Chereads / TRUE CRIMINAL EMPIRE / Chapter 66 - Gratitude

Chapter 66 - Gratitude

In the grand fortress-like villa of the Sicilian Mob elders, the air was thick with cigar smoke, the scent mingling with the old leather of the opulent furniture. The dim light from the chandeliers cast an eerie glow over the group of aging mobsters dressed in their tailored suits, their faces hardened by decades of ruthless control. Outside the large windows, the lush landscape of Sicily stretched out under the darkening sky, but inside, it felt like the calm before a storm.

A pair of heavy doors swung open, and an armed police officer, clearly shaken, stepped inside. He adjusted his uniform nervously before approaching the table where the elders sat, their eyes fixed on him like hawks. He wiped the sweat from his brow, knowing he was walking into a dangerous room with dangerous men.

One of the elders, an imposing figure with a silver mane of hair slicked back and sharp, piercing eyes, spoke first, his voice carrying the weight of authority and impatience. "What is it?"

The officer swallowed hard before stepping forward. "We've locked down all airports, docks, and major exit roads out of Sicily. Every possible escape route is covered. There's no way Tyrone can leave the country without us knowing."

The room was silent for a moment, the only sound being the slow crackle of cigar ash falling into trays. One of the elders leaned back in his chair, taking a slow, deliberate drag of his cigar. His eyes narrowed as he stared at the officer, clearly dissatisfied with the mere report of measures.

"You say you have him trapped," the elder with the silver hair said slowly, each word cutting through the smoke-filled room like a knife. "But Tyrone is still out there, breathing, moving, planning."

The officer stiffened. "Yes, sir. But with the airports, docks, and roads locked down—"

"I don't want excuses," the elder cut him off, his voice sharp and cold. He flicked ash from his cigar onto the polished table. "I want results. Tyrone should've been dead hours ago. We gave you the manpower, the resources, the weapons. And yet, he's still out there."

Another elder, a shorter man with a scar running across his cheek from an old war, leaned forward, his voice low and threatening. "If he escapes, he'll bring hell back to our doorstep. You understand what that means?"

The officer nodded quickly, feeling the pressure mounting on him. "Yes, sir. We've stationed men at every strategic location. If he moves, we'll know."

The silver-haired elder's eyes darkened as he rose slowly from his chair, towering over the officer. "If Tyrone gets out of Sicily, you and your men won't be coming back here. Do you understand?"

The officer paled. He knew what that meant. These men didn't make empty threats. "Yes, sir. We will find him."

"Find him," the elder said, his voice a venomous whisper. "Or don't come back at all."

With that final warning, the officer quickly excused himself from the room, his heart pounding in his chest. He could feel the weight of the elder's threat lingering over him like a death sentence. Failure was not an option.

As the officer disappeared through the doors, the room fell silent again, the crackle of cigars returning to the fore. The elder with the scar grunted and leaned back in his chair. "That Tyrone... slippery bastard. He's already made a fool of Giovanni, now he's trying to do the same to us."

The silver-haired elder nodded slowly, his eyes focused on the glowing tip of his cigar. "He's like a cornered wolf now. Desperate, dangerous. But it won't matter. He's trapped. And once we have him..." He let the sentence hang, a cruel smile forming on his lips.

"He'll beg for death before we're done with him," another elder said with a sinister chuckle, the others nodding in agreement.

They knew Tyrone was a problem that needed to be eradicated, not just for revenge but for the sake of their entire empire. Giovanni's death had already caused a stir in the underworld, and if word got out that an outsider like Tyrone had come to Sicily and walked away alive, it would be a sign of weakness. That was something the Sicilian Mob could not afford.

The silver-haired elder tapped his cigar against the ashtray and spoke with finality. "Spread the word. Mobilize every asset we have in Sicily. If the police can't get it done, we'll take matters into our own hands."

The others nodded, their faces grim with resolve. They knew what was at stake. Tyrone wasn't just an enemy—they had to send a message. If you come for one of theirs, there is no place in the world you can hide.

Outside the villa, the night was still, but the storm was brewing. Tyrone was out there, but the net was closing in fast.

Back in the States, the streets were buzzing with excitement as the new album from Tyrone's rapper prodigy had exploded onto the scene. With over 30 million plays across streaming platforms, it had rapidly become the talk of the industry. The energy was palpable, not just in the clubs and radios, but also through the vast network of fans who eagerly consumed every track. The rapper's logo, a bold and distinct symbol of his rise, had started appearing everywhere—on t-shirts, hoodies, caps, and accessories, spreading like wildfire across the nation.

Merchandise sales soared as every major city began stocking the rapper's brand, creating an ever-growing stream of revenue for Tyrone's operations. The influence of the rapper, combined with the strategic promotion spearheaded by Tyrone's record label, had transformed the artist into a household name. Clubs were playing the tracks, social media was dominated by discussions of the album, and even mainstream media had started to take notice of this meteoric rise from the streets to stardom.

It was in this atmosphere of success that **Wizzy Money**, a longtime collaborator and friend to Tyrone, decided it was time to personally thank him. Tyrone's investments had helped push the rapper to new heights, and Wizzy felt that gratitude was more than deserved. He rolled up to **The Pulse**, one of the clubs Tyrone owned, his flashy Lamborghini pulling up right in front of the VIP entrance. The deep bass from inside the club echoed out into the night, the neon lights reflecting off the polished chrome of Wizzy's car.

Wizzy stepped out, dressed in designer from head to toe, his chains glinting under the club lights as he strode confidently through the doors. The bouncers, familiar with him, gave a respectful nod, opening the path for him to head straight to the back office where Tyrone usually handled business.

But when he reached the sleek, soundproof doors of the office, something was different. The room wasn't filled with the usual buzz of Tyrone conducting deals or making plans. Instead, Tyrone's **second-in-command**, a sharp-eyed, muscular man who carried an aura of quiet authority, sat at the desk, typing away on a laptop. The atmosphere in the office was heavy, the tension noticeable even through the calm.

Wizzy hesitated for a moment, confused by Tyrone's absence. "Where's Ty at?" Wizzy asked, his voice casual but with a hint of curiosity. He wasn't used to not finding Tyrone running the show.

The second-in-command looked up from his screen, his expression impassive, but there was a hint of respect in his tone. "Tyrone's currently out handling business. Something personal," he replied smoothly, his voice low but firm.

Wizzy, feeling slightly put off, shrugged and leaned against the desk. "Man, I came here to show some love. The album's killing it, numbers off the charts. Merch is flying. You know how it is." He flashed a grin, but it faltered as the second-in-command remained stoic.

"We know," the second-in-command replied, leaning back in the chair. "Tyrone's already aware of the success. He's pleased with the progress."

Wizzy frowned, sensing there was more going on than he was being told. "I was hoping to catch up with him in person, you know? I wanted to thank him for everything. This ain't just business, it's personal."

The second-in-command gave a curt nod. "Tyrone appreciates that. But right now, he's involved in something critical overseas. He'll be back soon. In the meantime, I'm here to keep things running smoothly."

Wizzy raised an eyebrow, his mind swirling with questions. He knew Tyrone was always involved in some heavy things, but the tone here felt different. He could feel the weight of what was unspoken in the room. "Overseas, huh?" Wizzy mused aloud. "Well, I ain't gonna press it. Just let him know I'm grateful. When he gets back, we'll celebrate proper."

The second-in-command nodded again, more out of formality than camaraderie. "You'll be informed the moment he's back. Until then, keep doing what you're doing. The brand, the music—it's all part of the bigger picture."

Wizzy let out a small chuckle, though it felt hollow in the tense atmosphere of the office. "Bigger picture, yeah. Well, alright, man. I'll catch up with Ty when he's back. Make sure he knows I came through."

As Wizzy made his way out of the club, the thumping music and flashing lights seemed a stark contrast to the cold professionalism he'd just encountered. Something was definitely going on behind the scenes, something deeper than the music and the fame. But he knew better than to push when it came to Tyrone's world. There were layers to that man, layers that even his closest allies couldn't always see.