Diego’s crew reached the pirate ship, they swiftly boarded, leaping onto the deck. The scene before them was grim-bodies lay scattered, bloodied from slashes and bullet wounds. In one corner, Mr. Long and the pirate captain lay gasping for breath, each bearing deep cuts.
Upon seeing the newcomers, Mr. Long’s jaw tightened. “Who are you?” he demanded, eyeing the pirate-clad group warily.
The pirate captain managed a weak grin, glancing at one of Diego’s crew members with a fake parrot on his shoulder. “Pretend pirates here to steal, you’re a real idiot,” he taunted Mr. Long.
Diego, playing up his pirate act, swaggered forward. “We’re here to clean up the mess!” he declared with a theatrical flourish.
Marco and Carlo joined in, striking exaggerated poses. “Time to finish you off and take all the treasure,” Marco announced, his voice dripping with mock seriousness.
“We are the Cleaning Pirates!” Carlo added, striking a comical pose alongside Marco.
The three of them stood there, posing dramatically, before Diego broke character, chuckling. “Was that part of our script?” he asked, glancing at his companions.
Carlo shrugged, grinning. “Nah, just thought of it on the spot.”
Marco chimed in, “But hey, wasn’t it cool?”
“Ah, you guys are full of nonsense,” Diego said with a smirk before straightening up. He cleared his throat and raised his sword. “Alright, lads, let’s do the cleaning.”
The crew responded with a mix of enthusiastic shouts. Some yelled, “Aye! Aye! Captain!” while others chimed in with, “Sir! Yes! Sir!”
Diego paused, laughing. “That’s what happens when you skip practice. Alright, let’s get to work.”
With that, his crew set about cleaning the scene. They piled the bodies into a towering heap, working efficiently. Diego grinned as he looked at the two leaders. “You two don’t look like you’ll last much longer.”
As the crew transferred the treasures, they left behind documents related to the treasure. One of them punctured the ship’s fuel tank, letting gasoline spill out. Once everything was in place, Diego ordered Marco and Carlo to put out both ships with gasoline.
After a few moments, Diego turned to the two leaders for a final farewell. Mr. Long, filled with fear, realized his end was near, while the pirate captain’s eyes remained sharp and defiant.
“You think this is the end?” the pirate captain rasped, his voice steady despite his injuries. “There will always be more like us.”
Mr. Long, trembling, could only whisper, “Please… don’t…”
Diego gave a mock salute, his voice dripping with pirate flair. “Farewell, gentlemen. May the sea take you swiftly.”
The crew returned to their ship, setting sail away from the scene. Once they were at a safe distance, one of the crew members lit an arrow and shot it towards the two ships. The arrow hit its mark, and flames quickly engulfed the vessels, creating a fiery spectacle in the middle of the ocean.
As they watched the blaze, Diego’s crew began removing their fake pirate accessories, shedding their disguises.
…..
….
Meanwhile, in the lively casino called “The Golden Mirage,” the atmosphere buzzed with excitement. In the VIP lounge, a waiter in a sharp suit moved gracefully, offering drinks to the guests.
As he approached a table where a card game was in progress, he leaned in slightly. “A drink for you, sir?” he offered with a polite smile.
The player, deep in thought, hesitated over his next move. The waiter, noticing his uncertainty, whispered softly, “Try playing the ace.”
The player considered the advice, then smiled, realizing the wisdom in the suggestion. He quickly played the ace and watched the game turn in his favor. Turning to thank the waiter, he found the spot empty. Scratching his head, he murmured, “Where did he go?”
….
The waiter continued his walk until he entered the dressing room. He placed his phone on the drawer while standing in front of the mirror. Just then, his phone rang. Checking the caller ID, he quickly answered. A respectful voice came through, “Boss Lucas, Julyan’s mission is complete, and the treasures have been secured. The scene is clean.”
“Excellent,” Lucas replied. “For now, let the team rest. There’s no rush. This will surely disrupt one of their major operations.”
“One more thing, boss. The police have arrested their people involved in the drug trade, and an investigation is underway,” Lion added.
“As expected, Julyan did a clean job. Good work, everyone!” Lucas praised.
“Thank you, boss!” Lion responded politely before ending the call.
Lucas pocketed his phone and adjusted his disguise, adding a fake mustache and a mole to his face. Standing confidently in front of the mirror, he declared, “Alright! Time for me to make my move!” With that, he exited the dressing room, heading to the kitchen to gather some food before entering another VIP area where his primary target awaited.
As Lucas entered the VIP room, he exuded professionalism and cool confidence. His target, a man named Tyrone, was not only the operator of the casino but also held the keys to its most sensitive operations. Tyrone was deeply trusted by the Costa Familia, as he managed their money laundering activities and ensured the smooth flow of illicit funds through the casino. His expertise in financial manipulation and his ability to maintain the casino’s facade as a legitimate business made him indispensable.
Moreover, Tyrone had access to critical information and contacts that the Costa Familia relied on for their broader criminal enterprises. His connections with influential figures and his knowledge of the inner workings of the casino’s operations meant that his downfall would expose vulnerabilities and disrupt the entire network.
Approaching Tyrone with a tray, Lucas offered a drink. “A refreshment for you, Mr. Tyrone?” he asked smoothly, maintaining his composure.
Tyrone took the drink from Lucas with little courtesy, his mind preoccupied with his next move. The group was engaged in a game of poker, a strategic card game played by four people. Lucas stood behind Tyrone, observing his hand quietly.
As Tyrone was about to discard a card, Lucas leaned in and whispered, “If you throw that one, you might lose your advantage. Try this card instead; it could turn the game in your favor.”
Tyrone paused, initially thinking, ‘Why is this waiter giving me advice?’ But as he considered Lucas’s suggestion, it made sense. He nodded, appreciating the insight, and followed Lucas’s advice. As the game went on, Tyrone’s luck turned, and he ended up winning the round.
Impressed, Tyrone turned to Lucas with interest. “You’ve got quite the eye for this. How about you take a seat and play?”
Lucas hesitated, unsure. “I’m not sure if I should…”
Tyrone insisted, “Come on, from now on, you won’t need to be a waiter. Your job will be to gamble for me.”
Lucas still seemed uncertain, so Tyrone added, “I’ll triple your salary.”
Lucas’s eyes lit up at the offer. “Triple? Alright, I’m in!”
Tyrone laughed and announced to the other big players around, “Gentlemen, meet Mr.-what’s your name?” he asked Lucas.
“Ah, Lucio, sir,” Lucas replied politely.
Meanwhile, in a distant tavern, Lucio sneezed unexpectedly. “Who on earth is thinking about me?” he muttered.
Back at the casino, Tyrone chuckled and declared that Lucio would play for him. He seated Lucas and stood behind him to watch the action unfold. The three other high rollers smirked, exchanging glances.
“Are you sure about this, Tyrone?” one of them asked, eyeing Lucas skeptically. “A waiter playing in your place?”
Tyrone grinned confidently. “Trust me, you’ll see soon enough.”