24 ~ This Is Just The Beginning

With a heart full of excitement and a mind filled with evil thoughts, Marshall marched into the Casino. His head was held high as he found his way into the inner room. On his left side was Alice, his puppet. 

As they entered the subdued radiant room, Marshall lounged on the luxurious, leather-upholstered couch and exhaled a deep breath before Alice sat on his laps. 

She kissed him for a while before she broke from the kiss and opened her purse. She gave a devilish smile as she brought out a pack of cigarettes which she flaunted alongside a lighter. 

She lit it up and smoked a little before she poured the content into the air. She smirked and moved her hand backward when Marshall tried to share some with her. 

“You have to convince me,” Alice said, locking her eyes on Marshall's. 

“How much do you want me to convince you? As much as convincing you to fight with Brinda?” Marshall asked, raising an eyebrow, just before he placed his head on her slightly exposed breast. “Breast is life, indeed!” 

“Yes, it is.” A woman's cold voice called from behind. 

She strolled into the room with four hefty guards behind her. She made herself at home on the inviting overstuffed sofa across where Marshall and his puppet sat. 

She swept her gaze around the room — Her silver-gray eyes doing justice to that — Her brown hair was packed in a ponytail style but her face tells that she is one not to mess with. 

“Marshall, what do you need me for?” She asked. 

“Alessia Santini,” Marshall said as he pulled Alice gently away from his body. He sat upright and gazed down at the woman he just mentioned her name. 

“Yes,” Alessia replied. She ordered her men to pour her some wine which she gulped down at a go. 

“You know why I called you here already. Drop the act. I've known you for fourteen years and counting. I know what you are capable of.” Marshall explained. 

Alessia chuckled a bit. “And you should know better that I care a lot about myself. Also, if I am to work with someone, you know I love a full detailed deal.” 

“Well… it's nothing pretty much. I want you to create a storm as usual. Can you?” He asked while Alice trailed her hands on his chest. 

“I can. Who is the target?” Alessia asked, filled with curiosity. 

“Francesco Dante.” Marshall dropped the bombshell. 

Alessia let out a sigh before her bright face turned to a frown. She crossed her legs over one another before she returned her gaze to where Marshall was seated. 

The Santini family is another powerful mafia family which is in charge of assassinations in New York City. They are also one of the oldest and most-feared Mafia families owing to the family's dark history. 

“What do I gain from it? You know what Francesco did in the past, right?” She asked. 

“Yes, I know. That deadbeat had done a lot of things in the past. He had betrayed us both. I can't even believe that we can't be friends anymore.” Marshall scrunched up his face. 

“Then, when he ran away from home. I covered up for him and… I was grounded by my father for two years all because of him yet he paid good with evil.” She flashed her eyelashes. “I guess it's high time I pay evil with evil.” 

“Deal accepted?” Marshall asked, his eyes glinting at the thought of a positive response. 

“Obviously, you will hear from me very soon. I heard he has a new bitch beside him.” Alessia added as she poured herself some wine. 

“Not a new bitch. It was the bitch he was with that time he ran away from home. To explain better, it was the same bitch I was with before he found me and ordered her to kill me but she loved me and couldn't kill me yet she pushed me down the cliff and that's how I've got a broken leg.” Marshall rolled his eyes out of pity for himself. 

“I will make both of them pay in folds, okay?” Alessia promised before she stood. She flashed a wicked grin as she scurried out of the room. 

Alicee brought her lips closer to Marshall but he stopped her. “That will be later. We have to reach somewhere quickly.”

“Where?” Alice questioned though her tone was filled with disbelief. She couldn't believe he rejected her directly. 

“A spark before the real storm comes in.” Marshall grinned between his teeth. Alice assisted him up as they walked out of the room then building. 

The car sped across the highway till it parked a few minutes later in front of Dante Group of Companies. 

“Wow! So… this place is more important than I am. Nice!” Alice said, looking away. 

“No! I'm gonna spoil you tonight. Trust me. I will be right back.” He assured her before he exited the car. 

The receptionist allowed him to enter shortly after she passed a message to Francesco who allowed him to come in.

“Welcome, old time friend.” Francesco chimed as he clapped his hands, accompanied by a sly smile. 

“Thank you, betrayal. Your office looks nice after you changed the designs.” Marshall noticed as he looked around. 

“What are you here for?” Francesco yelled suddenly, making the atmosphere more tense. 

“Stop messing with me, Francesco. I can't believe you sent your little bird, Brinda and the other foolish guard of yours after me. Let me tell you in advance, a storm is coming. One that will brew you and the Dante family out of my way or… maybe out of this world. Who knows?” 

“That is a headache of yours. I am less concerned, anyway. I know you can't move the crypt key anymore. There is no where you can move it to. Why? One, you have no associates. Two, you aren't capable. Three, you are scared. Four, you know it belongs to me so… you are hesitant to return it.” Francesco scoffed. 

Marshall banged his fists on the table, his eyes burning with fury. “I will get back at you for… everything. Including the past.” 

Francesco raised his eyes and locked it fiercely at Marshall's. “You should be the one not to mess with me. You know what I can do and what I've done in the past. That also explains why you went behind my back like a coward to hijack my tankers.” 

“What the…” Marshall fumed. 

“Get out. Now!!!” Francesco thunder as he pointed towards the door. 

Brinda walked into the office but her legs turned numb as her eyes fell on both men. Her heartbeat quickened but she managed to stop yet she couldn't stop the tears that clogged her eyes. 

“Don't say I never warned you. I will destroy you, Francesco. Remember my words right now and yesterday.” Marshall concluded. 

He made his way towards the door where he met Brinda who stared at him while holding a tray that contained Francesco's late breakfast in her hands.

His face turned calculating before it was accompanied by a sly smile. He used his walking stick to hit Brinda on her right leg and used his left hand to shove her to the door. 

The tray fell from her hands and the content — Hot tea — in the jug spilled on her uncovered arm. She let out a loud wail as he tried to touch the spot, which was exactly where Francesco had caused a mark on her skin when he flogged her two hundred strokes with a horse whip last night. 

“This is just the beginning!” Marshall laughed as he turned to leave the office.