Chapter Sixteen

Meanwhile, early next morning, Fire Island Lighthouse, Brookhaven, Long Island, New York…

"I should've known the mighty Don Giovanni Lombardo would take his sweet time arriving," Bradley Gray muttered irritably as he checked his watch for the umpteenth time.

The early morning sun peeked above the horizon, casting a warm, golden glow across the tranquil waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The sky was painted in soft hues of pink, orange, and lavender, creating a breathtaking backdrop for the Fire Island Lighthouse. The historic structure stood tall and proud, its black and white spiral pattern illuminated by the first rays of the day. Bradley was oblivious to the beauty of Mother Nature as he continued to grumble intelligibly.

"It's time these assholes realize the power I hold. They may be mighty criminals, feared and cruel out there, but I have money and power. Power they could only dream of having."

As the sun climbed higher, its light danced down the lighthouse, highlighting the intricate details of its architecture. The beacon, once a guiding light for ships navigating the treacherous waters, now stood as a silent sentinel, watching over the serene beauty of the surrounding landscape.

"Well, I'm not fucking waiting out here any longer. They can come and find me. I'm done tiptoeing around these motherfuckers," he snarled at a seagull who squealed and flew off.

Bradley set off toward the small guardhouse nestled among the dunes. Its weathered exterior was a testament to the countless storms it had withstood over the years. The guardhouse, like the lighthouse, stood as a symbol of protection and vigilance, keeping watch over the pristine beaches and the gentle waves that lapped at the shore. Of course, none of the history the place represented made an impression on Bradley. Quite the contrary; he was unimpressed with the meeting place.

"Jesus Christ, does everything have to test my patience this morning," he grunted as he struggled to open the door. Kicking it viciously, he finally managed to crank it open.

His attention was drawn to the road as the peace of the early morning was suddenly interrupted by the sound of engines approaching.

"About fucking time," he muttered as he disappeared inside the house, seeking a place to sit down to wait.

A convoy of sleek, black SUVs made its way along the narrow road leading to the lighthouse. As the vehicles came to a stop, doors opened, and six men emerged, their eyes scanning the surrounding area with practiced precision.

Dressed in dark suits and wearing earpieces, they moved with purpose, weapons at the ready should any intruders be spotted. After a thorough check of the perimeter, one of the men gave a curt nod, signaling that the area was secure.

With the all-clear given, the rear door of the central SUV opened. A burly, dour-faced man stepped out. His presence commanded attention, his demeanor one of power and authority. The man's eyes, cold and calculating, surveyed the scene before him, discarding the beauty of the sunrise and the iconic lighthouse with a snort.

Despite the picturesque surroundings, his face remained impassive, his thoughts focused on the task at hand. He straightened his suit jacket and strode forward. Along with the bodyguards, Iceman, the trusted advisor of the Genolere Mafia, fell into step behind him. He had no concern for his own safety since their vigilance would never waver.

"Where the hell is the pale face?" Giovanni growled as he looked around.

"We agreed to meet at the guardhouse." Iceman pointed toward the brown-stoned house near the base of the lighthouse.

"Stupid fuck should've met us at the road. Who the hell does he think he is, making me come to him?"

Iceman smirked, all too aware that Bradley Gray had an elevated opinion of himself. He was about to realize the error of his ways.

As the group made their way toward the guardhouse, the early morning tranquility was replaced by an air of tension. The lighthouse and guardhouse would now bear witness to a meeting that was intended to set in motion a chain of events that would forever change the lives of those involved.

Something Bradley Gray didn't expect or anticipate.

The expression on his face was priceless when Giovanni followed Iceman into what used to be an informal lounge.

"What the fuck is the meaning of this?" Bradley exploded as he stared at the burly man settling into a chair across from him. He glowered at Iceman. "I thought I was meeting Don Giovanni? What the fuck is this dickface doing here? If I wanted the recipe of the next pizza base he's concocting in his high society Italian restaurant, I would go there." He slammed a fist down on the arm of the chair. "Once again, you've wasted my time."

"I suggest you settle down, Mr. Gray." The tenure of Iceman's voice was as cold as his name. "You are being insulting, and I, for one, am not impressed."

"I don't give a fuck whether you're impressed or not. I warned you at Hell's Kitchen not to waste my time again." Bradley moved to get up. "Jesus!" He screamed when his body was slammed back against the chair as a bullet drilled into his shoulder. The cracking boom of a gun discharging echoed through the room, a perfect melody to Gray's labored breathing as he clutched in disbelief at the bullet hole in his shoulder. "You fu-fucking shot me." Pain-filled eyes lifted to the onyx-colored ones, that were watching him unflinchingly through the thin trail of smoke spiraling from the cigar clamped between his teeth.

A broad smile split the darkness of his expression. "I have to remember to commend my wife," Giovanni muttered as he admired the small pearl-covered handgun in his hand. It looked like a toy in his huge palm. "I never realized just how effective this little firearm could be." He smirked as he pointed the gun at Bradley. "Just look. A perfect, round circle at the point of entry. Just like in the movies. I am truly impressed. Iceman, remind me to stop at Tiffany's on the way home tonight. Isabella deserves a diamond bracelet for this."

"What the fuck is going on here?" Bradley mumbled as he shifted painfully. His entire right shoulder and arm were numb.

"You wanted to meet Don Giovanni Lombardo, Mr. Gray." Iceman gestured to the large man still preening over the small pistol.

"Bullshit! That's the owner-chef of G's Pizzeria and Pasta in upper Manhattan. I should know. I've had lunch there numerous times."

"That's true. I've seen you there. For someone who is so eager to win the hearts of the people on the street to vote for you as mayor, you're not faring very well, Mr. Gray," Giovanni scoffed. "My servers tell me you're a lousy tipper."

"G for Giovanni," Bradley muttered. His eyes widened. "You're kidding, right? He's just another front boss. Just like you, isn't he?" Glaring at Iceman, he pushed forward again, only for another scream and gunshot to echo through the room. Seagulls squealed outside and scrambled away to fly off in fright.

"I could do this all day, Mr. Gray." All signs of amusement had disappeared from Giovanni's face. "My time is precious, and although entertaining, you are wasting mine. You aren't going anywhere until I have laid down the rules of our association." He shrugged as his eyes drifted to the two bullet holes in Bradley's right shoulder, a mere two inches apart. "I'm not sure how you're going to explain those to the personnel at the hospital, but since you're bleeding quite profusely, I suggest you listen carefully so my men can get you to an ER. I would hate to have your blood on my hands before even reaping the benefit of having come out all the way here to meet you."

"What rules? I don't work for you, Giovanni. I offered a mutually beneficial partnership, that's all. One where I would benefit as much as you."

"Ah, but therein lies the crux of the problem, my friend. Your intention isn't quite that, is it? No, you have much bigger plans in your head, and my gut tells me they don't include me." He smiled grimly. "I wasn't born yesterday, dickhead, nor are you the first to try to usurp me. You're after the Genolere Mafia, but not with me as their Don. Isn't that right, Mr. Gray?"

"I have no idea how you came to that conclusion."

"No? Hmm, I must be mistaken, then. See, there have been a number of dark web inquiries into our business activities. Not many people would know where to look. Even fewer would know how to plant fake information about me specifically." His eyes turned glacial. "Except if they managed to corrupt someone who works for me."

"You're mistaken. I didn't plant information about you. Everything I do is aimed at a successful race to become mayor. To do that, I had to get my hands dirty, but now, my biggest competitor, Jax Crowthorne, is out of the picture."

"Really? By implicating an association with us? Yes, you successfully sank Crowthorne's chances for election by planting legal documentation of him developing and registering shell companies that our group funded. Explain to me, Mr. Gray. How is that helping me and our business? A mafia group that has managed to operate mostly under the radar of the law… until now." He gestured at the guard at the door, who opened it and with a hard yank, pushed a lanky man inside. The shove was so hard, he fell to the ground. "See, I have eyes and ears everywhere. Betrayers don't survive in the Genolere Mafia."

Without blinking, Giovanni pulled the trigger a third time. The man on the floor gave a grunt, and with his eyes rolling back in their sockets, he slumped lifelessly on the floor. A round bullet hole between his eyes made him appear peaceful… except for the sticky dark red pool of blood spreading from the gaping wound at the back of his skull.

"Yeah, this little beauty packs a punch when there's an avenue for escape," Giovanni scoffed. He stretched his legs lazily. "Now, the rules, Mr. Gray."

"Wh-What rules?" This time, Bradley was as weak as a lamb. All thoughts of resisting and making his own demands diminished in the face of the man on the floor staring at him with a deadeye, accusing look. Lewis Farlow, the VP at his bank.

"Yes, he worked for me. How else do you think I know so much about what's going on in your business, Mr. Gray? Unfortunately, like you, he became greedy, but it couldn't have happened at a more appropriate time. Now, this is what I expect of you. First, you will do whatever it takes to win the mayoral election. Second, you will appoint my daughter, Sophia Roberta, as your VP, to commence immediately." He smirked at the corpse. "Since the position so conveniently opened up." His eyes turned glacial. "You will ensure she has full access to all your files and access codes of the bank."

"That's never going to happen."

"I can even out your pain very easily, Gray," Giovanni rubbed a finger along the short muzzle of the pistol. "I've got three bullets left."

"I have an entire board to consider. I might own the bank, but—"

"But nothing. You see, Bradley, you are under the misconception that we are negotiating. We're not. I am in charge, and you will do as I say. If Sophia doesn't have full access to every aspect of the bank in line with your authority, bad things are going to start happening." He leaned forward. "Starting with your lovely wife."

Bradley turned a shade paler. "What is she going to need access for?"

"That's not your concern. What is your concern is to ensure she is fully accepted as your right-hand advisor and VP of the entire group. Once you're elected as mayor, and this is a freebie from the Genolere Group, be assured it's going to happen. The polls have already turned in your favor and will continue to grow. You're going to have a landslide win…" His expression turned grim. "Provided you ensure that W. Carter Investigations scrap the case you have them working on. Any further digging on the dark web into our business, and Iceman goes to work on your lovely wife."

"It's done. I'll get them off the case."

"Good. Now, my men will drop you at the ER. Sophia will arrive at your office at the bank tomorrow morning at nine sharp. Don't be a baby and stay in the hospital, Bradley. If you want to play with the sharks, you can't act like a bottom feeder. Be a man. Show me you've got steel in your veins, that you are better than the spineless backstabber you have proven to be until now."

"I don't need anyone to drop me at the ER. I can't afford the negative publicity by arriving in this state at a public hospital. I'll have it looked at."

"Nine a.m., Mr. Gray," Giovanni said as he got up.

"I'll be there."

Bradley didn't move for long after the group of men departed. Shock, disillusionment, and fear fought a mighty battle inside him. His dreams had come crashing down.

He had overplayed his hand.

"Fuck that! I am Bradley Gray. I won't lie down and allow anyone to walk over me. That's the mistake you made, Giovanni Lombardo. Now I know who you are and where to find you. You think you're gonna send Iceman to work on my wife? Think again."

Groaning painfully, he got to his feet and staggered to his car, which was parked behind the house.

"You've given me the power, Don Giovanni. You just don't realize it yet."