Crimson Duty

Chapter Twenty-Two - Help [ACT TWO]

As the door closed behind Rocco, the three of them stood in the dimly lit room, each lost in their thoughts. The decision had been made, but the weight of it hung heavily in the air. Jack stared at the card in his hand, the tiny piece of paper that now represented their only lifeline.

Tony broke the silence first, his voice barely above a whisper.

Tony: Do you think he'll really come through for us?

Shingle crossed his arms, his brow furrowed in thought.

Shingle: He has to. If Rocco's offering us a way out, he's not doing it out of the kindness of his heart. He sees an opportunity in us. We just have to make sure we don't end up as assets.

Jack nodded slowly, still staring at the card. He knew the risks of working with someone like Rocco, but they were out of options. The RCDEA was too close, and without Rocco's help, their operation was as good as dead.

Jack: We need to stay sharp. Rocco's our only chance right now, but that doesn't mean we can let our guard down. We play along, but we keep our eyes open. The moment we can cut ties, we strike.

Tony: And if he decides we're not useful anymore before that?

Jack met Tony's gaze, his eyes cold and determined.

Jack: Then we make sure we're the ones holding the cards when that time comes.

The room fell silent again, the reality of their situation sinking in. They had made their choice, and now all they could do was wait for Rocco to make his move. Two hours later, in a small, dingy apartment across town, Rocco sat in a worn-out armchair, a brick phone pressed to his ear. The room was dark, illuminated only by the dim glow of a single table lamp. A joint smoldered in an ashtray nearby, the smoke curling lazily toward the ceiling.

Rocco: Hey, it's me. I need you to put a call in to the RCDEA. Tell them the Sapphire operation's been shut down. All three members have been... eliminated. No need for further investigation.

The voice on the other end of the line was muffled, but Rocco listened intently, nodding along with the conversation.

Rocco: Good. Make sure it's convincing. I don't want them sniffing around them anymore. This needs to go away completely. Tell the cartel to lay off too, will you?

He ended the call and leaned back in the armchair, a satisfied smirk playing on his lips. The RCDEA would back off, just as he promised. But Rocco knew this was only the beginning. He had plans for the Sapphire crew, and they would all play out in due time. He reached for the joint in the ashtray, taking a long drag before exhaling a plume of smoke. Everything was falling into place. Back at the industrial estate, Shingle, Jack, and Tony were waiting anxiously for any word from Rocco. The minutes felt like hours, and the tension was thick in the air. Finally, the phone rang, a sharp, piercing sound that cut through the silence like a needle.

Jack snatched up the phone, his heart racing.

Jack: Yeah?

Rocco's voice came through, smooth and confident.

Rocco: It's done. You're in the clear. But don't get too comfortable. There's more we need to discuss.

Jack: What do you mean?

Rocco: My brother's coming to town. He'll be meeting with you boys to finalize our deal. Luca don't mess around, so you better be ready. If he likes what he sees, we'll move forward. If not... well, let's just say things could get complicated.

Jack's grip on the phone tightened.

Jack: When's he coming?

Rocco: Soon. He'll ring you when he's ready.

With that, Rocco hung up, leaving Jack standing there, the phone still pressed to his ear. He slowly lowered it, turning to face Shingle and Tony, who were watching him intently.

Tony: What's the deal?

Jack: "Rocco got the RCDEA off us, just like he said. But now we have to deal with his brother, Luca. He's coming here to arrange the terms of our partnership."

Shingle felt a knot form in his stomach. The idea of dealing with Rocco was bad enough, but now they were going to have to face his brother? This was getting more dangerous by the minute.

Shingle: What do we know about Luca?

Jack: Not much, but from what I've heard, he's the real power behind Rocco. He's the one who makes things happen. If we fuck this up...

Tony didn't need Jack to finish the sentence. He already knew what was at stake. They were playing a dangerous game, and the stakes had just been raised.

Shingle: We've come this far. We can't back down now.