Chapter 6 - The West Side Heist
(Note: The narrative naturally flows into the execution of Vincent's counter-strategy as he takes direct action against the Marcone threat.)
The next morning, Vincent assembled his inner circle in the safehouse study. The air was thick with tension and the smell of dark espresso.
"We need that ledger," Vincent said, pointing to a map of the West Side Savings Bank spread across the table. "Vance and the Marcones know Elena is alive because they haven't found her body. They will have the bank under surveillance, waiting for anyone connected to her to show up."
"So how do we get in?" Tony asked, scratching his jaw. "If we roll in there with guns blazing, the feds will get involved before we can blink."
"We don't go in as Torinos," Vincent explained. "We use a distraction. Marco, you're going to stage a labor protest with our construction union guys outside the main entrance. Block the street. Cause chaos. While the police are dealing with the crowd, Tony and I will enter through the rear service tunnel using the bank manager’s keycard."
"How did you get the manager's keycard, Boss?" Danny asked with a grin.
Vincent didn't smile. "Let’s just say he owed the Torino family a very large favor regarding his gambling debts."
A few hours later, the plan went into motion. The West Side plaza erupted into shouts and chants as dozens of construction workers blocked the intersections. Sirens wailed in the distance.
Inside the quiet, marble-floored bank, the manager nervously escorted Vincent and Tony down into the vault basement. Vincent wore a simple gray worker's jumpsuit, a cap pulled low over his eyes.
They reached the safety deposit boxes. The manager’s hands shook violently as he inserted the master key into box number 742. Vincent inserted the key Elena had given him. The lock clicked open.
Inside was a thick, black leather-bound ledger. Vincent flipped it open, his eyes scanning the columns of numbers, offshore bank accounts, and familiar names of corrupt city officials. This wasn't just evidence—it was a weapon capable of completely dismantling the Marcone empire.
"Got it," Vincent said, sliding the ledger into a waterproof bag.
As they turned to leave the vault, the heavy steel security door began to swing shut.
"Hey!" Tony yelled, drawing his weapon.
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Through the closing gap, Vincent saw the bank manager running away, accompanied by three men in heavy tactical jackets. Marcone soldiers.
"Ambush!" Vincent shouted, throwing his weight against the door. It slammed shut with a deafening, echoing boom, locking them inside the concrete vault. The digital keypad on the inside went completely dead.
