The Art of Redemption

06| Dallas

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Dallas
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Wednesdays weren't my favorite days of the week, but the wind howling outside my penthouse windows added a unique touch to the morning. I sat at the expansive dining table, flanked by two of my most trusted men—Kygo and Luch. The clinking of silverware against porcelain punctuated our conversation as we discussed matters of business over breakfast.

As we delved into our conversation, Kygo's eyes gleamed with a predatory focus. He had been gathering intelligence about Marion.  Each detail he shared painted a clearer picture of the threats and vulnerabilities that lay before us.

"How is the bar structured, tell me something I don't know," I said, taking a sip of my coffee as I leaned back, ready to absorb every piece of information Kygo had to offer.

His gaze sharpened, and he began to dissect the inner workings of Marion with the precision of a surgeon. "Marion's foundation is built on a combination of charisma and deceit. The bozo who runs the place managed to rope in a group of loyal regulars who see him as some kind of savior. They believe he's giving them a piece of the action by letting them hang around the place."

I nodded, absorbing the insight. It was a common tactic—making people feel like they were part of something exclusive. It was a façade that hid the real dealings beneath the surface.

Kygo continued, his voice low and measured. "But the real money-spinner is the underground casino they've set up in the back. It's all very hush-hush, but the word on the street is that it's raking in serious cash. High-stakes poker games, roulette—you name it, they've got it."

I sighed, processing the information. An underground casino could be a major asset to them. It was a source of income that could fund their other activities.

Kygo's eyes glinted as he delved further. "However, their strength is also their weakness. The casino brings in outsiders who might not be fully aligned with the leader's agenda. There's potential for infighting, power struggles, and leaks of sensitive information."

I raised an eyebrow. "And security?"

His lips curled into a wry smile. "The bozo invested in a team of bouncers who think they're guarding a regular bar. They're not trained to deal with any serious threats. It's a vulnerability we can exploit."

I tapped my fingers on the table, appreciating his sharp analysis. "Any insight on their suppliers?"

He nodded. "From what we've gathered, they're sourcing drugs from multiple channels. There's a cartel connection, and they're also using street-level dealers to distribute. It's a web that spans across the city."

I leaned forward, locking eyes with him. "Keep digging. I want to know who's at the top of their supply chain, their contacts, their allies. We need the full picture before we make our move."

"Understood, Boss."

"By the way, who's the boss?" I asked.

Luch's gaze hardened, and he responded, "It's Charlie Gustavo, Boss. He used to be part of our family, you know."

I leaned back in my chair, my mind swirling with thoughts. Charlie Gustavo—an ex-member of our own family, now running a rival business. The rise from within our ranks to the helm of his own enterprise was a testament to his ambition and resourcefulness. But what intrigued me more was the personal connection we once shared.

"I remember Charlie," I mused aloud. "Back when he was one of us. We used to spend a lot of time together."

Luch's eyebrows raised in surprise. "You were close?"