Marino's Heir

Chapter 21

After preparing everything we took the cars and drove to the location father send me on my new phone. I had to take the wheel. Something about getting to know the country's streets.

I stopped the car and Ryder prepared his gun.
"What are you doing?"
He looked at me, "We need to be ready, in case it was a trap." I nodded. That's right, one of the things Enzo always told on missions like this. So far, it's been safe, but we can't trust these gangs. Some can seem friendly but not trustworthy.

I opened my phone calling Boss.
"Where are they?" I asked.
"Should be at your 4'oclock. Cleo, be careful--
I paused what was he saying, suddenly he stopped talking. Did he mean it? Or is something missing? Could he be worried about me?
I smiled. Thinking he cares. So I had to tell him he can count on me. That I'll be safe as long as he cares.
"Yes Father don't worry I'm going to be fi--Cleo do not interrupt me! You better be careful with this commodity and deliver it right on time. And if they don't give you back the goods I need..kill them. This person is not easy but we're not to be messed with. I'm warning you."

Beep

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Cleo laughed. Stupid of her to think for a minute there that he started to act like a father. It's almost like he's using her for his own money. Completely teaching her things she didn't want to know, taking her away from her beloved ones, changing her school without her concern, changing her identity, herself, her country, her language. Only to use her as a delivery person. She missed her old life. She missed her real father. The man who actually took care of her, showed her love, made her smile, was always one room away from her, made her feel safe, comfort her. Not the man who's always thousands of miles away from her, who shouts at the sight of her, made her feel like a failure a total disappointment. She needed comfort, she needed love, she needed someone real.

Five black Jeeps stopped Infront of them. They opened the car doors and took out the boxes. And a man in a tux got out of the car, he wore a mask covering his face. It made Cleo confused.
"Ryder."
"Yes, boss?"
"Why is he covering his face?"
"He always does, we never really knew his identity. All we know is that he's someone very important in the underworld. And extremely dangerous."
Hmmmmm thinking deeply, wondering who that man could be. She opened the door and waved to the others behind her.

Following Cleo, their boss, they did as she commands. She walked a few miles away from the car and her men.
The man walked towards her, he looked at her figure then behind her. She stared at his men watching them carefully.
"Marino." He spoke.
"Ricci." She replied.
"Pleasure to meet you, princess." He took out his hand and she reached for it. "Likewise." She slightly smiled. She felt a bit nervous as always but just went with the flow. He did seem dangerous.
He waved with a hand, and his men brought the boxes to him. Never moving his eyes away from hers.
Cleo took a deep breath and looked at the boxes. She wore her gloves and mask.
They opened a box for her, Natasha didn't hesitate to take her side. She looked at her boss and nodded.
Taking out a small bag of cocaine, Ricci gave it to her. He opened it and threw a bit on her hand.
"How would I know it's effective?"
"It is. I never fake my supplies, Marino. I can guarantee you that..." He closed the bag slowly and threw it back in the box. He walked around and stood beside her. Cleo noticed the change in Natasha's behavior, she raised her hand it's fine.
"Doing business with me will benefit you forever." He leaned into her ear and whispered.
Keeping her hands behind her back, she smiled. "We'll see about that, Ricci." She moved away from him and waved at Ryder. They brought the commodity. Jason opened it.
"And these are your weapons. Please do tell, if something is missing." She said..
He looked at it, nodding for his men to check it. Cleo couldn't really understand him. A mask covering half of his face isn't really helpful. She couldn't tell if he was smiling or not. Pleased or not. He hummed for a second.
"I'm sure a beautiful Donna like you wouldn't forget something."
He closed the box himself and they carried it away. So did Cleo's men. The deal was done. But something was missing.
"Pleasure doing business with you...Your money will be delivered to your bank account--
"No. I like to see it, touch it with my own hands." She said, doing exactly what her father would do. The exact voice tone, hand move, eyes full of greediness.
The man smirked under the mask looking down. He looked at her eyes. "I expected you to say that." She smiled. "If that so, why didn't you bring it as cash with you?" He frowned. "I did."
Cleo gave him a surprised look. "I am actually a very busy person. It would be better if we finished this deal faster. So--of course." He stopped her with his hand. And turned to his men giving them the sign to take out the bags of money. Natasha opened the bags showing it to her.
"Now's when you're supposed to say..." They took the bags and went to the cars as she walked to him. "Pleasure doing business with you." She whispered in his ears way closer than he did to her. She walked backwards and smiled. He nodded and left as well.