The night deepened, draping the city in a cloak of silence punctuated only by the distant echo of sirens and the low hum of nightlife. I stared out the window, the bourbon warming my veins, as the streets pulsed with the energy of a thousand stories—each one more desperate than the last. The clock ticked relentlessly, and I felt the weight of time pressing down on me.
Marco returned, his face taut with urgency. "Boss, we found Tommy. He was holed up in that dive bar on 5th and Main. Apparently, he’s been playing cards instead of working."
I leaned back, crossing my arms. "Playing cards? The fool thinks this is a game? Did you bring him?"
"He’s being stubborn. He thinks he can buy himself more time," Marco replied, his jaw set tight. "I told him you wanted to see him, but he laughed it off."
A cold fury ignited within me. Tommy had crossed a line, and there were no second chances in this business. "Get him here. If he refuses, bring him in by any means necessary."
As Marco left, I poured myself another drink, the ice clinking softly against the glass. I was a man who believed in loyalty, but I also understood that fear was the only language some would ever comprehend. A reminder was needed—one that would resonate through the ranks and ensure compliance.
Minutes later, the heavy door swung open, and Marco stepped in, dragging a disheveled Tommy behind him. His eyes were wild, darting around the room as if searching for an escape. But there was no escape from me—not tonight.
"Boss, please," Tommy stammered, his voice cracking. "I—"
"Save it," I cut him off, my voice low and menacing. "You think you can disrespect me? You think this is a game?"
"Listen, I was just—"
"Just what? Playing cards while your debts pile up? You owe me money, Tommy. You know what happens to those who don’t pay on time."
Tommy's face paled, the realization of his predicament washing over him. I could see the fear settling in his eyes, and it was a sight I relished. Fear was a powerful motivator, and I was an expert at instilling it.
"You have two options," I continued, leaning forward, my eyes locked onto his. "You can pay what you owe and walk away. Or you can stay here, and I’ll let Marco show you what happens to deadbeats."
He swallowed hard, glancing at Marco, who stood behind him, arms crossed and a grim expression on his face. The tension in the room was thick enough to cut with a knife.
"Okay, okay! I’ll get the money. Just give me a little more time!" Tommy pleaded, desperation creeping into his tone.
I straightened, a cruel smile curving my lips. "Time is a luxury you no longer have. You have until dawn. After that, I expect my money, or we’ll have a discussion about your future—one that doesn’t involve you in it."
With that, I gestured for Marco to take him away, and Tommy was led out, his shoulders slumped in defeat. I poured another drink, the burn of the bourbon a reminder of the stakes at play.
As I sat alone in my office, the weight of my empire pressing down on me, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something larger was brewing beneath the surface. The streets were restless, and whispers of rival gangs were beginning to creep into my territory. It was only a matter of time before they made their move.
The phone rang, pulling me from my thoughts. I answered, my voice steady. "Moretti."
"Boss, it’s Vinny," came the gravelly voice on the other end. "I’ve got news. The DeLucas are making a push into our territory. They’re planning something big."
My grip tightened on the phone. The DeLucas were a rival family, known for their ruthlessness and ambition. "What do they want?"
"They’re trying to cut into our drug trade. I’ve heard they’re planning to partner with some new players. We need to act fast."
A plan began to form in my mind, a dark strategy that would send a clear message. "I want you to gather our men. We need to show them that this territory belongs to us. And I want them to know the consequences of crossing my path."
"On it, boss," Vinny replied, a hint of excitement in his tone.
As I hung up, I looked out the window again, the streets now alive with uncertainty. The game was changing, and I would not be caught off guard. I was the king of shadows, and I would make sure that anyone who dared to challenge my reign would learn the hard way that the Ace always played to win.
With a deep breath, I prepared myself for what lay ahead. The night was still young, but the storm was gathering, and I was ready to face it head-on.
