Luca was 18 when he next heard of Vincenzo. Their regiments were unrelated, the ambush from before only coincidentally happening within Luca's Capo's jurisdiction, hence their involvement at the time.
But in the time since, Vincenzo had gone from a barely-tolerated aspect of the Family to an indisputable Capo with considerable power and begrudging respect amongst not just their own ranks, but rival Families.
Luca's own orders took him unexpectedly closer and closer to the periphery of Vincenzo's men's workings. He'd even caught glimpses of the other's unconventional associates; ranging from career criminals to even the daughter of a rival Family's Capo. Big men, small men, scarred men, suited men, beautiful women; they all had one thing in common. The look in their eyes at the mention of Vincenzo's name.
An unsurprising perk of a lower hierarchal standing within the Family afforded Luca one of his most valuable resources – eavesdropping on the higher-up's gossip. It was where he had heard about Vincenzo in the first place. Where he heard about Vincenzo's unusual methods. Where he heard about the gatto sazio.
Where he now hears about Vincenzo ordering the Cassano men originally placed under him to be reassigned under other Capos. No doubt rooting out any and all possibility of distrust, spying and betrayal.
Just as Vincenzo had built a reputation for himself as Capo, he continued to shatter traditional methodology and procedures in the way he ran his regiment. The way he operated almost resembled that of an associate, an outsider, yet the benefits it reaped for the Family were beyond that of even some other Capos.
As Luca stayed invisible and out of the way of his Capo's meeting, he listened to the grumbling of bitter men as they denounced Vincenzo. Far from being swept away by the sentiment, Luca instead only felt… curiosity. Intrigue. It was expected for the youth to celebrate any departure from stuffy traditions and methods.
He wanted to know more. Not only about Capo Vincenzo's unconventional methods. He wanted to know more about the man himself. Wanted to watch him work, hear his commands, analyse the mind behind those eyes.
