"So, you estimate that you will be able to triple your distribution network within the space of a few months?" Bane wondered, looking upon the files that Jacob had handed over to him, humming lightly in thought. "And ambitious as well."
Across from him, Jacob nodded his head. "It's won't be easy." He admitted, looking out of the windows to the island of Santa Prisca that acted as Bane's main headquarters. It was also his main distribution centre and was equipped with all sorts of defensive measures. Jacob had personally seen a fraction of that upon his arrival here, the sensory and radar systems surrounding the edge of the island. The anti-airguns and sea mines that would stop assaults by land or sea.
Not to mention the hundreds of armed men that patrolled the island with enough weaponry to equip a small army. Santa Prisca was a miniature fortress, Jacob was envious of Bane for having such a seat of power already established.
Though he also admired the challenge it represented.
"However, with Venom at my disposal, I will have an edge that will enable a speedy victory over the Dubelz Crime Family. It will be an overnight affair that will leave me in charge of the vast majority of their territory and own distribution networks." Jacob explained, knowing that if this deal was to be signed, omitting details like this would be detrimental. Though he was also wary about revealing too much, it was why he was only explaining his intentions for the Dubelz Family.
He had said nothing of the Cosa Nostra.
It was one of the largest groups in the Gotham criminal underworld, but not a big mover. Formed of numerous families like the Bertinelli, Galante, Beretti, Cassamento, Inzerillo and Panessa families, it had the potential to be a big mover. However, they were too busy assassinating the current leader of the Cosa Nostra and replacing them with a new leader that was of one of the other families.
It worked out in the favour of the rest of Gotham, they were too busy fighting amongst themselves while representing a united front that was more than willing to set aside their differences to defend themselves if need be, to actually be a big mover. Otherwise, Gotham could be a very different place entirely, not that Jacob had any intentions of allowing Gotham to remain the same. He would change it and then he would move to even greater heights, just like all his ambitions, they were just stepping stones for something grander.
"Using Venom so liberally could prove detrimental to our arrangement and lose you a valuable asset," Bane noted, Jacob nodding his head in understanding.
"Which is why they shall be used only as a surgical strike team to take out the big players in the Dubelz Family. After that, I shall enforce my position with the...normal folk." He didn't quite know what to call them, those that were not under the influence of Venom, either way, his point had been made. "Are we in agreement?"
"We are." Beneath his mask, Jacob smiled. "However, there is just one problem."
A smile that quickly slipped away. "What problem?" He asked trepidly, worried about what this could mean for him. This meeting was and should have been nothing more than a formality and for the most part, had been going that way.
This, however, did concern him massively.
"You have made mention of waging war against the Dubelz Family, taking it over in a quick and efficient manner." Bane continued, placing the files down and crossing his burly arms across his chest. "Yet you haven't made mention of the fact you are already on the losing end of a war against a small-time gang like the Street Demonz."
Jacob paused, not quite sure of what Bane was talking about.
The Street Demonz were one of the oldest biker gangs in Gotham, one that had risen to prominence early on, thought had since been almost completely decimated when they got a little too ambitious. Yet they had held on, working as a neutral party that sold their services as mercenaries to the highest bidder, working as hired muscle and hitmen.
Jacob knew of them, he had studied all potential enemies extensively and had them all documented within his mind. But he could not for the life of him figure out why he was going to war with them, or why he was losing for that matter.
"So, you did not know?" Bane tutted, Jacob could hear the disappointment in his tone, the deal in his eyes beginning to crumble. "What a shame, our deal will have to be postponed for now. Sort out your current crisis before coming to me with business ventures in the future."
"This was not by my doing, Bane, I can assure you of that," Jacob told him firmly.
Bane simply waved his hand, dismissing him. "I do not care. Be thankful that I don't just kill you and wash my hands of this entire incident." As Jacob rose to his feet, seeing the armed guards loyal to Bane resting their hands on their guns as a subtle warning not to do anything. Jacob's own men did the same, though neither side made an attempt to fire the first shot.
Jacob's mind though was whirling with thoughts, trying to figure out what could have possibly happened in the few weeks he had been gone.
"Actually." Bane's voice spoke up, Jacob's path blocked as the guards moved in front of the door, ensuring he could not leave. "Your deal does hold merit and while in a crisis, your current situation is not irreparable, if it was handled by the right person of course." Jacob frowned deeply. "What's to stop me from simply killing you and taking over Gotham myself."
'So, you're testing me.' Jacob thought, turning to look at Bane over his shoulder. "Because if you did, you would be leaving yourself exposed to Batman and the last time you did that, while you won, it also cost you everything. You may have immunity thanks to the government, but once Batman and the Justice League learn of that, they'll do everything they can to expose every dirty secret until the government revoke that immunity. Now, if you're done with these baseless threats, I have an annoyance to deal with."
Bane chuckled. "Yes, you do and nd until you deal with it, you shall receive no more shipments of Venom. I'll also be holding onto the batch of Toxin that was meant to be delivered to you for myself. It is truly and wonderful product that you came up with, shame you won't be able to experience it for a little while longer."
Saying nothing, Jacob exited, his mood worsening.
-X- Line Break -X-
Looking down at his son who happily ate the large bowl of ice cream before him, David smiled happily, looking at the pretty woman across from him who returned his smile. It was a rare moment for him in the past few days, ones fraught with worry and fear of what could become of him.
Things had appeared to be going up for him, as a failed actor with a kid and a small part-time job, life had not been easy for him. That was until he met the masked man working for Black Mask in the False Face Society. After that interview, his entire life had changed and while exposed to the dangerous and seedy underworld of Gotham, acting as the figurehead of the False Face Society, David could not deny his life was on the up.
He was paid well, able to afford proper clothing and food for his son, a lavish home and a life that had once seemed impossible for him. Now though, things had changed and David fear that it would be for the worst.
His boss had left on a business trip for a few weeks, and that's when the trouble started.
Feeling his phone vibrate in his pocket, David pulled it out and withheld the urge to show his fear when he saw the number. He had memorised those numbers and burned them into his brain as ones he would never forget.
Even though every instinct in his mind told him to lower the phone and just run for his life, David knew that it would pointless. "H-hello?" He answered hesitantly, coughing lightly to try and better mask his nervousness when noticing the look he was given by the woman, Daphne across from him.
"There's a car parked around the corner, get into it." His boss's voice spoke, calm and collected, yet icy and cold. "I would rather not have my men interrupt your happy time with Harry and Daphne."
That unspoken threat made him erupt into a cold sweat, the line disconnected before he could respond. His boss knew he would follow his orders and did not even wait for an affirmative, David rose to his feet fearfully, legs shaky and weak as his stomach protested, he fighting the urge to be sick.
"I'll be back in a minute," David said, leaning down to kiss his son, Harry upon the head, wondering if this would be the last time he saw him. "I love you, son." He whispered.
"Love you too, Dad," Harry replied, humming happily as he turned back to his ice cream.
Daphne looked at him in concern. "Is everything alright, David?"
"Just, just stay with him for me, Daphne," David said, unable to bring himself to say that everything was okay. "I'll be back shortly, there's just...something I have to do." And with that, he turned on his heel, exiting out of the ice cream parlour and onto the busy streets of Gotham. Looking left and right, David made his way left, towards a back alley where a black Mercedes was parked up, hidden by the dark shadows of the night.
As he approached, an animal mask-wearing man in an expensive black suit got out of the passenger side seat, leaving the door open for him. Both men entered back into the car, David into the passenger seat while the masked man got into the seat behind him.
There, in the backseat behind the driver was his boss, an unnamed individual with no discernible feature that never once looked at him. He just continued to stare out the window in silence, never once acknowledging his presence.