The next day , 7 : 00 am , Empire bay
In another part of Empire Bay, far from the bustling heart of the city, the streets outside an old Italian restaurant lay unusually quiet. The usual hum of traffic and chatter was absent, replaced by a stillness that felt deliberate—like the city itself was holding its breath. Several black cars lined the curb, their chrome glinting under the streetlights. Men in tailored suits stood outside, smoking in silence, eyes scanning the shadows. This wasn't just dinner. It was business.
Beneath the restaurant, in a secluded underground room, a group of men sat around a long mahogany table. The air was thick with cigar smoke and tension. These men weren't just mobsters—they were the Commission. The architects of Empire Bay's underworld. Each carried the weight of blood-soaked decades, their faces carved by power and paranoia.
A man in a classic tuxedo leaned forward, his voice smooth but edged with impatience.
"What about the collections from the Chinese?"
Another man, older and heavier, waved a dismissive hand.
"They've formed a union. Refused to pay. Tell them us that some Chinese guy owns those lands—not us."
A third voice, sharper and colder, cut in.
"Well, make sure to tell those Asians this is our territory. Not their China."
The room murmured in agreement, but the tone was bitter. The old order was being tested, and pride was a dangerous thing to gamble with.
Suddenly, the door creaked open. A man in glasses stepped in, his presence shifting the energy instantly. His voice was heavy, deliberate—each word landing like a hammer.
"I got a lead about the Salieri family."
The room fell silent. Eyes narrowed. Cigars paused mid-air.
He continued.
"On the unfortunate day, two of Salieri's famous men—Thomas Angelo and Paulie—sold everything and came to Empire Bay. Paulie's been quiet. But Thomas… he's been having dealings with the government. We don't know the details, but we suspect they are involved behind this , Especially Thomas."
Carlo Falcone, seated near the head of the table, leaned forward, his voice laced with fury.
"Well let's kill that fucker, shall we? It's clear he's involved. And it's clearly against our code."
The decision settled like dust. No vote. No debate. Just silence and agreement. But at the back of the room, two men remained quiet—Leo Galante and Frank Vinci. Their eyes didn't flicker, but their minds were already elsewhere.
After the meeting, the two stepped into the corridor, the muffled sounds of the city above barely reaching them.
Frank spoke first, his voice low.
"Do you want to do something about this guy named Thomas?"
Leo's reply was calm, but thoughtful.
"Not that much. But I've got a feeling he may be of use to us. I've heard of him in the shadows. I know him. He must've had a reason to do what he did. And I'm sure he's not with the cops—my sources would've told me if that were the case."
Frank nodded slowly, his brow furrowed. He didn't trust easily. But Leo's instincts were rarely wrong.
"What are you gonna do?"
Leo looked ahead, his voice steady.
"I'm gonna do what I always do. Offer him a hand. See if he's a friend or not."
---
Meanwhile: The Calm Before the Storm
Tommy Angelo, unaware of the storm brewing beneath the city, was living the life he'd always dreamed of—but never truly believed he deserved. He bought a new mansion in the Empire bay hills . His new mansion in the Empire Bay Hills was a sanctuary. Surrounded by trees, the air was cleaner, the nights quieter. It was a world away from the chaos he'd once called home.
He named it Angelo Mansion. A symbol of rebirth. Of legacy.
He helped his family settle in, Servants were hired. The fridge was always full. The silence was no longer ominous—it was comforting.
But deep down, Tommy felt it. That itch. That unease. Life was going too smoothly. And for a man like him, smooth was never safe.
He stood on the balcony one evening, staring into the woods beyond the estate. The wind rustled the leaves like whispers. He didn't know it yet, but the past was already on its way. And this time, it wasn't asking for forgiveness.
---