THE MAFIA DON'S HOT BRIDE

The dimly lit room was a stark contrast to the opulent decor of the rest of the mansion. The walls were cold, grey concrete, and the air was thick with the stench of sweat and fear.

A single, flickering light bulb hung from the ceiling, casting eerie shadows on the walls. In the center of the room, a man was strapped to a rusty, metal chair, his wrists and ankles bound by thick chains.

Seeing him, there was no doubt that he had been severely tortured. He kept crying for mercy but the huge men standing on either side of him, with the unperturbed look on their faces seemed not to care.

Castillo Griffin, the mafia Don of the Green Serpent underground organisation stood tall, his eyes fixed intently on Ryder. His expression a mask of calm, calculating cruelty.

"Tell me, Ryder ." Castillo said, his voice low and menacing. "Who sent you?"

Ryder's eyes darted wildly around the room, his face contorted in a mixture of fear and pain.

"I- don't know what you're talking about." He stammered.

Castillo chuckled and he grabbed Ryder by the arm. "Don't play dumb, Ryder. You've already been caught. I just need to know the bastard that sent you!"

"I swear on my life, no one sent me. No- no–one did." Ryder decided to act a bit difficult.

"Shut the fuck up, Ryder! Omertà-you forgot it! You forgot the code of silence and loyalty!" Castillo yelled and Ryder began to shake like a newly hatched hen drenched in an heavy acid rain. He trembled in great fear as he stared at the intimidating figure in front of him.

"I... I'm sorry Don, he ...he promised me money."

"'Who sent you!' Isn't that the question?" Castillo gritted his teeth, his patience dissipating and frustration set in.

"I....I..." Ryder kept stuttering.

Castillo snapped his fingers and one of the huge men brought forward a box containing torture objects. Castillo opened the box and brought out two pliers, one was medium sized and the other was bigger.

"Choose, Ryder. Which do you want? Will you speak now? If you fail to do so then you lose a finger after each lie." He threatened.

Ryder's eyes welled up in tears as he realised the consequences that awaited his greediness. He knew Castillo would stop at nothing to get what he wanted.

"The Black Scorpion, Master Alberto." Ryder quickly answered as Castillo brought the pliers close to him.

Castillo laughed hysterically and hit his hand on the desk. Ryder jolted and shook his head when he realised what he had just said.

"No...it was a slip of tongue. You're my only master, Don."

"So you had another master apart from me? You had the guts to work for Alberto? That worthless bag of thrash? You really want to die, don't you?!" Castillo yelled, his eyes reddened in anger.

"I promise it wouldn't repeat itself, Don. Please give me a second chance." Ryder pleaded, hoping to be forgiven even though he knew it wasn't possible.

"Please... please....." he shook vigorously as Castillo pointed a gun at his head.

"Your last wish."

"I beg you, Don. I'm....."

Ryder didn't finish his word before Castillo pulled the trigger and... black out! Ryder was gone. He is now... sleeping with the fishes.

Castillo dusted his palm after he dropped the gun. "Pack him up and send his corpse to Alberto's doorstep." He ordered before walking away.

As he got to the hallway, his Consigliere walked up to him. He is addressed as Jack, apart from being his advisor, he's also his personal assistant.

"Have they found the lady?" Castillo asked, taking a brief look at Jack who shook his head.

"No Boss, the GPS has a slight problem. It's difficult to locate her."

"Slight problem? Uh?" Castillo halted in his steps and faced him. "Do you want to die too, Jack? Do you know what that slut did?"

"I will find her, Don."

"You better do." Castillo rolled his eyes at him before he lit the cigarette in his hand. "Wanna have a puff? It's nice."

Jack shook his head. "No, Don. I had some earlier today."

"Was it the one I kept in the car's drawer?"

Jack nodded. "Yes boss. It was half smoked, I thought you didn't need it anymore."

Castillo halted and patted Jack's shoulder. "Jack, I like you alot cause you're my favourite but you're taking it for granted, aren't you?" He gave him a punch on the arm and Jack let out a loud groan.

"My apologies, Don."

"Good. Inform the Green suppliers to bring twice the normal order this time around." He said before Jack opened the door to his Rolls Royce- the latest version, 2021.

"Alright sir." Jack nodded before he got into the car too.

"Old Griffin called earlier this morning." He informed as he began to drive.

Castillo frowned as he heard this. "What did he say?"

"He wants to see you right away."

"Right away, when?"

Jack gave a negative nod. "No idea, Don. But sooner I think."

"Not going any sooner." Castillo gave a nonchalant reply as he looked out through the window.

"He's calling again." Jack said, taking a glance at the phone ringing beside him.

"Don't pick, I'll call back when I'm less busy."

"Don Castillo, I think Old Griffin's so angry. He keeps cursing. I couldn't hold the phone close to my ear cause his voice was damn loud."

"He has been skipping his anger management classes again." Castillo sighed.

"I think so." Jack nodded as the car pulled up in front of a tall gorgeous building - Marco Griffin Corporation. It was named after Castillo's late father and out of the numerous companies he has, this was the headquarters.

The employees greeted him as he walked in but Castillo simply ignored them, they were used to it already so they just sat and silently continued with their work.

"What about the shareholders? Have they given their reply?" He asked as they walked to the elevator.

"They chose to have a meeting with you."

"Alright, schedule it for 2pm tomorrow."

"Sure, boss."

There was silence until the phone in Jack's hand beeped with a notification. He looked up. "Don, the cargo has arrived from Italy."

Castillo nodded. "Good, tell Pius to arrange the pay and send me the receipt."

"Alright, Don."

Castillo patted him on the shoulder. "You're so hardworking, Jack. What do you want for the weekend?"

Jack has been a loyal servant to him for 12 years now and Castillo was impressed. He deserved some accolades.

"I'll appreciate some champagne and a few Tobacco, Don." Jack asked.

"Remind me later, I'll grant your wish." Apart from being ruthless, Castillo Griffin was a nice man and he loved when people put in their best in tasks given to them.

Jack grinned graciously. "Thanks, Don."

Castillo's expression changed when he saw the man seated in his office. He turned to look at Jack who shook his head.

"He didn't inform me about the visit." Jack said.

Castillo shifted his gaze to his grandpa and bowed. "Old Griffin, what brings you here?"

"Is it a crime to visit my grandson?" The aged man asked.

"Grandpa, you should be home resting. You've come to throw tantrums about me getting married, isn't?" Castillo said and the man stamped his walking aid against the marble floor angrily.

"You insolent grandson! How dare talk to me that way?!"

"I'm sorry, grandpa but..."

"Marriage is a beautiful thing, Castillo Griffin." Old Griffin tried to persuade him but he wasn't ready to listen.

"It's not the same for me, grandad. It's just a trap."

"Just because you can't stop fucking those damn asses, you chose not to get married?" Old Griffin mentioned angrily.

"You're too old for those unholy words, grandpa."

Old Griffin clicked his tongue angrily and crossed he legs, resting his back on the sofa he was seated on. His eyes settled on Jack who looked away immediately, admiring the flower vase.

"Jack!" He called sharply.

Castillo who noticed that he was carried away, tapped him and he jolted. "Uh?"

"Aren't you Jack?" Castillo rolled his eyes at him.

"Uh, Jack? Oh Jack, yes yes, sure!" Jack smiled awwkardly and pursed his lips, wondering why the old man was calling him.

"Yes, Old Griffin. Sorry I totally forgot my name." He mumbled the last part.

"Are you married, Jack?" The old man inquired.

"Uh?" Jack widened his brows and shook his head. "Absolutely not, Old Griffin. I'm just 26."

"You aren't married, your boss isn't too. Argh! Two fools! Two unmarried fools!" He snapped.

"When do you plan to get married, Castillo?" He questioned again.

"No sooner, grandpa. I'm not ready for that. It's just a distraction to me." Castillo answered calmly.

"London Lane!"

"What about her?" Castillo furrowed his brow as he heard him mention.

"She's the Only daughter of the Lane's family and you're getting married to her in a week's time."

NB: 'Green Suppliers ' means marijuana suppliers.