Crimson Duty

Chapter Twenty-One - Help [ACT ONE]

The room fell silent as Rocco's voice echoed through the dimly lit space. The tension in the air was almost palpable. Jack, Shingle, and Tony exchanged glances, each of them struggling to process the sudden appearance of this man—this stranger who seemed to know everything about them.

Rocco: Don't look so surprised. I've been keeping an eye on you three for a while now. You boys have potential, but you're a bit too reckless.

Shingle: How the hell did you know we were here? And what do you mean, 'potential'?

Rocco stepped closer, his white suit almost glowing in the dim light. He moved with the confidence of someone who was used to being in control.

Rocco: I have my ways, Shingle. Let's just say I have eyes and ears in places you wouldn't even imagine. But that's not important right now. What matters is that I can help you.

Jack, who had been silently fuming, finally spoke up, his voice laced with suspicion.

Jack: Help us? How do we know you're not the one who ratted us out to the RCDEA?

Rocco smirked and shook his head.

Rocco: If I wanted to rat you out, you'd already be in handcuffs, or worse. No, boys, I'm here to offer you a way out of this mess. The RCDEA is breathing down your necks, but I have the connections to make them back off. In exchange, you work for me.

Tony, who had been quietly listening, finally broke his silence.

Tony: What do you mean, work for you? We're not some low-level street dealers you can just boss around.

Rocco: Of course not, Tony. I'm not talking about small-time deals. I'm talking about expanding your operation—taking it to the next level. With my resources and your product, we could control the entire East Coast. But to do that, we need to eliminate the threat of the RCDEA first.

Shingle felt his pulse quicken. The idea of expanding their operation was tempting, but the thought of working under Rocco made him uneasy. Still, the reality of their situation was undeniable—they were in over their heads, and they needed help.

Shingle: And how exactly do you plan to get the RCDEA off our backs?

Rocco leaned against the workbench, his eyes gleaming with a dangerous sort of charm.

Rocco: I've got a few contacts in the Bureau—people who owe me favors. I can make your little operation disappear from their radar. But like I said, it comes at a price. You'll be working for me, and in return, I'll make sure you're untouchable.

Jack stared at Rocco, weighing their options. He knew they didn't have many. The RCDEA was closing in, and if they didn't act fast, their entire operation would come crashing down. But trusting Rocco felt like making a deal with the devil.

Jack: And if we say no?

Rocco's smile faded, replaced by a steely gaze.

Rocco: If you say no, then I walk out of here, and you can deal with the RCDEA on your own. But I guarantee you, without my help, you'll be in cuffs before the week is out. This is a one-time offer, boys. You're either with me, or you're on your own.

Shingle felt a cold sweat forming on his forehead. He looked at Jack and Tony, seeing the uncertainty in their eyes. They were trapped, and Rocco knew it.

Jack: We need to talk about this... alone.

Rocco nodded, stepping back toward the door.

Rocco: Take your time. But remember, the clock is ticking.

With that, Rocco turned and left the room, leaving the three of them to grapple with the gravity of their decision.

Tony was the first to speak.

Tony: I don't like this, Jack. Working with the Mafia... it's dangerous. We'd be tied to them for life.

Shingle: Yeah, but what choice do we have? We're screwed if we don't do something.

Jack rubbed his temples, feeling the weight of the situation bearing down on him.

Jack: I don't trust him either, but he's right. We don't have any other options. We're out of time.

Shingle: So what do we do?

Jack looked at both of them, his expression grim.

Jack: We take the deal. We work with Rocco, get the RCDEA off our backs, and then we figure out how to get out from under him. We're not going to be anyone's puppets.

Tony sighed, clearly uneasy with the decision, but he nodded in agreement.

Tony: Alright... let's do it.

Shingle: It's the only play we've got.

Jack took a deep breath and walked over to the door, pulling it open. Rocco was leaning against the wall outside, waiting patiently.

Jack: We're in.

Rocco's smile returned, sly and victorious.

Rocco: Smart choice, boys. You won't regret it.

As Rocco reentered the room, he reached into his jacket and pulled out a small card, handing it to Jack.

Rocco: Here's a number you can reach me on. I'll make the calls and get the heat off you. In the meantime, I suggest you stay low and keep quiet. We'll meet again soon to discuss the next steps.

Jack took the card, slipping it into his pocket.

Jack: And what about the leak? How did the RCDEA know about Sapphire?

Rocco's eyes darkened.

Rocco: That's something I intend to find out. When I do, I'll deal with it. But you don't need to worry about that. Focus on staying alive and keeping your operation running.

With that, Rocco turned and left, his footsteps echoing down the hallway as he disappeared into the night. Shingle, Tony, and Jack stood in the dimly lit room, the flames of the burning warehouse still fresh in their minds. They had just made a deal with the devil, and the stakes had never been higher. But as they looked at each other, they knew they didn't have a choice. They were in too deep, and there was no turning back now. They were in the game, and the only way to win was to play it to the end—no matter the cost.