There was no denying it—anyone who had ever dared to cross the NCPD had long since vanished without a trace.
The NCPD ultimately represented Night City's City Hall, the official governing body. Even though today's megacorporations stood above nation-states in both influence and power, they could afford to disregard the NCPD. Gangs, however, could not. Getting into a firefight with the NCPD would be playing straight into the Clemente family's hands.
"NCPD won't break in?"
"I'll find a way to make them back off. What you need to do is hold out for as long as you can—just hang on."
Leo's expression was serious as he gave his instructions again, then disconnected the comms channel. Without wasting a second, he called Jefferson.
This wasn't the first time Leo had worked with Jefferson. In fact, Jefferson had Leo's number saved. If it had been anyone else, they'd have to go through Jefferson's private secretary just to reach him, but Leo could call Jefferson directly. Jefferson saw Leo as a reliable ally and partner.
Once Jefferson answered, Leo got straight to the point. "Mr. Jefferson, I need a favor. A group of NCPD officers received false intel and are raiding a house in Heywood. I assure you, it's all a misunderstanding. I need your help to get them to pull back."
"Leo, you know I can't just act based on your word alone..."
"How many times have we worked together? Do you really think I'd lie to you? You're not going to say no, are you?"
Jefferson weighed it quickly. Leo was clearly hiding something, but given their long-standing cooperation, which had earned Jefferson quite a few votes, it was smarter to maintain the relationship. Jefferson might've been an idealist, but he wasn't naive. He knew that reality and ideals didn't always line up. A pure heart alone couldn't achieve political goals, and sometimes, even when something conflicted with his beliefs, it still had to be done.
"...Alright. I believe you. I'll get them to withdraw."
"Thanks."
After hanging up, Leo gathered the others and got into a Delamain cab, heading for Padre's stronghold in the southern part of The Glen. Jefferson had proven reliable—if he said he'd help, he'd really do it. Not like those who made empty promises and did the opposite behind your back.
By the time the Delamain cab arrived, the NCPD had already pulled out. The stronghold was a multi-story building. The ground floor was a café, though it was tightly shuttered now.
Leo informed Marcus, "Open up. It's me."
Two minutes later, Marcus and two Valentinos opened the café doors. Jackie and V exchanged nods with Marcus. Jackie needed no introduction, and V—having once run the streets before leaving for Atlanta—had worked with Padre before and was familiar with Marcus.
"¡A romper madres esta noche!" one of the Valentinos muttered in excitement.
Leo scanned the area. The first-floor hall was nearly empty. Aside from Marcus and his two men, no one else was around. He asked immediately, "Where is everyone?"
Leo's biggest concern was that Marcus wouldn't be able to hold the others back—that they might've gone straight for revenge against the Clementes the moment Jefferson had NCPD withdraw. Fortunately, that hadn't happened.
"They're all upstairs."
"Good. Take us to them."
As they climbed the stairs, one of the Valentinos walking beside Marcus hesitated before finally voicing the question that had been gnawing at him. "Is it really Nikola? Why would he do this?"
"Maybe for money," Leo answered without pausing, "or for power."
"Power?" The Valentino looked at his companion, frowning. "He already had full authority when Padre wasn't around. Isn't that power enough?"
"Someone who's tasted power rarely stops at being second-in-command. It's also possible he was a Clemente plant from the very beginning. If that's the case, it's not betrayal—he was always a spy."
Like Donnie Brasco, he went undercover in the mob but got in so deep that he started becoming one of them, until the lines blurred completely.
Upstairs, Leo found a door tightly locked with a long chain. Before anyone asked, Marcus explained, "We locked it just in case something went wrong."
As he spoke, Marcus produced a key and unlocked the chain, opening the door. Inside was a gym. But hardly anyone was working out. Most were slouched on the floor in exhaustion and despair. At the sound of the door, everyone turned their heads. When they saw the group at the entrance, surprise lit up their faces.
"Leo? Jackie? V?"
"Jackie, did you hear about Padre?"
"Jackie, you're with us, right? We're going to rip those Clemente bastards apart!"
The room was buzzing with emotion, voices loud and charged. Marcus quickly tried to settle them.
"Everyone, quiet down."
Jackie raised a hand. "Settle down, folks. Let me speak."
Jackie's words carried more weight than Marcus's, not because of rank, but because people trusted his judgment. He wasn't caught up in the same rivalries or history, so when he spoke, even those with something to lose tended to listen.
So the room quieted down, all eyes on Jackie, curious to hear what he had to say.
But what followed left them disappointed.
"Listen up. Our situation right now isn't great. Nikola siding with the Clementes means they have all our intel. To be blunt, going to war with the Clementes right now would be suicide."
That sparked a wave of discontent.
"So what, we just do nothing? Sit here while those bastards gloat in our faces?"
"We need to stay calm," Jackie continued. "We can't let anger cloud our judgment. First, we need to post guards at the hospital around the clock—three shifts a day, twenty-four-hour protection for Padre. We can't give the Clementes another chance."
"Next, we need help from the other Valentinos."
Some looked unconvinced. To them, Jackie's plan felt like cowardice. But most were willing to listen. Cautious as it was, his plan was also the most stable.
Jackie personally selected men to guard Padre, then dispatched runners to deliver messages to the other Valentino families in Heywood—like the 6th Street Gang, the Valentinos had their own internal branches: the Manuel family, the Juan family, the Gonzalez family, the Hernandez family, and the Gustavo family. Each family was named after its leader.
By noon the next day, under the scorching sun, the leaders of those Valentino families had gathered in Padre's office.
"Jackie." Gustavo greeted him warmly and embraced him. Manuel gave him a nod. Jackie had worked under Manuel for years in the past. But the other three leaders—Juan, Gonzalez, and Hernandez—remained cold.
"Hold up. Before we begin, I've got one question." Gonzalez pointed at Leo, who was seated to the side. "This guy's not one of us. What the hell is he doing here?"
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