Taming the mafia Lord's heart

"Fuck work." I muttered.

The clock ticking away and worsening my mood, as I went through the high stack of paperwork on my desk,a pen in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other.

I took a sip of the hot cup of black coffee, the bitter taste cutting through the stale air of my office.

Lazily, I threw my eyes around the paper praying silently for a escape.

The devil answered my prayer. The next moment the worst type of distraction came bursting out of the door.

I looked up and met the gaze of the one and only person who had the guts to barge into my office. A deep frown settled on my face. It's Giovanni, my right-hand man.

'Great, just great'

"They're here" he announced

"I see you've implemented a new policy of no-knock entries" i said, casually placing my coffee down and returning my attention back to my work.

'Yeah I chose perk over the other option'

A smile formed on Giovanni's face. "Maybe I have" he shrugged and sat down on the couch by the window staring outside

"So!" he clapped his hands trying to grab my attention, "Are you going to see the products or what?"

Putting my pen down, I look up at him and sighed. "Do I really have to?"

"Well, you don't have to . But I'm pretty sure you'd like to see this new batch" he said, a hint of a mischief in his smile

I closed my eyes and heaved. Normally I don't meet them until they've arrived at the club, trained, broken and polished and I don't go anywhere this fool suggests But, I am a bit curious as to why Giovanni is excited, it wasn't like him at all. He hardly showed any form of emotions whatsoever.

Giovanni was, without a doubt, an antisocial sadist.

He had a cool countenance, yeah but that just made it hard to ever guess what was going through his sick mind. Once he suggested slowly rolling a car over a poor old man. Life in his eyes was nothing special and the reason why he hadn't taken his own wasn't out of fear but his refusal to be labeled as a coward. Suicide to him, is nothing but a flimsy way out.

You know that saying, ''Birds of a feather flock together'

Well, in our case, it was more like "Birds of the same feather kill together," or something close to that.

I stood up, reached for my coffee mug and took the final sip letting the hot bitter liquid slide down my throat smoothly. I straightened the knot of my tie and slipped into my well-tailored suit jacket and casted an bloody glance at Giovanni reminding him to get his ass off my couch.

"Jeez, chill big man." He hopped off.

"Alright, let's go, We don't have all day" and with that said I walked out of the office with him.

********

"And then, I gouged his eyes out and stuck it down his throat, tied him up in chains and tossed him into a pool. Man, it was fucking satisfying, hearing the pain and terror on his voice was golden." Declan narrated with a malicious smile.

"Do you remember Gio, you're the one who thought of tying him up in chains"

"Of course I remember, How could I forget?" Giovanni said with a smile.

"It was one amazing moment, having someone's worthless life in your hands" he smiled sinisterly.

They both laughed after that. An ordinary person would be mortified if they knew these two but since I was not any better I Iet a cold smile grow on my face.

While we passed time going to the rendezvous. They chose to chit chat on this topic

It was a memory I remember quite well. The death of the Dark knights' gang's leader, Leonardo. He let his power get to his head and actually thought he stood a chance against me... well long story short... he died the worst possible death ever.

After killing his family right before his eyes, his eyes was gouged out, fed to him and he was tossed in a pool while being binded by chains. I think he wouldn't have wished for a better way to die.

Drawing deeply from my cigarette, the smoke enveloping the car's interior, I thought about how far I had climbed. From a lowly gangster, a nobody to the ruthless Mafia lord commanding the most feared syndicate in New York City. Every level of law enforcement were all under me, and I had incriminating secrets that kept businessmen firmly under my thumb. I effectively ruled this entire city.

The path that led me to where I was now was far from clean. It was blood stained and dirty.

I smiled... only hell can accommodate me. The things I ve done, things that still kept me awake at night, that haunt me but would I do it all over again? Yes.

Rule number one about this world, accept your own darkness, keep your demons near by and learn to thrive among and along them.

I have lost my soul and conscience a long time ago and I knew there was nothing that could ever bring it back. it's something I had come to terms with.

Declan's voice disrupted my thoughts , his eyes fixed on me from the front seat. "We're here, boss."

I responded with a solemn nod, extinguishing the smoldering remains of my cigarette in the car's ashtray. As the last wisp of smoke cleared, I walked with Giovanni into the warehouse.

Gio pushed the iron gates open, a wave of damp, musty air hit me. The space was dimly lit, with only a few sparse bulbs providing illumination. The walls were covered in peeling paint, and the concrete floor was stained and cracked. The smell of mold and mildew permeated the air, along with the faint scent of oil and grease. The place was silent, with only the sound of our footsteps echoing off the walls.

I followed Giovanni deeper into the warehouse, past piles of rusted machinery and stacks of dusty crates. The further we went, the darker it became, until we reached a door that was barely visible in the gloom.

Giovanni reached for the handle and turned it, pushing the door open. Beyond the door was a room that was even darker than the rest of the warehouse, with only a faint glow coming from a single lightbulb hanging from the ceiling. I looked closely and noticed some dark figures on the floor

Giovanni's smug voice cut through the heavy silence. "Here they are," he said, pointing towards the bound figures sprawled on the ground.

I crossed him, walking closer towards them, my eyes inspecting them one by one.

They were young women, their hands bound behind their backs and mouths silenced by gags. They fell within the age range of 18 to 22, chosen solely for the pleasure of businessmen.

"They look good," I murmured, squatting down and running a cold hand over a brunette's trembling skin. She whimpered softly, tears dropping down her eyes. She averted her gaze in fear but I held her chin and forced her face towards mine. I could see the fear in her eyes and it did nothing but amuse me. A cruel smile grew on my face.

"Do that again, and I'll pass you around until every one of my men have their way with you-" I leaned closer. "until you stop breathing"

She stared back at me with so much fear and silently started crying again. It was bullshit; my men were strictly forbidden from such actions, but inserting fear in people was one of the few things that gave me joy. Besides, it kept them in check.

I stood up and walked towards the other side of the room signaling Giovanni to follow me.

"Have them shipped to the club tonight. It might not-" My words were abruptly interrupted by a flash of fiery red hair heading towards the door.

I reached for Giovanni's glock, pulled out his gun and shot at the figure.

"Fuck!!" She screamed and fell on the floor just at the door's entrance. She rolled on the floor wincing in pain

"Shit!" Giovanni swore and hastened towards her. He roughly pulled her from the floor and dragged her towards me.

"Let me go!" She screamed in pain and defiance as Giovanni pinned her face to the floor.

"You fucking bitch," Giovanni hissed, raising his hand to strike her. He wanted to hit her again but I signaled for him to stop.

I squatted down and held her chin, forcing her to look me in the eye. Observing the defiance in the girl's emerald eyes, I aimed the gun unflinchingly at her forehead. She opened her eyes in shock and her sharp gasp of terror filled the air. I smiled and fired the gun.

I actually thought I could make it. Before he got here I already had the knots on my hands loose. The guards were all focused on him and the brunette, that I was able to get my legs free too. Once he called the other guard aside I knew it was the best time to run, since everyone's attention was on them. I took off the gag and raced for the door and before I could get out he shot me. That fucking bastard shot me!.

Bam!

I screamed and fell on the floor rolling in so much pain. It hurt so much. Before I could even gather myself, the guard came and picked me up. He wanted to drag me towards his boss but I tried fighting, not that it made a difference.

"Let me go!" I yelled as he pinned me down and when I didn't shut up he slapped me. The pain I felt from the gunshot was already making me dizzy. I've never been shot before and the pain was unbearable. The man tried to hit me again but his boss signaled for him to stop.

He squatted down and held my chin, making me face him. I didn't want to give him the satisfaction of seeing me defeated like the first girl so I glared back at him even though I was scared and in so much pain. He didn't seem to appreciate my stare so he pointed the gun at my forehead and smiled. I gasped out in fear as he smiled coldly back at me. I didn't expect my life to end this way in a filthy warehouse, kidnapped by some thugs. I closed my eyes and then....

Bam!

The deafening sound of the gunshot filled the grimy, dimly lit warehouse. I heard his laughter as I opened my eyes. He stood up with a look of amusement on his face.

A sigh of relief escaped my lips "Jesus Christ" I muttered, the word escaping beneath my trembling breath.

"Next time, I won't be so generous," he said. His face holding a cool countenance, and his voice carrying an unsettling calmness as he stared at me. The man, whose name remained a mystery to me, stared at me,his gaze piercing my soul, leaving me shivering

"Now, tell me something," he inquired, his voice echoing in the silence that enveloped us. "Are you brave or are you just plain stupid? Were you that eager to die?"

Turning slightly, I casted a furtive glance toward the other girls, huddled together on the ground, their hands tied and mouths gagged. I closed my eyes

'How the hell did I get trapped in this nightmare."

********

My class ended early but I decided to stay in school longer cause I needed to revise. Exams were to begin next week. The sky was a deep shade of blue and the street lights were already lit up, illuminating my shadow.

Suddenly a car swerved right in front of me and a group of men came out forcing me into the car. I tried to scream, they hit me, covered my mouth but It was whatever that pierced my neck that made me loose consciousness.

When I woke up I was in a moving van and I noticed I wasn't the only one, several girls were also there, tied up and scared. They transported us to an abandoned factory, where I witnessed our sale to another group for a couple of dollars. They drugged us, and my memories grew hazy until I awoke here, in this forsaken warehouse.

"Bitch, the Boss is talking to you," a deep voice growled jolting me back to reality. It belonged to the man who pinned me down. The one with a ghastly scar etching a brutal path from his forehead to his cheek. I couldn't help but wonder about the violent past that had marked him with such an ugly scar.

I wasn't naive; everyone knew of the Reapers Ring, a notorious Mafia gang masquerading as a tech company in the New York City's shadows. They had law enforcement in their pocket, making them virtually untouchable. The identity of their enigmatic boss was shrouded in secrecy, known only by the name Lorenzo McLaren, the feared Mafia Lord. Rumors about him filled the city, tales of unspeakable horrors and the brutal path he took to attain his position of unchallenged power. Even the city's Mayor groveled at his feet like a dog.

The only recognizable figure affiliated with this dark underworld was Giovanni Moratto, the city's notorious Playboy, the man who had me pinned down on the floor and now gazed at me with a deadly intensity that sent shivers down my spine.

"Not trying to escape at all is being foolish, and I am no fool," I retorted, striving to maintain an air of confidence as I gazed up at him.

He crouched down once more and stared at me aligning himself with my line of sight, and asked in a very calm voice that almost broke my confidence "Do you know who I am?"

"Am I supposed to?" I countered, my mind racing. Given that Giovanni referred to him as "Boss," this man must be Lorenzo McLaren's right-hand man. He held my face in his arms applying a bit more pressure. "You really are stupid," he sighed.

A surge of heated defiance coursed through me. "Screw you! " I yelled and spat at his shoes, a futile act of rebellion.

From the side of my eyes I noticed Giovanni edging closer ready to hit me again but he was stopped by the man in front of me. Then he did something I didn't expect. He began trailing the gun on my arm that was shot until he reached the spot I was injured, before I could say anything he pressed the head of the gun into my wound.

"Ahhhhhhhhh" I screamed in pain. The pain was excruciating, tears began to fill my eyes and when I thought I was about to faint, he stopped.

"Aren't you going to beg?" he asked, in a calm manner, as if he was talking about the weather. "Let me tell you something" he leaned closer to me.

"I don't believe in quick deaths. I'd make sure the person suffers to the point where they beg for it." he whispers in my face.

The tears I was holding back began to roll down my face. He took my tears as victory and got up. When I thought it was all over he did something unexpected. He laughed, a full, dark laughter that caused his head to tilt back. The chilling sound sent shivers down my spine.

"I am going to have so much fun breaking you," he murmured with a sinister chuckle, his manic blue eyes gleaming.

"What's your name?" he inquired, cocking his head slightly.

"Mariana," I mumbled, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Nice to meet you. My name is Lorenzo McLaren," he declared, revealing a chilling smile that sent a chill down my spine.

My blood ran cold. THE Lorenzo McLaren?! My heart began beating so fast, I was finding it hard to breathe.

"Ah," he remarked, rising to his imposing height, "I see you recognize that name."

What had I gotten myself into?

"Now, listen up, girls," Lorenzo continued, shoving his hands deep into his pockets. "It's quite simple. Misbehave or attempt to escape, and you WILL get caught. I'll let my men have their way with you until you're bleeding and your insides turn rotten. Then, I'll dismember you, piece by piece, until you bleed to death. Any questions?" He said so casually.

He began to walk away but stopped at the entrance.

"Oh and Giovanni, get a medic to treat her' he said without looking back.

The other girls eagerly nodded their heads in agreement, while I sat there in stunned silence, struggling to accept this horrifying reality.

********

"Get in!" A firm hand shoved me inside, and I grunted in discomfort, while the door clicked shut behind me. I couldn't help but curse silently as I rubbed the angry red marks on my wrists, a reminder of the unforgiving zip ties that had restrained me. They weren't taking any chances.

I stared at my bandaged arm and I could still feel the excruciating pain. As a punishment I wasn't given any pain killers whatsoever.

"Are you going to stand there all day?" A voice suddenly pierced the silence.

Startled, I turned around to find the palest girl I had ever seen in my life perched on a small, unassuming bed. Her jet-black hair was pulled back into a messy bun, and her dark eyes appeared empty. It was like the midnight sky when the moon and the stars gets covered up with clouds so it's pitch black.

"Hi," I waved as I made my way to the bed directly across from her, sitting down cautiously.

She began to lay down the rules with a detached demeanor. "The toilet is behind the door right there. You'll have to fetch water from outside at five am every morning since there's no running water inside. You do your laundry outside and hang it to dry there as well. The closet is divided into two, the second part belongs to you. Don't touch my things and we'll get along just fine"

She stared down at my bandaged arm. "I see you got into trouble

"Well I uh..." I started to say, but she turned around, picking up a book and began to read, pointing out that she was done with the conversation

"Just put your head down and you won't get into trouble" She muttered with her back facing me.

"Okay," I replied. From the looks of it she's been here a while and has probably accepted her faith. There was no escape from Lorenzo's hell. But I'm going to try,try really hard before I think of giving up

I began to unpack the duffel bags we'd been provided. Inside, I found some basic necessities – clothes, soap, a toothbrush, and other essentials. I quickly learned that this building was meant to serve as a sort of training center for us. To say I wasn't terrified to my core would be a blatant lie.

I rested my head on the pillow, it was as hard as a rock but it's better than the floor I've been sleeping on these past few days. The gunshot wound weakened my body badly. I closed my eyes and tried to sleep even if it's just for a bit and who knows I might wake up and realize it was all a bad dream

"You finished the last slice of pizza! Gio! how could you?" Declan dramatically gasped.

"Hey, it's not my fault, no one claimed it so it was free food." Giovanni shrugged nonchalantly.

I observed with amusement as Declan furrowed his brow and pouted slightly staring at the empty pizza box on my kitchen counter.

Moments like this always amused me. Rare moments that proved that Declan and Giovanni had human feelings.

I cleared my throat, announcing my presence in their midst.

"Hi, boss!" They both saluted as I made my way to the fridge, pouring myself a glass of orange juice.

Leaning against the counter, I asked casually, my gaze shifting between the two of them. "Got any plans for tonight?"

"None for me, boss," Giovanni replied.

"I've got a hot date with my girl," Declan admitted sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck, a faint blush gracing his face.

"Ooooooooh, go get it, man!" Gio hollered, clapping Declan on the shoulder in encouragement.

"What about the girls? Any problems?" I asked

"Nope everything is good over at the hotel."

I arched my eyebrows in concern. Three months had passed since the latest intake, and it had been surprisingly quiet. Normally there were usually cases of escape, fighting, injured client, suicide but this time everything has been running smoothly, almost too smooth. Something was up and I have to find out what.

"I don't think you need to worry boss". Giovanni said after noticing the concern on my face.

"Margot has taught them all they need to know. They're well-behaved with our clients. No complaints so far," Giovanni reported. Margot, the head of the club's workers and my childhood friend ensured they were well-trained for their roles, making my work easier when it came to the married businessmen eager to indulge themselves.

"But that's the problem. No complaints. It's a bit disturbing don't you think?" I picked up my orange juice and took a huge gulp.

"I don't think so, boss" Declan said. "Maybe it's because of that Mariana girl" Declan added

I tilt the cup away from my mouth and look at Declan with a puzzled gaze. "And who the hell is that?" The name sounded familiar

"Yeah, in fact, Margot says most clients have been asking for her. She's been in high demand," Declan added.

"Why?" I asked, crossing my arms with a hint of suspicion.

"No idea" Declan shrugged

"Mariana," Gio said.

"Mariana?" The name slipped from my lips, and I couldn't recall. "Do you know her Gio?"

"Yeah, how could I forget. She was the bitch who tried to escape at the warehouse" Gio responded, his tone less than welcoming. He didn't seem to like her. But that wasn't new. Gio didn't like anyone.

"Ohhhh" I say suddenly remembering her."Why her?" I asked, perplexed by what those grimly and sleazy old men found in her.

"No idea," Declan repeated again

"Maybe the bitch kept giving them the green light," Gio grumbled.

The girls at the club knew they were under my protection. No one was forced into something they didn't want to do, and their interactions with clients were always consensual. However, the consistent demand for Mariana was disturbing. It was time for me to pay a visit to the club before the situation got out of hand.

"Fancy seeing you around here," a sultry voice greeted me as I sipped my drink at the bar.

"I'm not allowed to visit my own club anymore?" I retorted, swirling the ice cubes in my whiskey.

"Of course you are," she replied as she settled onto the stool next to mine and her gown went up exposing her thighs, her cheap perfume leaving a trail in the air.

"All I was saying is it's been a while since we've... you know...talked" she said with a wink and threw a seductive smile at me.

Monica was an attractive woman, at least on the outside. Blonde, tanned skin, ample assets. What I had with her was nothing but a one night stand and I wanted to keep it that way.

She placed her hand on my lap trailing her hands up to my groin but I slapped her hands off, I responded, "You know that isn't possible."

"Why?" She pouted, folding her arms.

"Because of your one-night rule?"

I casted her a sidelong glance and sipped my whiskey. I had a rule to not sleep with any woman from the club more than once. I've kept to it this long and I didn't plan on breaking it anytime soon.

"Come on," she protested. I rose to my feet, I glanced down at her once more and spoke firmly, "Don't let this repeat itself."

"Hi, boss," a cheerful voice greeted me.

"Urhhhhh," I groaned loudly, exasperated.

"Can't a man get a few moments to himself? Is that too much to ask for?"

"Oh, stop being so dramatic," Margot said as she slapped my shoulders and joined me in the VIP section. The dance floor was filled with couples, and the DJ played soft melodies, creating a pleasant ambiance.

Sitting up straight, I cut to the chase, "I heard about what's happening."

"What's happening?" she looks at me cluelessly.

"Things are going awfully smoothly here and lot of clients are demanding Mariana."

Her clueless face switched to amusement and she began laughing cheekily. I've always been fond of that laughter.

"Woow what's wrong with a little peace Lorenzo? '' Margot replied, popping a piece of pineapple into her mouth. "As for Mariana's demand, what's wrong with that?"

Taking a sip of my drink, I savored the burning sensation letting it slide down my throat.

"I think we can make this useful," Margot suddenly declared.

"What do you mean?"

"You need dirt on these businessmen, right?" Her eyes sparkled with eagerness.

"I already have dirt on them," I stated. "I have a lot of pictures and videos of them engaging in illicit activities at my club. Things that could ruin their lives"

"Well, What if you could have more?" Margot suggested. "What if Mariana seduces them, perhaps has a night with them, and gets them to spill their deepest darkest secrets?"

Taking another sip of my brandy, I closed my eyes savoring the taste before putting the cup down. "No it's too dangerous," I replied, shaking my head.

"Lorenzo. If you truly want to take down the Costras Clan, you need more than just pictures and videos. You need solid evidence, which Mariana can easily obtain for you!" Margot argued.

"I don't need..." I began, but I was interrupted by a commotion.

I looked down to see Lincoln, a member of the Costras, trying to assault one of the workers – I recognized that fiery red hair anywhere. Some eyes were already on them, and the music was turned down enough for me to hear what that troublesome man was saying.

I hastened downstairs, just in time to grab Lincoln's hand before it hit her again.

"Ow, ow, ow! Who the fuck is this?" He cried out in pain.

Twisting his hand backward, I forced him to turn towards me. "Hello, Mr. Lincoln," I said, offering a cold smile.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" He shouted, his face twisted in pain.

I looked at Mariana and noticed blood dripping from her nose . Anger coursed through me and I twisted his hand even harder

"Oww stop! That fucking hurts!" Releasing my tight grip on Lincoln's hand, I pushed him forward. "Assault or force yourself on any of my workers again, and I will make sure you lose your hands."

"My father will hear of this!" he yelled, his face flushed with rage, then he stormed out.

I closed my eyes, trying to control my breathing and anger before turning towards her.

"Are you okay?" She looked up at me and I could see her face was bruised which made me more angry. If Lincoln was still here I would've beaten him to pulp.

"Margot!" I yell.

She ran towards me. "Get her an ice pack and stop the bleeding on her nose"

"Sure thing." She walked towards Marianna and led her out.

Breathing heavily, I observed that the club was eerily silent, all eyes on us. I quelled the tension, saying, "Stop staring unless you want to lose your eyes."

They all murmured, and the music resumed.

"Thank you," Mariana said softly from behind me.

Clenching my fist and without turning back, I replied, "Just make sure you stay out of trouble."