Valentino Russo. The journalist Julian had recommended. The one Luca had contacted to leak the Winston-Watson information.
What the fuck was he doing here filming the raid?
I showed the message to Sandro. His expression darkened.
"Get Luca. And Matteo. Conference room. Now."
Five minutes later, the four of us were gathered with Diana standing guard outside to ensure privacy.
"Valentino Russo was outside filming the raid," I said without preamble. "Professional equipment. Deliberate documentation. He got clear footage of federal agents, evidence being seized, everything."
"The journalist Julian recommended?" Matteo asked.
"Yes. The one Luca contacted about the Winston leak." I pulled up the enhanced photo on my phone. Showed it to them. "He was outside for at least an hour before my security spotted him. We tried to grab him but he disappeared."
Luca took my phone. Stared at the image.
Something shifted in his expression. Went sharp. Intense. Almost predatory.
"Let me see the footage," he said. Voice carefully controlled.
I pulled it up on my tablet. Showed him the security camera footage of Valentino filming. The way he moved. The efficiency of his setup. The deliberate angles he chose.
Luca watched without speaking. But I saw his jaw tighten. Saw his hands clench slightly on the edges of the tablet.
"This footage could bury us," Sandro said. "Every agent documented. Every piece of evidence photographed. If he publishes this alongside an article about federal overreach or investigative procedures—"
"He won't publish it," Luca interrupted. Voice hard. Certain.
"How do you know?" I asked.
"Because I'll make sure he understands his options." Luca handed back the tablet. His expression was cold. Determined. "I'll handle Valentino Russo. Make contact. Convince him that publishing this footage would be... unwise."
Something in his tone made me uneasy.
"Luca—"
"I said I'll handle it." He looked at each of us. "You focus on managing the legal fallout from the raid. I'll deal with the journalist. Trust me."
"What exactly are you planning to do?" Matteo asked.
"Whatever's necessary." Luca's smile didn't reach his eyes. "Valentino Russo won't be a problem. I promise you that."
I didn't like the cold look in his eyes. Didn't like how quickly he'd volunteered. Didn't like the intensity with which he'd studied that footage.
But we were out of options. If Valentino published that footage, it would give the FBI ammunition for their narrative. Would make Inferno look guilty regardless of what evidence they actually found.
"Fine," Sandro said. "You handle the journalist. But Luca? Don't do anything that creates more problems than it solves."
"I won't." Luca stood. "Send me everything you have on him. Background, where he lives. I'll make contact again within twenty-four hours."
He left without waiting for responses.
Matteo looked at me. "That was concerning."
"Very."
"Should we be worried about what Luca's planning?"
