Page 33 of The Devil's Fire

I opened the car door to see if there were any survivors. There was a man in the backseat with a gunshot wound to his chest, groaning in pain, and gasping for air. I raised my gun and shot him, his head flying back with a gaping hole in it.

The sudden, bright light of a phone screen caught my attention on the ground. I grabbed it when I saw an incoming call, shaking my head when I saw who it was. I turned to Lorenzo and held up the phone.

“Roberto.” He sneered at the sight of his name, and I smirked.

“Wrap up and have someone clean this mess. We have someone we need to visit.”

The sun was slowly sinking below the horizon, glinting off the sides of the container ships as we drove up to the warehouse.

I exited the car and quickly surveyed my surroundings as I approached the warehouse. Two men stood guard at the door, and I almost closed my eyes in annoyance when they aimed their weapons on us.

I looked at the approaching shape and heard Giannino's heavy footsteps as he made his way to us with two more men behind him.

“Bellavia!” He smiled with his arms half-raised in a welcome. “To what do I owe the honor for you to come all the way out here?” He stopped in front of me and clasped his hands behind his back.

“Where is Roberto?” I got straight to the point, my patience already worn thin. He glanced around and noticed my men were prepared if they tried to make a move.

“He’s inside.” He answered after having assessed the situation. I looked at Antonio and Luca and motioned for them to follow me and Lorenzo.

“Roberto!” Giannino called out.

Roberto came out from the stacks of pallets that almost filled the entire warehouse. He tried to remain stoic, but his slight gulp and trembling hands gave away his uneasiness.

“Roberto, tell me why you have troubled these gentlemen to come here?” His father asked suspiciously.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He tried to have a brave look on his face, but he kept shuffling his feet.

“There was a drive-by shooting just outside the Church earlier today. Someone knew our location and what time we would be there. Do you know anything about it?” I raised my brow at him, giving him a chance to explain himself.

His eyebrows pulled together in a frown as he shook his head. I glanced over at Antonio and Luca and gave them a quick nod. They drew out their guns and shot the two men Giannino had with him. I heard two more gunshots from the outside, and the men who stood by the entrance went to meet their creator.

“Damiano, I demand an explanation!” Giannino erupted.

“You don’t demand shit here.” I stated in a low tone, glaring at him. Then, I turned to Roberto, narrowing my eyes. “My patience is running low, Roberto. Tell me what you know about the episode.”

Roberto glared at me, spat on the ground near my feet, and I glanced down at the spot before looking back at him.

“Wrong move.” I said calmly.

Antonio and Luca grabbed Roberto’s arms and forced them behind his back, straightening him up for Lorenzo to deliver a powerful punch to his stomach, followed by another to his ribs.

I pulled out my pack of cigarettes and lit one up. I took a long drag and looked at Roberto, who groaned in pain and tried to take a breath to compose himself.

“Roberto, one last time, and I’ll spare your life.”

“You don’t spare anyone!” He coughed out, struggling to catch his breath.

“I am a man of my word.” I promised him.

He looked hesitant before finally speaking.

“Look, I don't know who it is. I found a phone in my bag during my rounds. I received a phone call, but the static background noise made it impossible to identify the caller. Our orders weren't to shoot anyone; it was mainly meant to intimidate you. But if we landed a hit, we were promised rewards.” Roberto quickly explained.

I stared at him for a while to see if he was telling the truth. He was.

“And where’s the phone?”

“I dumped it in the water when I received the money.”

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