♥️♠️THE KING CASSINI♦️♣️(REWRITING)
WARNING: DEPRESSIVE THOUGHTS/MAFIA STUFF/BLACK HAT
Even though you know why you're here, you don't deny yourself the right to feel frustrated and anxious.
After spending several hours on a smelly bus to get to the most rotten place in town, where no nosy person would ever go, just to finally get a “not at all suspicious ride” for a longer route that led to the luxurious and shiny casino;
To end up being guided by a pair of sullen bodyguards to the back door, for reasons, where there is the unpleasant smell of garbage and a tempting touch of cigarette butts.
A place where you might belong.
“(Tsk, relax girl, you've done this before.)”
You prefer to leave the disparaging comments about yourself for later; you have to control yourself, because this one might not.
This is the most important new contractor you've ever had: Giocare Pericolo Cazini.
One of the mafia bosses who belongs to the City of Marín.
In this godforsaken place.
As you are guided by these pairs of walls in the hallway of this ostentatious establishment, you can't help but wonder what someone with such a reputation would call you.
Of course, you have no doubts about your “skills that society would not approve of.”
You should be happy, right? For finally being recognized?
You're on high alert; someone like that definitely hired people in your field long before they were even born, so why call a unknown?
Whether that's what he wants from you or not, you can't slip up. One wrong step and it'll be your first time swimming with the fishes.
It's not like a little water in your lungs would affect you and stop watching those boring movies—
Before the irritating train of thought finishes, you realize one of the bodyguard’s was clearing his voice very loudly to get your damn attention to the door, your final destination.
As the henchperson opens the door with disgust, you can only think about cursing him, because it's not your fault he's so quiet and boring for not getting your attention, but you decide to let it go.
Not doing something for free? Yes.
When you enter your contractor's office, the door behind you closes quickly and loudly, only to make the situation worse.
The “office” was a huge, extravagant living room, similar to those in cheesy mafia movies.
The atmosphere was a mixture of extravagance and false casualness.
Every detail of the place has a somewhat “exotic” decor, each piece of furniture is decorated with a gambling theme, mainly playing cards.
So flashy that it burns my skin.
The air smelled of smoke, but not just any cheap cigarette smoke from the corner store, but the finest brand-name cigars.
The simple fact that there was a roulette-themed ashtray on the table next to a box of cigars that your father's friends smoke.
“(I think he likes gambling.)”
You think sarcastically and mockingly.
In the middle of the sofa was your winner behind the small coffee table, where he was shuffling a deck of cards, next to him was another pair of bodyguard’s.
You think sarcastically and mockingly.
In the middle of the sofa was your winner behind the small coffee table, where he was shuffling a deck of cards, next to him was another pair of bodyguard’s.
Apparently he was just entertaining himself while waiting for you.
“You must be ‘La Bestia Purpura,’ am I right?”
His voice was thick, yet soft with a touch of charm, as if he were trying to show his best side while doing unpleasant business with you, slowly taking his crimson red eyes off the deck of cards.
You sound like a prostitu—
You answer his question without showing any emotion that might give the wrong impression of the situation... and let's say you don't feel like chatting much today.
Cazini gestures for you to sit down in the chair that one of his bodyguard has placed in front of you, while he stretches out a little on the comfortable sofa, still holding the deck of cards.
“Please, sit down. We're in a business meeting.”
You think the situation is more like a job interview, but who cares?
Cazini speaks again, trying to create a false sense of comfort with his charm, while maintaining an air of control over you.
“How was your trip to my humble establishment? Were my cards kind to you?”
“If I may ask, did I really need to go to a dark alley on the other side of town to end up getting a ride here?”
Oh, so you decided to loosen up a little?
To your surprise, the large man in front of you begins to laugh at your question, but not maliciously, rather quietly and in a calculated tone.
“Ah, my apologies for the indirect approach, Señorita Purpura. It comes with the territory, unfortunately.”
“Discretion is everything in our line of work.”
He leaned back on the sofa, his gaze fixed on you, as if testing you.
“But I'm sure you understand the importance of this rule in our profession, don't you, my dear?”
You feel a strange urge to pull every gold tooth out of that disgusting mouth with your own fingers for calling you “my dear.”
Ỵ̷̡̛̭̰̟̘̝͇̹̺͙͇̳̰̳̇̈́͐̋̀̉̄̓̀͆̊̑̈́̔̑̔̽͒͂͆̒̍͐͑̽̚͝E̷̛̲͔̼̱̓̈̋̒͌͂͌̓̇̂̉̈́͝Ŝ̷̢̢̙̱̰͖̙̝͕͖͎̹͌̾̉̈́̌̽́͑̏͂̓̒̈́̾̄̓̐̄̐̀̚̚͜͠
You prefer to ignore yet another of these uncomfortable thoughts and just nod again, wanting to get it over with.
“I'm sorry, but it's not every day that I meet my potential contractor in person.”
You glance briefly at the bodyguard’s standing beside him, accompanied by your ‘beloved’ impassive expression.
“Actually, it's preferable that contractors send their bodyguard’s only to deal with business matters.”
A supposedly happy smile with a sinister touch forms on that golden mouth.
Tsk, looks like he liked it.
S̴̰̺͖͋̀́T̷̥̲͉̫͙͔́͗͑͗͐͒̄̌̆͜Ò̢͓͓̤̹̻̜̰̭̞̾̒̊̀̄̊͗̾̽͗̏̏̆̕͜ͅP̷̡̛̙̭̗͇̒̇̂̒̋̆̅̌̏̂̀͑̉͌̚͜ ̛͈͔̻̼̩̯͓͓̠̦͊̿̄͆̀̊̓̎͝I̶̢̦̭̩͉̬̫̹̮͖̫̹̻̬͍̓̆͐̌̒̇̓̊̐̓̒̑̿̎͂̈́͝͠Ţ̴̧̛̛̯͇̪̥̤̤̤͎̫̬̹̱̟͙̒̈́̽̄̿̆̍̇̈͑̓̌͋̄͘.̷̨̧̧͕̬̼̦̭͈̫̩̼͇̤̠͈͝ͅ
Judging by his expression, you finally decide to bring up the subject that has been bothering you.
“If I may ask, I assume this isn't a regular job, right?”
“Considering you've been in this profession for many years, I assume you have more trustworthy staff.”
Once again, Cazini laughed amusedly at your comments, which irritates you a little because you are in a late-night meeting. If he weren't such a dangerous person, you would have told him to shut up and continue the conversation.
Why not try to get a taste of danger? I bet he would love it coming from a beautiful young woman like you.
Once again, you push the little devil out of your mind because, this is not the time to put up with the antics and absurdities of a troubled mind.
“Ah, you have a sharp tongue, I admit. But you are absolutely right, this will not be an ‘ordinary job’.”
“I have something a little... unconventional in mind.”
He says in a more playful tone of voice, but with a sweet hint of mischief at the end.
His gaze shifted to his bodyguard's, who were standing beside him and gave a single nod.
They understood the command and silently left the room, closing the door behind them.
With that, Cazini turns his gaze back to you, but this time with a serious tone of danger and that bright cat-like smile.
“Tell me, Señorita Purpura, have you ever been to Europe?”
“(What the HELL kind of question is that????)”
You fake a cough, not wanting to falter in front of him, and answer him quickly, despite the confusion that this sudden question has caused in your mind.
Seriously, who asks that in this situation?
“Cough. Sorry, yes, I've been there.”
He continues to question you, as if expecting you to answer correctly.
“Can you get by with the local language?”
Even though you find the situation strange, you still answer him, preventing any flaw in your tone.
“I wouldn't go somewhere without being able to ‘get by’.”
Cazini nodded, still maintaining that gaze that could burn anyone inside you.
“Excellent, that will make things much easier.”
He leaned forward, his eyes shining like embers from a bonfire with a hint of mischief.
“Because, let's say, you're going to be using it quite often in this... special job of mine.”
Looks like someone got the job? Rejoice, you sinner.
Without meaning to, you make a slightly mischievous expression, just because you can imagine the smell of iron in your future, since it's been a while since you've been able to relax a little.
Noticing your slight slip, he nods, looking as if this powerful man approves of your “excitement,” then Cazini shuffles the deck in his hand again, as if choosing a specific card.
“(We're still in a meeting.)”
You think, not wanting to waste any more time, just having to imagine taking your last breath makes you anxious, although this ‘anxiety’ is because you'll have to take the bus back, and it's getting late.
“Oh, my dear. It's a simple but rigorous job, one in which you may have to form false relationships.”
When he finally stops shuffling, he takes out a card and places it on the coffee table with his index finger on it.
He pokes it, as if he wants to project the discomfort he feels to someone else.
His expression changes to something sadistic and vicious, as if he were about to burn an anthill with a magnifying glass.
“I want you to kill Mosley Gumery.”
Gumery? You've heard that name before.
“Isn't he the CEO of Gumery Enterprises?”
Cazini laughed happily again. You're getting tired of this, so he shuffles the cards again.
You suspect he's some kind of... escape valve?
“Ah, you're catching on quickly. Yes, that's right.”
His tone of voice changes to something uncomfortable, as if there were a stone in his shoe.
“Gumery and I have a somewhat... complicated history.”
“Let's just say he's been causing me a fair amount of trouble lately.”
You have a vague feeling that there is something deeper than that, but you prefer to ignore it and assume something that might please his ears with your assertiveness.
Always be careful where you tread.
“Hmm, from what I've heard... there are rumors that he's addicted to gambling.”
“And assuming that ‘The House Always Wins’, Mr. Cazini.”
“Then he must be a dirty cheater.”
Suddenly he crumples it with his big, strong hands, and you can feel the anger building behind that strange smile he still uses to mask his feelings.
HAH! Did you upset him? I wonder what will happen now, silly girl.
Before you can even process your own stupidity, Cazini responds in a more controlled tone, seemingly not wanting to lose his concentration in front of you.
“Forgive me, Señorita Purpura, but just thinking that that bastard rat dared to try to trick me like I was some idiot makes my blood boil a little.”
“As you said, The House Always Wins.”
“(Which side are you on???)”
Even though he knows your target, he still hasn't answered why he's thinking of hiring you. Could it be that---
“You must be thinking, what's the trick? Isn't that right?”
Hmm, it seems someone can see through your “friendly” poker face, my dear.
Despite your desire to dismiss the hypocrisy of that irritating voice, you decide to just keep listening to what your new employer has to say.
“I could very well use some of my best cards to get this job done.”
“But sometimes, solving a problem requires a more... delicate touch.”
As if you had any touch of delicacy in your adorable brutality.
“And that's where you come in.”
“You're skilled, discreet, and most importantly, you don't have the same connections to my family as my letters do.”
He pauses for a moment, his gaze never leaving her as if he were analyzing her.
“And let's just say you have a certain... predatory quality about you that makes you perfect for this job.”
This is getting interesting.
You raise one of your eyebrows at this response, not out of confusion, but out of genuine interest.
“Predatory? Is that what you think of me?”
Cazini picks up one of the spade cards from his deck, carefully observing it as he explains the things he has noticed about you.
“Ever since you walked in, I noticed you've been analyzing every detail in this room and of my lovely subordinates.”
“Like an animal assessing who the real predator is, at least in this territory.”
“Because any predator can become easy prey depending on the habitat, am I right, my Spade?”
The last part he said resonated as he knew about his “nature” or that he approves of or simply shares this behavior.
It seems that someone did their homework.
You turn your head slightly to the side, like a cat that has managed to get your attention, along with a small smile while keeping your eyes cold, but not as a sign of mockery, but because of a small emotion running through you with the words of your possible new Contractor: Contentment.
“What can I say? Despite all this evolution, we still follow the same rules.”
Something that humans try to hide every day when they wake up in their miserable rooms, always with that amusing and tragic feeling of fear in the back of their minds.
Fear of not knowing if today they will finally receive the affectionate and cold embrace of death, they feel so much fear that they do unbelievable and cruel things to see another ray of sunshine in the morning.
This feeling will never go away and will follow them until their last breath. Isn't that the funniest thing you've ever seen?
With these morbid thoughts, your smile, which was a protest, slowly fades away, because you're doing it again...
R̷̭̱̫̼̠̈́è̴̡̢͈̹͚̲̻͚̮̘̠͈́̆̆̄̏͗m̵̢̺̩̱͍̼̳̞͇̜̬̓ͅe̶̖̙̟͙̺͍̅͊̀̏́̀̽̓̂̽͐̌͝͝ͅm̴̡̮̜̠̋͊̌̎̈́̓̌b̵̛͇̈́̀̊̓̿̅̉̂̍̕͘͝ȩ̴͍̀̍͗̌̅̆̀͗̑̃͝͠͠r̴̛̛̺̝̍͗́̽̈́̔̾͋̂́̕͝ĭ̯̗͔̠͔̪̘̯͂ņ̶̺̲̪̩̯̰̠͂̇̾̆̿g̴̢͉̩͐̎̈́̋̅̓̔͆̊̈́͊͒͠ ̴̨͈̙̗̹͍͍̜̪̃̇̊̏̌́̈́̆͂ẙ̵̡̧̨͚̘̹̣̍͗̀͆̅̈́͆̚ö̴̢̢̞̞̤̝̼̘͚̣́̓͋̍̇̄̕͜ͅų̵̗̝̰͉̪͕͑̽̈́͑̍͋͆͆̽̌́̓͘r̵͉̺̗̩͓̩̈̈́̈̈͋͐̈́̃͝ ̴͈̜̿p̵̨͖̙̑̈́͐͋͂̿͆́͝͝ļ͙̥͓à̷͇͍͕͖̰͓̜͚͉̤̹̣c̵̹̠̱̙̹̠̘̥̘̩͍̓̒́̈́̌́̑̚͜͜è̶̥̬̖͇͈̦͍̟̈́̅͐̄͐̃̈̿̒͘͝͝,̷̗͚͇͚̝̠͍͙̀͆̓̔̊̔̀͗͑ ̵͉̗̪̬̠̞̱̻͕̜̂͗̄̽̓͊͌͒̊͐̅͘͝m̵̢̡̧͙̮̖̦̬̠̳̳͑̏͑̏̑͝ŷ̵̠̟̂̊͆ ̵̭̳̣́͂̂̈́̏̽̈́͋̏͝ď̻̥̭̘́̾̉̉ê̺̤̦̎ā̵̱̩̳̩̻͉̞̲̯͙̫̬͕̣̊̀̔̒̐̍͛̒̉̎̈̿̚r̶̢̧̟͔̫͙̪̤̬̳̔̇̔͐͑̓͛̅̕͠?͚̩͈̪͍̼̇̓̀͗̂̓
“But I need to be sure that you'll give me a good hand, Señorita Purpura.”
Cazini's voice pulls you out of these decadent thoughts, while reaffirming his mastery of the situation with metaphors from games of chance.
“Only God knows how bad it is for someone to play without looking at their own cards?”
He says it as if it were the most casual thing in the world, but only a fool would fail to realize that it was a veiled threat.
These mobsters don't mess around when they're on the job.
You lean forward, sharing his intense gaze, and respond with the same level of seriousness, without hesitation.
“Only a fool would play without looking at his own cards, Mr. Cazini, but you know that very well.”
“And I guarantee you won't have any Dead Man's Hand with me. On the contrary, you'll have a beautiful and sharp; Royal Flush.”
With these words, you finally saw a genuine smile of pleasure on this man's face. It seems you have finally managed to please him.
“Then I suppose we're in agreement.”
Then your new employer snaps his fingers, causing the same pair of bodyguard's to open the door and come back inside, but this time with some documents in their hands.
In front of you, Cazini takes one of the fancy cigars from the box and lights it without bothering about your presence in the room. You wouldn't mind if you were at least outside or if he offered you one, but it's better to keep quiet.
After lighting the cigar, he gestures to one of the bodyguard's to hand you the documents while taking a puff on that attractive cigar.
“Everything you need to know about your ‘service’ is in these folders: the work location, the car number, ‘favorite’ employees, everything you need.”
"Don't worry about accommodation or travel expenses, someone will accompany you both there and back."
"When it's over, of course."
The fact that he did all this to kill a cheater only increases your suspicion, but again he chooses to ignore it for your “own good” and replaces it with a happier thought; because you won't have to spend his own money, YAY!
“The payment will be half and half, just for security...”
‘For security’ just means he doesn't trust you.
“(That's good. Only an idiot would make a full payment at once.)”
With the document in hand, you decide to take a quick peek at what awaits you, hoping it's from the target in question, but you end up being surprised....
“Why did you give me the documents from his secretary?”
Once again, he allows himself another puff on that cigar that costs more than his head, then replies as he exhales the carcinogenic smoke from his lungs.
“Remember when I said about ‘forming false relationships’?”
“Unfortunately, my Spade.”
“Mr. Gumery is a damn slippery rat, even my best cards had trouble getting close to him.”
“And let's just say he's a little suspicious...”
“(Considering he's being targeted by the mafia, it's no surprise.)”
You frown slightly as you read the document about the secretary.
I hope it's not another one of those clichés about the boss having carnal relations with the servant.
S̷̱̠̃̽͑́̽ͅĮ̶̱̫̝͙̳̭̝͒͌͋̆͋͛̆̿̿̈́͐̍̔̕L̷̨̦̰̝̦̑̅̀̒̾̆Ĕ̴̯̜͕̹̺͓̹̤͓̬͈̔͗̈́͑ͅǸ̴̡̢̙̝̥͈̱̺͉̱̣̟̂̓̿̀̄̕C̛̹̳͇̒͌͆̃͒̍̉̈͆̈́̽̕͝Ē̶̡̜̪͙̭̙͚̗͜͜!̷̢̳͙̂̿̈́͛͂̽̽̑̅̀̎̇͐ͅ
“So you expect me to convince her to tell a stranger all of Gumery's schedules?”
“If I may offer my opinion, it's very—”
Before you could finish your sentence, Cazini's clenched fist slammed down on the table with a loud thud, startling you slightly and reminding you very clearly of your place.
“With all due respect, my Spade, it's not ‘how,’ but that you ‘will’ succeed!”
“Like you said before, are you my Royal Flush or are you not a good hand like you say?”
Someone dropped the mask. How do you feel about that, my dear?
Part of you is giving in to the idea of pulling out every gold tooth from that man, but with rusty, blunt pliers... but since you can't, you decide to swallow your tears!
You force yourself not to frown, while maintaining your usual expression of total indifference.
“I'm sorry if I seemed bold, it was just a mere concern.”
“As you said before; discretion is everything in our line of work.”
“And I care about the quality of service to my client.”
A great flatterer, that brings back fond memories.
Despite your disagreement with that annoying little voice, you can't deny that the effect was desirable.
It seems you've managed to please him again, even if you have to fight the urge to jump on his neck and tear his windpipe apart with your own fangs....
“No need to worry, my spade.”
“I admit I let myself get carried away again, unfortunately this is a ‘job’ that is giving me a lot of headaches.”
"(Really? I didn't even notice.)
Again, you think sarcastically and mockingly.
He speaks again, as he tries to return to his charming mafia boss persona.
“But to ease your concerns, know that this woman has plenty of reasons to talk.”
“Let's just say that Mr. Gumery isn't the easiest boss to get along with, and my team has informed me that her ‘quiet’ life isn't very pleasant.”
“At first, I imagine she's not exactly thrilled about the idea of a new ‘friend’ in her life.”
“But I have no doubt that someone as.....charming as you, Señorita Purpura, can find a way to change her mind.”
“And who knows? You might even get her to spill some dirt on him.”
“Then you will not only end my suffering, but also that of this poor lady from such a despicable being.”
You can't deny that part of you finds it funny that he's trying to flatter you after that little outburst of anger, while another part finds it an insult to your intelligence, but whatever.
"I understand. I promise I'll do my best, Mr. Cazini."
Cazini's mouth breaks into a broad smile, satisfied with his promise.
"Excellent. I have no doubt that you will be very convincing."
He looks at the clock on the wall, a playing card-themed clock, which is the tackiest thing you've ever seen, but you notice that your new employer's expression is becoming a little more serious.
Then he turns his gaze back to you, with a false tone of charming animosity.
“I believe it's time for you to leave, Señorita Purpura.”
“We don't want to arouse suspicion, do we?”
You just nod, as there was no reason to waste any more breath.
Your contractor looks at the bodyguards beside him and snaps his fingers to get their attention.
“Mi corazón, could you escort her out?”
You notice that the bodyguard blushes and giggles like a teenager being complimented by her crush, in contrast to her previous impassive expression.
That reminds me of someone...
You want to strangle that little devil in your head for saying that, but you'd end up strangling yourself...
Although it would be very tempting.
As you were being guided to the door with “corazón,” your new employer decided he wasn't quite done with you yet.
He picks up his cigar with two fingers, making a “be quiet” gesture with this little tumor-causing chimney.
“Be absolutely sure that your name won't be linked to me. The last thing I want is for my name to be linked to another crime, my Spade?”
“It's not good for business.”
You turn your head without looking directly at him, smiling a little with a mixture of boldness and predatory intent, showing your large canines.
“No one knows the Gravekeeper's name.”
He simply nods in response, seeming satisfied with your meeting.
“Excellent, then I'll leave you to your good work.”
“I'll be eagerly awaiting your... results, Señorita Purpura.”
With that, you can finally leave accompanied by the bodyguard from this “office” and soon from this flashy establishment, after a long bus ride paid for by the henchman, you managed to arrive safely at your apartment.
After unlocking your apartment and jumping into your comfortable, warm bed, you finally have the opportunity to carefully read the documents for your ‘work’, especially the document about the person you are supposed to approach.
“Renee Graves, nice to meet you.”
