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88.5% Godfather System / Chapter 77: New Business

Capítulo 77: New Business

Lorenzo's eyes narrowed as he scanned the system notification, his fingers drumming idly on the worn-out table. The system set up a deadline of three days, but he wasn't one to rush his decisions. He had time, and he'd use every second of it. For now, he had other matters to attend to.

In the meantime, he set his sights on cleaning up the streets of Boyle Heights, or at least, that's what he let on. Under the guise of his private company, Raven Corps, he set about eradicating the competition, one gang at a time. Justice, he called it, but in reality, he wanted total control.

As Raven Corps rounded up criminals, they made sure to prioritize those with bounties on their heads, delivering them to the police station where they would be dealt with accordingly. For those without bounties, a simple choice awaited: rot in prison or join the ranks of Raven Corps.

Lorenzo's influence was growing, extending even to the highest ranks of the police force. Homicide Detective Floyd Rose and Senior Detective Roy Earle were already under his control, and soon, he'd have Lieutenant Archie Colmyer in his pocket too. As long as the former criminals who joined Raven Corps kept up the facade of reformation, the corrupt officers would turn a blind eye to their activities.

Lorenzo's mind turned to the next phase of his plan: acquiring businesses in the neighborhood. Stores, bars, any establishment that could serve as a front for Raven Corps' illicit dealings. As he mused over potential targets, the creak of the apartment door distracted him.

Max entered the room. "Boss," he greeted, taking a seat on the worn leather sofa.

"What have you got for me?" Lorenzo asked, his voice cool but curious.

Max opened a tattered book, his eyes scanning the pages. "There's a bar manager who's... willing to sell their establishment." His lips curled into a cruel smile. "For a very reasonable price."

Lorenzo chuckled, striding over to pour himself a drink. "I take it you... persuaded them?"

Max shrugged, as if discussing the weather. "A little motivation never hurt anyone."

"No, I suppose it didn't." Lorenzo took a sip of his whiskey, savoring the burn as it traveled down his throat. "Good work, Max. Make sure the paperwork is in order. We don't want any loose ends."

"It'll be done, boss. Anything else?"

"Not for now. But keep your ears to the ground. I want to know about any other 'opportunities' like this one."

Lorenzo's gaze drifted to the worn book in Max's hands. "What are you reading there?"

Max looked up, a smirk playing on his lips. "Oh, this? It's called 'Red Dead.' Quite an interesting read." He casually added, "I... acquired it from the local bookstore."

Lorenzo raised an eyebrow, amused. "A bookworm, now? I never pegged you for the reading type, Max."

"You'd be surprised, boss." Max's grin widened. "Speaking of which, the owner of that bookstore is practically drowning in debt. He'd be... willing to part with his property for the right price."

"Oh, I see." Lorenzo mused, feigning indifference. "But what do we need with a bookstore?" His words trailed off as a system notification materialized before his eyes.

[Ding! You received a task: Acquire one bookstore, one bread store, a bar, a laundromat.]

[Reward: Gunslinger Skill and an increased intimidation aura.]

Lorenzo's eyes widened, quickly reevaluating the situation. "Well, it looks like a bookstore might be more useful than I thought." He slapped Max on the back. "Let's go seal the deal, shall we?"

Max raised an eyebrow at Lorenzo's sudden change of heart, but he didn't question it. Instead, he tucked the book under his arm and fell into step with his boss as they left the apartment, ready to seize their next opportunity.

As Lorenzo and Max strolled through the bustling streets, they passed bystanders sipping on Cokes, their faces tinged with a hint of euphoria.

Lorenzo had plans to invest in Coca-Cola later on, but he was well aware of the drink's secret ingredient: cocaine. He couldn't risk himself or his men falling prey to its addictive grip, so he enforced a strict no-Coke policy within Raven Corps.

He knew all too well the dangers of the cocaine-laced beverage, and he made it a point to keep it away from his men—and especially Deborah, his lover.

One time, Deborah's curiosity had gotten the better of her, and she'd almost reached for a bottle. But Lorenzo had intervened, gently guiding her hand away. He couldn't risk losing her to the same addiction that had claimed so many others in these very streets.

Lorenzo's thoughts were interrupted by the sight of his car, Mike, the young driver, whistling as he wiped the dust off the shiny black exterior. Mike's face lit up when he spotted them, rushing to open the backseat door for his boss.

Max slid into the front passenger seat, rattling off the address of the bookstore to Mike. The car engine roared, and weave through the congested roads of Boyle Heights.

Soon enough, they pulled up in front of the quaint, yet run-down, bookstore. The "For Sale" sign hanging above the door was like a beacon, inviting them to seal their next deal.

"Well, here we are," Max announced as Mike pulled up in front of the quaint bookstore. The young driver hopped out to open the door for his boss, and the two men stepped onto the sidewalk.

Lorenzo and Max were impeccably dressed in tailored suits and fedoras, eliciting nods and greetings from passersby. "Good morning, gents."

"Morning," Max replied with a curt nod, following Lorenzo into the store.

A young girl, no more than 15 years old, stood behind the counter, acting as the store's clerk. Her eyes widened at the sight of them, but she quickly regained her composure and offered a polite smile. "Good morning, sirs. How may I help you?"

Lorenzo tipped his hat, his voice smooth as honey. "We understand the owner is looking to sell this establishment?"

Max coughed into his fist, drawing the girl's attention to him. "Yeah, see, we had a little... chat with the manager, and he mentioned something about selling up. My boss here," he said, jerking a thumb at Lorenzo, "is quite interested in the offer."

The young girl's eyes clouded with sadness, but she managed a polite smile. "I'll go get Mr. Hall." She disappeared into the back room, leaving them to wait.

Moments later, a portly man waddled out, extending a sweaty hand. "Mr. Hall, I presume?" Lorenzo said, shaking his hand firmly.

"The one and only," Mr. Hall replied, ushering them into his cramped office. "I understand you're interested in purchasing my... establishment?"

Lorenzo leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers. "So, tell me, what's your asking price?"

Mr. Hall fidgeted, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Well, I'm... I'm willing to let it go for... two thousand dollars."

Lorenzo's eyebrows shot up in feigned surprise. "Two thousand? You must think I'm running a charity here!"

"W-well, how about... 1,980?" Mr. Hall stammered, visibly intimidated.

Loren Lorenzo stood abruptly, grabbing the man by his collar. "Do you take me for a fool?"

"I-I... I need to make a living too, mister!" Mr. Hall sputtered, fear creeping into his voice. "It's already a ste—"

Lorenzo shoved the man away, turning to Max with a look of mock disappointment. "Looks like you brought me the wrong information, huh?"

Max shot to his feet, glaring at Mr. Hall. "No, boss. I think it's Mr. Hall here who's changing his tune. He clearly told me he'd part with the place for a 'cheap price.'"

Lorenzo's eyes narrowed. "Well, then, Max, I guess you'd better 'convince' him to stick to his word." He handed the trembling man over to Max.

"With pleasure, boss." Max said, dragging the protesting Mr. Hall back into the office. The sound of fists connecting with flesh and muffled cries of pain filtered through the thin walls.

A few minutes later, Max emerged, cracking his knuckles. "He's... reconsidered his offer. Now he's willing to let it go for 1,250."

Lorenzo nodded, satisfied. "Good work, Max." He straightened his suit and donned his fedora. "Now, let's go buy that bar you mentioned. As for the other stores, we'll acquire them... gradually."

Max grinned, following his boss out of the bookstore. "Yes, boss."

The young girl behind the counter tended to the battered Mr. Hall, her eyes downcast as the two men left the store.

***

Two days later, Lorenzo exhaled a sigh of relief as he completed the system task. He could feel the newfound power coursing through his veins - the Gunslinger skill and an increased intimidation aura now at his disposal. With a practiced ease, he drew his revolver from its holster, marveling at the speed with which his hand moved, his speed faster than before. His reflection in the mirror betrayed a newfound aura, one that even his own men would soon feel.

Even among his trusted lieutenants and the newly recruited former criminals. They all sensed the change in their boss, the way his very presence seemed to demand respect and obedience. Control over his gang had never been easier.

Yet, as he sat in his apartment, a ticking of the clock on the wall reminded him that the three-day deadline given by the system would soon be upon him. A decision weighed heavily on his mind: should he choose the daring path of infiltrating the mayor's residence to gather information, or opt for the more cautious route of slowly unraveling the dealings of the mayor and the police chief of the LAPD?

Lorenzo ran a hand over his chin, mulling over the decision. The allure of the rewards for successfully infiltrating the mayor's residence was undeniable, but so too were the risks. The choice before him was akin to a game of Russian roulette, and the stakes couldn't be higher.

Lorenzo's men had done their job well. They had uncovered the address of the mayor, a mansion nestled in the affluent hills of Beverly.

The news that the residence was teeming with private security guards, rather than the alternative of it being devoid of any protection, brought a grim sense of relief to Lorenzo's features. After all, where there were guards, there was bound to be something worth protecting – information that could prove to be the mayor's undoing, perhaps.

Had there been no security at the mansion, it would have meant that the incriminating evidence was likely tucked away in the impenetrable fortress of City Hall, guarded by the watchful eyes of public servants and the long arm of the law. Infiltrating a government building would have been akin to walking through the fires of Hades itself.

Yet, as the clock ticked away, Lorenzo knew he couldn't afford to underestimate the consequences of his decision. One wrong move, and his entire operation could come crashing down around him.

"You seem lost in thought, boss," Deborah's voice purred in his ear, pulling him from his musings.

Lorenzo turned to her with a charming grin. "Just planning our future together, my dear... wife," he added, winking at her teasingly.

Deborah playfully swatted his arm, a blush creeping up her cheeks. "I'm not your wife yet, so don't get ahead of yourself, mister."

Lorenzo chuckled, standing up and extending a hand to her. "Let's go downstairs and have dinner with the others."

Deborah took his hand, smiling. "Lead the way, mister."

Their footsteps echoed through the corridor, leading them to an apartment room that had been transformed into a makeshift dining hall. The reluctant landlord, who had no choice but to comply when faced with the sheer number of men under Lorenzo's command, had vacated the premises long ago. Now, the room was alive with the chatter and laughter of the Raven Corps.

Lorenzo's gaze swept the room, taking in the scene before him. Adam lounged on the sofa, nose buried in a book, while Richard, Max, Patrick and Julius huddled around a poker table, cigarette smoke curling above their heads. Henry, Mike, and the rest of the crew were putting the final touches on dinner.

Lorenzo's gaze fell on Adam, who was engrossed in a worn leather-bound book. "Yo, Adam," he drawled, unable to hide his surprise. "You've caught the reading bug too, huh?"

Adam looked up from his book, a sheepish grin tugging at his lips. "Yeah, boss. Max here got me into it. Pretty interesting stuff." He tapped the cover of the book. "It's about a gang, you see…"

Lorenzo raised an eyebrow. "You mean that book Max has been raving about, 'Dead Bed' or something?"

"'No, boss, it's 'Red Dead.' And it's by some famous author guy." Adam corrected him, before diving back into the pages of his newfound obsession.


Capítulo 78: Risky Choice

Lorenzo's gaze drifted thoughtfully to the book in Adam's hand. He couldn't help but feel a tinge of curiosity, watching Adam, so engrossed in his reading. As Mike and the others finished preparing the meal, they brought it to the table, the enticing aroma wafting through the air.

Lorenzo reached for the dishes, ready to serve himself, when a soft, loving hand stopped him mid-motion. He looked up into Deborah's beautiful, fair face as she gently admonished him, "I'll be the one putting food on our plates, silly."

Lorenzo chuckled, a warmth spreading through his chest. "Ah, right," he said, sliding a strand of her hair behind her ear. She rewarded him with a radiant smile.

Their table erupted in light-hearted banter as they all tucked into their meals, while at the same table, Adam and his pregnant wife Tifanny, and Max and Patrick with the lovely Peggy, enjoyed their own company. The closeness between them was palpable, even as the other men, who were unattached, couldn't help but feel a pang of envy.

After the meal, as the men chatted among themselves, Lorenzo stood up and addressed them, his voice carrying a newfound gravity. "Gentlemen, I've been thinking about the plan we discussed two days ago. I've decided we're going to put it into motion tomorrow night."

Murmurs of concern rippled through the group, and Adam frowned, looking at his boss intently. "Are you certain about this, boss? Infiltrating a mayor's mansion in Beverly Hills isn't going to be a walk in the park."

Lorenzo nodded, unfazed by the apprehension in the air. He met Adam's gaze, then glanced at Max and the others, silently seeking their support.

Richard, puffing on his cigarette, spoke up, "If we're going to pull this off, boss, we need to plan this operation down to the last detail."

Max, Patrick, Julius, and the rest of the crew nodded in agreement.

"Breaking into a mayor's residence, eh? Sounds like it'll be a real thrill," Patrick chuckled, a glint in his eye.

Julius and several others shared his excitement, their faces alight with anticipation.

Max, on the other hand, wasn't as enthusiastic as them. After all, they were only breaking into the mayor's mansion to steal some incriminating information. If it were a bank job with a hefty sum of cash at stake, that would have been another story.

Lorenzo scanned the table, noting the varying expressions. Patrick, Henry, Julius, and Richard were practically brimming with excitement, while Max, Adam, and a few others seemed less than thrilled.

He also couldn't help but notice Tiffany's worry etched into her features as she squeezed Adam's hand, and Peggy, keeping an eye on her two friends, Max and Patrick.

Lorenzo felt Deborah's hand trembling slightly in his own. He turned to her, leaning in to whisper in her ear, "I'll be alright, Deb. Don't you worry."

Deborah nodded, but he could see the worry in her eyes as she bit her lower lip. "I just hate it when you put yourself in danger like this. Can't we just... be content with what we have? Do we really need to mess with a mayor?"

Lorenzo remained silent, offering her a reassuring smile before leading her upstairs to their room in the apartment complex.

As they walked, he spoke gently, his voice laced with love and determination, "Trust me, Deb. Once we have that mayor's dirty secrets, he'll be in my pocket, he'll be at my beck and call. We'll live a life more luxurious than we ever dreamed of, I promise."

Deborah's expression remained torn between concern and understanding. "I know, but at the same time, I can't help but worry."

Finally, they reached their room, and Lorenzo pulled her into his arms, caressing her back soothingly. "Shh, baby, don't think about it too much. I'll be fine, I promise."

"I can't help it!" Deborah blurted out, her eyes welling with unshed tears. After a moment of silence, she looked at Lorenzo with determination in her eyes. "And... after being with you for so long, I've been thinking... can you teach me how to handle a pistol or revolver? So I can learn to fight by your side and protect myself... and you?"

Lorenzo's eyebrows shot up in surprise. He never expected Deborah to ask for something like this.

He gazed at her with love in his eyes, then leaned in to kiss her deeply, their tongues dancing together in a passionate dance.

Breaking the kiss, he said, "Deb, you don't need to hold a gun to fight or protect yourself. I'll always be there to do that for you as long as I live..."

Deborah smiled, but there was a hint of stubbornness in her eyes. "I know you will... but I also want to be by your side when you're in a dangerous situation. I can't just sit idly by, knowing you're in harm's way."

The determination in her eyes was unmistakable. With a sigh, Lorenzo relented. "Alright, alright... I'll teach you how to handle a gun next week. Jeez, I knew you were strong-willed, but I didn't expect you'd be this strong-willed."

Deborah giggled playfully, "Oh, you have no idea how strong I can be."

Lorenzo's eyebrow arched mischievously. "Is that so? I thought I knew every inch of you, but I guess there's more to discover." He started undressing, his eyes locked on hers. "I wonder if this newfound strength of yours extends to... other areas as well."

Deborah blushed, but her eyes sparkled with desire. "You're insatiable! Always thinking with your... gun!" She squealed, feigning indignation as she darted towards the bed.

Lorenzo chuckled, his own arousal growing with her playfulness. "Ooh, running away, are we? Don't think you can escape me, my little prey."

He gave chase, their laughter and playful banter filling the room as they tumbled onto the bed, their bodies entwined in a passionate embrace.

***

Early in the morning, Lorenzo gathered his men around a table, spreading out a sheet of paper with the mayor's mansion layout.

"This is the blueprint of the mayor's house, courtesy of our friend, Detective Floyd," he announced, tapping the schematic.

Richard frowned, "Are we sure we can trust this information? He's a cop, after all."

Lorenzo nodded, his eyes narrowing as he appraised the paper. With a mental command, his system scanned the document, confirming its authenticity. [Mayor's Mansion Layout] appeared in his mind's eye.

"Floyd probably thinks we're crazy to even attempt this," he chuckled, "so he gave us the real deal."

The others chuckled along, but there was an undercurrent of tension in the air.

Max snorted, "That Floyd fella probably hoping we'll get ourselves killed in the process, so he's off the hook."

Lorenzo chuckled, "Well, that's why I didn't exactly tell him we're moving tonight."

Their conversation shifted back to the plan at hand.

After hours of deliberation, they settled on a strategy: neutralizing the security around the mayor's mansion silently and stealthily.

"This needs to be clean," Lorenzo emphasized, "and if things go south and we attract attention, we split up. Don't come straight here to the base; there might be a tail on us."

Tapping his fingers on the table, Lorenzo looked at his men. "We'll drive to the open woods near Beverly Hills and set up a tent. We'll pose as tourists out hiking in the area."

They all nodded, but Adam spoke up, "Boss, I have faith in you, but after reading 'Red Dead', I don't want us to get too cocky. Things can go south real quick."

Lorenzo chuckled, meeting Adam's gaze. "I agree, and that's why we're planning for the worst-case scenario. And when things don't go as planned."

Adam nodded, visibly relieved.

As Lorenzo continued to list their contingency plans, Adam and Max exchanged glances. They were both glad their boss wasn't as short-sighted and self-centered as Dutch, the character from the book they were reading.

***

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Lorenzo and his men filed out of the apartment complex and climbed into their waiting cars parked along the street.

Lorenzo noticed Mike was visibly nervous. "Easy there, kid. I can see your hands shaking."

Mike wiped the sweat from his brow, his voice shaky. "Um… understood, boss."

Lorenzo chuckled reassuringly, patting the boy's shoulder. "Relax, we've got this. Just focus on the road."

With that, the caravan of cars set off into the night, their headlights cutting through the darkness as they made their way towards Beverly Hills.

Deborah, Tiffany, and Peggy stood side by side, watching the cars disappear into the distance. Tiffany and Peggy, both armed and vigilant, exchanged glances.

Finally, Peggy spoke up, "Lady Gelly, we should head inside."

Deborah nodded, clutching a piece of Lorenzo's clothing to her chest as they made their way back into the apartment.

Tiffany and Peggy couldn't help but feel a tinge of unease around Deborah, they couldn't understand why they felt intimidated by her. They brushed it off, attributing it to the fact that she had spent so much time with the cold and intimidating Lorenzo.

***

The automobiles carrying Lorenzo and his associates cruised through the streets of Los Angeles. After a half-hour journey, they neared their destination: the mayor's residence. The stately mansion came into view, nestled behind a manicured hedge, its windows aglow with warm light.

Lorenzo's keen eyes scanned the area, taking note of the security guards patrolling the grounds, flashlights in hand. He reached into his coat pocket and retrieved a black mask, pulling it over his face to conceal his identity. In a low voice, he turned to Mike. "Kid, don't gawk around. Put on your mask."

"Y-yes, boss," Mike stammered, fumbling with his own mask before finally securing it over his face.

They parked their cars at a discreet distance from the mayor's residence, far enough not to arouse suspicion but close enough to reach their target on foot. Under the cover of darkness, they exited their vehicles and crept towards the mayor's home, their footsteps muffled by the lush grass beneath their feet.


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