The evening sun cast long, crimson shadows across the quiet streets of Tokyo as Vincenzo Marino checked the address written on the back of a paper slip.
In the underground world back home, Vincenzo's name was spoken with quiet reverence—a seasoned enforcer for the Luciano family who rarely missed a mark. But his current assignment didn't involve a trigger. He had flown across the Pacific for a different kind of duty: track down Alex Luciano, the direct descendant of Luciano Primo, and groom the boy to step up as the next Don.
Vincenzo slowed his pace as he reached the gate of a modest apartment building. Sitting on the concrete steps, staring vacantly into the dusk, was a teenage boy. He had unruly brown hair, soft features, and the kind of gentle demeanor that looked entirely out of place in their world.
This must be him.
"Excuse me," Vincenzo said, keeping his tone calm and even as he stepped forward. "Are you Alex Luciano?"
The boy blinked, pulling himself out of his thoughts, and offered a small nod. "Yeah... that's me. Who are you?"
"My name is Vincenzo Marino. I've been sent to serve as your tutor."
Alex's brow furrowed, his confusion immediate. "My tutor? For what?"
Vincenzo let out a quiet breath, leaning against the railing. He had known this conversation wouldn't be easy. "Alex, your bloodline goes straight back to Luciano Primo. The family needs leadership, and you have a responsibility to take the mantle. I'm here to ensure you're ready when the time comes."
The color drained from Alex's face. He turned away, his gaze falling to the pavement. "I already know all that... but I don't want it," he murmured. "I never asked for any of this. I just want a normal life."
Looking down at the teenager, Vincenzo recognized the raw mix of fear and burden weighed heavily on his shoulders. He didn't look like a mob boss—he looked like a kid trying to escape a legacy he never chose.
"I know it's a lot to ask," Vincenzo said, keeping his voice grounded. "And I don't expect you to welcome it. But lineage isn't something you can simply walk away from. You have a duty to the family."
"Why does it have to be me?" Alex whispered, his voice cracking slightly. "There has to be someone else. Anyone else."
Vincenzo stepped closer, resting a heavy, reassuring hand on the boy's shoulder. "Because the bloodline carries authority, Alex. You have real potential—you just need someone to help you navigate what's coming."
For a long moment, Alex searched Vincenzo's face, looking for any sign of compromise. "Can I... can I just get some time to think? Please."
Vincenzo gave a single, firm nod. "Take the night. But don't hesitate too long, Alex. Circumstances won't wait for us."
As Vincenzo turned and walked down the fading alley, the weight of the task ahead settled over him. Forcing a reluctant kid into a dangerous world was never going to go smoothly. But as he looked back one last time at the solitary figure on the steps, he knew there was no turning back—not for the family, and certainly not for Alex.