Chapter 4 : A Leader's Sacrifice

My ear rang at the sound of Al's name being mentioned, my heart dropped down in despair. I was ready to fall down if it wasn't for Adrian who held me by the shoulders. When I turned to glance at him, his face was filled with tremendous worry. Kalem hurried to our side and his face is full of concern and fear from what I can tell.

"Tell me everything" I looked over my dad's hand clenching around until it was shaking.

"The whole appointment, I-IT WAS ALL BUT A RUSE!!" Murmurs began to grow in the lobby as our whole Family immediately became aware of the situation.

"Traitors, I should have seen it coming" Kalem hissed under his breath.

"Where's AL?! Where's my brother?!"

I screamed in panic as tears began to swell up in my eyes, everyone even my dad turned to look at me in shock. I know that over time Al likes to get in trouble or even go on turf wars. But even after all of that, he would always come back here, with or without newly made injuries. I began to shake in the fear of something terrifying happening to him. God, please no...

"Lenny, calm down"

"How can I be calm, Adrian?!" I turned to him and yelled right at his face, making him flinch in shock.

"Lenna!" My dad scolded me with a harsh tone, silencing me in an instant as he glared at me with concerned but stern eyes. After a few seconds, he turned back to the injured henchman, while the maids and butlers brought the ones limping back to the infirmary of the mansion hurriedly.

"Go on"

"Master Alphonse was just checking on the goods, we were on the lookout right behind him. It all went fine until all of the dealers stuck out their guns and weapons at us. We didn't see it coming, Master Alphonse immediately told us to fall back. But then, we realized that they weren't alone. Another Family was involved in all of this. There were about fifty or more of them in total, we're outnumbered."

He took a gasp of air in between, while I stood there in fear as he continued to tell the tale.

"We were cornered like rats in a maze, but Master Alphonse did his best to lead us away from it. Yes, we have to fight some of them, because we had no choice. Gunshots were fired, pipes and sharp weapons were wielded, we tried our best to escape the whole situation. He mostly took the hit to protect us, shielding us from the strikes they're aiming at us. It seemed all of it was going to be fine, with his skillful way to fight bare-handed to bout. All of us took out our guns and started to aim at them." His face went gloomy as the story goes,

"B-but then.."

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Earlier...

The Henchman's POV

"KEEP GOING, I'LL HOLD 'EM BACK!!" Master Alphonse shouted as he began to strike the upcoming goons with his fist and shot the other with his Revolver.

"GOT IT!!" All of us henchmen shouted in sync as we barged our way through the alleyway. Shadows of swift movements swept right against us, hitting us in various parts of our body. I looked back at Master fighting off as he caught up with us. Pointing his gun backward with his body turned to the sides and started to shoot rounds.

"SHOULD HAVE KNOWN THOSE BACK-STABBING BASTARDS WOULD DO THIS!! AND INVOLVING 'THAT' FAMILY?! TO FUCKING HELL WITH THEM ALL!!"

He shouted as he swung his revolver sideways and filled the rounds with bullets from his pocket. Just then, one of us fell down on the concrete road and groaned. While the four of us went on forward, my eyes are focused on Master Alphonse turning back to sprint towards our fallen comrade. He rushed towards the fallen man and started to fight back in order to defend us all. Blood-curdling yells and screams of agony began to pour behind me, that could only mean one thing.

"GET AWAY FROM HIM, YOU SCUMBAGS!!" A roar shouted, wicked snickers came right after it.

Master Alphonse has gone into his mad state, the one side you don't want to provoke while he's on the streets. When he's in this state, it won't matter if he actually kills someone by accident, the only thing he knows is to eliminate the enemy forces.

"YOU'RE GOING TO REGRET THE DAY YOU WERE BORN RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW!! THE ONES WHO PICKS A FIGHT WITH MY CREW ARE GOING TO DIE BY MY HANDS!!"

His warcry rang throughout the air as noises of broken bones, punches, and gunshots spread across the field. Cries of pain and body dropping down followed after, I quickly went to my struggling crew. I threw his arm over my shoulder as I watched a scene as if it was just one of those carnage moments in a movie unfolding before my eyes.

There he stands, his upper body heaving up and down with his gloved fists dripping with what it seems blood, pooling beside his shoes. An ominous snarl growled from him as his body turned around.

The area around his lips and cheeks are covered in splatters of blood, the menacing aura filled the air around him as countless bodies laid behind him. His fangs looked like they could dig themselves deep into the surface of my skin and rip it off almost in an instant. My legs were about to let loose when his gaze softened up, worry-filled Blue eyes staring right at the two of his own men, including me.

He then rushed to my side and helped to support the left side of his crew. Judging by the bruises on his cheeks and limping body, he's had more than he could handle. The adrenaline driving him earlier must have disappeared, causing reality to hit his physique with limitations. His body trembled as he tried to lift his own body and our comrade's, sibilating lowly when both of us finally stood up

"Boss! You shouldn't be doing this, we need to get you out of here fast-"

"What good is a leader if they leave for their own good while their crew suffers? To get my crew back safely is my responsibility, I'M NOT LEAVING YOU GUYS BEHIND!" He replied with a shout as our remaining crew continued to find a way for us to escape.

"He's there, my Lord!!" A yell came from across the alleyway, signaling all of us to fasten up the pace.

"C'mon! We couldn't give up just yet!" Master Alphonse replied

We ran and ran, through narrow spaces, turns, everything that we could to ensure our chances of making it out of here. The six of us managed to get away from those goons, for now, that is. With me and Master carrying the injured man as three others led the way and secured us.

Streams of footsteps began to rile up, as it got louder and louder by the second. Master rotated his head back and let out a hissy curse. He then let go and started to shoot rounds with his gun, positioning himself behind all of us.

"There!" He turned his body forward and yelled, making us follow to where his index finger is aiming at.

Master Alphonse pointed at an opening, a secret path, usually used by our crew leading straight back to the mansion, my heart raced high in hope. All of us nodded and quickly tried to reach the spot, the light in the dark.

But before any of us could make it there, a single gunshot fired through the air, and Master's scream came after. When I turned to look around, what I could only see was Master Alphonse falling to the ground hard as he groaned in pain. The five of us stopped in our tracks, horrified as Master laid on the ground taking a hold of his left leg.

I turned to one of my comrades and signaled him, "Take him with you, I will go help the Boss!"

"Roger that, you two! Help him!" He replied as he jerked his head towards our crew. "On it!" The two men shouted in response as they trailed behind me.

I rushed to his side, with him dragging his own body to sit up against the wall.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, DAMN IT ALL!!" His brows furrowed together intensely as he shut his eyes close, holding back the pain.

He shakingly rolled the cloth of the left side of his pants up, blood spurting all over his skin as a part of it got pierced through by what seemed to be a bullet. His own blood began to pool beneath him, cold sweat flowing through his temple. He cursed many times as I looked back and forth at my crew, unsure what to do. I, as his second-hand man, need to take initiative.

"Both of you, give us some time!" The two of them nodded and began to hold the enemy behind. While I started to compress the wound which made Master cry in pain, gritting his teeth as his eyes peeked to the wound. His head turned to the direction the others went, his left hand suddenly grabbed my forearm tightly.

"Go.." He muttered

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Did I hear it wrong? I swung my head upwards in a hurry to reach his gaze, a stern glare appeared across his face.

"W-what?! Boss, you can't be-"

"I SAID GO!! THIS IS A DIRECT ORDER, LEAD THE REST TO SAFETY!! HURRY OR YOUR ASSES ARE GOING TO GET CAUGHT UP IN ALL OF THIS! " He shouted in my face, shoving my hand away from his open wound.

"I'll figure somethin' out, for now, get you and your men out of here." He coughed abruptly a few times.

"But what if-" A hand rose itself in front of my face, cutting my words while there are still more that I wanted to blurt out

"Wasn't I clear enough?"

He started to push his right leg up and hold unto the wall to steady himself. Hissing as he got back on his foot, lifting his left leg above the ground slightly. His hands suddenly grabbed both of my shoulders, still trembling, and began to whisper something.

All of the noises in the background tuned out as he lets out his words.

"...Protect your crew no matter what happens, don't let them fall into death's door... I won't let them take my life so easily... Especially them..... Get out of my sight before I take matters into my own hands....." He patted my shoulders and then forcefully pushed me away from him.

His raw strength made me almost hit my back into the wall across his'. I took a last peek at him, all he could give me in this situation is his wide grin. Even with all the bruises and blood coming from his nose. He then grabbed his other Revolver and began to limp forward. He gazed at me and gave me a firm nod, I know what I had to do...

"FALL BACK, YOU TWO!!" I yelled at two of my comrades, they turned their heads towards me with their hands full handling each goon coming towards us. "ARE YOU CRAZY?! HOW ABOUT OUR BOSS?!"

"JUST DO IT!!" One of them looked over to Master Alphonse, who just gave him another nod to confirm my command. He hesitated a little before he grabbed his partner by the shoulders, yanking his suit to immediately fall back. Both of them strutted passed me and Master Alphonse, each of them giving their gazes at our Boss.

"Now get going, if something happens to me after this whole trappy thing and I didn't make it out alive...OW-"

His hiss of pain interrupted his words as he tried to walk to my front, turning his back on me as multiple forces ready to strike him at once. His posture stood wobbly and unsteady as he lifted his gun trembly with his right hand.

He turned his head to the side and chuckled."Tell my sister I'm sorry..... That I couldn't get her the macaroons I promised her earlier-"

Not even a second after he said that, his body was flung against the ground by a sudden force.

"BOSS!!"

Standing behind his fallen body is a tall man with deadly eyes, hair strands as white as snow even in the night. His broad shoulders showed clearly even with his pristine white suit covering his shoulders and arms. Master Alphonse lifted his head with all of his strength and glared at me.

"GET OUT OF HERE BEFORE THEY-" Master's head was slammed to the concrete floor with the heels of the menacing man stomping the back of his head. Digging his heels into Master's head and rotating the wrist of his feet into it.

"Shut it.."

A grumble came from the man's mouth, movements of all the other goons stopped as it seemed their leader had taken action. His gaze then turned to me as I slowly stepped back from the horrifying scene. The intensity of his glare, the cold-blooded eyes of a predator, or rather The Grim Reaper's. Readying his scythe of death to snatch my life away in a second.

Rather than finishing me right there, he huffed and pointed his gun towards Master's head. Before I could react, he let out a growl as his brows frowned, gritted his teeth, removing his aim as if he's forced to. He clicked his mouth and started to let out his words while staring at Master Alphonse's weakened state.

"Send a message to Roderick Esmond, if he ever wants to see his son ever again, then the Godfather himself must take along his troops to..."

Lenna POV

"The Warehouse of San Angela Docks" The injured henchman finished telling his side of the story, an eerie and hair-raising feeling fell across the room.

No, Alphonse... He's been taken hostage?! He even apologized that he couldn't get the macaroons that I craved in this state, IDIOT! Why did he think that out of all things he's supposed to prioritize, his own life?! Tears started to stream down my cheeks as I quietly sobbed, the mentions of his many injuries left me weak.

I turned my gaze to my dad's, even he couldn't believe his ears about what he's being told. His pupils shaken by fear, the slightly uncontrollable breathing pattern of his. With the vice clench of his jaw left him turning his body sideways, leaving the two of us and the henchman within his sight...

"The San Angela Docks" Adrian muttered, making me turn my head towards him.

"Do you know the place?" I whimpered helplessly

My heart raced high due to his words, wishing that he could pinpoint where Alphonse may be. Please, God, don't let my brother's life be taken away. I beg for Your mercy, please don't let anything worse happen to him.

"Not only did I know about that place, but it should also have been clear whose territory it belongs to amongst the syndicates." He replied with an uncomfortable and frightened tone when I scanned around the lobby, other members of our Family were packed up with fear. Their faces colored in white as if they just saw a ghost.

My dad and Kalem shot a surprised look at Adrian, I never saw his face being so twisted by panic this intense before. He narrowed his Emerald eyes and turned his head back to the henchman, positioning himself to keep standing straight. From what I could see, his usual undisturbed posture became.... staggered...

"The Flammia Family, is that correct, soldier?"

Dad's voice cracked at the name of a Mafia Family that I had heard back when I was watching the news at the flower shop earlier.

"Apparently, the gang family "Flammia" has yet made another move in conquering more territories to their advantages."

"Yes, sir. They are the ones who had taken Master Alphonse into their custody."

The whole room was silenced by his words, a slow inhale heaved inside of my dad's body. He stood there with his back against mine for a good few minutes. None of us can say a word, while I started to wander the chances that Alphonse's condition would get worse within their grasp. My dad then straightened his back up and turned his eyes to Kalem.

His once Emerald eyes transitioned to a color of Crimson-red as if the Gods of War had given him the immense will and power to use.

"Get the men ready, and call the other families of the South region" All of us were taken back by his orders, even the calm and collected Kalem tongue-tied.

He quickly lifted his glasses up and nodded at my dad, "You hear the Don! Go and grab your guns and weapons!! Immediately contact the Illiam, Odette, Hudson, and Curtis Family for reinforcements!!" Kalem commanded, making the other crewmen scattered around the lobby.

Some of them called the others by phone, while some of them were dashing themselves to the storage room. It was as if the world rotated around me faster than my own eyes could blink. Being in the eye of the storm that is, I watched as all of them rushed here and there when my dad called out.

"Adrian"

"Yes, sir" Adrian replied with a stern voice as my dad closed the distance between us.

"Call your father, say that this is an emergency and we needed back-up, and.." He placed his gloved hand on Adrian's shoulder.

"Stay here with Lenna, I'm entrusting her into your hands" Adrian just nodded at him

I felt uneasy, this feeling of despair, it just slowly crawled throughout my body right at this moment. I tugged my dad's fur coat, holding his next movements from going anywhere. He was taken by surprise as he saw me tearing up at him.

"Daddy, let me help! I can fight too!" I plead at him, putting my right hand on top of my chest

"No, you're to stay here in the mansion, Lenna. It's too dangerous for you."

"But this is Alphonse we're talking about! My brother! Your own son!" I talked back, it made my dad's brows frowned more, turning his whole attention to me.

"Lenna, you don't know how it goes on the fields! This isn't your fight, nor where you belong at this moment!" Kalem added to my dad's argument, staring right into my eyes tensely.

"I don't care!! I want to make sure he's okay! Even if it costs my own lif-"

"LENNA ESMOND!" My dad scolded hard, making some men stop at their tracks to stare blankly at us.

"I have sworn an oath to your mother, one that I simply hold for life. For both you and your brother, that I will leave you out of all this chaos, this Family Business" He pressured his voice, relishing the one thing that would hit me hard.

The fiery flares emblazing inside of his eyes began to fade away as he lifted his right hand to caress my left cheek, "The two of you are mine and your mother's precious jewels, nothing could replace you both in my heart. And I would never forgive myself if something were to happen to you two. I will get Alphonse back here in one shape I promise, and as for you...."

He then pulled me in his embrace, hugging me as if it's the last time he would see me. His big arms wrapping around my body, I could feel the quake of his body... He's scared... Worried..... Terrified... For a man as righteous and courageous like him to be seen crumbling, it's an absolute nightmare to lose his own kin.... Especially what had happened to mom... and "them"...

"Please stay here until I return, help treat the wounded for now... That is all I asked" He whispered beside my ear, hints of sorrow noted in the root of his voice.

My heart broke at the sound of his voice, splitting it to pieces with each second passed. Tears flowed through my cheeks deep into his coat, quietly sobbing within his arms. His hand stroked my hair gently as he slowly pulled away, I lifted my gaze up to his. Scanning the areas near his eyes, covered with glimmers of what seemed like shades of tears.

"Don Roderick! We're all ready. The other families will wait for us near the borders between our territory and the Northern region." Kalem interrupted, with the whole crew gathering behind him. All ready to strike as soon as my dad commanded, all of their faces stayed stern.

"Good" My dad stepped away and approached the whole Family, with Adrian holding to my shoulder to comfort me.

"Some of you, stay behind, guard the mansion while I'm gone. Don't let anything happen to my daughter. While the rest of you, come with me, prepare for the possibility that this will end up in a full-on assault." He commanded directly, Kalem quickly arranged the ones who will stay behind in the mansion.

As the crowd of men separated from one another, leaving the highest ranks in the lobby to follow behind my dad. While the ones guarding the mansion, scattered around the whole premises moments later. A sudden chill filled the air with heaves of intimidation and vicious intentions spread between us all. The butlers opened up the doors of the mansion, leading up to the path I tramped on earlier.

Without any single word or command, all of the men in the lobby began to walk outside. While me, Kalem and Adrian alongside my dad followed behind. Standing over the theater-like platform from above.

"This is..."

When I took a look, a sea of men wearing black suits covered the whole area. Right at the end of the path, numerous vehicles gathered with their lights on. And one, in particular, the old-school Charcoal Black Bentley car that has been here since I was a kid. One that me, Alphonse and Kalem had ridden together with our dad years ago, she's an old one.

When I glanced around, I realized one thing. This is the entire crew of the Esmond Family in full power, is the Flammia Family really this dangerous? Hearing from the rumors, they're considered to be on the top of the food chain. But since all of those are just mouthfuls, I wasn't sure of how to process it. I couldn't imagine that my dad would pull this up his sleeves.

"Lenna" the tall figure in front of me called

"Yes, Daddy?" He turned around to face me, with a stern expression painted across his own. I barely missed the smile flashed on his face for a moment

"Be safe..."

I chuckled at his words and brought myself to embrace him again, but strings of melancholic strings were pulled inside of my heart, "I will, but be careful... It might be another trap, just like what they did to Alphonse.."

"We are prepared for that, no need to worry." He pulled away and gazed at Adrian.

"I trust that your crew will be looking over this place?"

"For sure, sir. This mansion is secured under the hands of the Melchior Family. You have my word, Don Roderick" Adrian bowed with his right palm tucked in front of his chest. My dad nodded and let out a light chuckle, "Hearing you calling me Don makes me even wonder of our relations over these years. Such formalities like that aren't needed anymore between us, Adrian."

I could see Adrian blinked his eyes many times before pulling himself together to reply, "It's only appropriate as we're still at work, sir. Expected from the generous and humble Godfather that my Family has allied with nonetheless." His voice cracked a bit in the middle, I could tell he's nervous and flustered.

"Your words flattered me. Well then, I will take my leave, stay on guard, there may be spies lurking around here" Dad said as he gently stroked my hair, giving both me and Adrian a nod before he turned his back.

"Adieu, both of you..." He spoke up, turning his head to the side as he strutted along.

A scene that I had seen countless times, his broad shoulders expanded in front of my eyes like the Pacific Ocean. Even as I grew older, the way he turned away to go to work stayed the same. Thumps of worry beat in my heart, watching him descend the stairs to make his way into the waves of black in the night.

I glanced at Kalem, looking as stiff as a statue. When our eyes made contact he approached me with heavy steps. A curl on the edge of his lips and the slight narrow on his eyelids appeared. His hand reached out to my head and patted it.

"Stay safe, Lenna. We will get Alphonse back, even if it's the last thing we do. Farewell..." His hand left my head, deep inside I wanted to reach his hand and never let it go. The feeling of fear inside of me grew bigger and bigger as he began to follow dad among the group of men

Shouts of commands filled the air, coordinated stomps rang throughout the entrance path like an elephant's march. My eyes are only focused on the man who's about to enter the door of the Family car. I couldn't clearly see if he even glanced at me, all that I could see is his and Kalem's figure being swallowed into the body of the car. And as moments passed, they began to scatter, leaving the once crowded field to be empty as it is silent.

I have to be strong, Al's going to be alright! But then again, what if dad's too late? W-what if the same thing happened to him? And all that I can do is sit here and wait for them to return. What am I going to do? What am I going to do? A sudden warmth enveloped itself around my body, interrupting the disruptive thoughts to give comfort to my current situation.

The same notes of Citrus and Roses rose around me, I turned to look over my shoulders to be met with Adrian's gentle but emotion-filled pupils.

"You'll get cold, Lenny. Something is troubling you, am I right?"

"Yeah..." I looked down on the ground as I clutched his coat, frowning at how useless I'm in this whole event. A hand pulled me closer to him, my body directly against his side by side.

"Believe in him, I know he along with Kalem will return here safe and sound with Alphonse. There's no need to worry, I'm here for you, Lenna" He whispered, rubbing my right shoulder.

Every stroke of his hand pulled more strings of anguish in my heart, but it also gave me strength. I sniffed and wiped my tears with ease, "Yeah, you're right. Thanks, Adrian"

"My pleasure, how about we go inside first to the infirmary?" He offered, I nodded at him and he started leading me into the mansion.

"Maybe we can call Julia later?"

"If you want to. We should check on how your brother's crewmen are doing first" Adrian added, still holding tight to my shoulders as we walked.

When we arrived at the infirmary, both me and Adrian could see the injured men being taken care of by the medics and doctors that are on standby. Medical beds arranged in a row tidily as the five crewmen were treated.

"Lady Lenna, you're here" The head medic bowed to me and looked at me with concerned eyes.

I looked at Adrian and he gave me a nod with a small smile on his face. I returned his coat to his arms, approaching the head medic as we headed to one of the injured men's beds. The one who was being carried back by one of the crewmen.

"How bad?" I asked, looking at the pained look on the man's face, sweating as one medic tried to stitch the wound on his forearm. Needles pierced in, looping around the swollen skin as it repeated itself until the end of the open wound.

"Fortunately, the wound isn't deep, we'll manage to stitch it in no time. Other than that, some bruises and scratches slightly covered his other arm and chest." The head medic explained with precision.

He took a look around the busy infirmary, eyeing the other four men before turning back to me,"As for the others, there are minor to none injuries on their bodies."

"Thank you" I nodded

"It's only my job to serve the Esmond Family, Lady Lenna." He replied, giving me a head bow as he set himself to the side.

I went on swiping across the room, helping the medics by applying ointments and cleaning their wounds. Taking care of the little details on their well-being one by one. This is the one thing that my dad allowed me to do in the Family other than just doing nothing. I usually take care of the minor ones, but I have gained knowledge on how to patch up some wounds from the medics.

As I continued, happy and relaxed faces appeared from all of the injured crewmen, including the one who told my dad about the news. I just wish that he, Kalem, and Al would get back safely.....

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Please, let them return here without any interruptions...

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3rd Person POV

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The creak of a metal door screamed through the hollow space, darkness filled the room. Only the light from the moon itself reflected through the metal bars showed the badly injured executive chained to the low steel pipe attached to the ground. With blood flowing from his forehead, nose, and an injured leg, the figure stayed silent as another approached him slowly. Sitting on the ground with his legs crossed, his body bent forward that you couldn't even tell what kind of expressions he's making.

Slow, echoing footsteps clicked the concrete floor, stopping right in front of Alphonse. Watching as the air enters and leaves his mouth, the figure with white strands of hair kneeled to his level. His eyes traveled around the distorted face of the one he captured. Just when he was about to get closer, without a blink of an eye, he managed to quickly dodge the fangs of a Hyena barely touching his face.

"Tch" He clicked his tongue, as the captive began to cackle hard, lifting his head to meet his own. Alphonse's eyes glared daggers deep into the man's glimmering Amber eyes with a smirk

"What~? Not going to KILL me~? So borriiinngggg~ How bout you gimme some entertainment to have, hmm~?" He tilted his head around playfully, knowing how to taunt his enemy with his high-pitched voice as usual.

"...."

"Not much of a talker, huh? Do whatever you like to me~. Torture me, kick me, stab me, slit my skin so slowly that I would start to whine like a bitch, and any other ways you would like to get it out from me, but you should know."

Alphonse let out a light laughter.

"I'm a man of few words when it comes to pain, you will bever convince me to speak up by the time you start doing despicable things to me" He smiled wickedly at the man in front of him.

With the force of his mouth, he spat his saliva mixed with his own blood to the man's face. Landing itself right on his right cheek, contrasting between the pale white skin and the sticky Crimson colored substance. ....Nothing... the enemy didn't react, no movements, no emotion, nothing... He just slowly stood up and wiped the grotesque substance from his face with his gloved hand. As Alphonse was in the middle of snickering at the man, he was struck with a flying kick to his right side of his face.

Throwing his head aside in a flash, almost cracking his whole neck as if the Grim Reaper was toying with the little life served in front of him. He quickly got up and gazed up to the man's dark polarized Amber eyes with a cunning smirk.

"Is that all you got-" Another kick was delivered to his other side of the face, making his body fall to the sides.

He coughed out a small amount of blood intertwined with his saliva, "Give me more, dimwit,"

"And he said I have to put up with this... Pathetic.." The man scowled, delivering more hatred-fueled kicks and stomps at Alphonse's abdomen.

Leaving the mad man to twitch and cough up a few times before the soles of his neat but tainted leather shoes kissed the side of the little nuisance's head. He was readying to apply pressure, he wanted to end his life right there, crushing this annoying man's skull would bring him satisfaction at the least. As he was about to start on his release, footsteps approached him from behind.

"That's enough," A voice spoke up behind the two figures, as if he was being controlled like a machine, the man instantly removed his foot from Alphonse's head.

"We don't want to damage the goods, do we now?" a short, robust middle-aged man stood beside the man, almost half of his own size.

A black fedora brandished with a red lining around the hat, the Vermillion checkered bowtie on his dark-grey shirt. Layers of suits covering his body, a long cream-colored silk scar hanging from both of his shoulders as he leaned on the edge of a cane with his hands. With the top of it engraved in a face of a Lion roaring. The grizzly mustache and stubbles across his face, his eyes of open flames directed to the younger man beside him.

"If only I hadn't stepped in, you would've killed our precious guest." He chuckled lowly

"Just let him kill me if he wants, I could already see it in those blood-thirsty motherfucker's eyes anyway~" Alphonse responded as he lifted his body up to lean against the wall and smirked at them.

The tall man clenched his fists and was about to grab his gun, triggered by the words Alphonse lets out. How dare he said it to the Godfather himself, he thinks. The audacity of this little perpetrator, to talk like that so highly. Veins showed on the surface of his face, a swipe of the Godfather's staff stopped him in his tracks.

"Be patient, son. I have a much better idea" He commanded, the younger man hissed and stepped back.

The Godfather approached Alphonse without a flinch, considering how feisty he was when he was brought here

"What's this so-called better idea of yours? Planning to drown me into the sea so no one can find me? Was that the one~!? Oh, I will be glad if that's the one!" Alphonse facetiously commented, followed by those sneers of his, making the older man standing in front of him chuckle in delight.

"You do have a sister right, boy?"