06| Sucker Punch

"Get others to do the work for you, but always take credit." - 48 Laws of Power

-Dallas Demitri Ortega -

My eyes scanned the newspaper and a sense of satisfaction washed over me. Marion was now gone, burned to the ground.

I was just about to pour myself another celebratory drink when my assistant, Georgia, walked in.

"Dallas, you've had enough," she said, taking the cup from my grasp.

Georgia DeLuna and I met years ago when she was just starting as a lawyer. She had stumbled upon some information about my business, and instead of turning me in, she offered to help me clean up my act.

She was smart, cunning, and had an instinct for what was right and wrong. I hired her on the spot, and she had been a valuable asset to my organization ever since. She proved to be invaluable to my organization, always keeping me one step ahead of the law and handling delicate situations with ease. Over time, our professional relationship grew into a close friendship, and I came to trust her implicitly.

She was more than just my assistant, she was a confidant and a sounding board, always willing to offer her advice and support. I valued her input and appreciated her loyalty, and I knew that I could always count on her to have my back.

Her fiery red hair and sharp green eyes made her stand out in any crowd, and her confident and no-nonsense attitude was the reason why she had quickly risen to the ranks within my organization.

Georgia had a way of keeping me in line, and she wasn't afraid to speak her mind. It was one of the things I admired about her. I often found myself wondering what it would be like to have a relationship with her, but I knew that it was impossible. She was too valuable to my organization, and I couldn't risk losing her. But that didn't stop me from indulging in a little flirting now and then.

As she stood in front of me, taking the glass from my hand, I couldn't help but smile. I knew that she meant well and was only trying to protect me, but I was feeling restless and needed to unwind.

"You know I can handle my liquor," I teased, trying to lighten the mood.

"That may be true, but it doesn't mean you should," she replied, her voice stern but her eyes twinkling.

"Come on, Ginny, lighten up. I just want to enjoy a drink in peace," I said, holding out my hand for the glass.

"Dallas, you have to think about the bigger picture. If you get caught with alcohol in your system, it could harm your reputation and put you in a bad light," she explained, her tone serious.

I sighed, knowing she was right. I didn't want to do anything to jeopardize my position, but I also didn't want to be told what to do.

"Fine, you win," I said, giving in. "But only this once."

She smiled and placed the glass back on the table. "Good, now let's focus on what's important."

I nodded, my mind already shifting gears as I thought about the work ahead. Georgia was right, I needed to stay focused and take care of business.

I watched as she poured herself a glass of whiskey and sat down across from me, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I have great news for you," she said, taking a sip of her drink. "The profits from our latest shipment have exceeded expectations, and the new business ventures we've invested in are paying off in a big way."

As she spoke, I could feel my heart swell with pride. "That's amazing," I replied, leaning back in my chair. "What's the secret to our success?"

She smiled, her eyes sparkling with intelligence. "We've been focusing on efficiency, streamlining processes, and cutting costs where we can. We've also been expanding into new markets and exploring new business opportunities."

I grinned, impressed. Georgia's business acumen was unmatched. "You're doing a great job," I spoke, feeling grateful for her dedication to the company.

"I just want to make sure that we keep growing and thriving," she said, her voice serious. "There's so much potential for us, and I want to see us reach our full potential."

My mind was racing with new ideas and plans for the future. With Georgia by my side, I was assured that anything was possible. "Let's keep pushing forward," I said, smiling at her. "We're unstoppable."

Georgia leaned back on her chair, twirling the cup in her hand. "There's something else you need to know, Dallas," she paused. "We've had some losses in the east side. The police have been cracking down on our activities and it's been affecting our operations there. But on the bright side, we've had some significant gains on the north side. Our drug trafficking is up and the money is rolling in."

I listened intently, taking in every detail and analyzing the information she was giving me. "What about the weapons trafficking?" I asked, shifting my weight in my chair.

"It's steady," she replied with a sigh. "But we need to be more careful, the police have been stepping up their game and we don't want to lose that stream of income."

"Alright, keep me informed and make sure our operations are tight and secure. We can't afford any more losses," I said firmly, determination in my voice.

Georgia nodded, "Understood, boss. We've taken extra precautions to ensure that all our transactions are made discreetly and our men are extra vigilant."

I raised an eyebrow, "How are you keeping the police at bay?"

Georgia smirked, "We have a few informants in the police department who keep us updated on their movements. We're always one step ahead of them."

I was impressed by her resourcefulness. "Good, keep it up. And what about the losses you mentioned earlier?"

Her expression turned serious, "We've had a few setbacks in our drug trade. The competition has been getting tougher and they've been undercutting our prices. But don't worry, we have the plan to regain our dominance in the market."

I sighed, "I trust you. Make sure the plan is executed smoothly and efficiently. We can't afford any mistakes."

She smiled, "Understood. We're working on it right now. We'll keep you updated on our progress."

I leaned back in my chair, satisfied with her briefing. "Alright, keep me informed. I want to make sure everything is running smoothly in all aspects of our operations."

"Of course, boss. You can count on us."

I had to because I had no other choice but to trust the few loyal people I had on board.