The Procrastinating Godfather

Chapter 5: A tangled Web

The hour was ticking down relentlessly, each minute compressing the weight of decisions to be made into a dense, heavy silence around me. I paced the length of the makeshift command center, my mind racing through scenarios, alliances, betrayals, and the steep cost of every potential move.

Angelo watched me from the corner, his face etched with concern. "Boss, we need to make a call. Time’s almost up."

I stopped pacing and looked at him, the gravity of our situation sinking in. "I know, Angelo. This isn’t just about surviving anymore; it’s about steering clear of a war we might not win."

“Do we give them what they want?” Angelo asked, his tone skeptical. "Hand over this mysterious drive and release Mercer?"

I shook my head slowly, my decision firming up with each passing second. "No. If we give in now, we’ll just be opening the door for more demands. We need leverage."

Angelo nodded, understanding the strategy. "So, what's the plan?"

“First, we find out exactly what’s on that drive—if it even exists. We need our own tech people on it, now. While they’re digging, we keep Mercer here. She’s our bargaining chip,” I said, my mind working through the logistics.

Angelo was already on his phone, issuing orders quietly as I turned my attention back to the larger map spread out on the table in front of us. Our territories, Maria’s territories, and now a new unknown player who could shift the balance of power with a simple data drive.

Minutes later, Jimmy burst into the room, a laptop under his arm. "Boss, we found it. It was hidden inside one of the confiscated weapons crates."

"Good. Get it hooked up. I want to know everything," I commanded, watching as Jimmy set up the laptop on a nearby table and began the process of breaking into the drive.

The room was tense, everyone watching the screen as lines of code scrolled past, too fast to read. Finally, Jimmy looked up, his expression grave. "It’s heavily encrypted, but I’m getting through it. Should have something soon."

"Keep at it," I said, turning to Angelo. "Prep Mercer for a chat. It’s time she told us who she really works for."

Angelo nodded and left the room. I turned back to watch the decryption process. Jimmy was good, but the encryption was proving a tough nut to crack. As I waited, my phone rang again. The same unknown number.

"Salerno," I answered tersely.

"You’re making a mistake," the voice came through, calm and chilling. "By now, you must realize the gravity of what you possess. Let her go, and give us the drive."

I clenched my jaw, my gaze never leaving the laptop screen. "And if I don’t?"

"Thus, the repercussions will be sudden and harsh." "You only have a quarter of an hour."

Once more, the line disconnected, resulting in a quiet ringing afterwards. I put the phone in my pocket, feeling a surge of anger and defiance within me.

"Do we have anything yet, Jimmy?" I inquired, anticipating a significant development.

"Just a little while more, chief," Jimmy responded, his fingers swiftly moving across the keyboard.

The atmosphere in the room was tense, like a pressure cooker, with thick air and the ticking clock of the ultimatum adding to the tension. I observed as the digital decryption progress bar moved gradually, with each small step forward representing a minor triumph in a larger conflict.

At last, Jimmy took a deep breath and leaned back. Understood. Boss, you won't believe this.

He rotated the laptop in the opposite direction. Displayed on the screen were files, charts, accounting documents, and other evidence all indicating a widespread web of corruption and power that extended far beyond the city.

"This is huge," remarked Jimmy as he scrolled through one document after another. It appears that the person who called was correct about the consequences.

At that exact moment, Angelo came back, moving forward with a defiant Mercer in front of him. "Are you prepared for that conversation?"

Mercer glanced at the laptop screen briefly before looking back at me. For a brief instant, her calm demeanor wavered, showing a hint of worry.

I gestured towards a chair and told Ms. Mercer to take a seat. "We appear to have many topics to talk about."

While she stayed composed and thoughtfully strategized her next actions, I leaned in closer. For whom are you employed? What is stored on this hard disk?

After a moment of uncertainty, she looked me straight in the eyes. I work for individuals who are significantly larger than any group you have previously encountered. Individuals who do not welcome intrusion. My suggestion is for you to adhere to what they are asking for.

Although her voice remained calm, the danger in her words was clear. I quickly looked at the screen, then turned my gaze back at her. It appears that we possess what your superiors desire. So now, you will assist me in grasping how to effectively utilize it for my benefit.

When she was about to speak, the building trembled intensely—a deafening blast slicing through the air, unsettling the ground below us. The windows shattered, causing glass fragments to soar through the air while the sound reverberated around us.

During the commotion, Mercer attempted to rise, but Angelo acted faster, forcing her back down. I remained in place, gazing at the devastation, as understanding slowly came to me. The warning was not an empty threat.

"I stated that they have taken action, turning around to see the destruction outside." "It's our time now."

As the dust and debris settled, the sound of sirens getting closer pierced the night around us. Jimmy quickly moved to shield the laptop, pushing it off the table right before another small aftershock shook the walls. I seized Mercer's arm and lifted her. It is necessary for us to relocate immediately.

Angelo, reacting swiftly, took the lead towards the rear exit. There is a hidden pathway. "We'll be transported a couple of blocks without being noticed."

The team swiftly navigated the cluttered rear areas, carefully avoiding broken glass and hanging electrical wires. The air was filled with dust and the strong smell of burning insulation. Mercer attempted to resist as we made our way through the cramped, poorly lit tunnel that twisted beneath the structure.

"This will not result in a good outcome for you, Salerno," she whispered, her voice bouncing slightly in the small area.

I strengthened my hold. "Stop wasting your words. "You will assist me in organizing this chaos."

We arrived at a quiet corner a few blocks from the command center, leaving the chaos behind as it slowly disappeared. Angelo directed us to an inconspicuous van situated in a backstreet. Jimmy held on to the laptop and quickly got into the back seat, as I pushed Mercer in right after him.

"Take the wheel," I commanded Angelo, who quickly got into the driver's seat and turned on the engine.

While we were driving, I spoke to Mercer with a sharp tone. "Begin speaking." Who is responsible for this? "What is their intention behind the drive?"

Mercer stared intensely, her determination growing stronger. "Do you believe you're the initial person to attempt to act as ruler of this city? The drive holds important data for multiple operations that go beyond your insignificant turf battles. Voting, acquisitions by businesses, global agreements. "You've entered a larger playing field, Salerno."

I absorbed what she said, realizing the full extent of the conspiracy. "Also, detonating a structure?" "Is that their way of negotiating?"

She sneered. That served as a caution. They have only just begun. If you want to keep your possessions safe, you should give up the drive.

Jimmy interjected into our conversation after hearing it. Boss, there are documents here connecting to significant individuals - politicians, CEOs, and even other criminal leaders. Everything is connected to each other.

The van decelerated while Angelo drove through a less busy street, giving me a chance to ponder. "If we reveal this, it might give us an advantage."

Mercer chuckled with a bitter tone. Alternatively, it could mark you with such a noticeable target that even concealing yourself won't offer protection.

Angelo announced from the front, "We have arrived." He parked the van behind a run-down warehouse, which was one of our safe houses rarely used.

We all exited, still holding Mercer tightly. Within the warehouse, there was darkness and chilliness, with only a solitary bulb illuminating the space from above. I instructed Jimmy to prepare a temporary work area with the laptop as I then turned back to Mercer.

Let's assume I trust you, that making this information public could pose more risk than benefit. "Any recommendations?"

Her gaze analyzed me, computing. "Engage in discussions to reach an agreement. Utilize your ambition to achieve your goals, but avoid pushing too hard. And perhaps, just perhaps, contemplate forming an alliance.

An agreement—with the exact enemies who were attempting to explode me a few minutes before? It was ridiculous, but when I thought about the complex network of secrets we had discovered, it did have some value.

"I am requiring names," I persisted. Who is in charge? With whom should I engage in negotiations with?"

Mercer let out a sigh and shook her head slightly, showing her resignation. I am able to arrange a meeting. Once you have committed, there is no way to retreat. You will be involved in the game, whether you like it or not.

At that moment, Angelo's phone started ringing. He responded, paused to listen briefly, and then his complexion turned pale. "Boss, the police are on the line." They are currently located at the scene of the blast. "They discovered something that indicates our location."

I felt a sinking feeling in my chest. The situation was quickly deteriorating, with each decision we made leading us further into disorder. Mercer, arrange the meeting. I don't seem to have many options left.

While Angelo gave our contacts directions on how to deal with the authorities, I gazed at the laptop screen, the revealed documents holding a trove of hidden information. Deciding to explore these unclear waters could either overwhelm us or purify our way ahead. In any case, the decision had already been made.

The journey, the hidden truths it contained, and the adversaries it attracted had transformed every aspect. The old regulations were obsolete, and when I faced Mercer, ready to bargain with evil, I understood the city would undergo permanent change. Nor would I either.

While Angelo handled the police incident on the phone, I once again went to Mercer, feeling the heaviness of our dangerous situation. "Okay, Mercer. You are responsible for arranging this meeting. But keep in mind, we are not entering a trap. You will ensure that the person you are calling understands.

Mercer gave a slight nod, with a hint of respect or acknowledgement of necessity flickering in her eyes. "I will take care of the plans." Vincent, they will also require guarantees. They will be interested in knowing that the drive is secure.

I chuckled in a sinister manner, aware of the irony in the situation. Secure? After this evening, everything is now at risk. However, assure them that it is currently safe.

She retrieved her own phone, which Angelo had overlooked during the pat-down, and made a call effortlessly. She spoke quietly, turning slightly in a way that made it impossible for me to hear the words. Shortly later, she redirected her attention towards me. They will encounter each other. The night of tomorrow. A place that is unbiased. I will provide you with the information after you assure me that my safety is guaranteed.

"I give you my assurance," I responded immediately, fully aware of the significance and uncertainty of such commitments in our profession.

After nodding briefly, she lifted her gaze with a serious expression on her face. Vincent, I am not against you in this situation. We are all merely playing pieces in a larger scheme. At times, pawns have the power to shift the situation if they are clever.

I thought about what she said, knowing there were probably hidden layers of manipulation. "I will look into that," I whispered.

While Jimmy kept going through the information, revealing more and more lies, Angelo ended the call, his expression even more serious. He approached, speaking in a hushed tone. "Boss, it's more serious than we anticipated." The police discovered explosives that could be linked to our group. Now there is discussion about the government getting involved at the national level.

I felt a knot in my stomach as I grasped the implications. This was progressing quickly, quicker than I had expected. "Stay informed about that, Angelo. I want to be informed right away if anything changes.

He gave a nod and looked over at Mercer, who was quietly observing our interaction. "What is the status of her?"

Right now, she remains in our presence. "I can't afford to lose her, and I can't afford to underestimate her," I replied, locking eyes with him confidently.

There was a brief moment of silence in the warehouse, the tension nearly tangible. Next, there was a soft beep from Mercer's phone. She confirmed it and glanced up at me with a sudden, unexplainable sense of urgency. "They have accepted the conditions you proposed." The night of tomorrow. A desolate factory at the edge of town. "At 9 in the evening."

"Agreed," I stated, even though the combination of fear and excitement in me indicated a different feeling. Get ready for the upcoming day. The day ahead is going to be quite lengthy.

While she nodded and put her phone aside, the laptop on the table made a loud beeping sound, catching everyone's focus. Jimmy gazed at the monitor, his complexion ashen, fingers hovering over the keys.

"Boss, you have to come look at this," he whispered quietly.

I bent down to look at the screen as I approached. The sight of what I witnessed sent a chill down my spine. It wasn't solely information, transactions, or dangers; it was a surveillance image. A recent photo of me, captured from afar, with a timestamp just a few hours ago. Beneath it, there was only a solitary line of text with the words: "Stay vigilant." He is crucial to everything.

The discovery that we were not just being followed but also closely watched deeply disturbed me. I wonder what other information they have about me if they have such detailed information. Who was also observing?

I stood tall, scanning the poorly lit warehouse, realizing suddenly how unprotected and defenseless we were. Secure all valuables. I commanded that nobody could enter or leave without my permission, my voice expressing a newfound sense of authority.

While Mercer observed us with a mysterious look, and Angelo went to lock the doors, I understood without a doubt: the upcoming meeting was not only for discussing or gaining advantage—it was solely about staying alive.

While we got ready, unknown watchers observed us, and the intense, risky, and unforgiving game carried on. Darkness surrounded us, teeming with shadows and unknown dangers, and the disturbing recognition that this was merely the start.