The Power Couple

2

The numbers are unsettling, to say the least.

It has been decades since any type of organization has been able to strike this kind of blow against the Moretti. Names accompanied the list of losses, but the faces of those who failed to keep the Moretti's assets secured mean little to Adrian. If even one member had been foolish enough to turn rank and flee to safety, they would have lived long enough to give him a report before he lodged a bullet in their head. 

"You have no information on who is behind this?" The boss' voice is cool, even, his attention focused out the window of his office. He studies the Greenside city line as if he has never seen it before, an indication of how much thought he is putting into their current problem.

"So far I have been able to confirm who it isn't," Adrian admits. The taste of the confession is sour on his throat; information has always been his forte. "None of our past conflicts come into play."

"A new challenger. Fascinating. What do you propose, Adrian?"

It is the type of question better suited for one of the boss' advisors. At that moment, Adrian imagines there are probably four of them waiting outside the office doors, clamoring for a chance to impress their superior with a 'brilliant' strategy. As the boss's left-hand, Adrian's job is technically that of carrying out orders, not suggesting their course of action. However, Thomas has never been a typical mafia head.

Adrian drums his finger on his thigh, his unbandaged eye shifting to study the scene outside the window. "We need more information, better information gatherers."

"The time it will take to train our people is too significant. By the time we have answers it may be too late," Thomas hums. "Our organization has always excelled at the more overt strategies, I have not been boss long enough to balance our skill set." 

There is a hint of satisfaction in Thomas's voice, at odds with the words of resignation leaving his lips. It pulls Adrian's attention away from the city to study his boss. "You already have a plan."

"For once, this plan is not my own." Thomas reaches into his blazer and pulls out an envelope, passing it to Adrian as a slight smirk crosses his lip.

Curiosity now piqued, Adrian turns the envelope over in his hands, trying to determine its contents before opening it and pulling out the note. It is handwritten, the script elegant and steady. It reads, for all the world, like an invitation to a local cafe thats famous for its private tables. The signature is what sends Adrian's mind into overdrive.

He lets out a low whistle. "An alliance with the Remotigues? Half of our people will lose their minds."

"Which is precisely why I have already informed the advising council that I am opposed to such action. It is unfortunate that my lieutenant is so ambitious and stubborn that he attended the meeting in my place." The smirk on Thomas's lips takes a sharp edge. "While you speak with the Remotigues I will assign the most avid protesters to command the doomed efforts against our mysterious enemy."

Adrian considers the proposed date on the note, just two days away. It is not much time to prepare a negotiation tactic with the Moretti's oldest rivals. "Their information gathering abilities are unparalleled, as is their political reach. Combined with our numbers and money we could drive this new group out of the ports with minimal losses. Of course, if they turn on us there will be many calling for our heads."

"The woman who leads them now is an astute negotiator, I do not believe she will pick a fight she cannot win. I also assume she has a strong offer, otherwise, she might have waited for us to possibly reach out to her." Thomas leans back in his seat, raising an eyebrow at the younger man. "I leave this in your hands, Adrian. Consider it good practice for the day when I am no longer around and you have taken my place." 

Being the boss who formed an alliance between the two strongest yakuza groups in the port region would be an impressive statistic. If Adrian can pull this off, there would be no contest to his claim to the title upon Thomas's eventual death. If Adrian fails, he will likely die in a blaze of fire.

It sounds like a win-win situation for him.