Chapter 66: The Unexpected Gift

The sun shone high in the Miami sky, reflecting off the crystal-clear surface of the Hahn mansion’s pool. Johnny was relaxed, reclining on a comfortable lounge chair, wearing sunglasses and holding a glass of pineapple and mint juice. It was a quiet day, just the way he liked it. His leadership was stable, his business in order. Nothing seemed out of place. Suddenly, one of the maids appeared at the glass door that connected the living room to the outside area. It was Maria, a discreet and efficient lady, who always moved with calculated steps and an attentive gaze. She was holding a rectangular package, wrapped in impeccably decorated wrapping paper with gold ribbons.

“Mr. Johnny, this just arrived in the mail,” she said, holding out the package. Johnny arched an eyebrow, curious but also a little suspicious. He didn’t usually receive gifts, especially without warning. Removing his sunglasses and setting the glass aside, he took the package.

“Thank you, Maria,” he replied with a half-smile, gesturing for her to move away. Carefully, he began to open the gift. The packaging was of high standard, and the attention to detail seemed to indicate that whoever sent it wanted to make a good impression. As he removed the lid of the box, Johnny let out a brief smile, perhaps appreciating the initial appearance of the contents, but the smile disappeared the next instant. Inside the box, there was an item that chilled his blood, locks of the silky brown hair of the vain Gavin. He closed the lid quickly, as if to erase the disturbing vision.

“Motherfucker!” Johnny took a deep breath, got up from the lounger and, without hesitation, threw the box into the nearest trash can.

With trembling hands, but a firm expression, Johnny approached the edge of the pool and stared at the horizon, trying to organize his thoughts. Something had changed. The tranquility he had enjoyed minutes ago now seemed like a distant luxury. He knew that this was a clear message from Bella, and he certainly would not make it cheap for her.Taylor approached Johnny with his usual air of confidence, but when he noticed the tension on his boss's face, he hesitated for a moment. With his hands in his pockets, he cast a curious glance at the trash can where the box had been discarded.

“What was in the box, boss?” he asked, trying to hide his uneasiness.

Johnny, still with a frown, gestured for Taylor to check for himself. Reluctantly, the counselor went to the trash can, opened the lid and carefully picked up the box. When he looked at the contents, an expression of discomfort mixed with disbelief took over his face.

“Hah! Poor Gavin, he's lost his strength,” Taylor said, letting out a debauched laugh, trying to break the tense atmosphere. The boss, impassive, stared at him with an icy look that made Taylor swallow hard. The joke had been miscalculated. He quickly corrected his posture.

“What are you planning on doing, sir?” the counselor was now serious.

Johnny stepped closer, crossing his arms and staring into the distance, as if his mind were several steps ahead.

“It’s clear to me that we have a traitor among traitors,” he said, his with voice firm. “I want you to find out who it is, and then bring him to me.”

Taylor nodded, already knowing that the order was not a request, but a sentence. As soon as he left the mansion, Taylor summoned two men he trusted, Max and Henry, to help him with the investigation. The trio began meticulous work: they visited bars and nightclubs associated with the group, questioned contacts and paid informants. After long hours of questions and exchanging money, they reached a security guard at a nightclub in downtown Miami. The man, sweating and clearly nervous, revealed a crucial piece of information. “Evan Cole... he showed up here a few days ago, wanting information about Gavin's flight and where he was staying in New York.” This revelation was the missing link. It didn't take long for Taylor and his team to connect the dots and identify Evan Cole as the traitor. But when they went after him and Robinson, his accomplice, they discovered that both had fled the previous morning, leaving only subtle traces behind. Back at the Hahn mansion, Taylor relayed the details to Johnny, who listened in silence, his hands clenched and his eyes filled with fury. When Taylor finished, Johnny exploded, throwing a glass against the wall.

“Damn old men!” he roared, his deep voice echoing through the room. “How did they manage to escape without anyone noticing?”

Maria, the oldest maid in the house, entered the room hesitantly. She seemed uncomfortable, but determined to speak. Johnny stared at her, irritated by the interruption.

“What is it, Maria?” he was clearly impatient.

The woman took a deep breath before saying, in a low, careful voice,

“Sir... Mr. Evan Cole is the uncle of Miss Susan, Miss Bella’s advisor.”

The words fell like a bombshell in the room. Johnny stood still, processing what he had just heard. Susan’s name was not only familiar, but it carried a specific weight within Bella’s inner circle, the Hahn heiress.

“Susan... Susan Cole,” Johnny muttered, his eyes narrowing. “How did I not realize that before? Shit!” The heavy silence was interrupted by Taylor. “What are we going to do now, sir?” Johnny didn’t answer right away. He turned to the window, watching the palm trees swaying in the wind. His expression was one of pure determination. “If they want to play like this, I accept. Let’s give them something they’ll never forget. Maria, do you have any more relevant information to give me?”

“No sir!” “Right! Taylor, get the men ready. From now on, we’re going to go all out in this war.” As the tension grew in the mansion’s main hall, Johnny was surrounded by Taylor and other members of the group, discussing strategies, his mind seething with ideas to turn the tables on Bella. In the middle of the discussion, the door was abruptly opened. One of the oldest capos entered the room with firm steps and a smile that mixed confidence and challenge. “If you want to have an advantage over Bella Hahn, you can’t send any of those whose strengths and weaknesses she already knows,” the newcomer said, crossing his arms. “There has to be an element of surprise.” Johnny looked up and arched an eyebrow.

“Isak Diaz. It’s been a while since I’ve seen you.” “I was solving some problems outside of Miami, but now I’m back and ready to help you,” Isak replied, with his husky voice, typical of a man used to command. Taylor, who was watching the scene from the corner, couldn’t hide the contempt in his eyes. He knew Isak’s reputation and didn’t trust him. Isak, however, noticed the hostility and turned directly to Taylor, with a provocative smile. “Don’t worry, counselor. I’m not going to take your position away,” he said, with an almost mocking tone. “I’m doing just fine being a capo.”

Taylor pressed his lips together but remained silent. Johnny, on the other hand, was analyzing the interaction carefully. He knew that hidden tension between his men could be both a weakness and an opportunity.

“So, what are you going to do, sir?” Isak asked, turning his attention back to his boss.

Johnny didn’t answer right away. He stood up from the chair he was sitting in, straightened his jacket, and gave the men in front of him a serious look.

“Everyone leave,” he ordered firmly.

Taylor hesitated, but eventually obeyed, following the others out of the room. When he was alone, Johnny picked up his cell phone and dialed a number he hadn’t used in years. He knew that the person on the other end of the line would be his best chance to turn the tables, but it also represented a huge risk.

After a few rings, a female voice answered.

“Johnny... How do you still have my number?” the woman asked in a tone that mixed surprise and suspicion.

Johnny took a deep breath, as if measuring each word before speaking.

“I need help, Rebecca.”