Chapter 6: Confronting the Past

Days passed as Marco remained holed up, relying on police check-ins for news from the outside. Jim updated him on the cartel's growing attacks and Ricardo's ruthless hunt. They were simply buying time; both knew this until Marco emerged from hiding.

Then one morning, a pounding at the safehouse door startled Marco from prayer. Behind the peephole stood a familiar face: Joey, an old acquaintance from his criminal past now wanting out of life.

Joey begged for sanctuary from Ricardo's men after ratting on a Cartel deal. With Jim's approval, Marco reluctantly let him inside. Over takeout, Joey thanked Marco for the change he brought that allowed him to see that their past path was dark.

Their discussion turned to Tony, now the right hand controlling much of the Cartel's business in Lucy's absence. Joey warned Marco that Tony remained obsessed with revenge, fueling Ricardo's manhunt. There would be no escaping that enemy, even with protection.

Days more passed until sirens screamed by one night, gunshots cracking the air. Marco watched from the window as patrol cars swarmed a distant alley, lights illuminating a growing scene. Joey paled.

That's Antonelli turf, he whispered, fear creeping into his eyes. They made me...

Before he could finish, pounding struck the safehouse door like a drum, then splintered inward. Ricardo's men flooded inside, firing on instinct.

Marco grabbed Joey and shoved him behind the couch for cover as return shots echoed. A searing pain tore through Marco's shoulder, yet he fought through the agony, disarming one attacker in a desperate struggle.

As more officers stormed inside, Marco spotted Ricardo slipping away under the chaos. Their eyes met for an instant, with Marco seeing only cold malice lingering there. Ricardo fled into the night, knowing his mission had failed for now.

At the hospital, Marco's wound was treated while Joey panicked under police questioning. It was obvious the Cartel had traced him from their meeting, using Joey as bait for an ambush. His debt was now repaid through penance, not further bloodshed.

In the coming days, Marco wondered how long he could evade Ricardo and the Cartel on the run. But more pressingly, was there a way to neutralize their threat for good without resorting to their violent means?