4. Rork
4
RORK
T he meeting room is thick with tension as I sit across from the representatives of the prominent Italian family, the Morellis. We’ve been locked in negotiations for hours, each side fighting tooth and nail for our interests. But in the end, my cunning and relentless tactics have paid off. The terms of our alliance are settled, and I’ve secured the upper hand.
I can’t be more pleased with myself, especially since the Morellis have been allied with the Marinos but have recently become dissatisfied with the alliance.
As we conclude the meeting, shaking hands and exchanging terse nods, the head of the Italian delegation leans in close to me. “I must say, Rork, it’s refreshing to do business with someone who’s not losing their goddamn mind,” he remarks, a hint of amusement in his eyes.
I raise an eyebrow, intrigued by his comment. “What do you mean by that?”
The man chuckles, shaking his head. “Haven’t you heard? Don Marino has gone off the deep end. He’s set up a tournament for this weekend, of all things.”
“A tournament?” I repeat, my interest piqued. “What kind of tournament?”
“The kind where men fight for the hand of his second-eldest daughter,” he explains, his tone dripping with disdain. “Can you believe it? I couldn’t believe it when I saw the invitation.”
I lean back in my chair, processing this information. Why the hell would Nico Marino need a tournament to marry off his child? I saw his three daughters, and they are stunning. Is there another daughter I didn’t meet who isn’t as beautiful as her sisters?
“Which daughter?” I ask, trying to keep my voice neutral.
“I can’t remember her name,” the man replies, shrugging. “No matter who it is, Don Marino has produced beautiful girls, from what I’ve heard. But still, to be traded off like cattle? It’s barbaric. I wouldn’t be surprised if he makes them fence or joust or some other archaic nonsense.”
I clench my jaw, my mind racing. I wonder which daughter it is. Is it Bianca, the girl I met just a week ago? The one with the fierce eyes and the unshakable presence?
Regardless of who it is, her parents are offering her up as a prize in some twisted game.
Nico’s depravity knows no limits, but I’m surprised to feel disappointment when it comes to Anna. She should know better.
“Indeed,” I manage to say. “It seems Don Marino’s grip on reality is slipping.”
The Italian nods, a smirk playing on his lips. “Well, at least we don’t have to worry about that with you, Rork. You’re a man who knows how to keep things in the present.”
“So, does that mean you’ll be sitting this one out?” I ask, a sly grin tugging at the corners of my mouth. “Wouldn’t want to get caught up in Don Marino’s medieval fantasies, now would you?”
The man scoffs, his eyes narrowing. “Are you kidding? Of course I’m not sitting it out. The Marino girls are the richest heiresses in the world. Any man who marries one of them will have the keys to the kingdom, so to speak.”
My mind is already turning with the possibilities, but I don’t want to show my hand. “Is that so? Sounds like quite the opportunity.”
“Damn right, it is,” he agrees, a greedy glint in his eye. “And I’m not about to let it slip through my fingers, no matter how ridiculous the old man’s methods might be.”
As he speaks, a plan begins to form in my mind. The wheels start turning, and I can feel the familiar rush of cunning and calculation coursing through my veins.
“Well, best of luck to you, then,” I say, my tone casual. “I’m sure you’ll make quite the impression at the tournament.”
The man nods, a smug smile on his face. “Oh, I intend to. I’ll show Don Marino what a real man looks like.”
I chuckle, but inside, my thoughts are racing. The Italian’s words have sparked an idea, a delicious plot for revenge against the man who has caused me so much pain.
What if I enter the tournament and win, taking something precious from the man who took everything from me?
I can already picture the look on Nico’s face when he sees me crowned champion. The shock, the anger, the realization that I’ve infiltrated his little game. It’s a thought that fills me with satisfaction.
The idea of gate-crashing Nico Marino’s precious tournament is too tempting to resist. It would be the perfect opportunity to exact my revenge, to hit him where it hurts the most.
* * *
When I return to my home, I waste no time in calling my second-in-command, Liam Gallagher. He’s a loyal and ruthless man, someone I can always count on to get things done.
“I need you to find out everything you can about this tournament Don Marino is holding. I want to know every detail, including how to get an invitation.”
Liam doesn’t question my orders. He simply nods, a glint of understanding in his eyes. “Consider it done, Boss. I’ll have the information for you as soon as possible.”
I know that security at the tournament will be tight. Nico Marino is not a man who takes chances, especially when it comes to his daughters. But I also know that stealth and subterfuge are my greatest allies. If anyone can find a way in, it’s me.
A day later, Liam returns, and I wave him in, ignoring the work piled up before me. “Well? What did you find out?”
Liam sits down in the chair before my desk, a folder clutched in his hands. “The tournament is strictly invite only. Each suitor gets their own personalized invitation. To get through the door, they gotta show the invite and verify who they are to Marino’s goons.”
Dammit. “So, you’re telling me the only way in is with one of those special invitations? And I have to show my face?”
Liam nods grimly. “Afraid so, Boss. Security is locked up tight. There’s no way around it.”
Fuck. Well, that changes things. “There’s gotta be another angle. Think we can pay someone in Marino’s crew to look the other way?”
Liam shakes his head. “I highly doubt it.”
I scoff and drum my fingers on the desk. How the fuck am I supposed to get in now? Even if I were to disguise myself, my damn scar would give me away. Plus, I’m sure Anna told her precious Nico about our little interaction outside the bridal shop, so his security would definitely be looking out for me.
“Who is invited to this tournament?” I ask suddenly. “Do we have a list of the names?”
Liam nods, a sly grin spreading on his face. He tosses the folder onto my desk. “See for yourself, Boss.”
I raise an eyebrow, intrigued. Snatching up the folder, I flip it open and start scanning the pages. It’s a comprehensive list of every high-roller and made man invited to Marino’s tournament. I let out a low whistle, impressed by the caliber of the competition.
“Liam, you beautiful bastard. How the fuck did you manage to get your hands on this?” I ask, looking up at him in amazement.
Liam smirks, clearly pleased with himself. “Turns out one of Marino’s top capos—the one in charge of personally delivering these invites—has a thing for expensive call girls. So, I decided to use our escort service to our benefit. I had one of our best honeys, Candy, pay him a special visit. Slipped something extra into his drink, and once he was out cold, she snapped some photos of the invite list he had on him. Poor sap never knew what hit him.”
I can’t help but laugh, shaking my head in admiration. “You devious son of a bitch. Using a man’s own vices against him. This is why you’re my right-hand man, Liam. You always find a way to get the dirt we need.”
Liam shrugs, but I can tell he’s basking in the praise. “Just doing my job, Boss. Now, with this list, we can start figuring out how to get you into that tournament.”
“But something still isn’t right,” I murmur as I peruse the list. “Even if I manage to get into this tournament, how do I ensure I stay in long enough to win without someone noticing me?”
Liam leans back in his seat, crossing his arms and looking more smug than I ever thought possible.
“Oh, I didn’t tell you this part? It’s going to be a masked tournament. Everyone will be wearing disguises.”
I stare at him for a moment, unable to believe what I just heard. And then, I can’t help it. I burst out laughing, the sound echoing through my office.
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” I manage to say between bouts of laughter. “Marino’s gone soft in his old age. How the hell could he ever agree to something like this?”
Liam joins in my laughter, shaking his head in disbelief. “I guess he thinks the masks will add an air of mystery and excitement. But you’re right. Anyone could slip in with a disguise. Including you.”
A sense of anticipation builds within me. This is almost too perfect. Nico has practically handed me the keys to his own downfall. I’m pretty sure God is smiling down on me.
I scan through the list of names, recognizing most of the heavy hitters and old-timers. But there’s one name in particular that catches my eye: Danny Bellucci. A cruel smirk plays across my lips as a plan starts to take shape in my mind.
“Liam, remember when we helped our old pal Danny secure that cushy judgeship a few years back? The one where we had to lean on a few key officials and grease some palms to make sure the vote went his way?”
Liam nods, a knowing glint in his eye. “Yeah. That was a big play. Danny wouldn’t be sitting on the bench now if it wasn’t for our ‘endorsement’ and the strings we pulled.”
“Exactly,” I say, tapping Danny’s name on the list. “And now it’s time for Judge Bellucci to return the favor. He owes us big time, and I’m about to collect.”
I lean back in my chair, savoring the plan as it unfolds in my mind. “You know, Liam, Danny boy bears a striking resemblance to our Angus. Same build, same light features. I bet with a little creative grooming, Angus could pass for Danny easily.”
“Here’s how it’s gonna go down. We get Danny to hand the invitation over to Angus. Angus goes in, gets verified by security, and blends in with the other guests. Meanwhile, I’ll have Mikey hack into the estate’s security system. He’ll disable the cameras and unlock a side entrance at a predetermined time. That’s when I make my move.”
Liam leans forward, intrigued. “Because everyone is masked, you can slip in through the side, undetected.”
“Precisely,” I say, grinning. “Once I’m in, I’ll find Angus and we’ll make a discreet swap. He hands me the invitation, then he slips out the way I came in, and I take his place at the party. Smooth as silk.”
Liam nods, impressed. “That could work. Mikey’s the best hacker in the business. If anyone can crack Marino’s security, it’ll be him.” His brows furrow. “But what about Danny? What if he gets cold feet?”
I chuckle, reaching into my desk drawer and pulling out my trusted .45. I place it on the desk between us, the metal gleaming under the lamp light. “If Danny knows what’s good for him, he’ll do as he’s told. But if anyone tries to fuck us over, well… Let’s just say his career won’t be the only thing in jeopardy. A tragic accident can befall anyone, even a respected judge.”
Liam nods in understanding. “Got it, Boss. I’ll coordinate with Mikey and make sure he’s ready to work his magic. Angus and I will handle Danny and get that invitation. You just be ready to move when the time comes.”
“Oh, I’ll be ready,” I say, leaning back. “Marino thinks he’s invincible, but he’s about to learn that there’s always a weak spot. And I’m damn good at finding and exploiting those weak spots.”
I can almost taste my impending victory. With a top-notch hacker on my side, a loyal soldier running interference, and a judge in my pocket, I’ve got all the pieces in place. Nico’s about to get a harsh lesson in what real power looks like.
It’s a delicious thought, one that fills me with a sense of dark anticipation. Nico may think he holds all the cards, but he’s about to learn that in this game, I always come out on top.