THE CONTRACT

Marco had agreed to Dushanbe's condition, and Dushanbe had set up a meeting between Marco and his contact within La Fratellanza della Morte. The meeting place was an industrial warehouse on the outskirts of Los Angeles, a location Dushanbe had described as what you may call a 'neutral ground."  Marco arrived early, scared as he should be, but he was always on guard. The contact's name was Maika Pryor. He was a former associate of Dushanbe's but joined La Fratellanza della Morte when he was presented with an opportunity to do so. According to Dushanbe, Maika was a high-ranking member of La Fratellanza della Morte and could provide the information Marco needed. Marco stood in a dark spot, his hand resting steadily on his gun. He didn't trust Dushanbe that much but had hopes he won't betray him, and besides it's not like he had other options. Time was running fast and all he could think about was Luca's ultimatum. The thoughts covered him like a thick blanket suffocating him within. Maika arrived exactly at the agreed time, he was a tall, lean, and mean-looking man. He wore a long coat and a hat pulled low over his face, he moved cautiously as he approached Marco like he didn't trust him too. 'You're Marco DeLuca," Maika said when he was close enough to Marco, his voice low. He had a thick Italian accent. 'Dushanbe said you would come and that you had something for me." Marco nodded in affirmation, as he scanned Maika for a moment. He looked around the warehouse maybe to ensure there was nobody else there with them before he began. 'I need your help. Someone within La Mano Nera sold us out, and I need to know who." Viktor scoffed, and his eyes glinted with amusement. 'And why should I help you? If someone within La Mano Nera sold them out, then am I not supposed to be happy, is it not to my good that my rivals are falling from within?" Marco stepped closer, his voice steady. 'Dushanbe made a deal with me. If you help me, I'll make sure his business empire is restored and kept running while he's in prison. You'll have a place in his empire. You will have the protection of La Mano Nera, money, and power. All you have to do is just give me a name." He paused then came closer to him. 'I know you're losing your stand and relevance in your clan. This is an opportunity for you to start something different" Maika studied him for a moment, then nodded. 'Alright. I'll help you. But this information doesn't come cheap. You'll owe me." Marco's jaw tightened, but he nodded. 'Fine. Just tell me what you know." Viktor bent over to Marco's height, his voice dropping to a whisper. 'The traitor is someone close to Luca and to Luca's father. Someone he trusts. They've been feeding information to La Fratellanza della Morte for……" Before Maika could finish, the sound of breaking glass and a fallen door echoed through the warehouse. Marco turned around and pulled his gun. A group of armed men burst into the room. They moved with precision like trained assailants, on sighting Luca and Maika, they fired heavily at them. ******* 'Get down!" Marco shouted, pulling Maika to the ground as bullets whizzed past them. His gun was already drawn so he instantly returned fire, but the attackers were too many. Maika tried to get on his feet. He pulled out a gun of his own, but he was too slow. A bullet hit him in the chest, and he fell to the ground, with blood steadily oozing out of his injury. The bullet must have hit an artery because the bleeding was not stopping. He lay there in the floor wheezing. Marco was confused, diving behind a stack of logs for cover. He fired back continuously and methodically and took down two of the attackers, but it wasn't enough. The warehouse was swarming with armed men, and Marco was outnumbered now that Maika was out even… As the gunfire subsided, Marco heard the sound of footsteps approaching. He checked his barrel and discovered he was out on ammunition. He stayed still calculating his next move, but before he could move from his hiding position, he was kicked heavily on the side of his head by an armored boot. He fell to the floor, his gun rolled far away. As he tried to scramble back to his feet, he was rushed by heavy arms. The hands held him to the ground and he could not even look up. Marco struggled against the heavy captors, but they were too strong. They forced him to his knees, his arms pinned behind his back. He looked up, his eyes still blurry but he could see a woman step out in front of him. The woman was tall and beautiful, with good womanly features and piercing green eyes. She wore tight black fitting, her aura was mean and commanding. Her dark hair was packed neatly into a sleek ponytail, and she had a faint smile on her face as she looked down at Marco. 'Marco DeLuca," she said, her voice smooth and cold. 'I've been looking forward to meeting you." Marco stared at her. He didn't recognize her, but there was something familiar about her.  'Who the hell are you and what do you want from me?" He asked in a heavy voice. 'I should be the one asking what you want from me, or don't you think so?" She responded. Marco was to weak to continue the conversation, but he just wanted to know had captured him, so he went on to ask her again. 'Who the hell are you signora" She chuckled. 'Seems like you really want to know. Well I am Isabella Moretti." She answered with a heavy smirk on her face. Marco's eyes widened in shock.  Isabella Moretti.? Could this be real or is he in a dream….