" The Boss .. " - A Shark Tale Story ( Mr Sykes x Don Lino )

Prologue

Don Lino, the leader of his ruthless shark mafia, had ordered a meeting with his new partner for work, Mr Sykes. Mr Sykes had worked at the Whale Wash. They had arranged the meeting to be at Don Lino's hideout, at the Titanic Wreckage site. 

Don Lino swam over to his aquarium of hungry little piranhas, feeding them some left over meat of his last meal. 

"How are my little babies this morning", he spoke to his piranhas, "Ya missed me? Doin' good?". 

The Don would chuckle to himself, finding this amusing, "Ya see Sykes.." ,he looked over his shoulder, talking to the pufferfish, "It's a fish eat fish world.", he began to speak, "You either take or you get taken."

Lino would smile as he saw the piranhas feasting as if they haven't eaten for days, he closed the lid of his little aquarium holding his piranhas captive. 

Mr Syke's could be seen hyperventilating, seeing as it was his first time meeting the Don. He'd heard many stories, frightening ones about the prestigious shark. 

Don Lino was not a fish you would want to mess with. 

Sykes had cleared his throat, gulping down his saliva before speaking, "Such true words have never been spoken... ah.. is that it? That all, are we done here?", he spoke in a hurried tone. He did not want to be there more than he needed to.

Lino, looking back, "Now.. you and me, we'll work as partners for a long time, doing favors for one another, eh you follow?"

Mr Sykes nodded, slowly, unsure of where he was going with this, "How long are we talking about.."

"Let me finish, and you know that-", Lino got interrupted by Mr Sykes nervous laughter, "It will all be to prepare my sons for the day they will run the reef.", he said, sitting down on his chair.

"Sons..?", Mr Sykes, questioned, mumbling. The shark in front of him had looked so young to have sons.

"Indeed, Frankie and Lenny. Unfortunately their mother, passed away recently." Don Lino had spoken those last words in a hushed tone.

Mr. Sykes felt a pang of sympathy, despite his fear. "I'm... I'm sorry for your loss, Don Lino."

Don Lino waved a fin dismissively, though his eyes briefly betrayed a hint of sorrow. "Thank you, Sykes. But let's not dwell on the past. We have business to discuss."

Don Lino's eyes darkened for a moment, a fleeting glimpse of vulnerability before the ruthless mask slipped back into place. He turned away from the piranhas, his focus now entirely on Mr. Sykes. "So, you see, Mr. Sykes, my sons are my legacy. Frankie is strong, like me. But Lenny... he's different. He's got a good heart, but he needs guidance, strength. This partnership is not just business; it's about ensuring their future."

Mr. Sykes fumbled with his fins, nodding rapidly, "Of course, of course, Don Lino. Anything for the family."

Don Lino's gaze hardened. "I need you to keep an eye on things at the Whale Wash. Make sure nothing slips through the cracks. And in return, you will have my protection. No one messes with my partners."

"Yes, yes, Don Lino," Mr. Sykes stammered, feeling a bead of sweat rolling down his scaly forehead. "I'll make sure everything runs smoothly."

"Good," Lino replied, a sharp edge to his voice. "Remember, Sykes, loyalty is everything. Cross me, and the piranhas won't be the only ones hungry."

Mr. Sykes gulped, the weight of Don Lino's words sinking in. "I understand. I won't let you down."

"See that you don't," Don Lino said, his tone final. He stood up, his imposing figure casting a long shadow over Mr. Sykes. "Now, get back to the Whale Wash. We've got a lot of work ahead of us."

Mr. Sykes nodded one last time before scurrying out of the hideout, his heart pounding in his chest. As he left, Don Lino turned back to his piranhas, a satisfied smirk on his face. The game had begun, and he was confident that his plans would unfold just as he envisioned.

As Mr. Sykes hurried out of the hideout, he couldn't shake the feeling of unease. The stories he'd heard about Don Lino were more than just rumors. The shark was every bit as intimidating in person. But as he swam away, he couldn't help but feel a strange sense of fascination mixed with his fear.

Back at the hideout, Don Lino watched Sykes' retreating figure, his expression a mix of satisfaction and contemplation. He knew that the Whale Wash was a key piece in his empire—a place where many rumors and secrets flowed freely. Ensuring its smooth operation was crucial to keeping his influence intact.

As the door to his hideout closed behind Mr. Sykes, Lino's thoughts turned to his sons. Frankie and Lenny were his greatest concern. Frankie had always been the more ruthless of the two, quick to act and quick to assert dominance. Lenny, on the other hand, was thoughtful and compassionate, qualities that made him more vulnerable in their world. Lino knew that preparing them for leadership would be a delicate balance of toughening them up while nurturing their strengths.

In a moment of rare introspection, Lino walked over to a large portrait hanging on the wall—an old painting of his late wife, framed by intricate coral and oceanic motifs. He touched the frame gently, a fleeting sadness crossing his face. She had been the anchor in his turbulent life, the one who kept him grounded. Her absence had created a void that he hoped his sons could fill, but the path would not be easy.

The sound of a door creaking open interrupted his thoughts. Frankie, the elder son, entered the room, his demeanor exuding confidence and authority.

"Father," Frankie said, his voice carrying the air of command, "how did the meeting go?"

"It went as expected," Lino replied, his tone steady. "Mr. Sykes will be handling things at the Whale Wash from now on. He's been instructed to keep everything in line."

Frankie's eyes narrowed slightly. "Sykes? The one from the Whale Wash? I've heard he's nervous around you. Are you sure he'll be reliable?"

Lino nodded, his gaze unwavering. "He'll perform, Frankie. He knows the stakes. Besides, he's got no choice but to follow through. We need him to keep things running smoothly."

Frankie considered this for a moment, then nodded. "Understood. What's our next move?"

"Preparation," Lino said firmly. "You and Lenny need to be ready. There's more to this than just maintaining power. We need to solidify our control and expand our influence. Lenny will need to learn how to navigate this world, and you'll need to be the strong hand guiding him."

Frankie's eyes softened slightly as he looked at his father. "I'll make sure he's ready. But... are you worried about him?"

Lino's expression grew thoughtful. "I worry about both of you. The world we live in is unforgiving. Lenny has a good heart, but it can be a weakness. You have to be the strength he needs."

Frankie nodded, his resolve firming. "I'll make sure he's prepared. For the family."

With that, Frankie turned and left the room, leaving Don Lino alone once more. Lino stared at the portrait of his wife, feeling a pang of sorrow mixed with determination. The future of his family, his empire, and the legacy he wanted to leave behind were all intertwined in the delicate balance he had to maintain.

As the day turned to dusk, Lino knew that the real challenges were just beginning. The careful orchestration of power, the nurturing of his sons, and the securing of his empire would require all of his cunning and strength. And he was prepared to face them head-on, for the sake of his legacy and his family.