"Let's go," Zane said as he headed toward his car. Everyone followed suit, making their way to the long line of cars waiting under the dim glow of the streetlights.
At the front was Zane's vehicle, a shiny black SUV with dark-coloured windows. Its size and well-maintained look were the ideal combination of intimidation and authority. Cars, pickup trucks, and a few old vans followed.
Zane settled into the passenger seat of his SUV when Victor climbed into the driver's seat. "Let's move," Zane issued the order.
The convoy began to move out as the engines roared to life. The few people walking on the street stopped and stared at the magnificent sight of more than twenty cars travelling in harmony.
The convoy's reputation arose as it passed through the heart of Ravenford, which was not a metropolis but rather a thriving urban hub dominated by several big and small gangs, including the Iron Gang at its peak, which had over a hundred members and a monthly profit exceeding tens of millions of dollars, making them the undeniable rulers of the city's underworld.
The gang's leadership consisted of three key figures: Zane, the boss; Victor, the vice leader; and Malcolm, the financial mastermind responsible for managing government bribes and the gang's assets.
As the queue of cars wound its way through Ravenford's narrow streets, some spectators quickly moved out of the way.
Victor glanced at Zane as they neared their destination. "They'll know we're coming, Boss."
"Good," Zane replied, his voice calm but filled with menace. "Let them see us coming. Tonight, the Viper Gang learns why no one messes with the Iron Gang."
The battle for Ravenford's underworld was about to begin.
The Iron Gang soon appeared in front of the biggest casino in the city. The towering building stood as a symbol of luxury and strength.
The name of the casino was displayed above in enormous shining letters and the building was visible from miles away. Engines rumbling as they came to a stop, the gang's cars arrived in a well-organised line. Zane's black SUV stopped just in front of the main gate, which was made of golden double doors.
The door of the SUV opened as Zane stepped out, then slammed shut behind him with a powerful bang. With their weapons in hand, the rest of the gang followed behind.
As Zane and his men stepped inside, the casino employees stood close by, their shoulders slumped and heads bowed, fear clear on their faces as they avoided making eye contact. The once lively atmosphere was now filled with an uneasy silence.
A man of a similar age as Zane sat across from them, relaxing on a cheap plastic chair as if he owned the place. This was Darius, the Viper Gang's boss and Zane's halfbrother.
He has short black hair and dark eyes flashed with confidence and arrogance. He was dressed in black trousers, polished shoes and a dark green jacket over a plain white shirt. Although Darius was smaller than Zane, he had the pride of a guy who thought he was better than Zane in everything.
Behind him stood over fifty gang members, armed with different types of guns, bats, and pipes.
Darius rose from his chair with a smile as Zane and over a hundred Iron Gang members exited their vehicles. The Iron Gang's sheer numbers made the Viper Gang's presence a wave. Armed with weapons and years of loyalty, they lined up behind Zane, waiting silently for his word.
Darius spread his arms mockingly. "Brother Zane, you came pretty fast. I was just getting comfortable."
When Zane's piercing eyes met Darius's, his face became darker. For a moment, he was reminded of their early years, playing in their father's garden, laughing, and making plans for the future.
However, those times had long since passed. Darius broke up the Iron Gang after their father passed away, stealing some of its members to start the Viper Gang. Out of some sense of brotherly affection, Zane had let him mature for 10 years and had refrained from intensifying their disputes.
However, this? It was an outrageous provocation to take Ravenford's biggest casino, which brought in between $10-30 million a month. Calling it a transaction and taking over the *iron gang* casino?
"Darius," Zane spoke in a low, threatening voice, "you've got some nerve. Do you think your Viper Gang can afford a trade like this? This is the city's largest casino."
The tension was thick, every eye watching the two brothers.
Darius chuckled, unfazed by Zane's hostility. "You'll definitely consider trading after you see this," he said smoothly, snapping his fingers. "Bring them here."
Two muscular men stepped from behind. They had great body shapes, towering and powerful. Each carried someone on their shoulder.
One man had a boy, around 13 years old, dressed in a simple white shirt and shorts, his head covered with a black cloth mask.
The other held a woman with a similarly masked face, dressed simply in a green garment. Their cries were muffled into weak, painful "uuuuhhhh" noises as both had their mouths tied with a ball. They struggled against the ropes binding their wrists and ankles.
The muscular men then quietly threw their captives on the ground. The boy and woman hit the ground.
The woman tried to scream, but the ball distorted her voice into a loud, pained groan as she hit the ground.
The tightrope left faint signs on her bare flesh, and her hands and legs were tied tightly. The teenager strained against his restraints, his tiny body shivering as he shook in fear.
Darius's smile grew as he pointed at the two captives. "Brother, let's now discuss our trade.