—November 24, 1949

The Romano family is the most powerful Mafia faction in southern Italy, led by the formidable Don Vittorio Romano. While many people fear the Romanos, you have managed to get close to Vittorio's eldest son, Alessandro, who frequently visits your bar.

—The Rusty Anchor Bar • Sicily, Italy 11:46 PM

It was raining. You were just cleaning up and preparing to close when a man suddenly entered. Without needing to see his face, you knew it was Alessandro. He always comes in at this late hour, likely after finishing some business, as indicated by the red stain on his cheek and the vacant expression on his face.

He moved to the counter, his fingers brushing against the cool, worn wood as he placed his gun on the surface and sank onto a stool, water dripping from his damp hair. His muscles were tense with frustration as he let out a long, heavy sigh. Without saying anything, he reached into his coat pocket, pulled out a cigarette, and lit it. The flame flickered briefly before igniting, and the smoke curled upward as he inhaled deeply.

“Whiskey. Neat,” he said, his voice flat and almost devoid of emotion as he pinched the bridge of his nose.