Blood Ties And Forbidden Love

Chapter 6: Tangled Alliances

One of the students gingerly placed a photograph of Marino's lifeless body on the table, prompting an intrigued expression from Preston. With a smug grin, he ran his fingers across the image. "Ah, Marino. Luca really worked his magic after his demise. I must say, I miss that guy," he admitted, his voice tinged with admiration. "Once Marino was out of the picture, Luca seized control of the distilleries, and the profits were quite impressive."

Curiosity brimming, another student interjected, "How did things change then?"

Preston's smirk widened, his eyes gleaming with reminiscence. "I started off behind the bar, you know. Of course, I handled the occasional delivery, carrying out the grunt work in the early days."

He paused for a moment, his expression turning sombre. "Salvatore, well, he didn't take Marino's death lightly. The man had a temper like no other," Preston revealed, producing a photograph of a burnt-out brothel. "The Hilton, a legendary establishment, had stood for over three decades. But in a single day, Salvatore brought it to its knees," he continued, taking a long drag from his cigarette and exhaling a cloud of smoke. "It just goes to show you what happens when you underestimate the consequences of your actions."

1945:

The Hilton, an opulent edifice renowned as "The Whorehouse," stood as a haven where men could indulge their vices and empty their minds. The nickname stemmed from the insatiable greed of its male patrons, while the women within its walls amassed unimaginable wealth.

Chaos erupted within the establishment as bewildered employees witnessed a fleet of cars pulling up outside. In walked Vincent Santoro, a notorious contract killer known for undertaking any job handed to him. With a menacing glint in his eyes, he brandished a baseball bat, his voice commanding, "Men, let's make a mess of this place!"

Adding to the already volatile situation, River found herself trapped within the building. She had foolishly agreed to a date which she now regretted. Desperately scanning her surroundings, her eyes fell upon a phone nearby. Swiftly, she dialled a number, hoping for a lifeline amidst the impending turmoil.

Preston POV:

I was lounging, perusing the sheet to catch the most recent headlines. I had taken up residence at Luca's abode, as he graciously offered me a spare chamber. His wife, always displaying exceptional kindness towards me, left me pondering how Luca, of all people, managed to secure a dame of such calibre.

The telephone abruptly rang, prompting me to stride over and pick it up. Through the receiver, the unmistakable voice of Jonathan resonated, "Luca?" he inquired.

"Nah, it's Preston. What's the matter? You sound like you're about to lose your lunch," I jested, teasingly mocking him.

Jonathan's voice carried a sense of urgency, his breaths heavy. "River's in deep shit, down at the Hilton. I tried to intervene, but I've taken a hit," he grunted.

"Alright, I'm on my way. Keep her safe, and if any harm comes her way, heads will roll," I declared firmly, terminating the call before retrieving my firearm.

As I stepped outside, my gaze met Carlos, who had pulled up in his car. The grim expression on his face implied that he was well aware of the situation. Without wasting a moment, I swiftly climbed into the vehicle. "Let's go," I commanded, my determination to rescue River and provide her assistance unwavering.

Carlos parked his car a few blocks away from the Hilton. The once prestigious hotel now looked worn and dilapidated, a stark reflection of the state of affairs. As we approached, I noticed Vincent's henchmen loitering around the entrance, projecting an air of authority and danger.

"So, what's the deal with this guy?" I asked Carlos, eager to gather any information that could give us an advantage.

"He's a real piece of work," Carlos replied, his voice laced with disdain. "Vincent's got a taste for extravagance, flaunting his ill-gotten wealth. He's a gun for hire, doing any dirty job as long as the price is right. But watch out, he's not above taking hostages. If he catches River, she won't make it out alive."