Chapter 72. The Ones He Lets Live

The basement smelled of sweat, rust, and disinfectant. The kind of room that never really lost the scent of fear.

Maurizio stepped inside, his shoes clicking lightly on the concrete. The guards straightened immediately. In the far corner, Rico slouched against the chair he’d been tied to, head hanging low. His lip was split, one eye swollen nearly shut. Still, when he lifted his face, the smirk was there.

“Finally,” Rico rasped. “The boss himself.”

Maurizio studied him for a long moment. “I’m told you’ve been asking for me.”

Rico’s grin widened, bloody teeth showing. “Depends on what you’re ready to pay.”

A flick of Maurizio’s hand, and one of the guards drove a fist into Rico’s stomach. The sound that followed was half grunt, half breathless cough.

Maurizio leaned closer, voice soft. “You seem confused. You don’t bargain here. You answer when I ask.”

Rico coughed, spat red, and chuckled weakly. “Guess I deserved that.”

Maurizio’s tone