TRAITORS DIE SLOWLY
A Conversation Between Dominic Graves and Elias
The room was dimly lit, the faint glow of Dominic Graves' cigar illuminating his face. Elias stood across from him, his hands clenched at his sides. The tension between them was palpable, a silent war of unspoken words.
Graves took a slow drag, exhaling smoke before speaking. "Do you still want revenge, Elias?"
Elias remained silent.
Graves leaned forward, his voice softer now. "For your wife? For Jacob?"
Elias' jaw tightened. He had spent countless nights dreaming of putting a bullet between Graves' eyes. But now, standing here, he wasn't sure what he felt anymore.
Graves sighed, placing his cigar down. "I care about you, Elias. Like a son. You remind me of your father."
Elias frowned. "You knew him?"
Graves nodded. "Peter was a good man. A tough bastard. Loyal, until the end. I respected him. I see the same fire in you."
Elias' mind was a battlefield. His entire existence had revolved around revenge, but now… he wasn't so sure. He took a deep breath.
"The past is dead, Graves," Elias finally said. "I belong to the syndicate now."
A smirk played at Graves' lips. "Good. Then prove it."
---
Adrian Vescari and Sheriff Thomas Grayson
Inside the police station, Adrian Vescari sat in his cell, looking far too comfortable for a man who had just been arrested. Across from him, Sheriff Thomas Grayson leaned against the bars, arms crossed.
"You made a mistake, sheriff," Adrian said, his voice calm. "But it's not too late to correct it."
Grayson scoffed. "You think I'm going to let a criminal like you walk free?"
Adrian smirked. "I think you don't understand how this city works."
The sheriff's expression darkened. "I don't care how this city used to work. I'm here to clean it up."
Adrian's smirk faded. He leaned forward, voice dropping to a whisper. "You should care, sheriff. Because if you don't… you won't last long in this city."
Grayson didn't flinch. "I don't fear men like you. The law will deal with you, Vescari. Society needs to rid itself of men like you."
Adrian chuckled, shaking his head. "You're playing a dangerous game, lawman. And every game has a loser."
Grayson turned to leave, his voice firm. "Enjoy your cell, Vescari."
As he walked away, Adrian's voice echoed through the station.
"You'll pay for this, sheriff. Mark my words."
---
Elias and Karma Zobkov – A Night at the Casino
The casino buzzed with life, but Elias barely noticed. His mind was a storm of thoughts, battling between his past and present.
Sitting across from him at the VIP lounge, Karma Zobkov watched him carefully, sipping her wine. "You never told me, Elias. How did you meet Dominic Graves?"
Elias hesitated before exhaling sharply. "You want the truth?"
She nodded.
"He killed my wife," Elias said flatly.
Karma blinked, surprised but not shocked.
"Jacob—he was my best friend. We worked together. We tried to get away from all of this. But Graves made sure we couldn't. He made me watch as he took everything from me."
Karma studied him, her expression unreadable. "And yet, now you work for him."
Elias gave a bitter chuckle. "Funny how life works, isn't it?"
She leaned closer. "Elias, if you want out, you need to trust the right people. The new sheriff—Thomas Grayson—he's a man of honor. You could tell him the truth."
Elias shook his head. "No. He may be a good man, but good men don't survive in this city."
Karma sighed, looking at him with something that almost resembled pity. "Then neither will you."
---
Vescari Syndicate Meeting – Deciding the Next Move
Inside a secluded warehouse, the remaining members of the Vescari Syndicate gathered.
Luca "The Hammer" slammed his fist on the table. "We need to act now! Our boss is rotting in a damn cell while that bastard sheriff parades around like he's already won!"
Manuel Orsolini nodded. "We have to send a message. Blood for blood."
A murmur of agreement spread through the room, but Anton Sorelli raised a hand.
"No rash moves. Not yet. We need to know what Adrian wants us to do."
Luca scowled. "And how do you suggest we do that? Walk into the police station and ask?"
Anton smirked. "Something like that. I'll go see him. We need his orders before we make our move."
The room fell silent before Luca finally nodded. "Alright. But don't take too long."
Anton stood. "I won't."
---
Elias' Return to Dominic Graves
Elias stepped into Graves' office once again. The air was thick with smoke and power.
"I need to know about my father," Elias said firmly.
Graves raised an eyebrow. "And why would I tell you that?"
Elias met his gaze. "Because I want to prove my loyalty. I need to know who I am, where I came from."
Graves chuckled. "You think loyalty is about knowing the past?"
Elias tensed. "I think it's about trust."
Graves stood, walking over to Elias, towering over him. "Listen to me, boy. I don't care about your trust. I only care about what benefits me."
Elias' hands clenched into fists.
Graves smirked. "If you want answers, earn them."
---
The Bombshell – Anton Sorelli Found Dead
The city awoke to news that sent shockwaves through the criminal underworld.
Anton Sorelli's body had been found near the Volscara River.
A young officer rushed into Sheriff Grayson's office, panting. "Sir, we found a body."
Grayson frowned. "Who?"
The officer swallowed hard. "Anton Sorelli. One of Adrian Vescari's top men. He's dead."
Grayson grabbed his coat. "Take me there."
At the riverbank, Anton's lifeless body lay facedown, his clothes soaked in water, his face barely recognizable from the beating he had endured before death. His hands were tied behind his back, and carved into his chest were the words:
"TRAITORS DIE SLOWLY."
Grayson's jaw clenched. "This city is about to erupt."
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