Chapter 5

Vincent Salvatore.

Many know this name as the backbone of The Equinox hotel chain. Vincent Salvatore not just own this hotel chain, but also many branches of casinos spreading all over the world. He is the epitome of hotel mogul. The billionaire who born rich and tripled the money in very short time placing him leagues above his peers.

But what no one knows the face behind this mask. Because Vincent Salvatore is not just a hotel mogul.

He is also Capo Dei Capi, the leader of mafia bosses.

Known mostly as Vitali among the famiglia (underworld), he is the most ruthless leader who can do anything to get what he want. Crossing Vincent, the hotelier comes with a small price but in the end you will live. But to cross Vitali means to forfeit one's life. There is only one way out of it- death.

Vitali.

The name itself opens many doors that are far beyond legal. He is but one man. Yet, he leaves terror in his wake. He is a powerhouse.

There is nothing the Famiglia is part of- horse race, casino, arm supplies, drugs , strip joints, stolen goods, flesh trade, loan sharks- giving money at usurious interest rates, drugs- cocaine, heroin, amphetamines etc., anything that is said to be illegal is done by the Outfit.

With great power comes great responsibilities. But also, greater enemies.

It is the reason why Vitali is adamant about Omertà of the Outfit. Loyalty comes first in Famiglia. It is everything. And if he ever get a whiff of dishonesty among his men, then he hoped the guy is stupid enough to Jill himself first. Or else, Vitali will make sure what happens to someone who break the code.

That is the reason why he is currently sitting calmly before 'his' man, a mere soldier, who dared to steal from the Outfit.

Loose, languid tendrils of smoke curled and entwined with one another creating a silken dance as he puffed the cigar watching the man bleed to death on the floor.

The man Albert, is hooked to the crook from the ceiling, his body singling in the mid-air, pulling his arm muscles with each passing second.

It must be paining. A lot.

But Vitali didn't give a fuck. This slime thought to steal from him. Him!!! How dare he?

"Tell me Albert," Vitali slowly pulled the cigar, it's rich tobacco smell curling around him as he continued, "how did you think you can get away from this?"

"V-v-vi..."

Vitali suddenly stood, his feet kicking the chair he sat on, making a loud banging noise in the dark, dingy place.

He could smell the fear coming from the man before him and he revel in it.

His silhouette is that of a calm predator who is waiting patiently for his prey to die but not before enjoying the killing process.

He flicked the cigar over his shoulder and strolled towards the unfortunate guy who dared cross him, his steps measured as if he has all the time in the world.

"Albert... Albert... Albert... you don't think you know the position you are in. You may have realised you are going to die. But what you don't seem to grasp is- when? I can prolong your death for not just hours but days. Beating you to the inch of death and bleeding you all over the floor until you are nothing but skin and bones and yet not let you die. Do you want that Albert?"

"Do you want to hang from this hook for days not knowing which part of yours I will cut you next, not knowing when you will succumb to the darkness only to be revived again and again to the endless torture... ah.... Now you are getting my picture"

Albert began to shake from where he is dangling, tremors running over his body.

"Still... I don't think you are grasping what is at stake. How about I cut your dick and feed you? Which will take you first- the pain at your groin or your choking? What do you say Albert? Shall we test?"

Albert shook his head vehemently, trying to talk through the gag forced into his mouth.

"What is that Albert? Are you trying to say the name of your accomplice?"

Albert shifted his eyes to the dark corner of the room as if just by looking at it he could find the answers.

A sudden pain in abdomen made him realise that Vitali has cut him. Watching the drip of the drop of his blood from the tip of the knife Vitali held made him powerless to the situation he found himself in.

It is a shallow cut nevertheless the sting remained the same. Couple it with his remaining cuts, Albert realised he is losing blood and fast.

He groaned as pain latched at his stomach. How did he come to this? It was all well-planned then how the hell this bastard got his hands on him??!!

Vitali's cold mask on his face didn't let anyone know what he is thinking, what he is going to do next.

Vitali played with the knife in his right hand slowly, tossing and turning and catching at the last moment... if anyone saw him, they would think he is bored.

No one would recognise the anger that is simmering just below his surface. He is a blank mask- a cold, ruthless blank canvas that can do anything for Omertà, for the Outfit.

"Pl-pl...please Vit-Vitali... spare...m...me," Albert wheezed as breathing through the pain became difficult for him.

Vitali threw his head back and gave a chortle that is filled with nothing but malice.

"You still think you get to live?" Vitali suddenly covered what little distance they had, his face mere inches from the traitor as he snarled, "you dare ask me for forgiveness!!!!"

He said in a controlled voice that set a new fear in the heart of Albert. A silent Vitali is a deadly Vitali. The angrier he is, the calmer he gets.

"Ple..."

Albert struggled like a boar tied to the stick and about to get roasted. Sweat trickled down his temples, his hands clammed. He got the urge to pee and it took everything in him to clutch to this little dignity.

Vitali turned and took two steps as if he is in a meeting and said without facing him, "May be you haven't understood the situation yet. You saw my generosity but never my ruthlessness. My fault. Perhaps, it is time I show you the dose of it. Bring her in"

A girl not more than 16 years was brought into the room by a man who clutched her fists behind her back. She looked like she went through hell and back. Tears leaked through her eyes. Her lip is cut, blood welling up. Her hair is disheveled, messy as if someone drag her by clutching to her tresses.

"Sofia!!!" Albert struggled vehemently as he saw his sister getting dragged inside the room.

Vitali calmly walked behind her as the man stepped back to take his position at the door. He gripped her throat from behind her back, leaning into her and sniffing to antagonise Albert.

"You Ba-bastard!!! Leave... leave... her... fuc...Ker... pl...please"

Vitali chuckled, his breath tickling the ear of Sofia as she shivered in fear and cried loudly.

"I'm going to enjoy breaking her. What do you say Albert? Will she cry my name?" His grip tightened at her jaw making her whimper as he bared his teeth like a predator and continued, "and once I used her, I will give her to Tomasso. You know how efficient Tomasso is in breaking new girls. She will be trained nicely under him. And then," Vitali's eyes burned as if challenging Albert as he finished, "then, I will place her in SIN. How will you like it Albert? Just imagine, your sister spreading legs for living day-in and day-out, never getting a break until she couldn't take it another dick inside her. And then-"

"STOP!!! Stop!!!! Pl... please... please... kill me... but please... let... her...go"

Vitali cocked his head as he took a step back from Sofia. She instantly crumbled to the floor her body shaking with tremors as she cried her eyes out.

"Then tell me what I need to know. Who else is with you?" He stepped towards him watching Albert like a hawk that has a mouse in its sight.

His cold eyes felt like it could dig inside and scrape the truth out of him.

"What about my sis...sister?"

"I don't have time Albert," he didn't acknowledge his question.

"Pr-prom-promise me... you will leave... leave her alone?"

"You are in no position to demand anything Albert. Don't test my patience. Now... those names?"

Albert gulped, his throat working to swallow the lump forming there.

"It's-"

"Vitali, there is a call for you," came a voice from the door.

"I'm busy Nick," Vitali grunted.

"He won't talk to anyone else," Nick Licata, one of his soldiers pressed, thinning his lips. Probably pissed that he didn't get to show his authority to whoever is on the phone.

Vitali gritted his teeth wanting to complete this unwanted task but needing the privacy.

"Very well, let's complete when I get back or else," Vitali smirked showing his teeth to Albert threatening without any words.

Albert blanched this time the control on his bladder slipping as he saw the figure walking away.

"Who is it?" Vitali snapped.

"It's the Superintendent. He said he has some information you would like to hear," Nick walked briskly but two steps behind Vitali as they passed through the warehouse putting as much distance between that room and him.

This better be good, thought Vitali thinking what information does he posses to order HIS presence like a mere soldier. Though the Superintendent is on the payroll of La Cosa Nostra- American mafia underworld, Vitali can as easily appoint another in his place as he did this one.

Whatever news he has better be worth it or else he will take that Superintendent's life just for taking his time.