The deal

Earlier in the day…..

“To what do I owe this visit,Don Silva?”,Salvatore Moretti asked his voice clipped but controlled.

He straightened,his posture a mask for the turmoil within him.

“I do not want to believe that you lost your way and happened to step in here.”

He gestured to the guard who had come to inform him of Don Silva’s presence,a flicker of steel in his eyes.

“Leave us.”

The guard quickly scurried out.

“You would like to hear what I have to say in your office I presume.Walls have ears as they say. Who knows what might be in the news next.”,Son Silva smirked never taking his eyes off Salvatore.

“Do not patronise me,Don Silva!”,Salvatore responded his voice in a rasp.

Don Silva stared at him with amusement.Salvatore would never let go off his pride even when he was at the verge of losing it all.

He had to give it to him but this was what it was.

He had what Salvatore needed at the moment and he too wanted something in return.

When it was evident to Salvatore that Don Silva wasn’t going to speak until he took him to his office he gave in.

“Follow me.” ,he said.

Don Silva took his sweet time before settling in the seat before Salvatore.

“Quite a mess you have created in here Salvatore.”,his eyes taking in the items that lay haphazardly on the floor.

“Get on with it Don Silva,unless you are here to gloat over my misfortune.”

He tilted his head,a small smile playing at the corners of his lips.

“Gloating is for amateurs,Salvatore.”,he countered.“I come bearing a proposition.”

The flicker of surprise on Salvatore’s face left as quickly as it came,but not quick enough for Don Silva to not notice.

He scoffed,a harsh humourless sound.”A proposition?”

His gaze narrowed with suspicion.”Explain yourself,Don Silva.”

Don Silver’s lips curled into a half smile. “ I possess a certain…..influence with those currently sniffing at your doorstep.The articles plaguing your business can be discouraged.The whispers silenced.The investigation….dissuaded.”,he continued,his voice low and measured never taking his eyes off Salvatore.

“And what is the price for such….generosity?”

Ignoring his question,Don Silver continued.

“A realignment of power,Salvatore.”,his tone lowered to a whisper as he leaned forward.

“The drug routes you have been eyeing for expansion…..they could be yours.Exclusively if I might add.”

The gleam of avarice in Salvatore’s eyes at the mention of the drug routes could not be missed.

“What is this proposition going to cost me?”,Salvatore spat,his voice hoarse.

A ghost smile appeared on Don Silver’s lips as he caught his tone.

The battle of wealth and power were evident.

“A symbol of unity between our families.My grandson,Kian searches for a bride.An intelligent and beautiful woman of impeccable lineage.Your daughter Anya has proven to be all of these.”

Salvatore’s head shot up at the mention of Anya’s name,with his face contorting into a struggle.

The gleam of avarice was now replaced with a wildfire of desperation.

He craved the escape Don Silver offered,but the price was almost too much to bear.

He had known that Don Silver was never a generous man and he had him where it hurt the most.

Salvatore’s eyes rested on the clock hanging on his wall.

11:50 AM. He had until noon to make this go away and it was just ten minutes away.

Don Silver noticed the conflict in his eyes. He clearly understood the dilemma Salvatore was in. Kian,his grandson was not one any father would want for his daughter.His ruthlessness in business extended to the women he came across. He had no ounce of emotion whatsoever for them.He was going to have his head if he found out that he was arranging a marriage for him.

Don Silver had just one task today and that was to convince Salvatore to accept this proposal. “Think about this carefully,Salvatore.This is a proposition of a lifetime.I get the feds off your trail,you get the drug routes.And an allegiance that makes our families one.You know the ripples this union will create in our world.A Silver and Moretti’s union will secure our legacies.”

“But your grandson,Kian is unhinged.”,Salvatore countered.

“You know what churns on about him in our world. He’s ruthless.”

“Leave my grandson to me.”

“Say I accept this proposal now, does Kian wish to be married?Does he know that you are here?”

Don Silver’s lips settled into a grim.

“He will have no other choice.”,he replied defiantly.

“Now, Salvatore do you accept this proposition or not?”

With a last glance at the clock ,Salvatore stood from his chair and pulled out his hand.

“ Very well,Don Silver….i accept your…..proposal.”,he conceded.

A triumphant glint flickered in Don Silver’s eyes. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a sleek phone,and dialed a number.

“Excellent.Let’s solidify this new…. alliance,shall we?”

Finally,he ended the call with a satisfied smile.

“There you have it,Salvatore.The investigation….dissuaded.You can listen to the afternoon bulletin to confirm.”

Salvatore gazed at him intently.

“Consider this a gesture of goodwill”,he continued,his voice hardening.

“But remember Salvatore,that a broken promise is a declaration of war. I can make this scandal return as quickly and brutally as I made it disappear.Honor this deal,and let’s prosper together as a family.”

The veiled threat hung heavy in the air.

“You do not need to threaten me,Don Silver. I will keep to my side of the deal.You just need to make sure your grandson doesn’t pose any problems for my daughter and this union.”

“Very well then,soon to be in-law I’ll be on my way now.”,he closed the door behind him and left.