章 66: Offer
Lorenzo strode out of his plush office, the heels of his polished shoes clicking on the floor. He soon caught sight of his close friend, Adam, who was tending to a well-dressed man sporting an air of confidence.
The tell-tale signs identified the man as Domenico Mazza, the consigliere of the Barzini family.
Domenico's dark eyes flicked towards him, a cocky smirk playing on his lips. "Well, well, it seems I finally lay my eyes on Don Corleone's trusted friend—Lorenzo Lupo."
Lorenzo's jaw clenched at the man's audacity, but he kept his features neutral as he took a seat opposite Domenico. "I thought we'd already met at Connie Corleone's wedding."
Domenico feigned a look of exaggerated remorse. "Ah, my apologies, my friend. It appears my memory is as old as my bones." He said, tapping his temple with his ring-adorned fingers. "If I recall correctly, our esteemed Barzini family extended an invitation for a... meeting."
Lorenzo feigned ignorance, feigning to light a cigarette. "Forgive me, but my schedule is as packed as the Brooklyn docks on a Monday morning. I'm afraid we both must have slipped each other's minds."
Domenico chuckled, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "So we're both as forgetful as the last drink at a speakeasy, eh?"
"It appears so," Lorenzo agreed, blowing a stream of smoke into the air. "So, why exactly has the Barzini family graced me with this... honor? Or should I be worried?"
Domenico's gaze flickered to Adam, before returning to Lorenzo. "I'd rather not discuss this in... unfamiliar territory."
Lorenzo's smile didn't reach his eyes as he took in Domenico's arrogant demeanor. This man thought he was untouchable on his turf.
"Very well," Domenico said, standing up and dropping a piece of paper with an address on the table. "Meet me here, and don't be late, Mr. Lupo." He strolled towards the exit, pausing only to add, "You have my word, nothing will happen to you... as long as you play your cards right."
Adam, standing at his side, spoke lowly, "I don't trust him, Lorenzo. It's a trap."
Lorenzo placed a reassuring hand on his friend's shoulder. "Relax, old friend. If the Barzini family wanted me dead, they could have struck long ago."
Although Lorenzo also felt that Adam's guess might be right.
In his past life, he'd seen the Godfather films and knew all too well the Barzini's modus operandi. They loved ambushes and betrayals, just like their infamous attempt on Don Vito Corleone's life.
Not to mention, it was now 1945. The Barzini family's infamous ambush on Don Vito Corleone was drawing ever closer, as per his recollection from the novel and the movies. Although the exact date of the ambush wasn't specified, it was bound to happen anytime between now and the end of the year.
Lorenzo's thoughts drifted to his system, which had prophesied that the Barzini family and other gangs would soon make their move on his family. According to the system, the attack would take place in a month and three weeks.
In this timeline, the attack on Don Corleone could possibly happen in roughly a month and three weeks.
***
Lorenzo glanced at the address Domenico had given him and sighed, then tucked it into his pocket.
Shortly after, Richard, whom Lorenzo had summoned, entered his office. "Richard, I believe you're capable of becoming my consigliere. What do you think?"
Surprise etched on his face, Richard blurted, "Me? But isn't Maxilian the consigliere?"
Lorenzo shook his head. "He's made a grave mistake. He's been demoted." His gaze bored into Richard's eyes, seeking a response.
Richard mulled it over for a moment before nodding. "Alright, I'll give it a shot."
Lorenzo nodded in approval. "Good. Tomorrow, I'll be meeting with the Barzini family's consigliere. I want you to oversee our outfit's operations while I'm away."
"Understood, boss." Richard said, nodding firmly.
***
As the sun dipped below the skyline, casting a warm glow over the city, Lorenzo exited his company building and made his way towards Gelly's Delicatessen. The place oozed with the enticing aroma of Italian cuisine, and the soft sound of Frank Sinatra's voice spilled onto the sidewalk.
Lorenzo's thoughts drifted to the Barzini's watchful eyes on him, and he couldn't shake the unease he felt about Deborah's safety.
He knew she was under his men's protection, but he couldn't help but worry. Relocating his crew to Los Angeles weighed heavily on his mind; although the Barzini and other mafia families had a presence there too, it wasn't as dangerous as in New York, where their main strength lay.
Lorenzo pushed open the door of the deli, nodding at Fat Moe before peering through the door of the backroom. There she was, Deborah, dancing in her pristine white dress. Her every move was graceful, flawless.
Time seemed to slow down as he was transported two years back, to when he would sneak peeks at her dancing rehearsals, unbeknownst to her.
As Lorenzo entered the room, Deborah's eyes met his, and she giggled. "Enzo, you're here!"
He couldn't help but smile as he approached her. "You're more beautiful than ever, and your dancing is simply divine, Deb."
Deborah blushed, but a playful smirk graced her lips. "You're over-praising me now... I can't help but think you want something more from me this time..."
Lorenzo grinned mischievously. "You caught me, doll. I'm starving for some... company."
Deborah playfully nudged him in the chest, laughter in her eyes. "Oh, you're such a big hungry wolf, aren't you?"
---
Early the next morning, Lorenzo instructed Mike, his driver, to take him to the designated meeting spot at a seedy bar. As they neared their destination, Lorenzo couldn't help but notice several men lurking in the shadows.
He couldn't help but chuckle. "Seems the Barzini family really have their eye on me, huh?" he thought.
As Lorenzo glanced at Mike, his young driver, he couldn't help but feel a pang of concern. The thought of Mike getting caught in the crossfire if things went south weighed heavily on his mind. "Hey, kid," he said, "if you'd like, you can join me for a drink inside."
Mike's eyes widened. "Me, boss?"
Lorenzo nodded. "Sure, you're due for a drink."
A grin split Mike's face. "Thanks, boss!"
Lorenzo and Mike entered the dimly-lit bar, their footsteps echoing on the wooden floor. Domenico and another tall man in a suit and hat were seated at the bar counter.
Domenico tipped his hat at Lorenzo's approach. "Looks like you decided to join us."
Lorenzo took a seat, motioning for Mike to stand beside him.
Domenico chuckled. "Looks like you brought along a bodyguard, eh?"
Lorenzo just smiled at the insinuation, but he said nothing. Domenico didn't know that the only reason Mike was there was because Lorenzo felt bad for him.
"By the way, I'd like to introduce you to this man," Domenico motioned to the tall man in the hat and suit, "This is Virgil Sollozzo. He's with the Tattaglia family."
Lorenzo's eyes narrowed. He knew exactly who Virgil was—a ruthless drug kingpin, as he'd watched the Godfather movies in his past life.
"Pleasure to meet you, Lupo," Virgil said, extending his hand. "I've heard quite a bit about your gang. The little gangs have even nicknamed you 'The Wolf.' Quite a reputation you've got there."
Lorenzo chuckled uneasily. "Well, I wouldn't say that. The real Wolf should be the Don of the Barzini family himself, no?"
Domenico chuckled softly. "Don't worry, Lupo. The Don is quite... intrigued to see another 'wolf' in the city."
Lorenzo feigned nonchalance. "Is that so? I'm honored."
After some small talk, Domenico got straight to the point. "Lupo, from what we've seen, you're a man with ambition. You wanna make your gang a mafia family, no?"
Virgil puffed on his cigarette, studying the younger man's reaction.
Lorenzo kept his composure. "Ambitious, you could say that. In fact, I'm also venturing into the movie business. Just acquired a studio."
Virgil chuckled. "Now, that's interesting. I'm an investor myself. Purely for the art, of course."
Domenico smirked. "As much as I'd love to talk about cinema, we're here for a proposal." He drummed his fingers on the counter. "Lupo, we can give you everything you desire. Power. Money. Influence. Join us, and it's yours for the taking."
Lorenzo raised his hand, "I'm listening."
Virgil leaned in, his voice low and menacing. "It's in the drug trade, Lupo."
As Virgil spoke, his words dripping with the scent of deceit, Lorenzo's expression remained unchanged. He took a long drag from his cigarette, slowly exhaling the smoke before stubbing it out on the ashtray. "Well, I'm flattered by your offer, but I'm afraid I'm not interested in getting my hands... dirty with drug money."
Virgil and Domenico exchanged glances, the former tapping his cigar ash on the floor. Domenico leaned in closer, lowering his voice to a menacing whisper. "Think very carefully, Lupo. You're making a powerful enemy here. We can even help you out with your friend in prison... What's his name? Philip, right?"
Lorenzo chuckled, feigning indifference. "Philip? He's an addict." His steely gaze locked with Domenico's. "Isn't that guy your puppet? And now you're using him against me?"
Virgil's smirk never faltered. "So, you're smarter than you look, Lupo."
While Domenico warned. "You don't want to cross us."
Lorenzo's expression remained unreadable. "I really appreciate the offer, but I'll have to decline."
Domenico's voice turned menacing. "You leave me no choice then." He reached for his gun.
In a flash, Lorenzo's own pistol was against Domenico's temple.
"Now, now, Domenico, violence won't solve anything," Lorenzo said, his voice deadpan. "We're all businessmen here, aren't we?"
Virgil and Domenico froze, hands hovering over their concealed weapons.
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