I FELL ASLEEP PLS I'M SORRY

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G I O V A N N I

It's been a few weeks since I've heard or spoken to Jeyri. I ran down the report of the money we'd managed to rake in and I scanned the room. Since our deal with Damian, we've been able to cash in almost double the amount than before. I guess dealing with rich scum has its benefits.

My slate has been able to stay clean for the most part. We move under the pretext of a legitimate business and no one bats an eye when the deals underway. The bars and clubs have always kept on that part.

Sergio is still scurrying around behind the scenes, doing as he pleases, sooner or later I need to put a stop to it. We have no idea what he's planning and things are moving too smoothly. "Sebastian, read over this and-"

I paused and looked around my office. Sebastian has barely come around now— every once in a Blue Moon he'll pop in but no longer than a few minutes. His messages are always short-worded replies and he only ever answers my questions with a yes or no. I'm aware that it's probably because of his dad's interference. I pursed my lips looking around the empty office and set the report down.

I sighed and pinched the bridge between my nose before standing up. The door opened as I walked toward it and I came face to face with Sebastian. "Peekaboo!" He showed me a toothy grin before pushing past me and walking and I turned to look at him,

"You're here..." I said, stating the obvious.

He leaned against my desk, tossing a coin in his hand. "Giovanni."

"How much time do you have?" He looked down at his watch and shrugged, "Who knows? But I'll make it count."

"Alright, shoot."

"There have been more ships docking out at the waterfront and the security on them has been at a high since they arrived. I don't know what they're holding but Sergio definitely has men patrolling that area. My take on it is that he's bringing in more supply and most likely selling- he doesn't get me involved since he knows that I'm with you but I'm sure he's trying to cut you off from everything. If he manages that, we'll lose our connections and he'll have us right where he wants us."

"How are things holding up for you?" Although it was fading, there was a bruise on his face that wasn't there earlier when he last came. He held his hand over it and shrugged, "Don't worry about me, I can handle him trying to scare me for a while— he won't do anything too bad, he wants me to take over for him."

He stood up from my desk and took something out of his pocket before walking up to me. He stopped right beside me and placed whatever it was in my hand and sighed, "I'll stop coming around here, " he said in a low voice. "They're listening."

I nodded and he patted my back before leaving out. I stood there for a while before crumbling the paper that he gave me and I read over it.

'Don't trust Lucifer.'

I crumbled the paper back up and stuffed it in my pocket before letting out a sigh. Things are going to get messy again.

I picked up my phone and dialed Matteo's number and he picked up immediately. I held my phone away from my ear as a loud bang sounded through and I brought it back before clearing my throat. "Finishing another job?" I asked and I heard him reloading his gun,

"More or less. This job was a little tricky but- did you need something?"

I told him what Sebastian told me and he stayed silent for a while. "I could scope the freakout if you want, see what he's up to."

"Nah, that's too risky. I don't need my best guys going out too early, we already don't have Sebastian. His father's got him wrapped around his fucking finger. I'll go talk to him myself."

"If you go, I'm coming with you. We don't need you doing out early either."

"Fine, I'll have Lucifer capture one of his underlings. If we can't get info from Sebastian we'll have to force it out from someone else."

"What are you going to do about him anyway- Lucifer?"

"Nothing for now. He hasn't done anything recently that raises alarm. Besides, he brings in good money for now and that's what we need so we'll keep using him. I'm just letting you know so stay on guard."

"Alright. What about the girl? Astarte was it?"

"Leave her for now."

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"Giovanni! Matteo! How nice of you to visit!" Sergio stood at the front door of his mansion as Matteo and I pulled in and Sebastian stood behind him, his arms crossed behind his back. I glanced over at him and his face looked even more beat than it was when he was at my office.

He shook his head as I opened my mouth to say something to him and I sighed and looked back toward Sergio.

He led us inside and we sat down at his office across from him. He tossed a few dice in his hand and cleared his throat, "I'm aware Sebastian has told you about the waterfront if that's what you're here to discuss-"

"Oh? No, no." I shook my head and leaned back on my chair. "There's nothing to discuss. You sell on my turf and I collect the dues, it's a simple matter. I'm not here to discuss that. I'm curious as to who's your supplier."

He chuckled and intertwined his fingers with one another and he leaned in on them, "You came to ask my supplier... And you expect me to willingly hand over that information."

"Hmm, why not? The last time I checked it, you work under me, or is that not the case here? Because I'll take it that you're initiating a war. Surely that's not what you're doing... Is it?" He laughed at my question and clapped his hands,

"Now... There's no need to be so hostile. We're not adversaries, Giovanni. I gave you Damian, is that not proof enough. Your profit must be at an all-time high thanks to me. I only look to see you become the best... like Dino once was."

I clenched my jaw at the sound of his name and I flashed Sergio a tight smile. "Being stuck in the old ways will only stunt your growth. Dino had too many enemies and if things had gone through how he planned, the FBI would have caught on."

"Agh, he would have managed, like I'm managing. There's a new drug." He held up a small pack to me and waved it in my face. "It has a sweet smell and taste to it but the kickback is strong and it hits you. The drug is similar to what was used on your mother-"

Matteo held me back as I almost stood and I glared at Sergio who chuckled at my reaction. "Relax... There are only a few in stock. My supplier only made a few dozen and they're already going out of stock. We still have to test it but, it'll slip the taker into a docile state... The effects can wear off of course but, a constant dosage like your mother received..." His voice trailed off and his grin widened, "What's the matter? You don't seem too happy."

"We're leaving Matteo." I stood up from my chair and he nodded. Sergio followed after us and watched as we left out the house and he called out my name, "Gio, boy!"

I turned toward him and he crossed his arms, leaning against the doorframe, "How's that lovely girl of yours doing? Well, I suppose?"

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Pls my characters are so hateable.