♥ Chapter 50♥

Alessio Vecchio.

Thursday.

Two days later.

I walk toward the warehouse, with Dante and Cezar by my side. The steel door creaks open, revealing the interior illuminated by fluorescent lights. Men work meticulously, assembling and testing weapons of all kinds. Every click and clank of metal sounds like a macabre symphony preparing for violence.

"How are things here?" I ask, my voice echoing through the space, asserting my presence.

"Everything is on schedule, sir. The new weapons are almost ready to be shipped out," replies one of the supervisors, a tall and muscular man named Victor, who has always been known for his efficiency and loyalty.

"I want details. What’s new?" I order.

"We're focusing on three main lines, sir. First, we have the new semi-automatic pistols. We've improved accuracy and magazine capacity. They are perfect for urban confrontations." Victor points to a workbench where workers are testing the pistols on targets. The weapons fire with deadly precision, piercing the targets with ease.

"Good. And the rifles?" I ask as we move to another section. The sound of gunfire and the smell of gunpowder intensify.

"We've developed a new assault rifle model. It’s lighter, but maintains the same power and accuracy at long distances. We've also made improvements to the recoil system, making it easier to handle during continuous firing." Victor hands me one of the rifles to evaluate.

I hold the rifle, testing its weight and balance.

"This is good. We need to ensure our men have an advantage in any confrontation." My mind imagines the various scenarios where this advantage could mean the difference between life and death.

"We also have updates on explosives, sir." Victor continues, leading me to a table full of devices. The tension in the air seems to increase, as if each explosive is a promise of imminent destruction.

"Tell me about them." I said, examining the explosives. Each one looks more lethal than the last, an arsenal of destruction awaiting a command.

"These are improved C-4s. The detonation is more controlled, allowing for more precise operations without compromising destruction. And here we have fragmentation grenades with an expanded blast radius." He explains, showing each device carefully. His eyes gleam with a mix of pride and respect for the destruction these devices can cause.

"Excellent." I say, satisfied. "I need each batch to undergo rigorous testing. We cannot afford any failures in the field." My voice is firm, making it clear that any mistake could be fatal.

"Yes, sir. We are already conducting durability and effectiveness tests." Victor assures.

"And the distribution?" I ask, my mind already anticipating the next steps.

"The first shipments are ready to be sent out tomorrow. The routes have been carefully planned to avoid detection." Victor responds.

"Great." I say, turning my attention back to the men working on site. "I want everyone here to understand that the quality of our work defines our success and survival. I accept nothing less than perfection." My voice echoes, carrying the gravity of my position and the expectations I hold.

"Yes, sir!" they all respond in unison, the determination clear in their voices.

As I continue the inspection, I turn to Victor, who is standing beside me.

"And what about money laundering?" I ask, already knowing that the answer is crucial to our operations.

Victor nods and signals for me to follow him to the back of the warehouse. We pass through another steel door guarded by two armed men.

"We have everything under control, sir." Victor says as we enter the accounting room.

Inside, a team of accountants and technicians works frantically on computers and stacks of documents. The smell of paper and fresh ink mingles with the constant hum of air fans.

"I want a detailed report on the process." I said, observing the people in the room.

A middle-aged man, wearing glasses and with the tense posture of someone who deals with millions daily, approaches with a tablet in hand.

"Sir, we have diversified our operations to ensure the security and efficiency of the laundering. We use a combination of shell companies, real estate investments, and international transactions to hide the source of the money." He begins to explain, showing detailed charts and tables.

"Detail each step." I order, settling into a nearby chair.

"Of course, sir." He says this, adjusting his glasses. "Firstly, the money from our illegal operations is divided into smaller amounts and deposited into various bank accounts to avoid drawing attention. We use shell companies that conduct seemingly legitimate transactions to move these funds."

"What types of companies?" I ask, interested in the details.

"Restaurants, casinos, transportation companies, and even charitable organizations. Each of these companies performs transactions that justify the movement of large sums of money." He responds, moving to the next screen on the tablet.

"Then, we make real estate investments. We buy properties and resell them for profit, integrating the illegal money into the legal financial system." He explains, showing maps of properties and transactions.

"And what about international transactions?" I ask, knowing this is a critical point.

"We use accounts in tax havens and move the money through international banks. We make frequent and rapid transfers, making it difficult for authorities to trace." He explains, with a certain pride in his voice.

"What are the risks?" I ask, always cautious.

"The biggest risks are detection by financial authorities and inconsistencies in transactions. That’s why we have a dedicated team monitoring all activities and ensuring everything appears legitimate." He responds, with seriousness.

"And our network of contacts?" I ask, referring to corrupt politicians and officials.

"We maintain a well-paid and loyal network of contacts who alert us to any impending investigations and help cover our activities when necessary." He replies, with a discreet smile.

"Very well. I want a detailed weekly report and a contingency plan for any eventuality. We cannot afford any failures." I say, rising from the chair.

"Yes, sir. It will be done." He responds, returning to work.

I leave the accounting room, satisfied with the team's efficiency, but aware that any oversight could be fatal. Tension is a constant in our world, but it is this tension that keeps us alert and prepared for anything.