[crazyxanime]

Well, well. This little thief certainly had the courage of a lion, didn’t he? Or perhaps it was simple stupidity – naivety? No, he didn’t seem stupid. How much more embarrassing would this meeting truly be if the boy were a simpleton? There’s definitely a level of intelligence there. Not book smarts. After all, what kind of genius would actually steal from the biggest Mob Boss in Italy? It was something subtler; more from experience. Street smarts, as the youngsters say. It was something that would be of use to Giovanni, in the long run. Of course, that all depended on how the boy acted; whether the man would be torturing the boy to death, or whether he would be punishing him – just enough to make him learn, and then take him under his wing. Only time would tell. Currently, however, it seemed the boy was working his way more toward his own death.

Demeanor appeared calm, in both of them. Though Giovanni held an internal rage that would challenge even the strongest. The more the leader observed the boy, he more he found that he enjoyed his presence. They were similar to each other. Many aspects reflected that of a young Giovanni. That ache to be better than others, to challenge the social norm – that alone reminded the man of himself. Had the leader had the balls to rob from his predecessor, he would’ve. And perhaps he even did. A story for another day though. That’s not all. His eyes are cold, distant, and filled with the hatred of a thousand sons. Were strangers to meet them, they might even think there was some kind of kinship. The eyes are windows into the soul, after all.

While the observations are a pleasant surprise, the man gave little more than a smirk at the comment. The thief will learn his mistake in due time. “If you didn’t have that mouth on you, you might actually fool someone into thinking you were intelligent.” The man commented, leaning back into his seat. Hues lowered to watch the other shift. Perhaps a little anxious? Doubtful. The boy’s features held too cocky a complexion. The man decided to ignore it.

Knocking on the window of the car, the officer poked his head in. Giovanni’s head shifted toward the driver’s seat, and without hesitation the officer circled around the car and took his place, starting up the car. He’d given the man a heads up that their destination would potentially change. Why be uncomfortable in a police car or warehouse, when the man could take care of things directly in his home? Once movement began, the boss continued on the conversation with the boy.

“Ah, yes! How could I forget your cigarette?” A strong hand moved into the pocket, as directed, pulling out a cigarette back. One was placed between the man’s lips, lighter being drawn from his own pockets to light it. One was not offered to the other. “You can’t get out of this car.” He began carefully, now turning his head to look at the male. “Only he can let us out. It’s locked from the outside.” Reaching down beside him, Giovanni pulled out a file, something that had been kindly given to him by his friend in the front seat. It was Stoney’s. The information was intriguing, but nothing he hadn’t read before. Petty crime. Who in Rome hadn’t committed one or two? “See, I could easily have you taken to prison. Probably frame you for a couple of things. But where if the honor – or fun – in that? You’re more use to me on the outside than you are on the inside.”

Was he offering the boy a job on the spot? Not quite. “You owe me a lot of money. You’ve stolen many, many things from me. And as I’m sure you know, I don’t appreciate that.” Reaching forward the man took hold of the younger’s chin. Their faces mere inches from one another. “You’re going to pay me back. Every last cent.” Grip tightened slowly. “Plus interest. You can try to escape. You can hide, or run. But now that I know who you are – now that I know you’re face, you will always be hunted. So let me make this clear, for your little brain to comprehend.” Reaching back with the opposing hand, the boss withdrew a gun, placing it against the younger’s knee. “You try to run. You try to do anything that I don’t tell you to, and you will have a fate worse than death.” There was a bright smile that rose to the man’s lips, taking the cigarette away and handing it to Stoney. “Tell me I don’t have to beat the shit outta you, kid.”