King of Hearts
Chapter 23 – Prove Your Worth.
Twig's POV, Los Angeles, Midnight.
I sat outside a midsize apartment building that was said to be one of Don Cora's leading drug and weapon producers. Don Verno is sending me here to prove my worth. I expected nothing less and I'll kill everyone in here if that's what it takes to gain his trust.
I was unarmed. Don Verno didn't exactly hand me a gun before I left. Guess I'll have to make do till I can find one. Shouldn't be a problem if this is a weapon factory.
As I scoped out the building, I found there to be two ways in. The front door, or the fire escape. The one to choose seemed obvious.
Making my way to the alley I looked up to see the windows all boarded up and locked.
I'll find a way through somehow.
As quietly as I could, I took hold of the ladder and began my climb up to the fourth floor. The apartment was said to be on this floor. Or the whole floor my luck.
As I got on the railing, I ducked next to the window to try and peek through the boards.
Inside was dark. Not a soul moving about the room. Maybe their all asleep.
The boards still kept me from getting in however. There has to be a way.
Climbing my way up to the roof, I found an air vent that looked open. As I neared, I saw it was and popped my head in to see it led inside.
Gently putting my legs in first, I carefully spread wide in the vent to prevent my body from falling straight down, and in a cautious move, I began to inch my way down till I was stopped by a vent that lead into the level below.
Carefully moving my foot down to tap on the vent, I noticed it was fairly loose.
While my legs kept me from falling, I tried my best to reach down with my hand. To my amazement I was able to move the vent cover off and force it to side of the ceiling.
Now there was only one way down.
In speed, I released my feet and took a leap down onto the floor below.
My legs generated a decent thump as I found myself in a maintenance room.
As I took a look of my surroundings I found a screwdriver resting on a metal shelf.
Gripping it into my palm I made haste for the door.
As I opened it wide, I took notice it was just a hallway leading to the stairs.
Quickly and quietly I made my way to the stairwell and began my descent till I found myself back on the fourth floor.
The door leading onto the floor was locked, and quickly getting on my knees I pulled out my credit card and began to slide it between the lock.
After some effort it worked.
"Click."
Cautiously now, I opened it to find the lights off and every door opened.
As I walked through, I remembered the thick smell of cocaine all around me. It was like a cloud.
Placing my hand on my nose, I held my breath and made my way down the hall till the first room was on my left. As I peeked inside, I found a guard sleeping along a mattress that was set up on the floor. Verno was right, this is a Cora operation. I could tell by the light blue dress pants he wore as he slept.
Slowly making my way inside, I approached the man and forcefully gripped him under the chin.
His eyes immediately shot open as I covered his mouth and slammed the driver down into his throat.
Blood gagged up and made it's way on my palm as I held him down.
His arm swung back for me, but due to his ability to react he gave and stopped moving.
Checking his face to see he was dead, I rested his body back down on the mattress and quickly searched him for a weapon.
To my luck I found a pistol next to his resting place.
I quickly checked the clip, and after I saw it was loaded I placed it in my other hand and continued my way to the next room.
As I looked through, I found it filled with nothing but weapons and bags of coke. Most of the guns were AR-15s. Other smaller one looked like MP5s and smaller handguns. With no need to enter further, I crouched my way to the last few rooms.
Inside I found two more men sleeping softly.
Calmly moving aside to the last room, I looked in to find three more, but this time all awake playing cards. All of them looked high. Cora's men are just as drugged out as him.
Quietly moving back to the other room, I entered to approach the sleeping men.
As I got close, I reached to take the man closest by the neck. Same as I did the one previous. However as the screwdriver made it's way inside the man, I looked up to see the second guard waking up.
His back was facing me and as the first still struggled to die, I stared forward as he looked back to see me killing his friend.
Not a word was said, but as fast as he could he reached for his gun that was a foot from his side.
In speed, I leaped forward while ripping out the screwdriver from the nearly dead guard and immediately tackled the man onto the floor.
His gun kicked aside as I intercepted him, and in all my power I slammed the driver through his forehead.
Blood splashed my hand as I heard the other man attempting to call for help.
"Hen..ry!"
With all I had, I leaped back and finished him off by putting the driver's tip through the back of his head.
Thinking I was safe, I looked back to the door to hear.
"What was that?"
My heart ran fast as I quickly pinned my back along the edge of the door.
In the other room the men stood up from their game and I began to panic as I heard them coming.
Gripping onto the screwdriver and making sure my gun was ready, I waited for the body of the first guard to walk inside.
"What the fuck!?" He shouted as I came forward from behind him to pull his body back into mine.
The other two guards went for their guns as I forced us around.
They both widened eyes and attempted to move as I opened fire.
"BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!"
Bad luck however for the first man, I pinned him into the wall behind him; with four direct rounds to his chest.
In speed, the last guard who ran into the other room, pulled the corner to aim at me.
"BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!"
The rounds drilled the man I used as a shield, and as he went to take cover I fired off a single round.
"BANG!"
A spark flew as I managed to hit his gun on the barrel, sending it off to the dark.
The man quickly reacted by running for the exit.
In force I pushed the dead body I now held to the ground, and ran after him.
The guard I now chased had entered the stairwell and with everything I had I charged him from behind.
In fear he looked back to see me with my arms out.
Before he could react, I took hold of his neck and powered him down the stairs.
His back broke on the steps as I sent my fist down into his mouth.
"Bash!"
Teeth shattered from my knuckles, and in anger I continued to assault him.
"Bash! Bash! Bash! Bash!"
Blood and pain now infused with the man as I reached for my weapon that had slid a foot away from the fall.
In rage, I took hold of it and pinned it down his throat.
"BANG!"
The back of his head cracked open with nothing but blood to cover the floor as I stared into his opened eyes.
Sirens soon made my ears go up as I broke through my own focus to get up and head for the exit.
The second I made it to the sidewalk I found the cops coming.
As fast as I could I ran until the sound of the law became nothing but a blur.
With air gasping into my lungs, and my legs screaming in pain from my own wounds. I pulled out my phone to dial Don Verno who was kind enough to hand me over his number before I left.
As it rang I continued to head back for the compound.
"Is it done?" He asked the second he answered.
"Yes sir." I replied as he then ordered.
"Come back to the compound. I wana talk to you."
"I'll be there." I stated as he then hung up.
With the night sky above and my anger inside, I made my walk back to the compound to find the gate guard already ready for me.
"Don Verno wants you to report to the office."
"Got it." I replied as he let me through on my limp.
The guard watched as I made my way inside. And as the compound soon neared me, I saw that hedgehog from before making his way out. We stared at one another in a deep silence, and as he was about to pass he nodded towards me.
I didn't give any response as I entered the compound to find Don Verno exactly where he said he would be.
He smiled at me as I shut the door, and as I turned back he said.
"Seems like your legit Twig. The place you hit is already on the news."
"That was fast." I stated as he nodded and urged me with his hand to sit.
"With war between the families and the drug game in this city. A bust is exactly what the cops want and the people need to hear. Don Cora will be traced back to it in no time and I assume the police will apply the pressure he tries so hard to avoid. In time he will retaliate and I want you there to make sure he fails."
Nodding I replied.
"Whatever you want Don Verno it will get done."
Don Verno gazed at me seeing I was now truthful and calmly replying.
"I think you'll fit in perfect with this family. I need someone like you Twig. You keep doing what I need done and you'll find yourself in a position many die to see."
My face held strong in anger as he then said.
"Now since you proved your reliable. I would like to know more about your situation so I can help you."
"Whatever you need to know, just ask." I assured him as he nodded slowly.
Don Verno went silent after that, and I watched and waited as he got himself a glass of whiskey from the edge of his desk. As soon as it was poured he asked.
"What does this Remp fellow of yours look like?"
As he began to drink his shot I replied.
"He's a wolf. Dark red coat and brown eyes. About my height and around two hundred pounds. Also has a scar from a bullet he almost took to the eye back on our first heist."
Gently putting down the glass Verno replied.
"I can work with it for now. Where do you think he would flee?"
I got stood up by the question as I tried to place my bets.
"I wouldn't put it by him to leave the states as soon as possible. He always talked about going to Rome once he retired. Besides that I wouldn't know to be honest."
Don Verno still held his gaze on me as he poured another glass, but this time he handed it to me.
In respect I took it and said.
"Thank you."
Giving me a smile, he watched as I chugged it down with one gulp.
After I set back down the glass on the table he replied.
"I'll do what I can to find your man. But if you want this you better be ready to fight for it."
Nodding I replied.
"I'm willing to die for it."
Verno took note and replied.
"Don Cora I assume will hit one of my local shipments coming from New York. When he does I want you there to stop him in his tracks."
With a straight face I replied.
"They won't see me coming."
With a wider smile Don Verno replied.
"Good. I expect no less from you then."
As things went silent between us, I began to watch him reach into his desk.
With a gentle toss he handed me a stack of cash.
With wide eyes I asked.
"What for?"
"Two things." He replied as I stared at him.
"The first is doing what your told and making my life easier."
With a nod I listened as he looked right into my eyes.
"The second is to get yourself a suit. I can't have you walking around in nothing less then the family colors."
Calmly putting the money in my pocket I replied.
"Thank you sir."
With a smile Don Verno offered me his hand. As I took it he replied.
"That's just the beginning Twig. You do this for me and I'll see to it your paid respectfully in return."
As we now shook, I see I have made my mark on him. He trusts me. That's what I need right now.
"You may leave now Twig. I'll call you with the directions to the warehouse tomorrow morning. Be dressed and prepared to fight."
Nodding as I got out of my seat before him I replied.
"Yes Don Verno."
Don Verno now watched as I made my way for the door.
"And Twig!" He shouted as I looked back.
"Thank you." He said with a smile as I nodded and left his office.
As the door was soon shut, the guards looked to me in confusion.
Not a word was said however as I walked by and back out into the dark.
