The Procrastinating Godfather

Chapter 1 The Cost of Time Leaning back in my leather chair, the soft glow of my desk lamp flickered gently, while the low hum of the city seeped in through the cracked window of my dimly-lit office. Leading the Salerno crime family, I, Vincent "The Viper" Salerno, constantly balanced on the brink of danger. However, this evening, the blade seemed more acute, nearing perilously while the murmurs of disloyalty and the smell of hopelessness enveloped the space. Angelo "The Shadow" Romano loitered near the entrance, his outline almost merging with the dim backdrop. Boss, we must take action now as we have no more time to wait. The Rossi family is expecting a response by midnight, and it's almost time." I briefly looked at the clock, sensing the heaviness of impending disaster. Angelo, I require additional time. We don't have the luxury of time, Vincent," he responded quickly, with a sense of urgency in his voice that was unusual for him. Maria, also known as "The Enforcer" De Luca, quickly and sharply paced behind Angelo. "We're losing blood, Vincent. The longer you wait, the more we suffer. The streets are murmuring, and the message they convey isn't favorable for us. Rubbing the bridge of my nose, I felt the mounting pressure. I'm aware, Maria, I'm aware. It's simply... "What exactly is it, Vincent?" Maria interrupted, her voice filled with intensity, as she abruptly stopped walking. Making plans is important, but without taking action, we will not succeed. "You are aware of this." The tension was broken by the ringing phone. I stretched out to grab it, and from the opposite side, I could hear the oily voice of Luca Rossi moving smoothly. Vincent, I am starting to lose my patience. Are we in agreement, or are we in conflict? I moved the phone slightly further from my ear, looking at the skyline of the city. Despite having full control, I was unable to move due to the chessboard I had created. "Please, allow me until tomorrow, Luca." The call abruptly ended, leaving a chilling silence in the room. I ended the call, sensing the intensity of Angelo's stare. "You have just sealed our fate." Maria advanced, her gaze fixed on me, seeking, assessing. "Viper, we must take action." Demonstrate to them that you are the leader of this household. Demonstrate to them the reasons they should be afraid of you. Her words packed a punch, filled with honesty and irritation. Arrange a meeting with the Rossi family. Tomorrow, we will be at the warehouse. We conclude this." Once Angelo and Maria departed, I poured a drink for myself, feeling taunted by the clear amber liquid. I was aware that they were correct; my reluctance had led to significant consequences for us. However, upon seeing the city lights blink, I understood that they were not aware of the complete story. This act of postponing, this holding off- it was my strategic move, my intentional risk. However, as time went on, I questioned whether my risk would be the cause of everyone's downfall. Outside, the New York streets murmured secrets in the shadows, while a soft rain started to cleanse away the day's misdeeds, preparing the city for the night's transgressions. I took a sip of my drink, fully aware that the meeting scheduled for the following day was more than just a confrontation. It was an eye-opener. The next day, the city would discover the reason behind my nickname, The Viper. I had to trust that this risk could either save me or destroy me. I remained by myself for a long time after the noise of the city had faded to a soft whisper. I was distracted by the door creaking open as Angelo came back, his expression serious, the wrinkles around his eyes more pronounced in the moonlight. He softly closed the door behind him, telling her she shouldn't be alone here. He came closer and laid a weighty hand on my shoulder, an unusual display of care from a man who was involved in shady dealings. Angelo, I have been pondering. Concerning everything. This... this performance of mine, it's not simply a postponement. It is a communication. I stirred the ice in my almost empty glass, observing it collide with the edges. Angelo took a seat in front of me, his face impossible to decipher. "And what is the message, Vincent?" Has The Viper lost his teeth? I let out a dry chuckle, the bitterness more pronounced than I had anticipated. "No, not misplaced." Simply waiting patiently. Angelo, every time I have postponed making a choice or delaying a decision, it has been all part of a bigger plan. A strategy that our adversaries would not be able to predict at all. Angelo leaned in, intrigued despite his doubts. Proceed, please. Please provide me with more information. Reclining, I focused on the shadowy cityscape outside, where risk and chance were merely different facets of the same situation. The delays were never caused by fear or uncertainty. Their goal was to bring them in closer while making them believe that we are on the verge. Luca Rossi and his companions are hovering like vultures, believing we are too feeble to retaliate. However, they fail to understand that the best time to attack is not when the enemy anticipates it, but rather when they believe they have already triumphed. Angelo squinted, attempting to determine whether the words belonged to someone desperate or a strategic leader. "What about the meeting scheduled for tomorrow?" Is that the labor strike?" "It's the lure," I whispered, everything clicking together as I verbalized it. "If Rossi arrives by himself, we will negotiate." If he arrives with his group of people... I allowed the sentence to linger, silently foreshadowing the blood that would be shed. What about the families observing from the background? Angelo spoke in a low tone, almost like a whisper. "What about those?" "They will observe." The strength of the Salerno family will be evident to everyone. To not only survive, but to completely destroy those who question us. Angelo stood firmly, his body tense in the brightness. "What happens if this doesn't succeed, Vincent?" So, what comes next? There is a chance that we might lose everything if we take a risk. I also rose to my feet, standing in front of him with all the determination I had remaining. We either become legendary or fail completely. I require your presence with me, Angelo. Are you on board with me? He stopped momentarily, with the burden of years of loyalty and violence marking his upcoming statement. "Until the finish, boss." Until the end." As he departed, his loyalty's echo strengthened my determination. The destiny of the Salerno family will be decided tomorrow. In any case, Vincent Salerno's name would always be remembered by New York City. I ended the call, a somber grin pulling at my mouth. "I whispered, observing the flickering images of fire and smoke as it starts." The meeting scheduled for tomorrow has suddenly become much more intriguing. The game was underway, and the city was my playing field. The remaining question was simply who would become king and who would fall like a pawn.