Forbidden Desires: A DARK ROMANCE NOVEL

Chapter 6

Mickey drums his fingers on the table, going over what Peter has said so far.

"When did you set up this meeting?"

"A few hours before your arrival in Seattle."

"And you didn't think to tell me about it when we met at the airport?"

"You had just arrived and I felt you needed to rest for at least, a few hours before I begin to bombard you with matters relating to the Mafia."

Mickey slowly nods, satisfied with his answer. "Fair enough. Where am I meeting with this kid? Though, I'm still shocked you were able to convince his team to agree to the meeting."

"At the organization's warehouse, about an hour from here. And as for convincing them, I can be very...... persuasive."

Mickey snorts. By persuasive, Peter probably means he threatened them or has some dirt or leverage against them. This is how the Mafia works anyway, everyone has dirt on everyone, something strong enough to make them cave or do things they normally would not do.

Not me, though, Mickey thinks. I won't give my enemies anything to use against me. No weaknesses, no dirt. The more reason I need to get that fücking mask.

"We had better get going then, if we want to get to the meeting on time." He says and downs the remaining content in his cup. He drops a few dollar bills on the table and together with Peter, they step out of the shop.

"Before we head to the meeting location, I need to make a few stops." Mickey says once they're both seated in the car with Peter at the driver seat and Mickey at the backseat.

On a normal day, Mickey will not let Peter or anyone drive him around. He prefers to drive himself rather than depend on someone else. Driving himself puts him at ease but since Peter is the only one who knows the exact location of the meeting, he has no choice but to let him take over the driving.

Looking at him through the rearview mirror, Peter asks. "Why? Do you want to get something?"

Mickey slowly nods. "I need to get a mask, a voice enhancement device and a proper outfit for the meeting because I'm pretty sure a T-shirt, joggers and military boots isn't going to intimidate anyone."

"With a body like yours, I'm pretty sure it will."

Mickey snorts. "I look more like a bodyguard than a soon to be Mafia Don. First impression even in the underworld matters. If we want to be taken seriously, we have to look the part."

"Don't forget we're meeting with a fourteen year old, I doubt he'll give two shits about the way you're dressed."

"He might not but the people around him definitely will. They have quite a lot of influence on him now that his father is dead and he's the one to take over."

"You do have a point," Peter murmurs.

"Also... Don't underestimate him because he's fourteen. We don't know what kind of training he's had. He's probably quite capable of taking care of himself if his father's men haven't turned on him yet."

"Or they're waiting for the right time to or probably just too loyal to the father to betray the son." Peter adds.

Mickey doesn't dispute his theory. They honestly won't know just what kind of fourteen year old they'll be dealing until they meet him. "Guess we'll just have to see for ourselves."

XXXX

Mickey is seated at an oval wooden table, waiting for the arrival of his host. He is dressed in an expensive and well tailored black designer suit and on his face is a very huge black Dragon head mask which he uses as a form of honoring his former boss who was known and is still known as the Black Dragon of the underworld. On his neck is a voice enhancer device that makes his voice sound deeper than it actually is and more intimidating.

He drums his fingers on the oakwood table impatiently. He doesn't like being kept waiting and this is definitely not a good impression.

He looks across the table at Peter who seems incredibly relaxed.

"Where is the goddamn child. My patience is running thin."

Peter checks his watch. "They should be here any minute now."

"That's what you said five minutes ago!" Mickey growls which makes Peter sighs. Mickey is right, the people are almost ten minutes late and Mickey is getting angrier by the second which isn't good.

"If they aren't here in the next three minutes, I'm leaving and trust me, they're gonna regret keeping me waiting."

At that exact moment, the door to the conference room opens and in walks two hefty looking men, both flanking a lanky and pale looking boy who looked to be about fourteen.

"Thank goodness!" Peter mutters under his breath.

Mickey watches as the boy swallows a gulp of saliva and cautiously makes his way to the table, making sure to sit far away from Mickey.

Mickey's lips curl up to form a smirk. This should be fun.

"You must be Austin, the poor boy whose dad was stupid enough to get caught in a trap and then blown into smithereens." Mickey intentionally phrases it that way to gauge a reaction from the boy and it works.

"My father wasn't stupid!" Austin yells, slamming his fists down on the table and standing up, his face red with anger.

"Austin!" One of the men, calls. "Control yourself!"

Austin sighs but sits down back. "Sorry," he murmurs.

Now, Mickey's interest is piqued. The boy has potential.

"I'll like to talk to you concerning some issues.... Alone."

Austin looks at the men but they shake their heads. "I'm afraid we can't allow that." The man who had call him to order, says. "Austin is still too young to attend meetings without supervision to prevent him from being manipulated into making hasty decisions."

Mickey notices how he refers to him as Austin and not 'the boss'.

"Well, that won't work. I want to speak to the boss alone or this meeting is as good as over."

Austin narrows his eyes at Mickey when he refers to him as 'the boss'.

Mickey turns his attention to him. "As your father's successor, irrespective of how old you are, you have every right to decide if you want them here or not. They'll have no choice but to listen to you."

Austin stares at Mickey in silence. To Austin, Mickey looks really intimidating with the dragon head mask and the deep and slightly husky voice, still, there is something about him that piques Austin's interest.

Perhaps, this guy will be able to help me with my little problem. He thinks to himself.

"Leave us. I also wish to speak to him in private. You have nothing to worry about, I'll be fine."

"But...." The earlier guy begins to protest but Austin raises his palm, shutting him up.

"No arguments. As you new boss, it is your duty to do as I say. Leave us!"

Both men scowl, they do not enjoy being controlled by a mere fourteen year old with no experience in anything relating to the Mafia and who was spoilt silly by his father.

Austin is right, though. Now that his father is dead, he is the new boss and they have no choice but to do as he says. Without another word, they nod and step out, giving them the privacy they asked for.

Mickey looks at the door but Austin's words draw his attention away. "You have nothing to worry about, the room is soundproofed."

"I guessed as much, still...." He pauses then looks at Peter. "Go after them, keep an eye on them and make sure they don't try anything stupid."

"You go it." Peter nods and walks out of the room, leaving just Mickey and Austin together.

"Aren't you worried that I might try to hurt you?" Mickey asks.

"No. You're here because you want something and you won't jeopardize it getting it by harming me."

"Smart but also stupid. You still have a long way to go if you want to survive in the Mafia world."

"Enough. You're here for a reason but I'm pretty sure that reason does not include lecturing me on my inexperience. I've heard enough of that from my father's men to last me a very long time and I don't need to hear more."

My father's men and not my men. Taking over the organization may be easier than he thought.

"Lecturing you is on my list of reasons but not the priority."

"Considering the meeting I've had with others like you, I might have an idea on what it is you want from me."

Mickey opens his mouth to talk but the boy cuts him off. "I'm not finished."

Mickey frowns but then relaxes. Sometimes, it's best your enemies think they have the control and power over things, to make them think they're the ones calling the shot and when they let their guard down, you'll swoop right in, taking everything from them from right under their noses. Austin is naive and can be easily manipulated. If he thinks he can speak to me however he likes because of the little time he has spent running his father's business, then he is sorely mistaken.

What being a member of a Mafia organization taught Mickey is to be patient, everything in due time.

"I want you to get rid of some people for me and I just might consider partnering up with you," Austin says and gets an arched brow from Mickey.