The Strings Being Pulled

Ch 19

Harry's POV *the next day*

We're sitting in a car with me, Liza, Anna, Peter and Catorce to head to a mansion. The info I know atleast is that these past few weeks there has been a few heated stuff going on between The Ophels and some other mafia called Sushi.

I think they call themselves Sushi because people wouldn't take a mafia called something stupid seriously which gives them plenty of space to grow and become stronger.

Mafia, gang, whatever you call it. Azula called The Ophels a 'gang' before me and Liza joined but judging from where we are heading now I'd say this is more of a mafia organization than a gang.

The radio is on playing some kind of song I've never heard but it has a lot of the n-word in it. I've never understood the appeal of using the n-word in songs. I never listen to a lot of music in general.

"I'm betting this won't work again." Catorce states.
"As long as this meeting doesn't make it worse then we're good." Peter replies.
"What are you guys even gonna talk about in that meeting?" Liza asks.
"To settle some things that could set a war between us and them we need to negotiate some things." Anna answers.

Whatever happened seems taboo to talk about or like a difficult topic. They are being pretty vague about the topic, me and Liza are new so it's reasonable to not trust us too.

"I hate driving." Anna complains. "Being a passenger is better."
"It's because you just wanna read your smutty romance books." Catorce responds.
"This is why you're single." Anna replies.
"You're single too because your standards are too high from your books." Catorce states.

Anna goes silent, guess she is interested in romance and Catorce used that as a personal attack. I glance at Liza who is sitting in the middle, she's staring at her hands which are placed on her thighs.

Her hair is covering her face. Wonder what she's thinking about? I'm surprised from when she said yes when I asked if I could kiss her but at the same time not. I look back up, Anna and Catorce are arguing but now Peter is trying to calm them down.

"Chill out, you can't argue like this until the meeting!" Peter states.
"Fine." Anna and Peter responds and points the middle finger at eachother without making eye contact.
"You two are literal 14 year olds." Peter sighs.

The rest of the car ride is silent, after 20 minutes we reach a secluded mansion, it's rather modern looking compared to Weller's old mansion. As everyone steps out of the car Liza is still pretty quiet. It's bothering me because she doesn't like silence and normally tries to break it.

A man comes out of the door, he's wearing a white shirt, with black pants and a dark blue tie. He looks 40 and important. I think I recognize him from somewhere but I'm not sure.

"Hello, Mr Greyson." Anna smiles.
"Hello, let's go inside and talk shall we?"Greyson smiles but it seems more forced.
"Of course, please don't mind these two as they just came along with us." Anna shakes his hand.

As all of us follow in the mansion, Anna and Greyson are talking in the front, Peter hands me and Liza a pistol each gesturing for us to hide it. Liza hides it between her...I don't think I should say it. I give Peter the gun back just giving a friendly smile, he looks confused but says nothing taking it back.

Greyson leads us to an office and as Anna, Peter and Catorce take a seat me and Liza stand near the wall since there aren't enough seats. Greyson sits on an office chair behind his desk which just has a computer.

"So, let's pick up from where we last left off." he clears his throat.
"Of course." Anna smiles.
"So, regarding the bombing on one or our warehouses, we've decided $30 000 would be reasonable for the damage instead of $50 000." Greyson says in a calm but firm tone.
"That is an improvement, but you're gonna have to give us back our members." Anna replies.

Just 20 minutes ago, Anna and Catorce we're arguing over something childish but now it's the opposite. Anna is talking in a much more professionally and sounds like a different person. Something is off about this, Peter gave Liza a pistol and trued giving me one tells me the last meeting didn't go so well.

It probably went much worse than just nothing happening. I glance at Liza who's staring at the meeting. Bombings, $50 000, members that I think were captured and now Greyson decided $30 000.

I don't get why he would drop $20 000 just like that. Unless he's a very generous person then this isn't right at all. Azula stated that it is no problem shoving a few thousand dollars in the police's pocket so how come The Ophels don't wanna pay $50000?

I know nothing of what happened but it doesn't take a genius to figure out there's a lot going on and how off everything is. Just two days and I think there's a rollercoaster in for us now if there really is something going on. Greyson looks like he's forcing a professional act but I can tell he's probably impatient.

What I'm guessing is there has been a bad relation between the two mafia organizations for a long time as that is the only reasonable explanation.

"Say, what'd made you drop from $50000 to $30000?" Peter questions.
"Well, we reevaluated the damage from the bombs and realized it was a lot less than what we initially thought." Greyson explains, his body language tells me he's lying.
"I understand." Peter replies.

Greyson looks at me for a few second, I make eye contact keeping my expression firm and serious. Now I remember, he was acquainted with Weller, I think he might've realized I'm suspecting him as he goes back to the meeting or conversation.

Liza looks at me confused but I put a finger on my lip to gesture for her not to ask or say anything. She nods, but looks a bit nervous. Guess she might've sensed something is wrong too.

The back of my hand grazes her hand a little which seems to relax her a little, it's better to stay calm for now. I'll just observe for now.

............................................................

I feel like I attacked some of you when Anna and Catorce were arguing