Shadows of the Vow (You Fuck With Darkness, You See Shadows)

Antonioni's POV 

The car came to a halt in front of my big mansion, which was positioned in the innermost part of the upscale estate. I love hidden abodes.

My boys hauled Annabelle out of the car, really forcefully, and we headed for the interiors of my building—my domain.

“Easy, boys,” I had heard myself urge, wondering why I even cared in the first place.

On entering the mansion, people lined up, male and female, all dressed well and bowing their heads low once I walked past them.

We stepped into the elevator and came to the last floor, where I had my penthouse. We walked through the hallway.

And finally walked past the last guard who stood by the door of the entrance to my room.

He bowed his head low to me in respect.

Once we had entered the room, I winked at my guards, and they released Annabelle, bowed to me, and left.

I quickly went to my wardrobe to change into a more comfortable shirt. I had a business at hand to take care of real quick.

The air inside the room was quieter, and suddenly I remembered I had entered with someone.

Why's she still standing, with a damn seat just in front of her?!

“If you like, you can sit.” I couldn't find a better way to address her in her naivety.

She looked around, as though searching for something before she sat.

I observed her, and she didn't seem comfortable one bit. What do I care about? 

She will eventually get used to the lifestyle around here. 

But I hope she doesn't try to do anything stupid before I return to the dome. 

I needed to do something that could scare her and keep her down.

I immediately took the pistol I usually hide in one of the layers of my wardrobe, walked fast paced to her, and placed it on her head.

She gasped in fear.

“If you dare to run, I'll send your corpse back to your father, feel me?”

She nodded obediently, her head tossed to her right-hand side as she trembled. 

For the first time, she couldn't open her mouth to challenge me. It remained shut.

I observed her body movement, she was frozen as though lifeless, but was still trembling a little.

Good riddance to bad rubbish! 

If fear was what it would take to keep her in place, then she had better be afraid.

Seeing that I had gotten her exactly where I wanted her, I then lifted the pistol from her head and informed her…

“If you need to use the restroom, there are soaps, shampoo, toiletries, scents, towels, and every other thing you'd need in the bathroom. I'll see you when I return.” 

She just watched in bewilderment without responding to me. Beads of tiny sweat were beginning to form on her face.

I left her and headed back to my wardrobe.

I quickly loaded some guns with bullets, left for the hallway, shouting to my boys who were around, “C’mon, guys, we have an op. Where's everyone? Where's Bukky?” On sighting him, I yelled at him, “Man get your ass off that muffin! We've got business.”

“Yo boss! Good to see you!” One of my right-hand men, Milo, had said, coming opposite us as he was just coming into my dome.

“Good to see you too, man,” I said, hugging his chest up, with one of our hands, curling into a brotherly handshake, and the other one patting each other's backs.

As we passed through the kitchen, the sweet smell of freshly baked muffins hit our noses. 

Milo joked, but I didn't find it funny, instead. “If the smell of this muffin could kill me this way, then I wonder what the enemy’s arrows would do.”

It was then that I remembered I was supposed to ask my new wife if she needed to eat, but since I had forgotten, I would do that once I returned.

Temporary hunger won't kill her. Business needs to be taken care of first and foremost.

It was about time: one of my most important operations among others. 

I wasn't going to play it lightly with that betrayer, Lorenzo. I must retrieve my goods. Emphasis on “must”! 

As my boys and I stepped out, about six expensive black SUVs screeched to a violent stop in front of us.

It was my homie, Diego, and my boys.

I said to them, voice cool like stone: “Easy, fellas. My hood ain't no spot for one of the damn scenes in Fast and Furious.”

They alighted like trained soldiers from the cars. Bows. Greetings. Hugs. Handshakes.

The very first car among them was occupied by the third man of my right-hand homies,

Diego. 

He was more like the mobilizer of men and ammunition. 

Very trustworthy fellow. 

He had taken his time to orient and organize the boys, and it was time to finally distribute weapons and protection to them accordingly.

There were about twenty in number.

Just immediately, two huge lorries rolled in and were parked behind the SUVs.

I observed for a while and couldn't help but admire my men's hard work in preparation.

“My man, Dee. Must have been a long and careful one. Trust you man,” I said, hugging him tightly.

“Hehehe, Good day, boss. Hey fellas.” He hugged back and called out to Bukky and Milo.

The duo greeted him back, and they hugged. “Hey, Dee.”

“Good to see you, brothers.”

“Good to see you, brother,” They replied. “

I quickly checked the time on my wristwatch.

The time was 3:25

After pleasantries had been exchanged, I raised my voice and addressed them, motioning with my hands.

“Listen up, fellas. The time is 3:31, and we need to go organize ourselves for the last time so we can head out right on time. 

Lorenzo has bitten more than he can chew this time. We all know how dangerous and unnecessarily ruthless he can be. And so we need to reinstate it in his damn head that no one messes with the shadows and goes scot-free, while doing that smartly.” 

I paused and observed their composure, and good enough, they were following closely.

They all nodded in agreement.

“The shipment from China arrived yesterday at the Dock Twelve shore, but Lorenzo hijacked them. Thankfully, I learned it hasn't been moved yet. We need to act fast before the shores are opened for the movement of goods, so we can be there before them and move the crates before they do. Do we understand?” 

“Yes, boss.” They all echoed, macho voices thick in the air.

I continued. “Bukky has positioned the guys in the Park to stay on their feet while we're out, and Milo has dealt with the guys on the computers.”

I paused.

“Diego”

“Yes, boss,” He answered.

“Who are those charged with bringing out the new weapon?”

“It's Sanchez, Miguel, and Juan, boss.”

“And they can use it even though their eyes are closed?”

“Sure, boss. Not just them, boss. Everyone here was trained to use it. I got the Russian supplier to send over his trainers about two weeks ago.”

“Excellent. You're doing great by thinking ten steps ahead,” I said. 

Proud and impressed.

I exhaled loudly.

“Milo”

“Yes, boss,” He answered.

“Did you get the tablet synced to all their CCTV blind spots?”

“Yes, boss, I did. I also connected it to the ones the guys are using in the ICT room, in case we need help, follow-up, or keep tabs.” He was carrying the modern tablet in his hands, his hands shaking slightly in anxiety.

I appreciated him sincerely. “You're playing your part well, too.”

“Thanks, boss. I'm learning from the best.” He replied, hands still shaking slightly on the gadget.

Because of him, we needed to do a quick exercise.

“Everybody, breathe in!”

“Out!"

“In!”

“Out!”

“Shadows!”

“We run the city!”

“The darker the game!”

“The brighter we shine!”

I made them repeat the exercise until I noticed Milo was eventually calm.

The ammunition cases were brought out from Diego's booth, and some boys carried them along as we moved to the spot to finalize our movement.

The basement is where we always stay to do the last preparation. Everyone has been thoroughly trained for this movement, no exception.

For me, I’m called the Shadow King for a reason.

We got to the basement and I could smell that there was a strange atmosphere, like someone in the Park was monitoring us.

I brought out my phone and called the head of one of my reliable in-house top-grade security raiders. 

They're called the Bloc Raiders. 

The head of the team is a Spanish man who understands English as well. 

“Hola, Señor Cruz, I need you to chain the park, mobilize your men to fish out lurks in the shadows. Gracias.”

“Consider it done, sir.” Came the voice from the other end of the line.