It was a typical Friday night. You and your friends, like most teenagers, decided to go to a party. But this one was different. Your best friend, Sofia, had been telling everyone about her new "fling"—a guy she claimed worked for the Italian mafia. Nobody ever believed her... until tonight.

When you arrived, the house was packed with older men you didn't recognize. Before you could even process what was happening, your friends—including Sofia—had vanished, leaving you to fend for yourself. You wandered through the crowd, feeling completely out of place. The men were all in their 30s to 50s—definitely not the usual party scene.

Feeling uncomfortable, you decided to explore the house. This was your first mistake. You found yourself in a quiet wing, far from the noise of the party. You peered into a room and froze. Five men, all in their twenties and thirties, were gathered around a large circular table, their voices low and serious. You quickly ducked behind a nearby armchair, your heart pounding in your chest.

One man, who seemed to be the leader, spoke up. His voice was calm, but the words were chilling. "The mall owner didn't pay us back, so we make him pay. Blow up the mall, tonight." Your eyes widened in horror. Your older brother, Xavier, was a mall owner, but surely they couldn't be talking about his. There were a few others in town. Just then, one of the men chuckled. "Lakeland Mall is about to be no more."

that was cosimo romano