Dipendenza

Chapter 23

Leonardo

As I walked outside of my office building I was greeted by the officer whose stalking me.

"Good evening." I smiled softly.

"Such a nice response." He laughed humorlessly. He got a cigarette out and placed it on his thin lips. "You were gone for awhile."

"Keeping tabs on me." As my security came to my side I waved them off. I do not fear this man.

"Yes but we both knew that. Where'd you go?" He asked.

"I don't think it's smart to converse with the police." I smirked. "Because I have nothing to hide, I was in Miami."

"Seems fun." He laughed dryly. "Alone?"

"Who goes to Miami alone?" I smirked. "I went with my partner."

"Could it be the thug you bailed out?" He asked knowingly.

"Please reframe from calling him such names. Are you suspicious of something I've done." I asked.

"I was told to focus my efforts on someone else and not you. That makes me think maybe you had something to do with that."

"Who is the person?" I need to keep appearances up. It was I who turned the cops noses towards him. Every mob or gang thinks they have the cops in their pockets but I just allow them to think that. My family has deep roots in this city and always have. My control spans over much more than one thinks.

"Titian." I nodded softly at the name. After speaking with Ronald last night we came up with a plan to take Titian down. It involves Chris and the cops.

"You know it's hard pinning anything on him."

"Telling me the details of your case. You must like me."

"No I know this shift in suspects is your doing. I'm far from stupid Nell." He blew out smoke.

"I know." I nodded. "And yes I'm aware. That's why it's important the police look into this. We want justice after all. There are criminals afoot."

"Yeah, call me if there is anything I should know." He turned to leave.

"You know I won't." I called out.

"Well call me to get a drink maybe I'll get you drunk enough to spill something worthwhile." He waved as he turned around.

"Maybe." I smirked. I like him even if he's trying to put me in jail.

My security came out once he got in the car and directed me to my own. I was going to Ronald's place of work because I missed him and I want his food.

"Should we be worried about that sir?" My guard asked.

"Not until a few weeks from now." I sighed. "How is the training coming along?"

"Tough the kids are foul mouthed, impatient, and almost impossible to break. I will say they are eager and you're display of talents has scared them into acting within reason." He said. I nodded softly.

I took Ronald's suggestion and outsourced the help. He helped me find what he calls 'little thugs' and suggested they work for me. The main thing my men do is collecting debt and watching over the warehouses. They need to be strong but clear minded. I need to have some level of trust with them and also some fear. When asked if this is what they wanted I told them and showed them what I do to traders. I played a video of myself torturing someone who betrayed me. It was brutal and disgusting and some of them left after seeing it.

I unfortunately had to get rid of those who couldn't stand to watch the video. Not because I wanted to but because the only people who see me doing anything illegal are part of this organization. Those who stayed also saw them being killed. I think it's cemented in their brain to not cross me.