"And let's be clear—it doesn't concern you if anything happens to me. The only person who would care is Matteo. You? I couldn't care less if something happened to you. Honestly… I want you dead. But I can't do it with my own hands," Luna said coldly.
Lorenzo's face tightened with fury. Just as Luna was about to say more, his phone started ringing.
"Who's calling you?" Luna asked, narrowing her eyes.
Lorenzo didn't answer. He stood up abruptly. "I'm going to take this outside."
Luna quickly rose from her seat and glanced at the screen—it was Matteo calling.
"Answer it. I'm going to listen," she demanded.
Lorenzo clenched his jaw but picked up the call.
"Hey, boss," Lorenzo said.
"I hope you're doing well," Matteo's voice came through the phone.
"I'm good, boss," Lorenzo replied quickly.
"I want Renshi. It's time. This is the signal," Matteo said firmly. "Have you given the documents to Jerry?"
"I'm not quite sure, but I'll go check. Sir?" Lorenzo responded.
"Give Jerry the documents, and tell him to carry out the plan immediately. But still… monitor him. He might not be trustworthy," Matteo instructed.
"It's not a problem, sir," Lorenzo said. "I'll give him the document soon and tell him to carry out the order… but I'll go confirm first."
Matteo's voice came sharp through the phone. "No. Carry it out immediately. It's time to shake the underworld—a little tremor for the Yakuzas, the Hitmen, even the Mafias. I'm the boss of the Mafia, and under my command, the Yakuza will respect me too. So will the assassins and the rest of the underground world. We're going to remind them who's in charge."
Lorenzo stayed silent as Matteo continued.
"Renshi… he's part of the Yakuza, right? Their leader? Tell Jerry to kill him. And if Jerry can't handle it, then I'll send someone who will."
"Okay, sir. No problem," Lorenzo replied.
"Why now, though?" he added cautiously. "Why so suddenly?"
"You know I've been too calm ever since I got married," Matteo said. "Too calm for a man in my position. When people tried to cross me, I ignored them. I told myself I'd stay away from violence. But it's clear now—I was taken for granted.
"Renshi will be a warning. Anyone who crosses the line from now on will pay. No more mercy. We're going back to the old ways."
Matteo's tone grew colder.
"Mario taught me something—when he attacked me, it was because he didn't fear me. That was a mistake I can't let happen again. I have to instill fear into every group, every boss, every assassin. Because I made a promise to my wife. I promised I'd take her out next time… peacefully. I won't let anything like what happened last time get in the way again."
Luna stayed quiet, listening closely, her expression unreadable as she processed everything Matteo said.
Lorenzo finally spoke. "Sir… I don't think something like that will ever happen again."
"It might," Matteo replied. "Mario was just the head of the Gambino family—he was a nobody. But he dared to challenge me because I'd gone too soft. That taught me something. Calmness is weakness in this world. What matters is fear. Fear keeps people in line. Respect is good, but fear—fear keeps people loyal."
"Sir, can I ask you something?" Lorenzo said with a half-smile. "Just one question. Between fear and respect… which one do you prefer?"
Matteo chuckled. "Is it too much to ask for both?"
"So you won't pick one?" Lorenzo asked, playing along.
"No time for jokes. We've already joked enough," Matteo said, his voice turning serious again. "Just prepare everything. Jerry is in play. Watch him—he could be a spy if we're not careful. But for now, he's useful."
"What about the money?" Lorenzo asked.
"The money the former head of the Mafia hid after I killed him," Matteo replied. "We haven't even begun the real search yet. But it's already in motion,"Lorenzo said