Chapter 4 - Becoming the Baron

In the charming town of Wallows Square, Andreas handed Caspian a substantial amount of cash. "Stay safe, Baron."

"Don't call me Baron," Caspian said again and Andreas nodded. The sound of the Baron tag felt heavy on him and he would surely avert it if his plans worked.

With a confident nod, Andreas swiftly drove away, leaving Caspian to his next move.

Within the confines of the car, Andreas addressed Riqui who accompanied him. "Initiate the location tracker in his suit and ensure you stay on him," he commanded, his tone resolute.

Riqui immediately changed inconspicuously into baggy jeans and a shirt to shield his identity. He promptly stepped out of the vehicle, ready to execute the orders given to him.

Meanwhile, Caspian hailed a passing cab after he looked here and there. He knew that he might be followed. He instructed the driver to head to the illustrious Albert Mansion.

As the majestic gates of the mansion loomed before him, Caspian felt a surge of hope. The same twenty million dollars for which he had served time on a course he knew nothing about was about to be given to him. A new life awaited him.

As he walked into the gate, the staff of the mansion were shocked to see him. This was a place he visited five years ago, a day before he was jailed.

He also knew that his supposed demise in prison had circulated among them, leaving the staff and security guards in awe of his presence.

Unfazed by the attention he garnered, Caspian approached one of the staff members. "I want to see Venerable Albert," he declared firmly.

The security member was stunned by the way Caspian referred to his master and his unexpected return. After a smirk, he advised him to wait patiently for the venerable man.

The staff member disappeared behind the mansion's doors, leaving Caspian alone to gather his thoughts… "I will find out which school Sonya attends, do the introduction and take her away. With the money, we will have a life. Surely," Caspian affirmed, drawing his plans.

Moments later, the enigmatic figure of Venerable Albert emerged, his graceful stride cutting through the silence.

As his gaze settled upon Caspian, he paused briefly before heading towards a gathering of chairs and tables situated beneath the shade of a magnificent palm tree in his sprawling yard.

Caspian followed suit, bowing respectfully before taking his seat opposite the so-called venerable.

"Sir, I am back," Caspian spoke and silence prevailed.

Amid the silence, Caspian's mind raced to and fro some 'what ifs'. What if he wouldn't give me? What if Layla had been here before me?

Finally, breaking the silence, Albert addressed Caspian by name, a twinkle of curiosity gracing his eyes.

"When did you get out of jail?" Albert inquired.

"Yesterday's morning," Caspian answered.

A smile curled at the corners of Albert's lips as he leaned back in his chair, "Well, congratulations. You've managed to regain your freedom."

"Sir, according to your promise, I am here for the promised twenty million dollars," Caspian said firmly, his eyes fixed on Albert's.

A hearty laughter escaped Albert's lips, resonating with an air of amusement. "Ah, Caspian! Yes, that is right. I made the promise of twenty million dollars, now I'm cancelling it," Albert declared, his voice carrying a tone of authority.

"What?" Caspian's voice quivered with disbelief. "I served time for you and did what you asked me to do. Now fulfil your part of the deal!"

"I heard news that you were dead, so the money is gone with your presumed dead body," he explained casually.

"Gone where?" Caspian's fury intensified, his fists pounding the table.

The space fell into an eerie silence as the tension grew thicker. Suddenly, one of the guards menacingly approached Caspian, placing a gun against his temple.

Fear coursed through Caspian's veins, rendering him motionless. Why had everyone turned out to be worse towards him? He wondered.

But against all odds, venerable Albert commanded the guard to back off. As the tension eased, he spoke with a sense of authority. "Never raise your voice at me again, Caspian. Let me recount how I started my mafia empire five years ago."

Caspian's eyes widened in shock and disbelief as he listened to Albert's chilling confession. Another mafia empire was set to cheat him and there was nothing he could do about it.

"I committed the murder that started my empire. I was to present one of my men but back then I had no one but a useless son-in-law who had nothing to offer my one and only daughter. You stood in my place in jail as the man who committed the murder. I have nothing to give you, Caspian, only a spot in my crime chattel," Albert coldly stated, crushing any lingering hope within him. "You were merely a pawn in my game."

With a heavy heart, Caspian swallowed his disappointment and stood up. Options seeped into his head, and they were to punch, strangulate or fight. But these men had guns and he'd lose his life.

As he stood up, he wondered if the only way around survival was to own a gang. He had lost his wife to an owner of a gang, now, his only hope of getting his daughter and living a good life was scammed and rammed down by another don of a gang.

"Caspian?" Venerable Alberto called and Caspian turned. "You have no place in my house if you turn down this offer. Become a goon and move drugs for me. Then, you can have a life too.”

Caspian kept walking. He knew the house that he was referring to. The same house where Don Razor had taken over.

"I have given my daughter to a mate, someone of the same mind and there is nothing you'd do about it," Albert said again.

Caspian walked out of the gate and dragged his weary soul along the silent street. Is this the end? Will I lose Sonya? He queried himself.

Should I take the role of DiMarco's Baron? He asked himself and sighed. It was a crime world, and the route to the top seemed woven in crime chattels. Me, as a crime Baron?

As he treaded wearily through the desolate streets, a car suddenly pulled up beside him.

From the darkness of the vehicle emerged the man from Albert's mansion, the same man who had aimed a gun at Caspian's head earlier. "Say hello to your ancestors in the otherworld," he sneered, his voice dripping with malice.

Caspian closed his eyes, bracing himself for the end. This was the second time he was close to death, the second time he had seen the afterlife after closing his eyes. "This is the end. Daddy loves you, Sonya," he said and expected the hot piercings of the bullet.

Gunshots pierced the air, but to his surprise, he remained unharmed. Cautiously, he opened his eyes to witness his assailant lying lifeless in the car.

Across the street stood Riqui with a gun in hand. Relief washed over Caspian as he realized his life had been saved. "This is not the end, yet. I'm coming for you Sonya," he said to himself.

It was the second time in two days that he had been at gunpoint and had survived the ordeal narrowly.

As Caspian and Riqui stared at each other, DiMarco's van rode in and Andreas stepped out.

"Baron, I think everyone wants to kill you even as an innocent man. We have to go now," Andreas urgently said, his eyes scanning their surroundings.

Standing frozen for a moment, Caspian quickly regained his composure and looked deep into Andreas's eyes, and then at Riqui, and at Raquel who was in the driver seat.

"What do I need to know about the DiMarco's scheme?" Caspian asked.

"Baron, I'll tell you everything," Andreas answered.

"Have you agreed to lead us, Mr Caspian?" Riqui asked.

"On one condition," Caspian answered.

"What's it, Baron?"

"I want my daughter, regardless of the odds. I want to avenge the loss of my wife to a Don, and I want to avenge being a pawn in my in-law's game," Caspian said in a grown.

"You will make the call, we will follow. But let's fulfil the burial rights of the GrandBaron and your initiation first," Andreas Motta said and Caspian walked into the van.

Earlier that day, he entered Wallows Square as a regular local, but he was leaving it a the Baron of the DiMarco's canopy, filled with thoughts of vengeance.

"You all will regret it," he said to himself.