The Hidden Trillionaire Mafia Lord

Chapter Four

The next morning, Levi’s flight landed in Italy and he reported immediately to the Eastern Front Command Headquarters in Germany.

At the lounge sat a man poring over maps and charts.

“You’re late. And you look like you just rolled out of a charity bin.”

Levi said nothing at first. The voice was familiar, but the face was a blur. His mind scrambled for recognition.

The man finally looked up with icy blue eyes, hawk nose and medals weighing down both shoulders. It was General Griggs, his father-in-law. Or rather, former father-in-law.

The General narrowed his eyes. “Levi?”

“Ah,” Levi muttered softly, voice deadpan. “Took me a second. My bad.”

General Griggs gave a dry laughter. “This got to be the joke of the century. Tell me, what are you doing here? Couldn’t keep your desk job? Or is the jewelry shop closed today?”

Levi stood still and calm, he had expected this.

“I’m here on recommendation, sir.”

Griggs laughed and turned to his desk. “What a joke. They’re recommending beggars now?”

Before Levi could respond, Jennifer Griggs in a navy-blue dress; and Maurice Langre strode in. Jennifer’s laughter rang out the moment she saw Levi.

“No way,” she said, eyes wide. “You’re here? What are you doing in Italy, Levi? Cleaning floors?”

Maurice smirked with crossed arms. “Looks like he lost his way or might be waiting for someone.”

Levi met their eyes, unfazed. “I’m here on direct recommendation from the Baron.”

Jennifer was trying hard to contain her laughter. “Please. Recommendation? For what, Levi? Floor duties?”

“Wait, wait, hold on,” Maurice scoffed, his voice echoing through the polished lounge. “Does your Baron know that you're as useless as letter k in knife?”

Levi simply smiled.

General Griggs turned to Maurice. “Maybe the army’s so desperate, they figured an ex-husband with no tactical skills should command the Eastern Front.

Levi took a quiet breath. “I didn’t come here to argue, sir.”

His eyes narrowed. “Look, it’d be pathetic if the press caught wind that the General’s daughter’s ex-husband is now a wandering foot soldier begging for relevance. Think of General Griggs’ reputation.”

Levi frowned slightly and stepped to the side, but Maurice grabbed his shoulder.

“I’m serious, Levi. Let’s avoid a media disaster.” He reached into his coat and pulled out a sleek debit card. With a mocking smile, he slapped it against Levi’s chest. “Here. I’ll transfer some money to you each month as welfare. Just... stay invisible.”

Levi looked down at the card, then up at Maurice, then laughed and pushed the card away. “Keep it. I don’t take handouts from people I beneath me.”

“Beneath you?” Maurice was bewilded.

“God, Levi,” General Griggs groaned. “You are always delusional. That’s why it never worked between you and my daughter. Look at you.” He scanned him up from head to toe. “This is the life you chose, and I’m glad my daughter walked away.”

Before Levi could respond, a female secretary in black suite rushed over. “General Griggs, mister Maurice, Miss Griggs,” she said breathlessly. “You’re requested in the command room.”

They turned to follow her but the secretary suddenly blocked Levi with a stiff arm.

“Not you, sir,” she said, barely glancing at him. “This is a high-clearance meeting.”

Maurice tried to stiffle his laughter. “See? Even the staff can smell irrelevance.”

Levi said nothing. He simply stepped back and watched them enter the command room.

Just then, the double doors burst open and General Yugoslav one of the most decorated strategic minds of the Eastern Front, strode out, a phone pressed to his ear and his eyes scanned the lounge.

“Yes… I’m on it,” Yugoslav spoke into the phone. “Of course we’re not keeping him waiting on purpose. We just… we don’t see him anywhere.”

The phone crackled and paused.

“You mean the mafialord is already in this room?...which room exactly?” Yugoslav barked into the phone.

“No, no… There's no one fitting the description here. I'm inside the lounge now…Nothing, we checked…”

Levi stepped forward, hands extended. “General Yugoslav?”

Yugoslav turned toward the voice and lowered the phone.

“…Yes?”

Levi offered a handshake. “Levi Sheldon. Almighty mafialord. Newly Assigned to the Eastern front.”

“And what about him?”

“I am the one!”

Yugoslav’s jaw twitched. He glanced at Levi from head to toe and bursted out in laughter.

“Kid, I know a mafialord when I see one. If you want to get busy, pick those folders and follow me inside.”

Yugoslav motioned to a handful of folders in a corner, Levi picked them and followed him into the command room.

Inside, long oaken tables overflowed with documents, city maps, satellite feeds, and communication arrays.

General Griggs sat near the digital feed, his face curled in an imperious frown. Jennifer sat beside him, elegant and cruelly poised. Maurice was whispering to another officer, eyes darting like poison.

As Levi stepped in, heads turned and a hush fell like heavy curtains.

“What is this?” Maurice was surprised. “Did he sneak in to fetch coffee?”

A senior general named Harry, tapped a large map projected on the screen. “We need to push through Piedmont before nightfall,” he said. “If Bonanno and Gambino’s buyers arrive tomorrow, Hogano's wife will be gone. Sold off.”

Griggs leaned forward. “Reports?”

“This is a classified mission, sir. We can't risk our operations flying into the open.”

Griggs askes. “Do we have enough men to save Hogano's wife?”

There was silence.

“NO.”

Jennifer's hearthrob, Maurice leaned over to General Griggs.

“How much did you say Hogano is paying us for this extraction?”

“A hundred million Dollars.”

Everyone's jaw dropped. Earth paused, heartbeats paused, even breathing paused.

“But why does this Extraction look impossible?” someone asked.

“Bonanno and Gambino are one of the most powerful cartel families in Italy and Europe. They're untouchable because they control the military and economy.”

“Don't forget, the terrain where Hogano's wife is held captive is so jagged and almost impenetrable.” Yogoslav added.

Everyone nodded. They faced a major problem now, no other tactic worked and they were at a crossroad.

Suddenly, commotion was heard outside and a young officer entered, soaked in sweat.

“Sir! Generals!” the young man shouted, voice nearly cracking, “The buyers have arrived!”

Chairs scraped as everyone stood in panic.