Page 32 of Malevolent Secrets

“Yes. I wasn’t thinking clearly when I went there, but…”

“That’s an understatement. Massimo once put a bullet in a man’s head because he breathed too loudly. No, I’m not fucking with you, nor am I exaggerating. Lorenzo Duretti is capable of calculated evil, but Massimo is just plain evil.”

Shivers run down my spine at the thought of how stupid I had been going there to see him. Frankly, I was more stupid for fucking Lorenzo over and over again.

“If we are going to work together Daniella, I need to know that I can count on you not to make stupid decisions. You’re no good to either of us if you’re dead.”

He sounds so matter of fact and normally I would probably be offended, but that’s not even a luxury I can afford now.

“I understand that. I promise I’m a lot more level-headed now.” It’s also not lost on me that he said we will be working together, which I’m taking as a victory.

“Well, you’ve already gone into the lion’s den and come out unscathed, you might as well tell me how he likes to play.”

“I don’t know, I didn’t get a lot from him. I was barely there for five minutes. He told me that Jeremy had been working for the Duretti’s, but he wouldn’t say anything else.”

“Hmm.” Mark holds his mug in his two hands as he thinks about what I’ve just said.

“There’s every possibility that he was just fucking with you. Massimo is a fan of games, although, not as much as Lorenzo is.”

It is not lost on me how much he seems to know about the two men.

“You keep talking about Lorenzo. He’s the head of the family, right?” I won’t be telling Mark that I know Lorenzo better than I should. There’s no reason to tip my hand that much.

“Yes. For three years now since his father Alexandre, the former Capo, passed.”

"This is… a lot," I say finally, leaning back in my chair.

"The Durettis are dangerous, and Lorenzo is the most dangerous of them all. If he’s involved in Jeremy’s death, you’re in deep trouble."

"I know," I admit, my voice was steady. "But I need to know the truth. Can you help me?"

Mark nods slowly. "I can share what I know, but you'll need to be careful. The Durettis have eyes and ears everywhere. Any wrong move and they'll know."

"I understand. Thank you, Mark."

Over the next hour, Mark provides a detailed overview of the Duretti family’s operations, their key members and their known associates.

He explains that Lorenzo, despite his ruthless reputation, is a man of calculation and care. If Jeremy crossed him, it would have had to have been for a significant reason.

“The Duretti family,” Mark begins, “originated in Sicily, Italy. They started as a small-time crime syndicate but quickly grew in power and influence by capitalizing on the chaos of World War II. They established a reputation for ruthlessness and strategic cunning, which allowed them to control key smuggling routes across the Mediterranean.”

I nod, absorbing the information. “How did they transition to operations here in the States?”

“Post-war, they saw an opportunity in the United States, particularly in New York and Chicago. They set up legitimate businesses as fronts for their criminal activities. Over the decades, they’ve expanded into various sectors, both legal and illegal. The Duretti family produces rum and whiskey, owns a clothing brand, and operates a private security company. These are just the surface-level operations.”

He pauses, taking a sip of his coffee before continuing. “Beneath that veneer of legitimacy, they’re deeply entrenched in drug trafficking, money laundering, and bribery. Their influence extends to high-ranking officials, ensuring their operations run smoothly without interference from law enforcement.”

“Their business must be worth billions,” I say, trying to grasp the scale of their operations.

“It is. They’ve mastered the art of laundering money through countless shell companies. Each company serves a specific purpose, funneling dirty money into clean streams that are nearly impossible to trace.”

“Who runs the family now?” I ask, eager to understand more about the leadership.

“Lorenzo Duretti, of course. He is both feared and respected. He’s known for his calculated moves and ruthless enforcement of loyalty. Under him, there’s a clear chain of command. His right-hand man, Victor Tomasso, handles much of the dirty work, ensuring their operations remain unchallenged. Beneath Victor are several lieutenants who manage various sectors of their empire.”

Mark continues, “They also employ a network of spies and informants within law enforcement and other rival organizations. This web of influence makes them nearly untouchable. Any threat to their power is dealt with swiftly and brutally.”

The weight of his words sinks in. The Duretti family is a well-oiled machine of corruption and violence, with tendrils reaching into every corner of society. It’s no wonder they’ve managed to evade the law for so long.

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