Roger explained the rules for this round, “Alright, Lucas, this time we’re playing a birdie game. The goal is to finish each hole one stroke under par. Let’s see how you do.”
Lucas nodded, feeling a bit more confident. “Sounds good, Roger. Let’s give it a shot.”
As they started, Lucas surprised everyone, by taking the lead. His first drive was straight and true, landing him in a perfect position for a birdie attempt. Roger watched, a hint of disbelief in his eyes. “Nice shot, Lucas,” he said, trying to keep his tone light.
“Thanks, Roger,” Lucas replied, grinning. “I think I’m finally getting the hang of this.”
Roger, while outwardly supportive, felt a twinge of irritation. He needed to win this game to secure the car, and Lucas’s sudden improvement was unexpected. “You’re doing great,” he said, masking his frustration. “Keep it up.”
As they moved from hole to hole, Lucas continued to play well, his shots more precise and his confidence growing. “This is actually fun,” Lucas said, enjoying the game. “I never thought I’d be doing this well.”
Roger forced a smile, “Yeah, you’re really on a roll today.”
As the third game came to a close, Lucas emerged victorious, much to his delight. Roger, though surprised, congratulated him with a nod. “Well done, Lucas. You’ve really improved.”
Lucas grinned, “Thanks, Roger. I guess today is my lucky day.”
With the fourth game about to begin, Roger decided to raise the stakes once more. “Alright, Lucas, for this round, we’re aiming for an eagle. That means finishing each hole two strokes under par. It’s a bit more challenging, but I think you’re ready for it.”
Lucas nodded, “Let’s do it, Roger. I’m up for the challenge.”
They approached the first hole of the eagle game, the course now familiar yet still demanding. Roger took a moment to explain the strategy, “You’ll need to focus on both power and precision. It’s all about getting as close to the green as possible with your first shot.”
Lucas listened intently, absorbing the advice. “Got it. I’ll give it my best shot.”
As they began, Lucas’s first drive was impressive, landing him in a strong position for an eagle attempt. Roger watched, a mix of disbelief and irritation in his eyes. “Nice start, Lucas. Keep that up.”
The game continued, with Lucas maintaining his momentum. His shots were precise, and his confidence was evident. “This is really exciting,” Lucas said, enjoying the challenge. “I never thought I’d be playing this well.”
Roger, while supportive, felt the pressure to perform. He needed to regain his lead, but Lucas’s performance was making it a tough battle. “You’re doing great, Lucas,” he said, determined to stay focused.
As the fourth game concluded, Lucas once again claimed victory, bringing the score to a tense 2-2. Roger, though increasingly irritated, managed to keep his composure, hiding his frustration behind a polite smile. Lucas, on the other hand, couldn’t resist a subtle, teasing grin, having noticed Roger’s concealed annoyance.
With the final game set to determine the winner, Roger announced, “Alright, Lucas, for the last game, we’re going for a hole-in-one challenge.”
Lucas nodded, accepting the challenge with confidence. “Let’s do it, Roger.”
Roger smirked secretly as they climbed into the golf cart, heading to the next set for the decisive round. Behind them, One Eye and Greg followed closely. Greg had a peculiar feeling, sensing something was off. It was as if everything was unfolding according to a script directed by Lucas.
Upon reaching the location, Roger took a moment to explain the rules of the final game. “This time, I’ll go first so you can see how it’s done,” he said, with a hint of strategy in his voice.
Lucas agreed, “Sure, go ahead.”
Roger positioned himself, eyes sharp and focused on the goal. He swung with precision, and the ball flew through the air, striking the flag but narrowly missing the hole. “So close,” he muttered, turning to Lucas with a smile. “Your turn.”
Inwardly, Roger hoped his shot had put pressure on Lucas, thinking it might be difficult for him to even reach par. Lucas stepped up, and this time, he subtly switched to using his right hand, a detail Roger failed to notice. After carefully gauging the wind and preparing his swing, Lucas struck the ball.
Clack!
The sound echoed, and everyone watched in stunned silence as the ball sailed smoothly through the air, landing directly in the hole without even grazing the flag.
“Hole in one! Literally a hole in one!” Greg exclaimed, astonished.
Roger shouted in disbelief, “Impossible! How did that happen?!” He turned to Lucas, who was smiling confidently. It was then that Roger noticed Lucas holding the club with his right hand. In his eagerness to win Lucas’s sports car, he had overlooked the changes in Lucas’s play. Pointing at Lucas, he exclaimed, “You! You’re not left-handed?! You used your right hand?!”
Lucas shrugged, offering no explanation. Roger, feeling tricked, snapped, “You deceived me?!”
“Deceived you?” Lucas replied with a chuckle. “There’s nothing in the rules about which hand I should use. It’s your fault for being so focused on winning that you let your guard down.”
“You!” Roger stammered, struggling to find the right words. Lucas smiled and calmly said, “Golf is like business-sometimes you end up in the rough, sometimes in the deep,” echoing Roger’s earlier words.
Continuing, Lucas added, “Since I won, I want you to answer all my questions about the Sicilia Familia.”
Roger sighed, realizing he had been bested. “Ask whatever you want to know, and I’ll answer,” he conceded.
Lucas leaned in slightly, his voice calm yet probing. “I know you have protection from the Sicilian Mafia, Roger.”
Roger sighed, knowing there was no point in denying it. “I had no choice, Lucas. With the number of businesses I run, I can’t face all my enemies alone. I needed protection from the Sicilia Familia, and it comes at a steep price. Forty percent of their earnings come from me because sixty percent of my revenue flows into their cash stream.”
He continued, a hint of frustration in his voice, “I’ve got businesses in various industries-real estate, shipping, and even tech. But the Sicilian Familia has their people managing these sectors. I can’t place my own trusted people because they’ve practically taken over. And on top of the sixty percent, I still have to pay the salaries of the mafia members working in each of my businesses.”
Lucas nodded, absorbing the information. “Do you want to break away from the Sicilian Mafia?”
Roger hesitated for a moment, but then replied, “Of course I do.”
Lucas nodded again, offering a solution. “If that’s the case, I can help you, but you’ll need to work with me.”