He didn’t waste time.
“Director Mallory tells me you’re very good at acquiring information,” he said, studying me. “Particularly regarding Falcon City’s crime families.”
I held his gaze. “My brother and I run the Organized Crime Compliance Division within AIED.”
Interest sparked in his eyes.
“Our division is dedicated to monitoring criminal leadership,” I continued. “We track deserter alphas operating outside Arca control, investigate treaty violations, enforce compliance, and prevent expansion before it requires open force.”
He leaned back, weighing my words.
“Then you’reexactlywho I need,” he said. “If you had to guess who this meeting concerns, who would you name?”
I didn’t hesitate.
“Marco Bellini.”
The general grinned wide.
“Good,” he said. “That means I won't need to bring you upto speed much. What do you know about him?”
“He assumed control of the Bellini family after the death of his father, Enzo, a few years ago,” I replied. “And he’s already proving himself dangerous.”
“How so?”
“He’s violating the Arca Criminal Agreements openly,” I said. “Buying off our personnel. Moving narcotics through the bases. Expanding his enforcement numbers by recruiting alpha deserters.”
I paused, letting the next part settle.
“And he’s trafficking omegas.”
The general's smile vanished.
“When Enzo Bellini was alive, Marco restrained his appetites,” the General said. “He kept a few omegas, which Command found acceptable. That restraint no longer exists.”
He leaned forward. “He currently controls twenty omega assets.”
“Twenty-one,” I corrected. “My sources confirmed a new acquisition last week. Traded through the Russo Crime family.”
His jaw tightened.
“I sent him an order,” the general said. “Non-negotiable terms including the surrender of his omegas and reduction of manpower. Silence was his only response.”
I exhaled slowly. “I suspected it would be sooner or later.”
“Command anticipated it as well,” he said. “Which is why your unit will report directly to me and your new focus will be Marco Bellini solely. He’s gone rogue, making him a threat to Arca’s authority.”
He fixed me with a stern look. “Though we can’t removehim outright. That creates instability and chaos, which is never good in a place as tempestuous as Falcon City. What do you recommend?”
“We dismantle his leverage,” I said. “Bellini’s power isn’t just money or violence. It’s access. Omegas are his most powerful currency. He rewards loyalty with them. Punishes dissent by withholding them. Trades them to secure alliances.”
I leaned forward slightly, my eyes betraying just how interested Ireallywas in Marco Bellini. “Take them away, and his structure collapses. His lieutenants and enforcers will lose incentive. The other crime families will stop shielding him. Once Arca recovers most of the omegas, Bellini will become expendable, and it’s likely every alliance will turn on him.
The general nodded slowly.
“Thatis your directive,” he said. “Except I don’t want most of the omegas.”
He met my eyes. “I want all of them. Every last one."
