly twisted situation.But that wasn't the case. At least in this world of the mafia, Eugene was a Belmonte. The people of Belmonte here said so, and so would the people of Luciano. And more than anyone else, Valentine had branded him as such. You are a Belmonte. The moment Valentine branded him, Eugene ceased to be Eugene Biscetti and became Eugene Belmonte."Boss Eugene. I..."Jerry's voice trailed off. Eugene looked at him with warm eyes. As Jerry had said, who knew how many murders and crimes he had committed as Valentine's direct subordinate, having killed for the first time at just 14 years old. But at least this young man had been faithful to Eugene until now, and even in this situation, despite being persecuted by the Belmontes, he had stayed by Eugene's side."Jerry.""Yes.