บท 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.
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