I woke up to sunlight streaming through my penthouse windows. Tonight was the night. Donald's move, disguised as the Don's party.
My phone showed three messages:
- Sonia: "Please come over. We need to talk before tonight."
- Marco: "Be careful."
- Unknown number: "The inheritance papers are ready. - Chen"
First things first.
"System," I said to the empty room. "Show me the store."
[System Store Now Available]
[Current Sin Points: 257]
FEATURED ITEMS:
• Devil's Tongue (100 SP) - Make any lie believable
• Blood Memory (150 SP) - Access original Julian's full memories
• Predator's Eye (200 SP) - See through all disguises/lies
• Sin Sense (250 SP) - Detect others' deepest sins
[Special Offer: Family Gathering Pack - 200 SP]
- Poison Immunity (24 hours)
- Enhanced Perception
- Emotional Shield
- One "Get Out of Death Free" card
I studied the options. Devil's Tongue was tempting—my lies were already good, but perfect lies could be game-changing. Blood Memory might reveal secrets the original Julian knew. But tonight wasn't about the past.
It was about survival.
"Purchase the Family Gathering Pack."
[Confirmed. 200 SP deducted]
[Buffs Active: 24:00:00]
[Remaining Points: 57]
A warm sensation flooded through me. My senses sharpened. Colors seemed brighter, sounds clearer. The emotional shield settled over my mind like armor.
Better safe than dead.
---
I drove to Sonia's apartment, her urgent text weighing on my mind. She opened the door before I could knock, already dressed and alert despite the early hour.
"Julian. Thank god you came."
Something was off. Her makeup was perfect, her hands steady, but her eyes held fear.
"You said we needed to talk about tonight."
"Come in. Please."
I followed her inside, noting how she locked the door behind us. Double-locked it.
"Coffee?" she offered, already pouring.
"Sonia, what's wrong?"
She set the cup down with shaking hands. "Marco called me last night. After he left your place."
My eyes narrowed. "And?"
"He warned me to stay away from you. Said after tonight, you might not be..." She couldn't finish the sentence.
"Might not be what?"
"Alive." The word came out as a whisper. "Julian, he said Donald's planning something. Something final."
"Marco warned you?" That didn't fit his pattern. "Why would he care what happens to you?"
She took a deep breath. "That's what I needed to tell you. I haven't been completely honest about my family. About why I was really with Marco."
I waited, the enhanced perception from my buff picking up her micro-expressions. Fear. Guilt. Determination.
"The Ricci family—my family—we didn't just run numbers for the Colombians. We were their insurance policy against the Marinos." She met my eyes. "I was placed with Marco as security. A spy."
"You were spying on my family."
"At first." Tears formed. "But then I saw you. The real you, behind that shy act. And everything changed. I fell for you, Julian. The one person I wasn't supposed to want."
[Truth Detected]
[Sonia's Loyalty: 92% → 94%]
"So Marco knows what you are."
"He's always known. That's why he's warning me now." She grabbed my hands. "Donald found out about my family, about what I represent. He thinks you're working with the Ricci survivors. He thinks we're planning a coup against the Marinos."
"Are we?"
"No! I chose you. Not them. Not revenge. You." She was crying now. "But Donald won't believe that. In his mind, you've gotten too strong too fast, and now you're with the enemy's daughter. It's all the proof he needs."
I pulled her close, mind racing. This changed things. Donald wasn't just worried about my growth—he thought I was a traitor.
"Pack a bag," I said.
"What?"
"You're leaving town. Today. Publicly. Make sure people see you at the airport."
"Julian, I'm not running—"
"You're not running. You're creating an alibi." I tilted her chin up. "Take a flight to Miami. Check into a hotel under your real name. Then slip out the back and return to the safe house on Vine Street."
"How do you know about—"
"I know a lot of things. If tonight goes badly, I need someone on the outside. Someone I trust."
She kissed me then, desperate and deep.
"Come back to me," she whispered against my lips.
"Always."
[Quest Updated: Survive the Family Gathering]
[Hidden Objective: Protect Sonia from Donald's Suspicion]
---
After leaving Sonia's, I drove to Luna's apartment. She needed to hear about tonight from me, not through her obsessive surveillance network.
I found her cleaning her guns while humming an old Italian lullaby. The same one she used to sing when we were kids.
"Julian!" She jumped up, face lighting up like Christmas. "What brings you here? Did you miss me? I missed you. It's been twelve hours since I saw you."
"Wanted to see you before tonight."
"What's tonight?" She set down her gun, giving me her full attention.
"Family party at the estate. The Don's throwing one of his gatherings."
Her eyes sparkled dangerously. "Ooh! Sarà così divertente!" She caught herself and translated. "It will be so much fun! Your dad always liked me, remember? I used to play at your house all the time."
"I remember." How could I forget? Little Luna following me everywhere, beating up anyone who looked at me wrong.
"So I'll come with you! I'll wear that red dress you like—"
"It's not that kind of party, Luna."
Her smile faltered. "What kind is it?"
"The dangerous kind. Family business. Closed doors."
"Even better!" She bounced on her heels. "I can be your backup! Like when we were kids and I protected you from those bullies."
"Luna, we were eight. This is different."
"So? I've gotten better at protecting you." She gestured proudly at her wall of weapons. "Please? I promise I'll behave. I won't even shoot anyone unless they try to hurt you."
"No."
Her face crumpled. "Why not? Am I not good enough for fancy Marino parties? Is it because I'm not family?"
"It's family only. No outsiders."
"That's stupid." She crossed her arms, pouting. "What if you need help? What if someone tries to poison you? What if—"
I stood, moving into her space. She backed up until she hit the wall, suddenly nervous at my proximity. Old habits—she could face down armed killers, but when I got close, she turned into that eight-year-old girl again.
"Luna." I placed my hand gently on her head, like I used to when we were kids. "Stop being a bambina."
"Non sono una bambina!" She swatted my hand away, cheeks red. "I'm not a child! E questo è irrispettoso—that's disrespectful! I'm trying to help!"
"I know you are."
"Then let me come! I'll be quiet. I'll be invisible. I'll—"
"Luna." I caught her hands, stilling them. "I need you to stay here. Please."
Her eyes filled with tears. "What if something happens to you? What if you don't come back? What if—"
"Nothing will happen."
"You don't know that! Ever since you changed, everyone's trying to hurt you. First at the restaurant, then those snipers, and now Donald—" She clapped a hand over her mouth.
"How do you know about Donald?"
She looked away. "I may have bugged Marco's car."
"Luna."
"I had to! He's planning bad things, Julian. Really bad things."
I sighed. "I know. That's why I need you here. Safe."
"I don't want to be safe. I want to be with you."
"And I want you alive." I headed for the door. "Stay home tonight. That's an order."
"Since when do I take orders from you?" she called after me, but her voice cracked.
I paused at the door. "Since now. Trust me, Luna."
"I hate when you leave me behind," she whispered.
[Luna's Obsession: 95% → 98%]
[Warning: Yandere Breaking Point Approaching]
---
In my car, I made the call that would change everything.
"Hello, Chen."
"Mr. Marino. Have you decided?"
"Yes. I accept the inheritance."
A pause. "You understand what this means? Your father—"
"Will never know. Get the paperwork ready."
"Already done. The network awaits your command."
"Good. After tonight, everything changes."
"If you survive tonight."
"When I survive," I corrected.
"Of course. Good luck, Mr. Marino."
[Quest Complete: Blood Legacy]
[Mother's Network Acquired]
[New Resources Available After Party]
---
Eight PM came too quickly.
The Marino estate glowed with golden lights and false warmth. Valet took my keys while security checked for weapons. They found nothing—the real weapons were in my mind.
"Julian!" A woman's voice called out, sweet as poisoned honey.
She glided toward me in a gold dress that cost more than most people's cars. Blonde, beautiful, and predatory. Everything about her screamed 'trophy wife,' but her eyes held intelligence.
"Brother-in-law, I'm so glad you could make it." She air-kissed my cheeks, perfume overwhelming.
"And you are?"
"Megan. Donald's wife." Her hand lingered on my arm. "My husband has been absolutely obsessed with you lately."
[System Alert: Seduction Attempt Detected]
[Emotional Shield Active]
"Has he now?"
"Oh yes. Ever since you started making... waves." She linked her arm through mine. "Tell me, is it true you killed eight men at Luciano's?"
"Seven. My friend killed one."
"How modest." Her laugh was practiced. "Come, your father's been asking for you."
The main ballroom buzzed with family members. Cousins, uncles, business associates—all the parasites that fed on Marino power. They watched me pass with new interest. The weak third son had become something worth noting.
The Don stood at the center of it all, holding court. His face lit up when he saw me.
"Julian! There's my third son!" He pulled me into a genuine embrace. "You've been busy, haven't you?"
"Just taking care of business, Father."
"Good boy." He clapped my shoulder. "You're finally becoming the man I knew you could be."
"Thank you, Father."
"You know," he said quietly, "Donald's been filling my head with worries about you. Says you're changing too fast, making too many enemies." He smiled. "But I told him—my Julian's just finding his teeth."
[The Don's Approval: +15]
[Family Standing: Rising]
"Father!" Donald's voice cut through our moment. He approached with a smile that never reached his eyes. "So glad Julian could make it."
"Of course he made it," the Don said. "He's family."
"Indeed." Donald's gaze dissected me. "In fact, I've arranged something special for us brothers. Quality time."
"Oh?" The Don looked pleased. "What's that?"
"A private dinner. Just the three of us. Like when we were young."
Marco appeared from the crowd, looking like he'd rather be anywhere else. "Donald, I really don't think—"
"It's perfect," I interrupted. "I've missed our brotherly talks."
Donald's smile sharpened. "Excellent. Shall we?"
The Don beamed, oblivious to the undercurrents. "Yes! My boys, finally acting like brothers. This is what family's about."
As we walked toward a side room, I caught Marco's eye. He mouthed one word: "Careful."
Donald led us into an intimate dining room. Three chairs. Three glasses of wine already poured. And a gun lying casually on the white tablecloth.
"Please," Donald said, gesturing to the seats. "Make yourselves comfortable."
The door clicked shut behind us. No witnesses. No protection. Just three brothers and whatever Donald had planned.
[System Warning: Entered Hostile Territory]
[Threat Level: Maximum]
[Escape Routes: 2 (both guarded)]
Donald picked up the gun, checking the chamber with practiced ease. Six bullets. More than enough.
"Now then," he said, taking his seat. "Let's discuss your recent improvements, little brother."
Marco shifted uncomfortably. "Donald, this isn't—"
"Necessary?" Donald's eyes never left mine. "Oh, but it is. You see, Julian, I have a theory. Would you like to hear it?"
I reached for my wine glass, noting how my enhanced perception caught the slight tremor in Marco's hand. "I'm all ears."
"I think," Donald said slowly, "that you're not really Julian Marino at all."
The gun pointed at my heart.
"So tell me, whoever you are—do you bleed like a Marino?"