Kneeling down before the gangster, I was starting to regret what I did. What if this guy doesn't buy any of my words and kills me instantly? That would be too bad; I'd lose my life, and those I consider my family would be taken as slaves.
But no, I have to try, even if it'll result in death. I'm the only one who can do this.
"What great information do you have? Share it."
____________
Antonio demanded, his voice sharp and commanding.
Rafael took a steadying breath before looking up to meet Antonio's piercing gaze. He forced himself to speak with confidence, despite the fear gnawing at his insides. "Capo dei Credeti, can I stand up and tell you?"
Antonio's lackeys shifted, eager to silence Rafael's audacity. One pointed his gun at Rafael, seeking permission to pull the trigger. But Antonio raised a hand, staying the executioner.
Antonio leaned down, lifting Rafael's chin with a finger, his eyes searching Rafael's face. "You look like a pushover, but there's fire in your eyes."
Rafael met his gaze steadily, feeling the heat of desperation fueling his resolve. "Thank you, Capo," he said, standing up with deliberate calmness.
Capo dei Credeti; the title given to Antonio by his boss. Few outside the mafia knew it, and Rafael was betting his life on that knowledge.
"I know you're vying for the post of Underboss," Rafael said slowly, enunciating each word. "And that you need to do things to earn your place there."
Antonio's eyes narrowed slightly. "How do you know that?"
Rafael forced himself to smile, a tight, confident expression. "It's my business to know things, Capo. And I know how to help you get there. Isn't your boss looking for a way to bring down the Supreme Mafia Lord?"
Antonio's interest piqued, but he remained skeptical. "What makes you think you can offer anything of value?"
Rafael took a deep breath, knowing this was the moment that would decide everything. "I can give him secrets about the Supreme Lord. Information no one else can provide."
"You mean you can act as a spy of...?" Antonio hesitated, the weight of Rafael's words sinking in. He knew what it meant to see someone who could last long in the mafia's den and if the chick before him said he could, he was willing to try it out.
"Yes, exactly that," Rafael confirmed, his voice firm. "Bring me to your boss, and you'll be the one who brought him the key to power. You'll be promoted, and your position will be secured."
Antonio studied him, considering the offer. 'He seems afraid and cautious about what he's saying but that's a given. With his people in our hands, he wouldn't dare to act stupid.'
Rafael held his breath, trying to mask the fear that threatened to unravel him.
After a long pause, Antonio nodded, decision made. "Hmmm. Stop transporting them. We are leaving now!" he barked to his lackeys.
"Copy, Capo!" they responded in unison, their voices echoing through the room.
Antonio stood and cracked his knuckles, then walked towards his vehicle. As he paused, he turned back to Rafael. "You're coming with us."
Rafael exhaled a breath he didn't know he'd been holding. "Thank you, Capo," he said, bowing deeply before following Antonio.
_________
"We are here," the driver announced as he stopped in front of a grand mansion.
The door to the seat Antonio occupied was quickly opened, accompanied by greetings.
"Welcome back, Capo," Rafael heard as Antonio was greeted.
He was drawn from his thoughts when he heard his name.
"Aren't you coming?" Antonio asked, realizing his ticket wasn't beside him as he was about to enter.
Hearing that, Rafael quickly got out of the car, pulling himself from his trapped world. Thinking too much would do him no good; the only thing it could give was his head rolling on the floor without him realizing it.
Rafael looked around the huge mansion he had just entered. Large iron tiger carvings adorned the main door.
He looked around like a kid in a candy shop as he slowly followed Antonio.
"Are you sure you have something to say?" Antonio pressed on the matter again as he looked at him, his hand on his gun.
"Tell me the truth now, and I'll spare you, but if you get to my boss and say nothing… you'll experience a painful death…" Antonio threatened, trying to ensure Rafael was being truthful. Just as he hoped for, Rafael remained adamant.
Since he wasn't backing out, they both reached a large door on the upper floor. It had the same tiger head statue on it.
Two guards were stationed outside, keeping watch.
As Antonio stopped, he commanded one of the guards, "Go tell the boss that I've brought someone for him, and it's important."
One of the guards left his post, entered the office and came back briskly. "He said you can come in with his gift," the guard replied.
'Gift?' That's all Rafael could think as he stood there until he was tapped by the Capo dei Credeti.
"If you continue doing this, you might want to consider your family because if you do that inside, I might not be able to save you," Antonio said before entering the room.
"Right, I should stop blacking out…" Rafael muttered before following Antonio inside.
Don Mateo's office was simple but elegant. The walls were lined with dark wood panels, and a few expensive paintings hung in frames. The floor was covered with a dark red rug, and a large wooden desk sat in the middle of the room.
Behind the desk sat Mateo, a man in his 40s. His black hair was neatly combed back, and he wore a vest and trousers. He held a cigarette in one hand, puffing out smoke as they walked in.
Rafael might have researched the mafias, but he had never seen one so fierce before. Thick muscles covered in tattoos, including a tiger on his arm and a scorpion around his neck.
His eyes landed on Rafael, and Rafael sucked in a breath. Those were the eyes of someone who had ordered millions killed; who could order his family's death.
He had to act fast.