The Boss

A Deal

Warning: Sexual assault, rape.

Rossi stepped inside Lucius Galding's club, his men backing him. He was dressed as prim and proper as usual. He had a gun hooked inside his pants, on display, daring anyone to step in front of him. The people inside all looked to him, fear crossing their faces as the infamous 'Shorty' strode in. The men behind him just as scary.

Lucius waved them over with a smile, clearly pleased he had shown up. Rossi's men fanned out, glaring at anyone who looked their way. Rossi stepped up to the couch, lips set in a thin line. His face was hard as Lucius greeted him.

"Ah, Shorty, glad you showed up." He gestured for the man to sit down. Rossi muttered something to Giovanni before taking a seat. Giovanni stood behind the couch next to one of Lucius's body guards. He looked like he could smother the man with his muscles.

"I'm here to talk business." Rossi stated, pulling out a cigar. Lucius snapped his fingers and a whore came over, lighting it for the man.

"Good." Lucius replied, opening a bottle of scotch. He held it out to Rossi, who shook his head, content puffing on his cigar for now. He leaned back into the couch, blowing out puffs of smoke.

"I was told I'd get a cut for this job." Rossi said bluntly, "How much?"

Lucius smiled, "Always down for business. A man I can get on board with." He sipped on his glass of scotch, "My men need protection and in turn, I'll pay you twenty percent of our... proceeds."

Rossi took a drag of his cigar, holding it in his mouth as he breathed out the smoke. He played with the thick ring on his finger.

"Well?" Lucius questioned.

Rossi pulled his cigar out of his mouth, "Twenty-five."

Lucius's smile dropped, "It's only protection, Shorty."

Rossi shrugged, "Protection you desperately need." He glanced back at Lucius's body guard, "Clearly." He took a sip of the scotch poured for him. "You know I have the best muscle for miles. And you know once your competitors get word my men are protecting you, they'll scatter."

"So, I'm paying you for your name?" Lucius scoffed.

Rossi met his eyes, "My name can do wonders."

Lucius grunted, shaking his head as he lit up a cigarette. He took a deep drag, thinking about Rossi's offer. "Twenty-five's a lot."

Rossi didn't reply, eyes scanning the club. He watched the dancers, taking in his men. They were scaring off people with their intimidating presence. Before long, the club would clear out and it'd just be his men and Lucius's.

"I don't need protection that bad to give you 25% of my cut." Lucius voiced.

Rossi gave Lucius a look and with a flick of his finger, his men moved. Lucius watched in shock as his men were easily overpowered and held in place. People gasped, but they weren't allowed to leave. They had to watch in fear as Rossi's men took over the club. Lucius shot up, "You disrespectful-"

"Watch your words." Rossi stated, tapping his cigar against the ashtray provided, his ankle crossed over his knee. "One word and your men's necks will be snapped." Lucius froze, Giovanni holding his primary body guard. "Sit down." Lucius clenched his jaw and sat back down.

"Now, here's how this is going to work. I get half of your cut now." Lucius stiffened and Rossi continued, taking a drag of his cigar, smoke billowing out as he talked, "Had it been my men protecting you, you wouldn't have been so easily overpowered. Any chap can come in here and blow your damn head off, and I'm surprised it hasn't happened."