In a luxurious building in New York…
The night shimmered among crystal glasses, elegant laughter, and impeccable suits.
A long table dominated the room.
Men and women of Italian descent toasted, talked, and laughed naturally.
Power.
Money.
Influence.
Everything was there.
---
On the balcony, away from the noise—
Ricardo was speaking with his cousin.
—Luigi.
—Tell me, Ricardo… how are things going in New Jersey? In Trenton?
—They're going well —he replied calmly—. I left my subordinates in charge of everything.
Luigi narrowed his eyes.
He took a sip of champagne.
—You're seriously leaving that in the hands of those idiots…?
Luigi was tall, attractive, with a sharp jawline.
Practically a model.
But his gaze…
Was cold.
He despised the weak.
Those who failed.
To him, they didn't deserve second chances.
Ricardo said nothing.
It wasn't worth arguing.
After all…
Each had their own territory.
---
This family of Italian origin wasn't just powerful…
Their claws were deeply embedded in New York.
New Jersey…
Was just a transit zone.
---
The balcony door opened.
A butler approached respectfully.
—Mr. Ricardo… you have a call.
Ricardo slightly frowned.
He had made it clear he didn't want to be disturbed while he was in New York.
But he let it pass.
Maybe…
They had already dealt with that annoying clown.
—Wait for me here, Luigi.
—Don't take long.
---
Ricardo followed the butler.
He took the phone.
—You may leave.
The man nodded and walked away.
Silence.
Ricardo brought the phone to his ear.
—Alright… speak. I hope this is good news.
His voice dropped.
Dangerous.
—Because I clearly remember telling all of you never to call me when I'm in New York City.
Silence.
Nothing.
Ricardo waited.
Seconds.
Nothing.
His expression hardened.
—Listen… don't waste my time.
Now his voice carried a threat.
—You know the consequences.
---
Then—
Laughter.
Loud.
Annoying.
Ricardo pulled the phone away from his ear.
—Sorry… —the voice said between laughs—. I just wanted to see if you'd threaten me.
A pause.
—And you did. Good.
Ricardo frowned.
—Who are you?
—Hey, hey… no need for that ugly tone.
—Who are you? —he repeated, colder.
—If you ask nicely… I'll tell you.
Silence.
—Who are you? —Ricardo said, losing patience—. I won't ask again.
—I am…
Pause.
—Who? —Ricardo growled.
—Who asked you.
---
Laughter.
From the other side of the line.
Ricardo clenched his fist.
—What a damn waste of time…
He was about to hang up.
Then—
—Boss…
Ricardo froze.
That voice…
—Mike.
He brought the phone back to his ear.
—Boss… it's me…
The voice cut off.
Static.
—Boss…
Now it was another voice.
Stiven.
Something wasn't right.
---
—You already heard your subordinates —the cheerful voice said—. I also have the others… except one.
A pause.
—His name starts with L… and ends with N.
Silence.
—You know who I mean, right?
Ricardo said nothing.
His gaze hardened.
—Allow me to introduce myself.
A small laugh.
—I am… the clown.
---
—Why "clown"? —he continued—. Well… I still haven't found the right name to properly define myself.
—But you get it, right?
He didn't wait for an answer.
—Anyway… what matters is why I'm calling you.
Another pause.
—Although… I'll keep it short.
—I need to go to sleep. And that's very important.
He laughed.
—Don't think you're the center of the world.
---
Ricardo tightened his grip on the phone.
—Are you messing with me?
—No, no, no, no… well…
Pause.
—Yeah, a little.
---
—You see… —the clown continued—. One day, a clown arrived in Trenton…
His voice sounded theatrical, as if walking through the city.
—That clown saw an injustice.
—A group of guys… trying to take advantage of a pretty girl.
Silence.
—And the clown, being a good citizen… intervened.
—He told them that was very rude.
—And that the best thing to do was… go get some ice cream.
A soft laugh.
—But they refused.
Pause.
—So I castrated them.
---
Silence.
Heavy.
---
—Of course… that's the short version.
—I even added things that didn't happen.
—But that doesn't matter.
---
His voice shifted slightly.
Colder.
—Ricardo…
—I'm going to eliminate you.
A pause.
—I promised a fireworks show… for someone special.
—And you… are part of that show.
---
—But not today.
—Maybe tomorrow.
—Maybe the day after.
—Or maybe… whenever I feel like it.
He sighed.
—Honestly… I'm a bit lazy.
---
Silence.
---
—So…
Pause.
—Goodbye, loser.
---
The call ended.
---
Ricardo stood still.
Processing.
Then—
Rage.
Pure rage.
---
He dialed another number.
Call.
---
Somewhere else…
Loren was sleeping deeply.
The phone rang.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
He groaned.
Answered.
—Who…?
—Loren.
Silence.
Loren sat up immediately.
—Boss.
—The others have been kidnapped.
A pause.
—By that clown.
Heavy silence.
—Increase the bounty.
His voice was firm.
Cold.
—We're at war.
---
Loren swallowed.
—Yes, boss.
—Do it. Do you understand?
—Understood.
The call ended.
---
Loren got up.
Got dressed quickly.
Left the room.
He grabbed his phone.
Started making calls.
One after another.
---
That night…
Loren would have a lot to do.
---
Meanwhile—
Somewhere…
I had already gone to sleep.
Leaving those guys in a warehouse.
I didn't care about what Ricardo or Loren were doing.
Because, in the end…
It didn't matter.
---
Sleeping…
Always comes first.