IDRIS

What happens when a conflict proves bigger than your existence? You create stronger partnerships with those paddling in the same canoe. It's how the United States and Russia emerged the victor in World War II. Except the enemy in Idris's case is no more vivid than a ghost, which is why he has to build a fort on all sides.

Now tasked with pulling the last of the Verdonni family together, Idris sits in a chair, by the pool, under an umbrella that has been tasked with keeping the sun at bay. Amidst the daily occurrences of inclement weather, a sunny day should surely be a sign of a bright future, shouldn't it?

This estate isn't his home. Idris was invited over by some mafioso he'd only heard of a couple times in the past. He goes by the name of Alvize Tesoro, and he was nothing short of an impotent figure to Idris. That was, until he dug up more information on the Don. His own desperation drove him to do so. Beggars can't be choosers, and they most definitely can't rely on themselves.

Alvize is a man worn by pressure and age, as is every other man charged with the burden of running a mafia family. In time, Idris will become fatal to the same load of stress. He's already well versed in it.

Like every other Don, Alvize is callous. In Idris's research, he'd found the numerous lynching which the mafioso orchestrated, mostly over some petty reason or the other. Staging an exit from the Tesoro family is a suicide order ready to be signed. Alvize also dabbles in prostitution on the east end of New York, and somehow he's managed to keep his name off the trade.

And of course, there's the infamous massacre at Fort Warton, the incident where the Don ordered the death of a news reporter who couldn't stop sticking his nose where it didn't belong. The day the massacre took place, the reporter was at a family gathering with a few other friends of his. It ended in more bloodshed than needed to drive Alvize's point. Build a house only if you can keep it sturdy.

Now he's casted his net over Idris and has invited him into his own home. The table between the two men is toppled with liquor, but only on Idris's side. This strikes him as odd. "Not in the mood?"

Alvize shakes his head. "I don't drink." Then he gets down to business. "Is it true you lit Enzo Maranzo up in that building?"

Idris doesn't even have the energy to work up some mild offense. He shifts his eyes down to the drinks. "Some of my men were in there."

Alvize just chuckles. "Sacrifices must be made, no?"

Idris believes in that same ideology, but it just wasn't the case in this instance. He explains no further, though. Let Alvize think what he wants.

"Am I correct in assuming the same mistake will not be made twice?" Alvize continues.

"If you're so wary of me, why hold this meeting?"

Idris can see the man consider this. It's a good point. But all moves on a chess board require strategic thinking. Alvize's interest in him seems to be one of such tactics. "Because you have something I want."

Idris is now on guard. "And that is?"

"Your network. I need one as sturdy as yours if I'm planning on keeping those drugs on the low."

"You're asking for help."

"That is indeed how partnerships work, yes."

Idris was already made aware of Alvize's intentions before arriving. It's why he came with a request of his own. A preposition. "In exchange, I want a brigade."

"You want protection."

"I want security. I want as many as you can spare, but nothing measly."

Alvize takes some time for himself, thinking. Then he turns to the man standing behind him and motions for him to lend his ear. Idris watches the capo whisper some secret of some sort. It all ends after seconds.

Alvize is now all smiles. "My good friend here, Emilio," he points at the man by his side. "Will be happy to lend you as many men as you'd like."

Emilio gives Idris a smile he can't read into. He has dark hair which has been buzzed out at the back, with dark brown eyes that hold so much mischief. He seems to be around Idris's age, perhaps a couple years older, but is certainly more full of life than Idris himself who has shrunk down into a husk these past couple months.

Husk or not, the Earth won't stop spinning. Idris has to continue on.

Later, when the meeting has met its conclusion, Croff is there by Idris's side on their way back to the car. "Do you really think this is the right decision?"

"There's no right decision. It's what's best." Idris tells him. "Whatever has been screwing me over won't have a plan against ample security." Then he enters and slams the door shut before Croff can say anything else. This is his last attempt at correcting things. It's his last ditch effort.

~《¤》~

EMILIO

Emilio has become the bridge between Idris and Alvize. He carries out messages when the two are too busy with matters that they can't meet. He enjoys the mission because he gets a better view of how the Verdonni family operates.

Right now, he knows they're weakened. They have lost not one but two underbosses - one to the authorities and the other to some unclear circumstances. As if that wasn't enough, their consigliere got caught in a mouse trap that lead to his eventual death. Then went their Capo who disappeared, and whose body still hasn't been found.

The family is barely hanging on, but that isn't Emilio's cup of tea. His job is not to judge. It's to carry out Alvize's orders.

Still, the way he sees it, Alvize could stage an attack against the Verdonnis and possibly win. But his brand new idea of joining the drug trafficking ring seems to triumph that objective. So there will be no fighting. Just some partnership of individual interest.

Another reason Emilio enjoys his trips to the Verdonni estate: Idris's girlfriend. He's seen her before - not in person but on the web. He's forgotten what nickname they dubbed her with, but all that really matters to him is her presence. He sees her only when Idris is around, like they've been shackled together like prisoners. Perhaps Idris just really loves his girlfriend.

Emilio thinks she's beautiful. He thinks she's exactly the kind of woman men of Idris's status should have by their side. As appealing as she is on the outside, he can't help but wonder if things are the same within. She keeps to herself and has a certain cold look to her face that once even made him recoil. And even when she smiles, he can tell there's nothing behind it. What a waste, Emilio had thought, that such a beauty could be accompanied by hollowness.

When Emilio learns her name, he's content. Josita Cade. A name befitting of such beauty. He watches her from afar and begins drawing his own conclusions. She must be one of those women who have no power. It's typical of those in relationships with mafiosos. She seems empty, as though her choices have already been made for her, and all that's left for her to do is agree.

Immediately, Emilio thinks he could manage Josi better. He could put her to better use than Idris. She must not be as bright up there as she is externally. What he would give for a spare moment with her.

And that time soon comes. Before a meeting with Idris, he's granted the opportunity to speak with her. She enters the den with the same hollow feel around her, as though her mind has been flushed free of everything within.

Emilio is surprised to see her there, but he spares little time for that and instead, scans her from head to toe. She's wearing a skirt that stops somewhere around her upper thighs, and a shirt that shapes her chest perfectly. Emilio can't stop looking. He's entranced.

Josi addresses the guard in the room first. "Leave."

The guard opens his mouth to object, until she throws him a scowl that makes him think twice. He swallows down the intimidation and escorts himself out.

Emilio watches the door shut close. "He sure obeyed quickly."

"He just didn't want to die."

The context is lost to Emilio, but only because he refuses to read into it. What could a girl like her possibly know about death? He studies her a bit more this time and picks out the scar on her right cheek, one he thinks must certainly have been painful.

Then he looks her straight in the eye. They say the eyes are the window to the soul. Well, there's no way to tell in this case. It's as if she's put up a wall that makes it impossible to read any further.

"I'm Emilio, by the way." He extends a hand.

She meets it with the same empty smile. "Josita."

Emilio gives her a smile worth more warmth than the one she gave him. He thinks he can easily win her over. He has the looks and the charisma. Girls like her fall for that all the time.

"I have to say, it's been interesting getting to know the Verdonni family."

"Well, Idris is depressed, so I'm sure he appreciates the attention."

Emilio slowly nods. "Right."

Josi then moves on to what brought her there. "What's this partnership about?"

"Individual interest. Idris helps Alvize . . . " He pauses and looks for more suitable words, as he thinks Josi can't fathom mafia lingo. ". . . move goods from one place to the other. And Alvize supplies Idris with security."

Her face hardens. "How much security?"

Emilio shrugs. "Enough to prevent a bomb attack."

Seconds go by of her just thinking, and Emilio finds himself interested in what could possibly be going on in that head of hers. Then she brings her head down. "I can't have that happen."

Emilio doesn't think much of it at first. From the few seconds he's known her, he's already pegged her as a woman who lives in her head. There's something fundamentally off about her, and he finds that aspect rather entertaining, as opposed to worrying. He decides he will play along. "What are you going to do about it?"

"Destroy that sense of partnership."

Emilio goes quiet. One look at her face tells him she means the things she says. But he still thinks it's an act. He thinks she's playing pretend like some toddler. Strange as it may seem, he keeps up the role play. He wants to see where this ends.

"How are you so certain you'll be successful?"

"I don't know." She shrugs, then steps closer until she's face to face with him. "But I do know one thing."

"And what's that?"

"You're not leaving here alive."

Emilio is taken aback, but quickly finds his footing. He knows nothing of what she's insinuating, which is why he takes the measly threat as a joke. To think Idris Verdonni's girlfriend is just some lunatic masked by a pretty face.

Emilio begins laughing. "How exactly do you plan on making that happen?"

She looks towards the door, almost expectantly, then reaches behind her pocket and pulls out a knife. Emilio's eyes grow wide at the weapon. He begins to realize Josi means business. Everything she's revealed thus far was, in fact, not just some tall tale which she concocted for leisure. She's serious.

Emilio starts to panic. "What are you-"

Josi swings the blade. But it targets no area on Emilio's body. Instead, the knife pierces right through her abdomen and creates a wound not far from fatality. She collapses onto Emilio instantly.

Then the door to the den flies open. Idris walks in with Croff behind him, but stops in his tracks when he sees the scene before him. A scene Emilio can dreadfully tell has been sewn from the threads of his nightmares.

Now Emilio gets the gist of the situation. If only he knew that his coffin had been crafted the moment he laid eyes on Josi.

"Wait, this isn't what-"

No space for explanations. Idris pulls out a silver pistol and lays waste to him. Right then and there.

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