Across the city, Moretti sat in his office staring at the folder Zamiel had given him. Inside it was a photograph of a man – a rival who'd been taking over Maranzano territory quietly:
"Salvatore De' Luca
Moretti's task was simple in words – remove the problem.
But executing it cleanly was another story.
Moretti called for two of his men.
"Find Salvatore".Take care of it quietly. No scenes. And don't fail me or – Maranzano will rain hell.
He tried to sound confident,but a tremor sat beneath his throat. The job wasn't for money – it was for survival.
Lex pov
I went to a corner shop one night to get a drink in shorts and a big t-shirt.
A black car was parked across the road,tinted windows,engine still running.
I ignored it – this city was full of cars like that. But as I walked out,the car door open,out stepped a man talking into a phone , voice low, urgent.
His gaze drifted to my bare legs.
I felt like digging his eyes out with my finger nails done. Until he spoke.
We spotted Salvatore's cousin. He's been hanging around this area...yes – near the girl.
I paused at that,mid step.
Girl? Which girl?
Me?
I looked around, spotted no girl suspicious. But before I could connect, the man got into the car and drove off.
I shook it off. Probably unrelated.
Conspiracy weren't my thing.
Elsewhere – Moretti's Men
They tracked down Salvatore's associates, following leads through back alleys and rundown
apartment. Hours passed, tension thickened. Finally they found a lead.
Salvatore's younger cousin Marco De' Luca was often seen playing basketball in the community court.
The same court Lex used
Bad timing. Wrong place. Wrong overlap.
The next evening ,I went to the court I haven't been able to practice cus of school stuffs ,I still have a month to practice for the basketball competition.
I was in mid practice when a second ball bounced towards me from across the court. I turned – a boy around my age was there. Dirty blonde hair,tense posture and he was glancing behind him like he was expecting trouble.
Sorry , he said breathless didn't mean to interrupt. Mind if I shoot around.
I wasn't used to company ,I considered refusing.
But something in his eye didn't look like someone how's here to play – more like someone running from something.
I tossed the ball back.
"Your form better be good".
He gave me a weak smile and his hand shook slightly as he caught it.
Before we could speak again. Two men in black entered the court, scanning the place. I noticed their eyes landed on the boy not me.
He whispered sharply." If anyone asks, I'm just a guy playing ball". Please.
I was instantly struck by instinct. Situations like this meant choices. I didn't know him or the situation he was in. But one thing I knew was.
I don't like seeing people hunted.
When the man approached us. I stepped forward first, boldly.
One of them asked,"Have you seen this boy around ?", showing a boy's picture.
My eyes flicked to the boy behind me,he was the same person they were looking for.
I looked back at the man.
"No", I said calmly, "just me here".
The men searched my expression but I didn't give anything away. My calmness was disarming.
"Call us if you do",one said dropping a card before they walked off.
The boy exhaled shaky.
"You didn't have to cover for me".
I shrugged," didn't do it for you".
They were annoying.
He let out a relived laugh.
Later that week
Zarin returned with a file,Name: Alexandra Wolfe, Age nineteen, Student, Lives alone relocated to Italy three years ago, Attends Campbell International, basketball captain. Smart. Keep to herself.
Zamiel said behind the desk flipping through the files with one hand.
"No family"?, He asked
Only an aunt ,no much details able her. No father records, mother died years ago.
Silence stretched. Zamiel closed the file.
Interesting
But their attention was shifted when another guard rushed in
"Boss – about Moretti's task. There's a problem".
Zamiel looked up sharply
"What kind of problem ?"
He man hesitated. The man Moretti was assigned to deal with hasn't been seen. But rumors said that he's hiding somewhere near Wolfe district.
Zarin frowned. Where that girl lives.
For the first time,
Zamiel paused not emotionally,
but strategically. The world has threads and one was slowly tying itself around Lex without her knowing.
Keep Moretti on the task. Zamiel ordered, voice cold. "But no chaos" if civilians gets involved,he answers to me.
Lex pov
Three nights later,I was coming back from a late night practice. Shirt unbuttoned,face cap on,bag slung over my shoulder , earphones on – like every evening listening to Wine Pon you by Doja . I cut through an alley I always used. Familiar. Safe.
Only this time, it wasn't empty
Two men were there, saying something but I couldn't hear cus of the music, I didn't bother taking off my earphones I just kept walking.
Until one noticed me.
Hey! you– stop.
I didn't hear cus of the earphones,until one of them walked up and stood at my front blocking my path.
I froze for a second from the sudden appearance not in fear but in a calculating way. Ordinary problems? Thugs? I've handled worse.
"This is the girl Maranzano were asking about".
I felt my pulse kick – not panic just alertness.
"How could men like that know me?"
I stepped back slowly ready to bolt if needed.
The second man stepped forward " we're lucky tonight"
Lucky for what?
The alley tightened with tension.
I dropped my bag
I steadied myself
"I'm not looking for trouble"
The man grin sharpened "Trouble already found you".
One of the man reached to grab me but I moved away fast ducked under his grab,shove the ball into his midsection – not to hurt but to unbalance. As he stumbled back, surprised, I used the moment to Sprint pass him.
The second man reacted fast , grabbing my shirt from behind.
Fabric tore.
Why is it the times I chose to
wear a shirt something happens.
I twisted sharply, slipping out of it and pivoting low. I swept his leg with a fast kick,not dramatic,just effective. He hit the ground which gave a loud echo.
I didn't stay to watch.
I ran.
My heart pounded as I cut through streets ,shoes slapping pavement,mind already mapping exit. I vaulted a short fence,
scraped my palm,but kept running until lights and traffic swallowed me.
Only when I got to a crowded bus stop did I slow.
Breathing was very hard
My hands were shaking from exhaustion.
A stared at my scraped up palm all sweaty. I relaxed a bit after cool breeze hit my face and look a deep breath.
That wasn't random, I realized.
Those men weren't just trouble, they knew my face.
Someone had asked about me.
Elsewhere
The men limped back later that night, humiliated and angry. Holding Lex's bag.
Moretti listened in silence as they explained.
"A girl?"he said sharply, "you let a girl escape?".
"She's fast", one muttered and "smart too".
He asked his men to check the bag,but they found nothing in it.
Moretti jaw clenched. This wasn't how things were supposed to go. The task Zamiel gave him was meant to be clean – no attention,no complications.
Now there was one.
And complications were expensive.
At the Maranzano Estate
Zarin stood firmly in front of Zamiel.
"There was an incident" he says careful "Near Wolfe district". The girl Alexandra Wolfe. Moretti's men crossed paths with her.
Zamiel's eyes darkened slightly – not with anger ,but calculations.
"Is she hurt?".
"No she got away".
Silence.
Then Zamiel stood, adjusting his suit.
"That means she'll start asking questions" he said. "And people like her don't stop when they sense danger".
He turned to Zarin.
"Make sure Moretti understands this clearly – she's not part of his task. If anything happens to her the deal is over".
And Lex? Zarin asked
Zamiel paused
"For now" he said calmly, "we watch from a distance."
Lex pov
I sat on the bed, shirt gone ,bag left it at the scenes,ball no where to be found,palms scraped.
I replayed everything
The alley.
The words.
Maranzano.
I don't know who he is – but one thing I know now is,
Someone powerful has noticed me.