In the Shadow Of Memory

Chapter 43

The dim, smoky air in the meeting room seemed to thicken with every passing second. The mafia's top brass gathered around the polished mahogany table, a quiet storm of power and greed brewing in every corner. Lucas leaned back in his chair, trying to remain as unnoticed as possible, his eyes drifting across the room. Every face had a story, every gesture a hidden meaning. The mafia world was built on deception, and Lucas was a master at it—an observer who knew how to blend in and stay out of the spotlight, even as things took a dark turn.

The main boss, sitting at the head of the table, towered over everyone. His sharp eyes scanned the room, and his presence was like a heavy weight pressing on everyone’s chest. His graying hair and hardened face told the story of a man who had seen it all. He had built this empire with blood, sweat, and ruthless cunning, and he wasn’t about to let it crumble under the weight of betrayal—or incompetence.

"Alright," the boss started, his voice deep and commanding, "Let’s get down to business. We have a lot to discuss today. First, our operations in the city. Things are looking... messy. We’ve had a few incidents lately, and I don’t like the attention we’re getting. The heat’s starting to rise, and that means we need to act fast and smart."

The room buzzed with murmurs of agreement. The mafia’s operations had always been a delicate balance of power and subtlety, and the slightest misstep could bring everything crashing down. But Lucas remained calm, his thoughts focused on the task at hand. He had done more than his fair share of work for the family—dirty work that left no trace—and it wasn’t lost on him that things had been getting a little too close to the surface lately.

As the meeting continued, the boss went through their ongoing operations: smuggling, extortion, money laundering. The usual stuff. The underworld never stopped moving, and neither did they. But then, the conversation shifted—much to Lucas’s quiet concern—toward Phillip’s death.

The room fell silent as the boss’s eyes narrowed.

"We all know what happened to Phillip," the boss said, his tone colder now. "And I want to make sure we’re clear on one thing—whoever is responsible will pay for it. We don’t leave our own behind. This is personal."

Lucas stiffened slightly, but his face remained an impassive mask. He hadn’t been the one to kill Phillip, but he knew who was behind it. He knew why Daisy had taken matters into her own hands. Phillip’s death wasn’t an accident—it was a mistake that had escalated into something much bigger, something far more dangerous. And if anyone suspected Lucas’s involvement in helping Mia escape, there would be no one left to protect him. He had to make sure his tracks were covered.

The boss took a deep breath, his fingers tapping lightly on the surface of the table, as if contemplating how best to proceed.

"I know some of you are wondering who is responsible for Phillip’s death. The truth is, we don’t know yet," he said. "But I want to make something clear—if this turns out to be an inside job, there will be consequences. If anyone is trying to undermine us or flip, they’ll pay the price."

A heavy silence followed, and Lucas could feel the weight of the boss’s words. The entire room was tense, all eyes now glued to the boss, waiting for him to reveal his next move.

The boss then looked at Daisy, who had been sitting quietly, her face pale and her eyes darting nervously. Lucas could sense the fear radiating off her, the guilt too strong to hide. She had tried to keep things quiet—keep her secrets hidden—but there was no escaping the truth now.

"Daisy," the boss’s voice cut through the silence like a knife. "I want you in my office. Now."

Daisy’s hand trembled as she stood, but she said nothing. Her expression was a mixture of fear and defiance as she walked toward the door. As she passed by Lucas, she glanced at him briefly, her eyes betraying her panic. Lucas kept his gaze fixed ahead, hoping his own unease wasn’t showing. The last thing he needed was for Daisy to say something—anything—that would lead back to him.

The door shut behind her, and the room was left in a suffocating silence. Lucas remained in his seat, his mind racing. He couldn’t afford to get caught up in this mess. Daisy’s secrets were hers to bear, not his. But he knew that the boss was no fool—if he suspected even the smallest hint of betrayal, Lucas wouldn’t last a second.

As the minutes dragged on, the boss’s voice broke the silence once again.

"Lucas," the boss called out suddenly, making Lucas snap to attention. He tried to keep his expression neutral, but his stomach churned.

"Yeah, boss?" Lucas replied, his voice steady despite the rising tension inside him.

"I need you to handle something for me," the boss continued. His sharp gaze never left Lucas. "There’s an operation in New York—downtown. We need a clean job. I want you to handle the shooting, and once it’s done, you’re to pass the necessary paperwork to our contacts over there. Understood?"

Lucas nodded, his mind already calculating the logistics. The job was straightforward—too straightforward. But the timing was off. With everything going on, he didn’t want to draw attention to himself. But this was a direct order from the boss, and refusing it would raise more suspicion than carrying it out.

"Understood, boss," Lucas replied evenly, suppressing any sign of hesitation.

The boss held his gaze a moment longer before nodding. "Good. Make sure it’s done quickly, and make sure there’s no mess. We can’t afford any slip-ups right now."

With that, the boss dismissed him, and Lucas stood from his seat. He gave a respectful nod, turning toward the door. But before he left, he glanced back at the closed door to the boss’s office, where Daisy was likely being torn apart. It wouldn’t be long before they’d find out who was really behind Phillip’s death, and if anyone suspected Lucas of helping Mia escape, he wouldn’t be the only one in danger.

As he stepped into the hallway, Lucas couldn’t shake the feeling that the noose was tightening. Daisy’s time was running out—and if she failed to keep her story straight, Lucas could very well be next.