WHEN IT RAINS [an eruri mafia au]

ii. chapter two

Levi woke up to the rising sun and an agonizing pain in his left bicep. It definitely didn't help the pain at all when he used his arms to push himself up. He blindly rummaged through his nightstand drawer until he felt his way to the bottle of Advil and downed a few of them with a glass of water he'd had on his nightstand since who knows when. He turned again to glance at the clock. It was 7:33. He got out of the bed and got ready for the interesting day ahead of him.

Levi put on one of his nicer white button ups and his shiniest dress shoes with black slacks. He threw on a matching black blazer over the outfit so that he could conceal the handgun holster fastened to his side. He also decided to wear a small silver hoop earring in his left ear, accompanied by some silver rings on a few of his fingers. Efficiency was one of the most important concepts in Levi's life, so he got dressed quickly and didn't think too hard on his outfit at all, though, if he had to admit, he knew he looked good.

He lived in a small apartment at the moment because he was always on the move. He'd been at this place for a bit over a month now. He never had many bags to unpack, because everything he traveled with could fit in a single suitcase. If he ever needed clothes, he could always buy them. He didn't keep many things in terms of sentimental value either.

He put a mug of water in the microwave and put his teabag in after taking it out. He decided to pass on breakfast since he would be eating at the cafe that Erwin Smith's right-hand, Hange Zoe, had invited him to. He was only now considering that it was possible Smith himself would be there as well.

Levi had heard many things about the infamous crime organization Eldia. He'd never worked with them directly, but had been hired by partners of theirs who reported to Eldia. In the large city of New York, they had control of an incredibly vast part of the drug cartel. A gang as big as theirs had obviously garnered many enemies over the years. None of which were capable of overthrowing the powerful Erwin Smith. He had only heard tales of the man from people who once  worked with him, but had never actually seen his face. Levi knew that after Smith's father had died and left him the successful gang, Erwin was able to triple their territory and income. Levi was far from a conversationalist, but any time Eldia came up in conversation with other contract killers who were working for the same contractor as him at the time, they spoke to how ruthless and cold Smith was. How easy killing came to him. Levi was both terrified and excited to meet him.

After exiting the apartment building, Levi got on his bike and sped down the city streets to the nearby cafe. He was familiar with the cafe and where it was, but had never actually been, himself. He preferred not to waste his time idling around when he could eat quickly and move on to his next task. Levi preferred staying busy because if he gave his mind too much time to think, it'd wander off to thinking about things like the families of the men he'd killed, and he couldn't afford to have remorse. That was just part of the job.

Levi arrived at the cafe twenty minutes early. He planned on ordering and eating before his "company" arrived so that he could stay strictly professional and completely on guard in their presence.

"Ackerman!" he heard an all too familiar voice call from the back of the cafe.

Eldia underboss Hange had already arrived. It appeared as though they weren't alone, though. Levi walked to the booth in the back and sat down across from Hange.

And Erwin Smith was there too.

He had a calculating gaze, as if he could read your entire story just from looking into your eyes. Levi held eye contact, and tried not to submit to the blonde man's overpowering stare. His blue eyes seemed to freeze Levi's train of thought.

"Hello, Levi."

The man's voice was as dark and smooth as Tennessee whiskey. He smelled of warm sandalwood and cinnamon. Though nothing about the man could be described as sweet.

"Hello sir, and hello to you as well, Zoe." Levi nodded formally at both of them, and took his seat.

Erwin motioned to get the attention of one of the waitresses standing by. "Ma'am, this gentleman is ready to order."

"Of course Mr. Smith," she said, a professional enthusiasm in her tone.

Erwin must have been a regular here, because it was apparent that the waitress treated him as such. She was likely also extra attentive because Erwin probably left nice tips.

"I'll just have two warm, buttered croissants and a black tea."

She nodded and headed back to the kitchen.

"So back to business." Hange's tone grew more serious now. "As I explained last night, we're in need of a new hit man- not just any contracted killer, but one that's ours. One that's reliable and will get the job done perfectly without fail."

"I've heard of you through the grapevine," Erwin added, "I've seen records of your flawless work. You're a flawless man, Levi. That's exactly the kind of man who I need under me."

Levi's heart damn near stopped functioning after Erwin said that. Clearly, he knew he meant under his management, as a boss, but the whole thing sounded incredibly suggestive. Levi also didn't miss how he called him flawless either.

"I truly appreciate your praise." Levi had to stop his voice from wavering as he began talking.

"I guess my question now is, are you willing to serve me?"

At this point, Levi's heart was in his throat. With the words Erwin was saying, it was easy for him to imagine something else in his throat.

He couldn't deny the fact, though, that this offer was too good to pass up. This would basically guarantee him a life of comfort- other than the bullet wounds and occasional broken bones. It would also grant him a chance to get closer to Erwin Smith, whose mere presence had already piqued his interest so much. Levi wanted to know exactly what kind of man is capable of being so ruthless and so successful.

"I'll accept."

WHEN IT RAINS
©blckfang