In the Shadow of His Sin

4. Who's Nineteen?

"On a second thought, let me oversee this one myself. Call Nat. Tell him to bring all the invitation cards. If one's missing, then we know that Marco has already executed his plan, and we will know who the imposter will be. It'll become easy for us to eliminate the threat."

"Permit me to speak, boss." Luca said.

"Speak away."

"Boss, forgive me if I am too forward, but I have a request. This Calafiori group, they tried to take you out. They got some balls. Surely we can't let that go like that?"

"What do you have in mind?"

"Give me the go ahead, let us switch off one or two of their men. Ideally, one very close to Filippo."

"Yes, boss," Paolo started.

"I, too, share the sentiment. We can't let this go easily. We need to take out someone. Send them a strong message."

"Guys, guys, relax." Kade puffed out some smoke. "We will retaliate, but not now. Let us fish out the imposter they intend to send, and then we will send them a strong message. A very strong message. Until then, we play by their rules."

"Okay, boss."

"Clean this shit up, I said."

"The cleaners are on their way."

"And call me Nat."

———

Kade relaxed into the chair again, stroking his chin, wondering if he had become soft. If it was some years ago, someone made an attempt on his life like this, hundreds of heads will roll.

His mind drifted away. He tried to recollect when he became the boss of the Valenti empire.

He was the seventh son of nine of Don Valenti, the ailing patriarch. With cancer ravaging his body, he needed a worthy successor.

"Now you know what is happening to me. And soon I will be gone. I know the question in your head now is who amongst you will be the leader. Well, I have
one final test for you," Don Valenti, his voice was weak but still authoritative. "By tomorrow, a consignment must be  delivered to the Los Tres gang in Red District. Take note. Whoever succeeds in this will be my successor."

This task was extremely difficult, everyone knows. Los Tres has a reputation for brutality. Each son, however, was eager to prove their worth.

Kade was the one who pulled it off. With his calculating quietness and confidence, he delivered the consignment with grace.

The brothers embarked on their quests, but they all failed. But somehow, Kade did it. When they all tried to use force and rigor, Kade uses the gentle art of persuasion. He sorted out El Jefe, the gang leader, and made him a mouth-watering deal.

The consignment was delivered, and Kade returned to his father's estate as the successor.

Don Valenti was brimming with confidence, his eyes shining with pride.

"Kade, my boy, you have proven yourself worthy of carrying this scepter. I proudly ufficialize You will lead the Valenti empire."

With those words, Kade's brothers swore their loyalty to their little brother.

As the curtain fell on Don Valenti's time, Kade's reign began, characterised by strategic brilliance and ruthless precision.

What is happening here does not need force, though. His brothers must not hear of this. Hence, they will escalate it.

"And please. Keep this amongst us. Don't let my brothers know about it, especially Miguel."

"Okay, boss."

Kade was relaxing in the lounge when Nat arrived. He was a tall, well-built man, the size of an oak tree. His chest hair shone in stark contrast with his white shirt, and he wore his hair in a ponytail.

"Boss, you called for me," He said. His voice was soft and thin, like that of a musician. And did not match the size of the man.

"Yes. Something happened, and I want to check it with you."

"What happened?"

"Never mind. But I would like to see the invitation to my mother's birthday party. All of them."

"Okay, is there a problem?"

"No, not really.  Apparently, there is a conspiracy against me, and I intend to snuff it out before it grows."

"My goodness. That is serious. What do you need."

"I told you already. Just the invitations will do. That's all I need. How many are there all together."

"There are two hundred."

"Okay. And I am sure they are numbered."

"Of course, boss,"

"That is good. I have a feeling one of them is missing. You need to find it out."

Nat went out of the lounge, and when he returned, he had the invitation cards with him. There was a blue plastic card that admits one person.

Nat had invited two other of his men to come help with the search, and they were matching every number with the corresponding name on the list of invitees.

"Seventeen, Lady Anita"

Kade beamed with exictement. 

"Oh, I never knew invited Lady Anita. Mother will be delighted. She is such a fan of her music."

"Who doesn't like Anita. She has managed to attract young and old fans alike."

"Eighteen, Francis Benoit."

Kade took a sip of his wine. 

"The famous artist. My favorite."

"Nineteen..."

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There was silence.

"Who is nineteen?"

"Boss, there is no nineteen."

Kade sat upright. 

"Really..."

"Yes, really, boss. There is no nineteen."

A wry smile played on Valenti's face. So Marco had managed to put his plan in place before he got caught. That is interesting. So the person with the invitation card 19 will probably be Nova, the assassin sent to take him out.

He will instruct all security to watch out for that killer number 19.

He had only one one job: Protecting his empire at all costs. And he would do it well.

No one who betrays him will live to tell the tale.

No one.