Alright, I'm In

Lucien was still paralyzed with shock.

His boss is from a Mafia family? And his name isn't James Gilmore but rather Mateo Diaz?

Is this a fucking joke?

Is that why everyone at the company was terrified shitless of him? They all knew? All of them?

That's the reason why no one dared step in when he was brutalizing that man in the lobby that day… they all knew!

He felt sick!

All he wanted now was to get the hell outta here, accept Allison's proposal of moving to Los Angeles and forget all about this shit!

This is all fucked up!

“I know it's a shock for you dear, but that's the way it is.” Lucille voiced, her voice filled with nothing but void. “James Gilmore is not who he claims he is.”

“But why are you telling me this?” He queried, his voice hoarse and shaking, he didn't even recognize it as his.

“Because we need your help.” The man added.

“Why the hell would you need my help? I want utterly nothing to do with the likes of you.” He retorted, “I want to go home. Send me back to my home now!”

“Calm down boy, I'm sure you will change your mind…”

“I don't give a fuck!” Lucien growled, “I want to go back home! Send me back home!”

The two Mafia couple exchanged glances and then sighed.

“I'm sure you'll change your mind after seeing this.” Lucille said, “Harry?” She called out.

Then almost immediately, a lean man dressed in a dark suit appeared from the shadows with two suitcases in either hand.

Lucien waited as he placed the two suitcases on the table. Then he opened it.

Lucien's mouth flew open in utter astonishment once more as he stared at the contents of the two suitcases… MONEY!

More money than he ever thought he'd see in his life before departing Earth. There were thousands of them, nearly stacked side by side.

“Are you willing to listen now?” Lucille asked, a look of approval on her face as she stared at Lucien's reaction to the money.

Lucien thought for a while.

This has got to be a trap! Why on earth would they throw away these thousands of cash just because they need his ‘help’?

What type of help is it that they're willing to pay this much?

“We'll also give you a car if you agree to our proposal. The car will become permanently yours.” Lucille added, seeing the man's slight hesitation. “We can add the extra if you want us to.”

Now that's a great offer!

Lucien suddenly didn't care what it was that they needed help with, as long as it wasn't dangerous and he wouldn't be killing anyone, he'd take it.

“Fine.” He finally said, going to take a seat on the couch. He sat down and crossed his legs as if he owned the place. He suddenly wasn't scared of this Mafia couple.

Lucille and Alberto exchanged glances before they also took a seat. Alberto sat on his armchair while the wife sat on the armrest of the armchair. While Harry disappeared as he appeared.

They looked powerful together! And dangerous!

What kind of help was it that they needed from someone like him? He wondered.

“Okay, let's have it.” He said, “What's the deal?”

“We need you to spy on our son.” Alberto declared, lacing his fingers together.

Lucien stared at him. “That's it?” He queried, “Just spy on your son?”

“Yes.”

“That's the reason why you're willing to spend thousands of dollars?”

“Yes.” Alberto answered calmly, “You're to place a tracker on him and you're to follow his every step. You'll be reporting to us.”

Why would these dangerous couples want their son to be spied on? Lucien wondered inwardly. His son is from the same Mafia family as them, why are they trying to treat him like he wasn't part of their family… like he was some sort of adversary?

“Why do want your son to be spied on?” He asked, “He's your family… right?”

“You don't get to ask questions regarding that.” Lucille snapped. “Your job is to report his every movement to us.”

“Then I'm not doing it.” Lucien retorted, leaning back and the couch, folding his arms across his chest, “I need to know what I'm getting myself into.”

The couple went silent for a moment.

“Well…” He raised his eyebrow, “... are you gonna tell me or not?”

“It’s a family matter.”

“And you're dragging me into it.” Lucien replied immediately, “I need to know… or you'll find someone else.”

Alberto sighed, “How about we add another suitcase… making it four suitcases. That way, you won't ask questions.”

Lucien's eyes narrowed.

Four suitcases filled with money?! Hell yeah!

He cleared his throat. He didn't want to look desperate.

“Alright, I'm in.” He finally said, silently basking in happiness. He's rich! “We have a deal.”

He got to his feet. “I'll be spying on him and be reporting to you, right?”

“Yes.”

He shrugged, “That's easy as fuck!”

“Whatever happens, do not engage. Watch from the sidelines and report to us.”

“Okay.” He said.

“And mind you, don't you ever think you'll take all this money and run from us,” Alberto warned, his voice suddenly chilling and threatening. “Wherever you hide, we will find you… as long as you're on planet Earth.”

Lucien gulped.

This man is so scary!

“O… okay.”

“Harry?” Lucille called out and the lean man stepped out of the shadows again, with extra two suitcases. “Show this young man the basics and everything he'll need.”

Harry nodded. He walked to the table and shut the first two suitcases he brought. He held two on one hand and the other two on the other hand.

“Come on,” Harry spoke and headed outside.

Lucien followed behind.

“Pleasure doing business with you Mr Hayes.” Lucille smiled at him, the smile alone made Lucien anxious. “Don't get yourself killed.”

The last statement made Lucien flinch. He felt as if he was walking into the tiger's den but he didn't turn back nor say he wanted out.

Money is money after all.

Harry and Lucien stepped out of the villa and headed to the garage.

Lucien wasn't uncomfortable with being alone with this man called Harry. He felt he was dangerous.

Harry opened the garage doors and unlocked one of the many cars in the garage. He placed the four money-filled suitcases on the back seat.

He turned and handed Lucien the car keys. “This will be your car from now on.” He said coldly. “Don't park it anywhere near your house. Don't drive it to work. Don't spend extravagantly. Don't let anyone know of this operation, not even your wife. Don't keep those money in the bank, store them in a safe. And lastly…” He moved further into the garage and brought another suitcase. He opened it and Harry's mouth flew open as he stared at the revolver, “... you might be needing this, just in case things get messy.”

Now Lucien was having second thoughts.

“Everything you need is also in this suitcase. Way of communication and whatnot.” Harry paused, he regarded Lucien and his scary face was a bit amusing, “One more thing. Be careful. Mateo Diaz is extremely dangerous. Good luck.”

Lucien said nothing but just got into the car.

He was now terrified out of his wits.

It's not too late to turn back now, a voice rang in his head but he shrugged it off. His mind was clouded by the tons of money in the back seat. With that amount of money, he doesn't need to work for the rest of his life!

He started the car and drove off.

“I've served in the army,” He thought out aloud, pep-talking himself, “I've seen worse. What's the worst that could happen?”