Hearts in Chains

Donte's Inferno

     TW: Adult Language.

     "The highest wisdom, and the primal love. But those that last forever--as do I. Abandon all hope you who enter here. As little flowers, which the chill of night has bent and huddled, when the white sun strikes, grow straight and open fully their stems, so did I, too, with my exhausted force." - Dante's Inferno.

*****
Headquarters, 10:30 AM, Forecast: Sunny.

Dante sat outside Don Tierri's, better yet known as Terrance; the leader of Spider, office. He was fidgeting with his hand, nervous. He'd been hired on by Don Tierri a while ago, so he wasn't sure what to expect.

     Dante bounced his leg up and down, waiting patiently. He was sure that someone was supposed to come get him, yet they haven't.

     The fuck are they? He was beginning to grow incredibly anxious. Until, the door to Don Tierri's office swung open and one of his goons stepped out, motioning for Dante to come in.

     "The Don's been waitin' for you," the goon said, ushering Dante inside.

     "Yeah?" Dante gave a nervous chuckle, though he tried to swallow his anxiety down as he walked inside the large, glamorous office.

     The goon just rolled his eyes, his seemingly blunt attitude and indifference to anyone's emotions but his own heightening as he heard Dante's response. "Yeah," the man replied, his eyes narrowing in irritation.

Dante ignored the man's words, his attention going on the other man sitting at the large wooden desk, his chair turned towards the large glass window, looking out at the city beneath him.

The goon quietly stepped in behind Dante, closing the door behind them and standing to the right of him, his arms behind his back with his hands clasped together.

The office looked expensive. For starters, a large fur rug decorated the hard-wood floors. Paintings lined the walls, giving the room a flare of aesthetic. Relics of all kinds filled a glass case near the wall, with other various objects and items. The wooden desk had a laptop on it, a few stacks of paper, and a pen. It was obvious the man meant business.

     Slowly, Don Tierri turned around in his chair, the light in the room casting a soft glow to his face, revealing a large scar on the left side of his face. A smile carved itself on his lips, though his eyes remained cold. "Dante, my boy," the man greeted bubbly.

     "Don Tierri," Donte replied, greeting the man politely. His body tensed up, slightly anxious. But, he tried to calm himself mentally.

     "It's good to see you. So good," Don Tierri stated, chuckling heartily as he pulled away. He placed a firm hand on Dante's shoulder, giving it a pat. "It's been a while since I last saw you. How've you been, eh?"

     "I've been fine, sir," Dante responded with a nod, still smiling. His smile only seemed to grow wider. "Been busy."

     "I'd expect nothing less from you," Don Tierri laughed as he then removed his hand from Dante's shoulder, turning to walk back over to his desk. The man sat down, his hands in front of him as he gestured for Dante to take a seat. "Please."

     Dante took the offer, walking over to one of the chairs in front of the desk and sitting down on it, a small creak leaving the seat.

     For a moment, it was quiet between them. Don Tierri was thinking of his next choice of words. After a while of contemplating, he decided to bring up their recent business requisitions.

      "I'm sure you're wondering why I called you here," the man began. "As of recently, we've been spending some time scouring our place of..employment. A city like this, I was sure we'd come across a few measly gangs in need of dire assistance financially. Luckily for us, we got in contact with the Mexican cartel. Said they got some weight we can take off their hands."

     Dante listened, leaning back in his seat. His body seemed to tense at the man's words. "What sort of weight?" Dante asked him, growing curious.

     Don Tierri sat for a moment, silent. He stared down at the rings on his hands before answering. "Drugs, territory. Cocaine that could potentially be snuggled through the city, and further to places like California, Atlanta..you name it." The man paused for a moment, gathering his thoughts.

     "It's a good investment opportunity for us. I want only my best men on a job like this one," the man then stated. "That's why I want you to handle this section of the job. I know you're just starting out. But, I believe you can do it," Don Tierri stared into Dante's eyes. "I see potential in you, one that's hard to come by these days," he chuckled.

     Dante struggled to fight the urge to widen his eyes in pure shock at the man's words. He wanted him to handle a..bracket? This early on? Don Tierri may have had high hopes in him, but Dante had anything but.

     "Sir, I..thank you, really. I appreciate your belief in me. But..I..I don't think I'm ready for something like that," Dante replied, a bit nervous.

     "Trust me, if I thought you couldn't handle the job, I wouldn't have selected you for the picking," the man told him. "You'll do just fine—you'll see. Now go, get yourself a drink or something. I need your mind focused when I contact you with your first task."

     Dante nodded, unable to argue with the man. He hadn't really been able to speak much, but that was okay, he'd figure it out..somehow, anyways.

     He stood to his feet and turned to exit the office, the goon standing at the door opening the door for him as he exited.

     After a while, the goon glanced back at Don Tierri. He was doubtful of Dante's disposition. He didn't think he was fit for the job. They needed a man who had experience, not one that had the mind of a gullible puppy.

     Don Tierri picked up on this, giving a dismissive wave of his hand.

     "You really think he's cut out for this, boss?"
     A pause was heard. "No. But, we need a guinea pig and I figured we could use him."
     "He's a dumbass kid with no experience. We need men who can get the job done, no distractions."
     "You tellin' me that my decision isn't a wise one, boy?" Don Tierri raised an eyebrow before slightly frowning, his tone cold.
     "No sir," the goon replied. "I just think there are better candidates out there than some lousy kid you picked up off the street 'cause you had pity for him," the goon grumbled, frowning.
    
     Don Tierri listened to the man's complaints, rolling his eyes in mild annoyance.

     "Non farmi la predica sulle mie scelte, mi hai capito? Vattene via dal mio ufficio. Vai a controllare gli altri. Ora!" Don Tierri hissed, glaring at the goon as he dismissed him. (Don't lecture me about my choices, do you understand me? Get out my office. Go check with the others. Now!)

     The goon sighed, frowning and nodding in respect to the man before exiting the office, closing the door behind him before going to head to find the others.

     Don Tierri leaned back in his seat, shaking his head as he then reached a hand up to pinch his nose bridge. "Porca miseria. Incredibile," he grumbled, before getting started on working on his laptop. (Holy shit. Unbelievable.)