The Mafia's Dark Secret

"All of the candles placed around the summoning circle sputter and go out, leaving ´ 𝐊𝐀𝐈𝐈𝐗 ´ in pitch darkness. The summoning circle on the ground begins to glow with a bright white color, illuminating the space for a brief moment before the light fades. An overwhelming sense of malice and danger fills the air."

"´ 𝐊𝐀𝐈𝐈𝐗 ´ can feel the presence of someone, or something, else in the darkness. The candles flicker back to life with black flames, that only minimally illuminate the area."

"Inside the circle stands a huge figure. The man before ´ 𝐊𝐀𝐈𝐈𝐗 ´ is tall, over seven feet, and dressed in fine white clothing, draped over him to best accentuate his body. He was muscled and his shoulders broad. His hair is long and white, tied back in a high ponytail. His long locks draped over his shoulders and falling down his back. He has two massive black horns growing from his skull, twisting around his face. His eyes are a molten glowing gold."

"The man, no, the demon stares at you and a smirk crosses his lips. When he finally speaks his voice is low and sensual."

"Well, well, what do we have here?"

"He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table as he stared at you intensely. A cigar was placed between his lips and lit, the smoke curling around his face as he exhaled slowly." A writer, huh? That's a dangerous profession to have. You never know what secrets you might uncover. "He took a long drag from his cigar before continuing." But I'll give you credit, you're not as dumb as I thought you were. You're right, this does have something to do with your articles. "He stood up and walked around the table, leaning against it as he looked down at you with a cold, calculating gaze." The real reason you're here is because you got too close to the truth. You wrote about our operations, our weaknesses. You had no business doing that. "He took another drag from his cigar before speaking again." So now, we have a problem. We can't have you running your mouth about what you've seen and heard. And we definitely can't have you writing about it. "He looked at you with a cruel smile." So here's what's going to happen. You're going to write a story. A fabricated one. Something that will distract from the real thing. And you're going to give it to me. Within 24 hours. Or else... "He let the threat hang in the air, his eyes never leaving yours."

"He chuckled darkly, shaking his head in amusement." Oh, you think you're clever, don't you? A researcher, you say? Digging deeper into our dirty little secrets? "He took a step closer, leaning in so his face was inches from yours." You have no idea what you're messing with, kid. You think you're so smart, don't you? But let me tell you something... "He reached out and grabbed your chin, forcing you to look into his cold, merciless eyes." In this world, there's only one thing that matters. Power. And right now, you're a threat to that power. "He released your chin and stepped back, lighting another cigar." So here's what's going to happen. You're going to give me what I want. A fabricated story, a distraction from the truth. And in return, I'll let you walk out of here alive. "He took a long drag from his cigar before continuing." But if you don't... Well, let's just say that I have ways of making people disappear. Permanently. "He looked at you with a cruel smile." So what's it going to be, writer? Are you going to be a good boy and do as you're told? Or are you going to keep pushing your luck?

"He laughed, a harsh, bitter sound that echoed in the room." Oh, you naive little thing. You think you know everything, don't you? "He took a step closer, his eyes narrowing as he looked down at you." The Morano family? They're nothing compared to what we're really dealing with. "He leaned in, his voice dropping to a low, dangerous whisper." You've stumbled upon something big, something that could bring down empires. And now, you're in over your head. "He straightened up, taking another drag from his cigar before speaking again." But let me make one thing clear. You don't get to make demands here. You don't get to negotiate. You do what I say, when I say it. "He pointed his cigar at you, the tip burning a hole in your chest." Or else what? You'll write the truth? You'll expose us all? "He laughed again, shaking his head." You think you're the first to try and play hardball with me? Let me tell you, kid. It never ends well. "He put out his cigar and walked over to a cabinet, pulling out a bottle of whiskey and two glasses." So here's what's going to happen. You're going to drink this whiskey. You're going to tell me everything you know. And then, you're going to write that fabricated story. *He poured a glass of whiskey and handed

"He smiled, a cold, menacing grin that sent chills down your spine." Oh, you're a tough nut to crack, aren't you? I like that. It makes breaking you all the more satisfying. "He poured another glass of whiskey and took a sip, savoring the burn." But you see, kid, I'm not just trying to scare you. I'm trying to warn you. "He set his glass down and leaned against the table, his eyes never leaving yours." You've stumbled upon something that could change the game. Something that could bring down the entire criminal underworld. And now, you're in a position to either help us or destroy us. "He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, silver pistol, pointing it at your head." So here's what's going to happen. You're going to drink this whiskey. You're going to tell me everything you know. And then, you're going to write that fabricated story. "He cocked the gun, the click echoing in the room." Because if you don't... Well, let's just say that I have ways of making people very, very uncomfortable. "He smiled again, a cruel, sadistic grin." And trust me, kid. You don't want that. "He lowered the gun and stepped back, pouring another glass of whiskey." So what's it going to be? Are you going to be smart and do as you're told? Or

"He laughed, a harsh, bitter sound that echoed in the room." Oh, Daniel. You think you're tough, don't you? You think you can handle anything we throw at you? "He shook his head, a sadistic grin spreading across his face." You have no idea what you're up against. This isn't some little street gang you've tangled with before. This is the big leagues. "He stepped closer, the gun still pointed at your head." But since you're so eager to play, let me give you a little taste of what's to come. "He reached out and grabbed your hair, yanking your head back roughly." You've been digging into our financial records. Trying to find some dirt, some weakness to exploit. "He laughed again, the sound filled with cruelty." But you see, Daniel, we're not as sloppy as you think. We've got eyes and ears everywhere. And now, you're a dead man walking. "He released your hair and stepped back, his eyes never leaving yours." So here's what's going to happen. You're going to drink this whiskey. You're going to tell me everything you know. And then, you're going to write that fabricated story. "He cocked the gun again, the click echoing in the room." Because if you don't... Well, let's just say that I have ways of making people very, very uncomfortable. *He

"His eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint in them as he looked at you." Oh, Daniel. You think you're so clever, don't you? You think you've got the upper hand here? "He laughed, a harsh, bitter sound that echoed in the room." But let me tell you something. We've got our own ways of handling situations like this. "He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, silver device, holding it up for you to see." This little beauty here? It's a tracking device. It's been planted on you since the moment you walked into our building. "He smiled, a cruel, sadistic grin." And now, you've got a choice to make. You can either do as you're told and write that fabricated story. Or you can keep playing hardball and see just how far you can push us. "He took a step closer, the device still in his hand." But let me warn you, Daniel. If you choose the latter... Well, let's just say that you won't like the consequences. "He held up the device, the light from it reflecting in his eyes." So what's it going to be? Are you going to be smart and do as you're told? Or are you going to keep pushing your luck?

"He shook his head, a look of disappointment on his face." Oh, Daniel. You still don't get it, do you? "He set the tracking device down on the table and leaned in close, his breath hot on your face." The person or organization pulling the strings? It's not some faceless entity. It's not some nameless group of criminals. "He laughed, a harsh, bitter sound." It's me. It's us. It's the entire criminal underworld. "He pulled back, his eyes boring into yours." You see, Daniel, we're not just some local gang trying to make a buck. We're a global operation. We've got our fingers in every pie, from drugs to weapons to human trafficking. "He spread his hands wide, a gesture of pure, unadulterated power." And right now, we're in a position to bring down the entire system. To take out the competition and consolidate our power. "He leaned in again, his voice dropping to a low, dangerous whisper." But you, Daniel. You're a loose end. A threat to everything we've built. "He pulled back, his eyes never leaving yours." So here's what's going to happen. You're going to drink this whiskey. You're going to tell me everything you know. And then, you're going to write that fabricated story. *He picked up the tracking device and held it