7. ALMOST DIED

|Rocco|

As the car sped to the meeting point, I couldn’t keep what the strange lady said off my mind. It kept pressing no matter how I tried to shut it out. Who was she? How come she wasn’t afraid of me? How did she know that I was going for a meeting? What exactly did she mean that I would die if I attend the meeting?

“Cosi frustrante (So frustrating)” I found myself blurt out and a deep sigh left my throat as I rested my back and closed my eyes. Bojana told me not to mind her words but I didn’t make a sound. She wouldn’t stop there and I knew that so I was prepared for her lectures.

“Rocco, you are not someone to be moved by a thing so insignificant. She purposely got in your way just to get money and since you were generous enough to give it out because I know that you didn’t fall for her trick, she just said the nonsense to get you hooked. She’s not worth your attention so just be rest assured”

“Matteo proposed that it should just be us and he also gave his word that he will only be there with his secretary. I know it’s hard to trust him but if we want to do business with him, we should be the one to shake his trust first” she continued

“Seeing how you are dressed, it was easier for her to deduce that you are on your way to a meeting so don’t get lost in her word. Well I trust you, Rocco Lorenzo doesn’t have time for such a parasite like her” she concluded and gave it a rest when I didn’t say a word

Just as I expected, her teaching was endless but it exited my ears as soon as it came in. All that filled my mind was the strange girl. Somehow, her boldness was charming. Most people would beg and grovel at my feet because of the fear of my name but she didn’t care.

Matteo is a real estate construction company’s CEO. He was the one that built almost all the houses in Palermo and its surrounding so he was fucking wealthy. He had the respect of many gangs who had worked with him in time past and those lining up to make a proposal. He was popular for not meeting even influential people so Bojana was worried when I talked about approaching but I guess I was super influential on his list even though it took him some time to grant my meeting.

“Call for backup”

Another round of lessons started, “If Matteo gets the word that we called for backup, he might cancel the meeting and you know how hard it was to get one fixed”

“Bbbbooo…jjaannnnaa” I stressed, rubbing my glabella

“Just do as I say. Call the special team and not all the boys” my voice sounded a little bit harsh this time and she took the cue that I didn’t want her opinion.

My car pulled up at the meeting point and we were ushered in. The house was quite simpler than I thought because I was expecting a paradise since it was his expertise. To a mafia, our houses was one of our symbol of respect.

“Since we know each other, we can skip the pleasantries right?” he said and I nodded, he love to keep things short, just like I like it.

His secretary poured me a drink and Matteo raised his glass for a toast. We haven’t even started to discuss what brought us there so I declined that we had nothing to toast to before I downed the glass

“How about we discuss business? To a mafia, time is everything”

“Sure! As you wish!” Matteo shrugged

They were kind of solid but that is who I am. I don’t have time to sugarcoat and I have met people scarier than him as a mafia. There was nothing intimidating about him.

“I want to buy the whole southern part of Palermo and I heard you are in charge of the real estate there. How much is it?” I started and he laughed a bit

Whatever was making him laugh was none of my concern since what I said was not funny. I just need him to state the price and it would be given unto him without delay.

“You are just like I have heard. You love to keep your things short and brief” he commented and I nodded in acknowledgment

I was still waiting for him to give a response to my proposal as he circled the glass in his hand when Bojana’s voice suddenly came through, yelling that I should dodge. We trained together as we grew up and even sometimes now so it was easy for us to cover for ourselves. Bullets filled everywhere as we raced for cover. I fished out my pistol and aimed at the man at my right angle, he was staying on the roof of the house beside us.

*Baamm*