In Luca's memory, Brian was a classic turncoat—but not to the underworld. He betrayed the federal government. Compared to Donnie, Brian had been far more willing to walk away from the FBI and side with criminals. It wasn't self-interest that drove him, but loyalty and friendship.
He had gone undercover in a street racing crew to combat crime, only to form a deep bond with the crew's leader and even fall in love with the leader's sister. The three of them became inseparable. In the end, when law enforcement closed in, Brian personally let his "brother" escape.
From that moment on, the two men went on to build their legend—racing across highways and skylines, earning international notoriety, and ultimately building a close-knit family.
—Ride or die for family.
Luca had already begun planning how to recruit this former federal golden boy. An SSR of this caliber was rare.
003, That's the one.
While Luca observed Brian, Brian studied Luca just as carefully during their conversation.
Aside from Hollywood celebrities, this was the first time Brian had met a man in real life who might actually rival him in looks.
Before arriving, he had thoroughly researched Luca—the so-called "Dove of Peace." But Luca's contradictory identity and conduct made it impossible for Brian to form a clear judgment about his character.
Luca shifted the topic to work.
"Brian, you're from Los Angeles. Why come all the way to New York for a job?"
Brian hesitated briefly before delivering his prepared explanation. "The drivers' union in L.A. has terrible benefits. I've heard the East Coast unions offer much better contracts and protections. They've fought hard for their members."
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters was a powerful nationwide union. Its president controlled enormous influence and managed billions in pension funds. Regional branches operated under separate leadership, each with its own president.
The current national leadership maintained close ties with organized crime. Collaboration between union officials and the Mafia often involved siphoning funds into outside ventures for enormous profit.
Las Vegas was the clearest example. Organized crime had played a pivotal role in transforming a desert outpost into a global gambling capital. Jewish syndicates had also profited handsomely.
As for the former Teamsters president, he had been prosecuted by the Department of Justice and remained behind bars. If Luca ever wanted to build ties with him, prison visitation would be required.
Brian kept talking about unions, and Luca's toes twitched slightly. Was the kid probing for dirt on organized crime's ties to labor?
Interesting.
So that "man and machine as one" skill—does it mean you can handle any vehicle flawlessly?
When the conversation ended, Luca rose and walked Brian to the door.
"I'll go over the details with you once the club officially opens."
He shook Brian's hand firmly. His palm was warm, his grip strong.
"As long as you work hard, I'll pay you enough to live comfortably in New York. You're new here. If you run into trouble, come to me. My employees get the help they need."
"Greco, I'm--," Luca interupted lightly. "Call me Dove if you decide to stay."
Brian felt the warmth in the handshake—the kindness behind it. He also felt the rough calluses, proof of a harder past.
An unexpected sense of reassurance settled in his chest.
"Thank you, Dove," Brian replied. "I'll reach out if I need anything."
[Bond: Attention]
Watching Brian leave, Luca's smile slowly faded into contemplation.
To be honest, Brian's arrival hadn't been part of any plan. The timing didn't align with the storyline Luca remembered.
Who knew what role Brian would end up playing in New York?
Still, one thing reassured Luca: Brian valued loyalty above duty. Far more than Donnie. He was straightforward—almost naive by comparison to Lefty.
Luca smiled faintly.
Maybe he wouldn't need to recruit Brian at all.
Maybe Brian would come to him.
---
Two days later.
Jordan Belfort and Donnie were invited to the SSR Club.
Jordan showed considerable interest in Luca's desire to enter Wall Street. His biggest weakness had always been a lack of powerful backers. Major investment banks had institutional muscle. His brokerage firm had survived largely due to luck and audacity.
Large firms had originally ignored penny stocks—they were difficult to sell. The poor had little capital; the wealthy were cautious. The market seemed unattractive.
—The power of persuasion changes everything.
Now Jordan was contemplating a pivot. Aggressive cold-calling schemes felt crude. He needed more sophisticated ventures.
"Dove," Jordan said in the top-floor office, legs crossed, smirking slightly. "Didn't you once say the internet was nonsense? And now you want to invest in it?"
"When enough people talk about something," Luca replied evenly, "even nonsense can take flight. Didn't you tell me the goal is to make the 'retail investors' believe?"
Jordan laughed. "Earlier this year there were barely twenty million internet users worldwide. Now it's over thirty million. If it keeps growing like this, it'll explode next year."
He spoke casually, but he was tracking every opportunity to profit. The internet was the hottest trend of the moment—and a massive bubble. Few companies were profitable; most were burning capital in hopes of future dominance.
After a long discussion of investments, they shifted to the real issue: the FBI.
"I've already moved my funds away from Saurel," Jordan said uneasily. "But he still has records of laundering money for me. Those records won't disappear unless…"
He drew a finger across his throat.
Luca chuckled. "You're more ruthless than I am. You want to cut heads now that you've finished cutting retail investors?"
"I've done everything I can," Jordan said defensively. "The FBI keeps pushing this angle. That Denham guy probably has a stack of evidence already. I won't lie—I'm nervous."
Luca smiled slightly.
When someone says they're nervous, they're terrified.
"If you solve this," Jordan continued, "whatever it takes—Saurel or Denham—you're better at handling these problems than I am."
Donnie signaled, and several large boxes were set down.
"Four million," Donnie said. "Consider the extra million an express fee."
Luca didn't even look at the money.
Killing Denham would be foolish. He still needed Denham's skills—and leverage.
Saurel, on the other hand, was an option. A money launderer for drug networks was expendable. Handled properly, eliminating Saurel could even strengthen Denham's career—and deepen the favor owed.
Luca finally spoke.
"Belfort, do you remember what I told you when I first brought you to the SSR Club? I needed your trust. After we became friends…"
He narrowed his eyes.
"Your enemy becomes my enemy."
Jordan and Donnie left without the cash.
Donnie whispered, "Some friend. He takes the money without blinking."
Jordan waved it off. "Friendship requires exchanges. Now that he's taken it, he'll fix it."
He glanced at the membership card in his palm.
SR001.
He smiled.
"Looks like I'm the first member of the SSR Club."
Donnie frowned. "Isn't it 'SSR'? You're missing an S."
Jordan paused.
"…I hadn't noticed."
He laughed awkwardly and shoved the card into his pocket.
"Let's call Saurel and get him to the America. The rest is up to Dove."
---
The FBI arranged Brian's temporary lodging in a detached house in the Bronx.
He didn't care much about living conditions—except for one thing.
It needed a large garage.
Undercover work could wait.
Speed could not.
The garage door rolled up with a metallic rumble.
Inside sat a green Mitsubishi Eclipse, painted in bold graffiti, radiating restrained aggression.
"Dude…" Brian murmured, running his hand over the hood and along the door, as if tracing the curve of a lover's arm.
"Let's show New York what L.A. speed feels like."
He decided to clear his head with a drive.
Engines roared.
Over the following days, preparations for the club's grand opening accelerated. The date was set for July 30.
Léon began cultivating Silver Queen plants with several employees. After acquiring the skill, Luca started growing one as well.
When the boss gets into something, the staff follow.
Soon, Silver Queen plants filled the club. Luca even considered making it the official emblem—the club's botanical totem.
He kept one at home too.
Matilda was surprised. Luca had never shown interest in gardening before.
After dinner, she lay on the sofa watching him carefully mist the plant by the window.
"Uncle Jimmy and a lot of the staff are growing them too," she said. "There's even a guy named Léon teaching them."
Luca smiled faintly. "Do you know what the Silver Queen symbolizes?"
She tilted her head. "What?"
"I admire the man who inspired it," Luca replied softly. "His pursuit of beauty. His respect for life. He treats the Silver Queen like a friend. A man who shows that kind of care can protect something important."
"I can protect the club too," Matilda said.
"Of course," Luca replied. "You're my lucky star."
"But you only water the Silver Queen."
She rolled onto her side playfully.
"If you want me to grow up faster, maybe you should water me too."
Luca grinned mischievously, grabbed the spray bottle, and lightly misted her. She shrieked, laughing uncontrollably.
Then suddenly she wrapped her arms around his neck, looking straight into his eyes.
"Luca," she whispered, her tone softer now, "I want to settle down here with you."
Her hand pressed gently against his chest.
"And then… grow up together."
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