Chapter 6 - The Trap is Set
The plan was simple, but incredibly dangerous.
Sylvio would leak information through a compromised courier that he was fleeing the city, heading to his private estate in upstate New York. He would travel with a minimal security detail—just him, Vincent, and two cars.
Tony, knowing this was his best chance to eliminate Sylvio without facing the full force of the Romano family’s soldiers, would ambush the convoy at a secluded stretch of highway winding through the state park.
But the estate upstate was a decoy.
In reality, Sylvio’s soldiers would be waiting in the woods along the highway, turning the ambush into a slaughterhouse for Tony’s mercenaries.
"And what about the girl?" Vincent asked as they finalized the map coordinates on the desk. "If Tony has spies near the villa, she’s not safe here."
"She goes with us," Sylvio said. "But not in the convoy. You will take her in a separate, unmarked SUV before we leave. You’ll take the back roads and bring her to the safe house in New Jersey. It’s a fortress. Nobody knows about it except you and me."
Vincent nodded. "I’ll protect her with my life, Boss."
"I know you will, Vincent," Sylvio said.
The next afternoon, the preparations were complete. The villa was quiet, almost ghost-like, as the staff was sent away on paid leave. Luna stood in the foyer, her small backpack slung over her shoulders. She looked nervous, her eyes darting toward the front door where two black SUVs were idling.
"Sylvio?" she asked, walking up to him. "Are you going to be okay?"
Sylvio knelt in front of her. He took her small hands in his. "I will be fine, Luna. Vincent is going to take you to a very safe place. It has a big garden, and there are books there you haven't read yet. I will join you there tomorrow morning."
"Promise?" she asked, her voice trembling.
"I promise," Sylvio said. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, silver medallion on a chain. It was an image of St. Jude, the patron saint of lost causes. "My mother gave this to me when I was your age. It has kept me safe through many storms. I want you to have it."
He placed the chain around her neck. Luna held the cool metal in her hand, her eyes filling with tears. She threw her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. Sylvio stood frozen for a second, unaccustomed to such pure, unforced affection, before slowly wrapping his arms around her, holding her close.
"Go with Vincent now," he whispered.
Vincent stepped forward, offering his hand to Luna. She took it, and together they walked out the back exit of the villa toward a dusty, unassuming sedan.
Sylvio watched them leave, his heart heavy but his mind sharp.
May you like
He walked to the front door, where his men were waiting. He adjusted his coat, checked the heavy automatic pistol in his shoulder holster, and stepped out into the cold afternoon air.
The hunt was on.
