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Chapter 54: The Show Starts
Italy, Rome. The ancient, majestic Baths Ruins.
Numerous guests were present, all invited to attend the formal coronation ceremony of the new head of the Camorra Family. Under the gaze of everyone, Gianna, like a radiant moon surrounded by stars, entered the vast hall, escorted by four capable bodyguards. Tonight, Gianna was exceptionally dazzling, exuding an aura of elegant, undeniable nobility. Every gesture was filled with grace and composure.
After exchanging brief pleasantries with the arriving guests, Gianna walked along the red carpet toward the backstage area; she needed to touch up her makeup before the coronation ceremony officially began. Looking into a large vanity mirror, she reapplied her lip gloss. However, as she was applying it, her expression slowly froze, and her right hand, holding the lipstick, began to tremble slightly.
This wasn't due to the cold, but because a stern-faced figure in a tailored suit suddenly appeared in the mirror behind her. This terrifying, uninvited guest was none other than John Wick himself.
Taking the fastest flight, John Wick had traveled from New York to Italy. After landing, he first went to the local Continental Hotel and used the gold coins he carried to go on a ruthless shopping spree. Maps, suits, and a complete set of silenced weapons were acquired, arming himself to the teeth. After preparing for battle, he used a high-priced key he had purchased to sneak quietly through the back door and locate his target for this mission.
Without giving Gianna—or rather, the woman who looked like Gianna—any chance to plead, John Wick decisively drew his pistol and mercilessly pulled the trigger.
Bang!
A single gunshot rang out. The life of the decoy withered. Her body fell limply backward, collapsing into the ancient bath. Blood gushed immediately from the wound, and a vivid red-flower quickly bloomed in the warm water, contrasting sharply with the pristine marble.
John Wick, having completed the first stage of his mission, quickly exited. Killing Gianna's decoy was only the initial step. What he would face next would be an even greater danger.
Sure enough, he hadn't gone far when a familiar voice from behind suddenly called out to him.
"John?"
Cassian, one of the real Gianna's most trusted bodyguards, was utterly confused. He never expected that John Wick, rumored to be retired, would appear here today. However, seeing John emerge from the direction of the bathroom, Cassian instantly realized what the horror meant. After a brief, tense exchange of pleasantries, the two immediately drew their pistols and engaged in an intense shootout, quickly becoming entangled in a desperate fight.
While they fought fiercely, the surrounding guests were terrified, screaming in fright and frantically running for the exits. The battle grew increasingly intense, and the commotion swelled across the venue.
Only one table of guests in a shadowed corner remained completely unmoved, continuing to sit quietly as if nothing at all had happened.
"It seems our 'Baba Yaga' has succeeded. What do you plan to do next, Tommy?"
The woman in the hat smiled, lifting her head to reveal her delicate features. If Cassian saw this face, he would surely be greatly startled. Because this smiling woman looked exactly like his boss, Gianna!
That's right. The one who appeared here at this moment was the real Gianna D'Antonio. And the one who had just died in the bathroom was merely her well-trained decoy. This use of stand-ins was not uncommon. For their own safety, people of a certain status often maintained several decoys. Gianna was naturally no exception.
Therefore, upon learning of Santino's treacherous plot, she deliberately arranged for a decoy to attend the coronation ceremony in her place. The purpose was twofold: first, to ensure John Wick's assassination attempt was successful so he could complete the Blood Oath and regain his freedom; and second, the 'faked death' Gianna could also use this critical moment to test the loyalty of her family members and allies.
To make this act utterly convincing, Gianna had only informed a few of her most trusted confidantes; most of the family members were completely unaware of the substitution. Even some of her dedicated bodyguards, like Cassian, were kept in the dark and knew nothing about it.
"It's just a pity about Cassian," Gianna murmured, a flicker of genuine regret in her eyes. That guy was skilled and a good shot. He was her most excellent bodyguard. "But sometimes, sacrifice is necessary. If Cassian's death can make this act more convincing, then his sacrifice is a very worthwhile thing."
"After this is over, do you want to come back and help me run things?" Gianna suddenly asked, looking at Tommy Vercetti.
Tommy Vercetti shook his head without hesitation. "Forget it. I'm doing well in New York. My business has just started—the burger joint will open in a few days. You can come over for the fun." Without thinking twice, he rejected Gianna's suggestion. He came to Italy this time to prevent John Wick from backing out of their deal and to ensure the plan's smooth implementation, not to return to the Camorra Family.
He was doing quite well in New York. Even though he had very few reliable subordinates—only Franklin Clinton—he was still the boss, with absolute, unchallenged authority. If he returned to Italy, he would immediately revert to being a subordinate again. He wasn't a masochist, so why bother?
Gianna nodded and didn't insist. She had, in fact, considered this point. One mountain cannot hold two tigers. One Camorra Family cannot accommodate two ambitious individuals like them. Don't let their current good relationship fool anyone; it existed only because they shared common interests. But if Tommy Vercetti truly returned to Italy, conflicts would inevitably arise between them in the future, and they might even fall out violently. Rather than that, it was better to maintain the current status quo, which was good for everyone involved.
"I heard you recently took over a club. Are you spread too thin? Do you want me to send some people over to New York to help you with security?"
"That could work." This time, Tommy Vercetti didn't refuse. They were just a group of thugs, but they were loyal and skilled enough for basic security work, and he certainly wouldn't need to worry about any infiltration.
The two chatted idly while chaos erupted around them. Meanwhile, John Wick had already fought his way out of the venue. Behind him, Cassian led a relentless pursuit. Besides Cassian, another group of professional assassins joined the pursuit: people sent by Santino, intending to brutally cut off the roots and eliminate John to prevent secrets from leaking. After a tremendous, exhausting effort, John Wick finally fought off all the pursuers, including Santino's elite assassin Ares, and boarded a plane bound for New York.
Seeing John Wick return safely to the States, Tommy Vercetti knew it was time for him to depart as well. The show was almost over; it was time to wrap things up. It would be highly impolite not to deal with Santino soon. Unlike John Wick, Tommy took Gianna's private plane. Gianna accompanied him, fully preparing to return to New York to send her treacherous brother Santino off permanently.
Before boarding the plane, Gianna leaned close to him, resting her head on his shoulder, and whispered, "I forgot to tell you, I bought some very sexy lingerie."
Tommy Vercetti: "Hmm?"