The Procrastinating Godfather

Chapter 3: Confrontation Under the Cover of Darkness

As Angelo and I looked at each other, Maria's surprising action weighed heavily upon us, making my heart race in my chest. Angelo's grip on his phone grew stronger as he spoke in a quiet tone. "Boss, she has arrived." "What should we do?"

I put on my jacket, slipped my arms into the sleeves, and headed towards the peephole, reaching for the revolver tucked at my back with my other hand. "I told her we encountered her," I said, maintaining my steady voice despite the rush of adrenaline in my veins. "Tonight marks the end of this."

Angelo agreed with a nod, inspecting his own weapon before walking with me to the door. As I opened it up, I felt the cool night breeze on my face, bringing with it distant car noises, occasional yelling, and the continuous urban buzz that never fully stopped.

As soon as I walked out, I spotted her right away. Maria was next to a shiny black vehicle sitting beneath the soft light of a flickering street lamp. She was by herself, or seemed to be, her body language calm yet clearly attentive. As we neared each other, our eyes met and a smirk appeared at the edges of her lips.

"Vincent," she said, her voice calm, not revealing any of the tension that hung in the air between us. "What a surprise to see you in this place."

"Stop the nonsense, Maria. "What is it that you desire?" I insisted, pausing a couple of feet from her, making sure to maintain a secure space.

Her smirk grew bigger and turned into a grin. "Still as straightforward as always." I'm here to give you an opportunity, a final opportunity to leave all of this unharmed.

I sneered. "Do you really think I will believe that?" "Considering all that you've done?"

She nonchalantly shrugged. Believe whatever you want, but understand this - tonight might be the conclusion for you, or it could be a fresh start. I am presenting you with an option.

Angelo moved next to me, his suspicion noticeable. "What is this arrangement?"

Maria quickly glanced at Angelo before turning her gaze back to me. Come with me. United, we can dominate this city without facing any challenges. The only thing I request is your loyalty.

"Faithfulness?" I chuckled loudly in the peaceful street. "You deceived me, framed me, lured me into a trap, and now you expect my loyalty?"

"It is about business, Vincent," she mentioned, moving closer, her face becoming stern. The identical company that has kept you dominating the industry for years. Don't act foolish. I am proposing a method for you to stay alive.

Angelo became tense, moving his hand slowly toward his firearm. "What happens if we decline?"

Maria's face became icy, a menacing sparkle emerging in her eyes. "Tonight is your final opportunity to make a stand." Carefully consider. There are already numerous people who have committed their loyalty to me. You have very few options left.

I considered what she said, with my thoughts moving quickly. Was her offer trustworthy? Negative. However, can I afford to completely disregard it? Equally as risky.

"I need a minute," I finally stated, maintaining eye contact with her.

Sh​e gave a single nod, then moved back to casually lean against her car, exuding her irritating confidence.

I moved Angelo a short distance, speaking in a softer tone. We cannot rely on her, but if she is being honest, rejecting her now could mean putting our lives in danger.

Angelo's jaw tightened. "I'm not a fan of it, boss." The scent is reminiscent of a trap. However, if there is an opportunity for us to benefit from this, it might be worth contemplating.

I nodded gradually, my choice becoming clear in the midst of the chaos of thoughts. "We will act as if we agree." Purchase some time to gather ourselves and determine who is truly on our side.

I turned to Maria and exclaimed, "We have an agreement, Maria." "At this moment."

She smiled again, victorious and icy. "Vincent, that was a smart decision."

While approaching her, her hand discreetly shifted to her side, a gesture unnoticed by us but clearly intended for individuals concealed in the darkness. The atmosphere grew tense as the night waited in anticipation.

All of a sudden, the silence was broken by the loud sound of a motor. A van made a sharp turn around the corner, momentarily blinding us with its headlights. Gunshots rang out, the noise echoing loudly in the enclosed area.

Maria quickly crouched behind her car, grabbing her gun. Angelo and I sought refuge behind a dumpster close by as bullets ricocheted off the metal.

"Boss, we've been set up!" Angelo shouted back while shooting back.

I took a quick look around the corner and shot few times. "No way!"

The side door of the van opened, exposing Maria's armed men who were shooting at us. However, in the midst of the confusion, another person appeared from the darkness - Luca Rossi, with a serious expression on his face, holding a weapon.

"Vincent!" he yelled, avoiding a burst of gunfire. "It appears that we now share a mutual adversary!"

The realization struck me like a blow to the stomach. Luca didn't arrive to accompany Maria; he came to pick her up. During the turmoil, alliances were quickly made and broken like gunshots.

The sudden enlightenment slammed into me like a powerful blow to my stomach. Luca arrived not to accompany Maria, but to bring her along. During the confusion, partnerships were established and broken as quickly as bullets were fired.

"We must leave this place immediately!" I called out to Angelo, quickly making a decision. "Come with me!"

Taking advantage of the chaos, we swiftly and discreetly navigated through a network of streets while gunfire followed closely behind. Luca's sudden interference provided the necessary diversion, but it was only a matter of time before Maria recovered and pursued us.

As we turned the corner and got away from the threat, Angelo struggled to catch his breath. "What's the next step, chief?"

"We vanish," I stated, taking out my phone to place a call. "Then we strategize our actual subsequent step."

The sirens started to wail behind us, blending with the gunfire that continued. As we disappeared into the darkness, I realized that the battle for dominance of the city was entering a new, unexpected phase, and the night was still young. Each shadow has the potential to be a foe, while every ally could be a betrayer in disguise. It was a struggle for survival, and our safety was nowhere in sight.

While Angelo and I scurried through yet another poorly lit alley, our breathing heavy, the sounds of gunfire and sirens in the distance merged into a chaotic symphony of violence. We briefly stopped, resting against the cold brick of a historical warehouse, attempting to regain our breath.

"Boss, this is insane." Angelo expressed his frustration, stating that they cannot continue fleeing like rodents in the sewers as he inspected his weapon for ammo.

I wiped the perspiration off my forehead, my thoughts quickly considering our choices. We won't need to sprint for an extended period of time. We must contact Jimmy and the rest of the group to find out who is still on our side. Next, we locate a secure area to gather our forces and strategize for our retaliatory attack."

"Agreed," Angelo said, taking out his phone. His fingers moved rhythmically on the screen, transmitting critical messages. Shortly after, his phone received notifications in response. He glanced over the text rapidly before fixing me with a serious gaze. Jimmy is included. He has a secure residence located on the East Side, separate from all this disorder.

Well. "Let's go," I stated, taking the lead.

We hurriedly moved, remaining in the darkness, each noise causing us to become nervous. As we approached the safe house, the city appeared to transition into a false sense of peace, with the previous excitement of danger now replaced by an anxious waiting.

Arriving at the plain door of a dilapidated apartment building, Jimmy was already there, watching the street before guiding us inside promptly and quietly.

The interior of the safe house was minimalistic, with few furnishings, yet it was well-protected. Some loyal supporters still remained, their faces showing tension and eagerness, prepared to receive instructions.

I started speaking, my voice quiet yet strong, drawing everyone's attention." This evening, we have been let down, attacked, and compelled to hide in darkness. However, we have not been beaten. We will retaliate fiercely and aggressively. Maria believes she has removed us from the competition, but she is severely wrong.

Soft sounds of approval were heard throughout the cozy space.

Angelo advanced, his expression grave. We need to be intelligent. Maria has numbers, however we possess the surprise factor. We target her activities, her hiding places, her sources of income—attack her in vulnerable areas.

"One of the men inquired with a tense voice, inquiring about Rossi."

Angelo and I made eye contact before I replied, "Luca Rossi is unpredictable." He rescued us tonight, intentionally or not. We monitor him, but our attention must remain on Maria.

The room acknowledged with comprehension, strengthening their determination as their purpose became clearer.

Angelo proceeded by dividing us into two groups, then spread out a map on the ground. A group of individuals target the warehouse on the north side where Maria keeps her imported goods. She shuts down her primary gambling spot located in the city center. Both strikes happen at the same time, without any delay.

"What about police officers?" added another voice.

"I reassured them that we have a small number of employees who will make sure to ignore the situation, at least temporarily." However, we act quickly, enter, complete the task, and leave before anyone is aware of what happened.

Heads were in agreement, the plan was obvious, and the stakes were recognized.

"Get ready, we leave in thirty minutes," I declared confidently, feeling the weight of leadership but knowing it was the right fit as we got ready for the biggest battle of our lives.

As the room became active, preparing weapons and putting on bulletproof vests, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I moved to the side, talking quietly as I answered the call. "Sure, what can I help you with?"

"Vincent, it's Rossi," said the gravelly voice on the phone, sounding cautious and strained.

I stopped, turned to look at my team, and then walked even farther. "Luca, this is not really a convenient moment."

"I am aware, I am aware. Listen, I didn't call to have a conversation. I have some details. Maria has a big plan for tomorrow evening. She has an upcoming delivery of weapons and high-tech equipment that is powerful enough to completely destroy both of us.

I felt a chill in my blood. "Where is it?"

"At midnight, Pier 34 is where the docks are located."

What is the reason for sharing this with me, Luca? I inquired with a hint of doubt in my voice.

"Vincent, I believe we both suffer if she obtains that delivery." You and I are not friends, but we are not each other's main concern at the moment. You handle the shipment and perhaps we can resolve our disagreements on a different occasion.

I pondered his words, the proposal, the possible arrangement. "Okay, Luca." "Thank you for the advice."

After hanging up, I thought about the new issue. Was it a ploy, or a legitimate chance to thwart Maria's agenda? In any case, it could not be overlooked.

Going back to the group, I made eye contact with Angelo and signaled for him to come closer. Plans have been altered. We have a more important issue to deal with at midnight. The port. It's a gamble, but it has the potential to completely transform things.

Angelo nodded in comprehension of the seriousness. "Then, let's prepare ourselves." "It will be a lengthy evening ahead."

As they all got ready, the tension in the air was noticeable, a combination of fear and resolve. We were entering uncharted territory, possibly heading towards a dangerous situation, but we were facing it as a team. The night was not yet finished, and as we ventured into the dark, I realized that whatever awaited us at the docks would be a pivotal moment for all of us.

Angelo and I were at the rear of the room, our gazes carefully skimming the map for a final time. Angelo whispered worriedly, his forehead creased in apprehension. "If Luca is betraying us—"

"I think we need to take this risk," I interrupted, calmly folding the map. If Maria gets hold of that shipment, the potential harm she could cause is unpredictable. We must stop them before they reach their destination.

He gave a nod, his facial expressions showing determination. "Okay, in that case." We hit with speed and force. No compassion.

While we prepared, the sound of guns and the noise of Kevlar vests added to the tension of the upcoming situation. Each person understood their duty, every man and woman realizing that tonight might be the final battle for a few of us.

I inspected my personal weapon, feeling the cold metal that was a familiar source of comfort in my hand. Angelo came over and gave me a pat on the shoulder. Vincent, we will overcome this together. "We consistently follow through."

I agreed with a nod, making eye contact with him. "Maria will come to regret crossing us after this evening."

Walking out of the secure building, our team followed closely behind us, forming a quiet and menacing group that blended into the darkness of the urban landscape.

During the drive to the docks, a tense atmosphere lingered as we drifted into our own reflections, with only the quiet buzz of the engine and sporadic radio chatter connecting us to lookouts and informants. Approaching the docks, with containers and cranes towering like giants in the moonlight, my phone suddenly rang.

I responded quietly, my voice at a low volume. "Have a conversation with me."

"Boss, this is Jimmy. We have surveillance on Pier 34. Maria's crew hasn't shown up yet, but there is a significant presence of security in the area. It appears as though they are anticipating a problem.

Well. Maintain a discreet presence. We're close to our destination. I finished the call and put the phone away.

Angelo shot me a look with a questioning expression in his eyes. "What is the plan?"

"We adhere to the strategy. Remove the protection, safeguard the delivery, and be patient for Maria to make an appearance. Tonight, we will conclude this.

As we neared the docks, there was an unsettling silence with only the faint noise of waves and the occasional cry of a nocturnal bird. The team divided, positioning themselves according to a plan, effortlessly merging into the darkness.

Angelo and I made our way towards Pier 34 from the northern direction, taking advantage of a pile of shipping containers for protection. Looking around the corner, we spotted the shipment with various crates marked in foreign languages being unloaded.

All of a sudden, the quiet of the night was pierced by a loud cracking sound. Is this a cautionary signal? Is it an assault? Immediately, our senses were heightened, with weapons ready, looking out for any dangers.

Suddenly, a figure emerged into the light unexpectedly - a woman, not Maria, but one of her top deputies. "Put down your weapons," she shouted, her voice bouncing off the metal containers. "You have people all around you."

I looked at Angelo and we shared a silent communication. We were too committed to turn back at this point.

"I disagree with you," I confidently retorted, moving forward with my hands raised slightly - not prepared to give up, but just pausing momentarily. You are encircled. Maria's little game will come to an end this evening.

Right on time, the noise of gunshots started coming from the pier's south end, our team fighting against Maria's security forces. It was a distraction, one we had to take advantage of to capture the shipment.

However, just as we were about to take advantage of the chaos, a different person emerged from the darkness behind the lieutenant. The person was not Maria, but Luca Rossi, and he had company.

"Are you searching for this?" he inquired with a smug expression while displaying what appeared to be a detonator. I think the two of you are familiar with how this operates.

The lieutenant smiled smugly, unaffected by the gunfire which had become a distant background to the tense situation. "It appears that we are at a deadlock."

I stared at Luca, thinking quickly. This was the unexpected turn I hadn't foreseen. "Luca, what are you up to?"

I'm taking my turn in our little game. You're not the only one who is fed up with being under Maria's control.

While we were standing there, with the tension just as heavy as the fog coming in from the sea, another set of gunshots could be heard, now closer. The night was still young, and as I considered our limited choices, I understood that the upcoming events would have a significant impact on the war we were fighting.

The pier resembled a chessboard, with players ready to capitalize on any wrong move. With Luca's finger poised over the button, the fate of our empire hung in the balance. Our fate hinges on the upcoming decision, as it could either save us or lead to our destruction.