BACCARA: It's all an Illusion

Few days ago

Romanos House

Romano sat in his fancy living room, the morning sun shining through the big windows and casting a warm, golden light on the smooth wood floors. The air smelled lightly of jasmine from the garden outside. He held the delicate porcelain handle of his tea cup, steam curling up softly. Just as he was about to take another sip, he heard soft footsteps coming from the hallway.

Romano didn't look up, but his sharp eyes picked up on the change in the room. He knew it was one of his guards, the type who moves with a clear purpose, impossible to miss. He didn't need to hear footsteps; just a slight shift in the air was enough. The guard stopped right in front of him, standing straight and stiff like a soldier.

Romano glanced at the man for a second, then slowly raised his gaze to meet the guard's, raising an eyebrow as if to say, "What is it?"

The guard hesitated for a moment before speaking, "There's someone at the main gate, sir. He wants to meet with you." The guard looked down, like he wasn't sure how to say what came next. "He says he has info on the Rodriguez. Claims it could change everything." Romano's hand froze, the cup just short of his lips. His face stayed calm, but his mind was spinning. The Rodriguez family-his not so toughest rivals, weak and easy to pin down but quick witted mind. The idea that someone had information that could shift the balance of power was really interesting. But it wasn't enough to let his guard down.

He slowly put the cup down on the side table, his fingers tapping the rim for a moment. Then he looked straight at the guard. "And you didn't get his name?" The guard shook his head, speaking steadily. "No, sir. He didn't give it. Just said he's close to the Rodriguez family. Knows all their moves. Sharp. Clear."

Romano's gaze grew thoughtful, his fingers tapping the table in a slow, steady rhythm. Someone close to Rodriguez... that could mean a lot of things. An insider? A betrayer? Either way, it was a lead, and Romano wasn't about to let it go. "Did he look trustworthy?" Romano asked, keeping his tone casual, but the hint of curiosity in his voice was clear.

The guard thought for a moment. "It's hard to say. He's dressed nice and clean. Not like the usual trash we see around. I'd say he's got some cash and knows how to carry himself." Romano nodded slowly, his eyes far away as he thought it over. "Bring him to the study. I'll talk to him there." He paused, then added, "And keep it quiet. I don't want anyone else knowing about this."

The guard bowed his head. "Got it, sir." Romano watched the guard turn and quickly make his way back down the hall, his steps barely heard. After one last look out the window at the calm garden, Romano leaned back in his chair, resting his chin on his steepled fingers.

Rodriguez... this could be the chance he've been hoping for. He didn't usually get excited over every little thing, but having an insider in the enemy's camp-someone who could give him the edge-was too good to pass up. He'd need to be careful, though. If this guy really knew what he said he did... things were about to get interesting.

Two days later

Romano sat at his desk in the dimly lit study, surrounded by heavy wooden furniture that made the room feel serious and important. The air was thick with the smell of cigars mixed with the scent of leather-bound books. He had been waiting for this moment, with the quiet of the house only interrupted by the occasional sound of footsteps or distant whispers from outside.

He didn't mind the silence-it helped him think and focus. His mind went back to the previous day when a mysterious man showed up at his gate with news about the Rodriguez family. The guy spoke precisely and stayed cool, but something about him bugged Romano. He gave just enough info to seem trustworthy, but not much else. For someone claiming to have inside info, he didn't offer much proof. Still, Romano played along, knowing that even a small piece of useful information was worth looking into.

The clock on the wall ticked as the door to the study creaked open. Romano didn't need to turn around to know who it.was. It was Marco, his trusted right-hand man, slipping into the room as quietly as someone who's been in the game for years. Marco was tall and strong, the kind of guy who could fit in anywhere or stand out when needed, but he always drew attention. He'd been with Romano for a long time, and in their line of work, loyalty like his was hard to come by and super important.

Marco's eyes locked with Romano's as he walked up to the desk. Without saying a word, he put a file down in front of his boss. Romano didn't touch it right away. Instead, he looked closely at Marco's face, waiting for the details. "Rodriguez is making a move tonight," Marco said, keeping his voice low and steady. "At 2 AM, by the docks." A small, barely noticeable smile spread across Romano's lips. He leaned back in his chair, resting his fingers together under his chin, as he processed the news. So, the guy was right. At least partly.

Romano's mind was spinning, but he kept a calm, cool exterior. The docks. Typical- Rodriguez always went for the waterfront, a spot full of shadows and easy escapes. But it also showed he was feeling pretty sure of himself, maybe even a bit too confident, thinking he could mess with Romano on his own turf without any consequences. That kind of mistake could work in Romano's favor. Still, even with a smirk playing on his lips, Romano stayed careful.

What if the guy was just playing him? What if he was trying to get Romano to rush into something, to make a move that would trap him? The Rodriguez family was famous for their tricks and setting up fake info. If it was a trap, the risks would be huge. But that's why he had people like Marco, right? To help him figure out the lies. Romano pushed the file away, his fingers tapping on the edge of the desk. He looked at Marco, locking eyes with a sharp, focused stare.

"Make sure everything's set," Romano said, his voice steady but serious. "Get our guys at the docks ready, but keep it under wraps. I want Rodriguez to think they're in control until the last second." Marco nodded, his eyes showing he got it. He knew Romano well enough to understand how he planned things. Always a few steps ahead. "I got it, boss. The men are ready. We'll give them a surprise they won't forget."

Romano stood up, his tall figure casting a long shadow across the room. He walked over to the window and looked out at the dock below. The sun had set, and the night air felt cool on his skin. The ocean were quieter now, like the calm before a storm. He turned back to Marco, his face turning serious, the smirk gone, replaced by a determined look.

"Don't trust anyone outside this circle," Romano said, his voice low and sharp. "The guy who came to us yesterday... I still don't trust him. Stay alert. If this is a trap, I want to know before we're in it." Marco's face didn't show much, but Romano knew he was listening. "Got it, boss."

Romano paused, letting the silence stretch out. Then he said, "And Marco... make sure they know who's boss around here." Marco nodded sharply and left the room, the door clicking softly shut. Romano stayed by the window a bit longer, his eyes fixed ahead. The Rodriguez had made their move. Now it was his turn. It was going to be a long night, but Romano was ready. He always was.

Dockyard

Rodriguez moved silently through the night, his men following close behind. The only sounds were their soft footsteps on the concrete and the gentle whisper of the wind. The dockyard lay ahead, a vast maze of shipping containers and dark, empty spaces. But it wasn't the silence that worried him-it was the eerie quiet, the kind that makes your skin crawl, like something dangerous is hiding in the shadows.

He scanned the area, noticing the guards. There were too many, he thought. Romano's getting careless. They were well-armed and spread out, but not perfect. Rodriguez looked over at Gino, his trusted partner, who nodded sharply. They moved toward the first group of guards standing watch by the water. They approached quietly and carefully. Without a word, Gino took down the first guard, tripping him into the shadows and knocking him out with a quick hit to the back of his head. Rodriguez didn't need to see it; he knew his team had it covered.

They were moving fast now, taking down each guard silently, one after another. Rodriguez couldn't help but smile, impressed by how smoothly his team was working. The whole thing felt almost too easy, too neat. He stopped for a second, hands on his hips, looking around in the dark. Something's off.

It didn't add up. The guards were too quiet, too easy. Rodriguez's gut told him something was off-almost too perfect. His mind raced through the possibilities. Were they warned? Was this a trap? His fingers gripped his pistol tighter for a moment as doubt sneaked in. But he shook it off. Stay focused. No time to hesitate now. They'd come this far, and he wasn't backing down. The Rodriguez family never retreated. Ever.

"Keep moving," Rodriguez muttered, shaking off the nagging thoughts. His crew swept through the yard, taking down the last few guards quickly and smoothly. No alarms, no noise, nothing to hint that anyone had spotted them. The place was clear. Rodriguez couldn't help but smile. This was almost too easy. The dockyard was now his, and the next step was simple. He and his men were here for one reason-Romano. He didn't care about the docks or the guards. He was here to send a message. To finish it.

As they headed toward the big warehouse door, something in the corner of the yards inside caught his eye. A glint. A shimmer. Rodriguez squinted. At the far end of the area inside, under the dim moonlight, there was a huge steel locker-a safe. It looked out of place, almost hidden behind some crates, but there was something really interesting about it. Rodriguez's heart skipped a beat. He could see the faint shine of metal from the few rays of moonlight that cut through the darkness, and his mind started racing.

Fortune.

It was a big, industrial safe, probably stuffed with cash, weapons, or something even more valuable than anything Romano could ever guard. And it was right there, almost within reach. For a moment, Rodriguez forgot about Romano. This was what Rodriguez had been after all along. His mind raced with thoughts of what could be inside. How much could it hold? How much could it change his life? Rodriguez couldn't help but grin as he turned to Gino, his loyal secretary. "Gino," he said, his voice full of excitement, "turn on the lights."

Gino raised an eyebrow, a bit confused but still obeying. He walked over to the control panel by the door and flipped a switch, flooding the inside of the warehouse with bright light. The whole area lit up, and the shadows from the warehouse, crates, and docks disappeared. But the people surrounding them didn't disappear. Rodriguez's smile wavered for just a moment. His eyes fixed on the figures in the middle of the warehouse, their guns pointed right at him and his men.

Romano.

There he was, front and center, a wicked grin spreading across his face. His guys were spread out around him, their eyes cold and calculating, just like Rodriguez had seen so many times before. Then it hit him-the mistake. It was a trap. Rodriguez froze. His own men shifted nervously behind him. For a moment, everything felt like it was moving in slow motion. His eyes darted from Romano to the safe and back again. The victory he thought he had tasted bitter now. The guards were too quiet, the dockyard too empty. Romano had been expecting him, every step, every move, all part of the plan.

Romano knew.

Rodriguez's stomach twisted, his earlier confidence gone, replaced by a cold, calculating mindset. He glanced at Gino, who had a look of realization on his face. They had walked right into a trap. "Well, well," Romano's voice cut through the tension, smooth and mocking, like a blade slicing through silk.

"I hope you didn't think it would be this easy, Rodriguez. Did you forget who runs this dockyard?" Rodriguez didn't reply. His mind was already working, assessing the new situation. This wasn't over yet. Romano had the upper hand, but only for now.

He'd been led here, into the lion's den, but the Rodriguez family didn't back down. Ever. "Get ready," Rodriguez whispered to his men, the familiar weight of anger and strategy replacing his earlier greed. The game was just starting.

Suddenly lights were gone and thud!

Author's Note :

Happy reading<3

Add it to your libraries<3 and if you could please use some power stones:)

Have a good day/night <3<3