Shadows Of Vengeance

Blood and Loyalties

Scene 1: De Luca Mansion - Morning

(Marco is seated at the breakfast table with his mother, Bella, and younger sister, Sofia. Bella watches him with a scrutinizing gaze, her elegance matched only by the steel in her voice.)

Bella: Marco, I heard about the mess at the club last night. How long do you intend to risk this family's reputation?

Marco: Mamma, with all due respect, reputation means nothing without power. Besides, these guys had it coming.

Sofia (sighing): Marco, you know she's right. The more chaos you create, the more enemies we make. Just be careful.

(Marco smirks, shrugging off their concern.)

Marco: I can handle it. We're De Lucas. We handle everything.

(Sofia exchanges a look with Bella, worry clouding her expression.)

---

Scene 2: Russo Mansion - Afternoon

(Carmella meets with her Aunt M and friend Ebba in a quiet room at the Russo mansion, discussing family matters. Carmella's phone buzzes with a text from Marco, taunting her about the previous night's fight.)

Ebba: (smirking) Looks like someone has you on his mind.

Carmella: Please. Marco De Luca only thinks about two things: himself and power.

M: (leaning forward) Be cautious, Carmella. The De Lucas are wolves, especially that boy. He's reckless.

Carmella: I know, Aunt M. But if he thinks I'm backing down, he's dead wrong.

(She sends Marco a quick, cutting reply, smirking as she imagines his reaction.)

---

Scene 3: Downtown - Ermanno and Diana's Apartment

(Ermanno and his girlfriend, Diana, are at home, discussing last night's events over a tense breakfast. Diana, a fiery and sharp woman, is frustrated with Ermanno's constant involvement with Marco's dangerous lifestyle.)

Diana: How much longer, Ermanno? Every time you walk out that door, I wonder if I'll see you again.

Ermanno: Babe, you know what I signed up for. The De Lucas aren't just any family - they're my family.

Diana: And what about us? You think I want to live every day like this?

(Ermanno sighs, pulling her close. He's caught between loyalty to Marco and his love for Diana.)

Ermanno: I'm careful. You know I'd never let anything happen to you.

Diana: (whispering) Just promise me, Ermanno. Promise me this life won't take you away from me.

(Ermanno nods, but his expression shows doubt. He knows promises mean nothing in the world they live in.)

---

Scene 4: Bella's Secret Meeting - Italian Bistro

(Bella meets privately with Isa, Marco's aunt, at a small Italian bistro. Both women are impeccably dressed, exuding the calm but fierce demeanor of the De Luca matriarchs. They discuss the family's current standing.)

Isa: (taking a sip of her espresso) Marco's reckless, Bella. If he continues like this, he'll bring everything we've built to ruin.

Bella: You think I don't know that? But he's my son. He has the fire of his father.

Isa: (sighs) And that fire will burn everything if we're not careful. Maybe it's time to teach him a lesson. Something that reminds him what's at stake.