Barnabas Silva was a powerful man for his age. He was young- one of the youngest crime lords every known.
He was good at what he did too.
The rumor on the streets was that he was close to taking over Snakeeyes Sylvador as the most dominate crime lord in all of Reavador.
Scarface stood in front of him and drew his hood back. His entire cape rustled to the floor and Barnabus looked at him undaunted as he finished eating. His eyes flicked briefly to Scar and he raised a hand to the last of the concious goons that stood behind him. They halted there progress towards him.
He wiped his mouth on a satin handkerchief and took a sip of dark amber liquid.
He had a strong jaw and a straight nose. Black curls hung in his eyes. Beads in his long dreads glinted in the lights as he leaned forward.
"I assume you are here on your father's behalf?"
Scarface swiped a seat in the corner of the room and spun it infront of him before sitting and leaning on it's back.
"I'm here on my behalf."
Barnabas pulled out a second glass and poured it. A thug was signalled to take it to him.
"Is that so?"
Scar swirled the glass in his hand and nodded at the man who retreated after handing him the drink.
"What would you say if I said I wanted a different arrangment with you than what my father had in mind?"
Scar stood and walked to the desk, spinning a metal button between his fingers.The goons bristled as he approached the glass in hand, it clanked against the small wooden table between them.
"Why should I care what you want when your not in charge of anything."
He smirked, "I'm going to be."
Barnabus smiled at that. A small deep chuckle rumbled in his chest.
"I admire your confidence, but I haven't gotten this far by placing bets on risky individuals. Even if you were put in charge how would I know that I could trust you."
"Your still standing here aren't you?"
The air left the room for a second as everyone held their breath, deathly still.
Barnabus let out a hearty chuckle.
"Your reputation proceeds you Scarface. Threatening me on my own turf, your one confident bastard. That's for sure. Your father is my rival, what difference do you have in mind?"
He leaned back and sipped his drink again his eyes narrowed his core tense. Scar guessed he was seconds from a defensive position if needed.
"I want a partnership with you. I'm going to kill my father and change up the gang, and I think we could both benefit from this if we play our cards right."
"While it's proper among our breed of men, how could you kill your own blood, and afterwards talk of benefits?"
His stare was impenetrable as he waited for a response.
"I do not do so lightly. I'm ready to take control of my own life. My father stands in the way of that. He always has."
"What happens if I too become an obstacle?"
Scarface smirked, he knew what he was asking.
"We would be equals. Neither one of us in charge of the other's affairs or decisions. Respectable and dignified business partners with nothing to fear from eachother."
"You mentioned changes to your gang. What are they?"
Scar's face twisted in a smooth smile.
"That's somthing I would only tell a confidant."
Barnabus stared at him quietly. His face unmoving as stone.
"I like you Scarface. Your smart. Too cocky for your own good, and obviously skilled," he motioned to the guards out cold at the doorway.
"I'll make a deal with you..."
Scar leaned forward on his knuckles.
"Tell me your new plans for your gang without too much detail, and I will help you with your father. That is what your here for, is it not?"
Scar smiled, "Not necessarily, I have no need for help killing my father. I meant it when I said I want a partnership of equal proportions."
"What I want is simply this." He took a long drink of amber liquid, draining his glass and again pulling up his chair sitting back in it smoothly. His hooded gaze met Barnabas's straight on.
"When I take over my position is going to be..."
it was going to be weak very unstable but he smiled, "Busy, every moment I have is going to be precious, and I dont want to be looking over my shoulder." He grabbed the amber boddle on the table between them and poured them each another glass. He pointed at the men behind Barnabas.
"I ask that you clear the room." Barnabas narrowed his eyes and then nodded.
"Very well. Get out." The men left quietly and when they were gone Scar took another drink of the amber liquid. The very picture of calm.
"I dont want to be in the game of the gang life anymore. Instead I want to be a establishment of private hires. Mercenaries are hard to come by. I want to clean up my house; make it a choice rather than strapping on a quick chain."
Barnabas listened intently, no emotions on his face.
"The territory lines be damned. Together we could walk the streets of Reavador, and have NOTHING to fear. I would send you the lackeys and guards who are too bulky for the job. You would send me the ones fit for it. In return they would work for both of us."
Barnabas sighed and leaned back. "What you propose is risky for me. Where as for you. Well, you would have very little to fear."
"In good faith Barnabas I would retrieve for you what you've been looking for."
The air left the room again. Barnabas stood from his chair and walked to the window seal.
"Very well. If you come back alive we have a deal."
When he turned smoke was filling the room and Scarface was gone. He walked into the main room to find his men all standing around.
Wolf came forward.
"Should I pursue him Sir?"
Barnabas smiled, "No, from now until I say otherwise, Scarface Sylvador is our ally. He is not to be touched."