Beneath the Smoke
Chapter 1: The Prince of Shadows


Gino Luciano was no stranger to chaos. It had been his constant companion since the day he was born into one of New York’s most infamous mob families. From the outside, the Lucianos were a dynasty of power and wealth—perfect suits, sprawling mansions, and the unspoken authority that made men bow their heads when they walked into a room. But behind the polished façade lay a labyrinth of blood-stained secrets.


And Gino? He was their crown prince, destined to rule.


“Gino, we’ve got a problem.”


The sharp voice of his consigliere, Angelo, broke through the low hum of conversation in the private lounge of the Luciano estate. Gino looked up from his whiskey glass, his dark eyes narrowing. Even in his mid-thirties, Gino carried himself with an intensity that made men nervous. His sharp jawline, dark hair slicked back in perfect precision, and tailored three-piece suit made him look every bit the heir to the Luciano empire. But it was the quiet menace in his eyes that left no room for doubt: Gino Luciano was a man you didn’t cross.


“Don’t start with problems, Angelo,” Gino said, swirling his glass. “Start with solutions.”


Angelo...