Finally, free
Erik
I adjusted the sleeves of my suit and fixed the tie. This has been a long time since I've used one. As soon as I had finished fixing the last details of my appearance, I stood in front of the gate and waited.
Keeping my eyes fixed on it, I waited without looking back. Slowly, the doors opened, and I was blinded by a bright beam. I raised my hand to block the intense light, but I was not successful. Now, the light is the least of my concerns. I had to savour this moment, as I was about to walk towards my freedom.
Once the doors were fully open, the security guard inside the surveillance booth shook his head, letting me know that I could proceed. Without wasting more time, I began to take one step forward after another, until I was out.
I've been locked up in this pigsty for three and a half years. But I was finally free.
Then, a few steps from me stood two cars. As the first one's door opened, my lawyer got out, as did Tomas and Daniel, from the other vehicle. My lawyer approached me first and extended his hand.
“Congratulations, Erik, it's a pleasure to have you back.”
“It's my pleasure to be finally out, Rodrigo,” I replied to the greeting.
“Boss,” Tomas extended his hand in greeting. I took it and squeezed it hard, letting him know how grateful I was to him for all that he had done for my family and my businesses in my absence.
Nodding, he accepted my gratitude. Daniel followed up with his congratulations.
“It's time to go, I don't want you to be near this place for another second.”
We all headed to the vehicles, and I got in with Tomas and Daniel, Rodrigo would follow us on his own. Tomas started the car, and before taking off, I turned to see the prison. “Never again,” I faced forward, and said, “Let's go.”
∞∞∞
I was enjoying the stage when Tomas spoke, “Boss, Mrs Rosa is waiting for your call. I promised her that it would be the first thing you do when you got out of there.”
He extended his hand, with a mobile. I took it and immediately dialled my mother.
The ringtone rang once, and I immediately heard her voice, “Son, is that you? I'm so glad to know that you are fine, and out of prison.”
“Of course, it's me, mom. I'm free now and on my way home.”
“Erik, my son, thank God you're free. You don't know how many times I prayed to our lord to let you out of that place as soon as possible. He listened to me, son, God listened to me. I want to go home and be with you, but Tomas told me that you gave him instructions that I remain in Venezuela. Now that you are out, I would like to go back. All this time without being able to visit you even once was killing me.”
“Don't worry, Mom, since I'm here, it's safe for you to come. I will arrange everything so that tomorrow you are flying to America. I miss you too, and I already want you here, with me.”
“I want you to take good care of yourself from now on. You can't trust anyone. Remember what happened to you for not having self-control over your emotions. Erik, promise me you'll never do that again. Your life and the lives of all who depend on you are at risk.”
As always, she is right. I looked out of the window watching the street, absorbing it all, then, I told her. “Yes Mom, I already learned my lesson, and rest assured, my life is going to have a drastic change.”
Our call didn't last long, so we'll talk when we're face to face.
∞∞∞
My home is more than an hour's drive from that location, fortunately. I won't have to remember the prison or what happened there, ever again. The first few months were hell, but I moved and turned things around, having the upper hand.
A road leads directly to my house, and as soon as the facade appeared, many emotions arose within me. Now that I was home again, I was determined to reclaim what had been stolen from me for so many years. It's time for Erik Costa to take his place once again.
Once Tomas had parked the car at the entrance, Raul came running out to meet me.
“Good thing you are out. We need you, boss,” he said. “We will bring you up to speed on what has happened because the situation is getting dangerous.”
“Raul, it's good to be back. As soon as I settle in and have a shower, I want everyone to meet me in my office. We have to put things back in their places.”
He on;y nodded and moved out of the way for me to enter my house.
When I took my first step, I felt a wave of nostalgia wash over me, but I could hold back the tears that grew in my eyes. Due to my stupidity to control my emotions, or better say my dick, all of this happened to me; I had to harden my heart even more from now on. My criminal career demands a heavy hand and zero mercy. I failed a lot and paid the consequences. But this time it will be different.
I walked towards the stairs, which would lead me to my room. As I passed, the memories of everything that had happened to my life in this house resurfaced.
I looked at the stairs and I saw Claudia coming down with the bright smile that she always showed. I also saw Nora, with the expression of loneliness and pain that I knew well. She showed me sincerity from day one, but I chose another path. And look where it took me.
I shook my head after releasing those memories from my mind and entered my room, where everything was as it was when I left it. Nothing had changed, so I immediately went to the bathroom and removed my clothes. The clothes I'm wearing now were things they gave me back when I first arrived in prison. Nothing should remind me of that day, so, I will throw everything, including my watch and rings, into the dustbin.
I got into the shower and turned on the tab. All the prison filth was washed away by the hot water as it rushed over my body. It had symbolic meaning for me. It marked the beginning of a new me and the death of the old one. From now on, my life will be in my hands because I won't let anyone stand in the way of my decisions, not even my mother. Nobody will be able to influence me, and I won't let their opinions affect me.
As a result of trying to please others, I have failed in my life. I am always looking at how others view my actions. Even with my father, I wanted his recognition.
I used to try to fit in, but not any more because from today, I will be superior, I will do things my way, and nothing that people think will matter to me.
From today, I will no longer be concerned with appearances. I will not live the life others have expected me to live. This is the day when I will take over as the head of my empire, and I will have no one above me.
From now on, everyone will be my enemies, as my reign of terror is about to begin, and those involved in my downfall will pay for it. In the history of this country, Erik Costa will be remembered as the biggest threat.
After I finished my shower, I got dressed and went outside. There were plenty of clothes I had never worn before in my closet. Today would be an ideal day to do so.
Once I was ready, I headed to my office. The team was waiting for me already as I opened the door for them.
As everyone gathered around the table, we began our meeting. Raul and Tomas were holding many documents in their hands. They deposited them on the table and Tomas slid them towards me.
“Boss, these documents contain all the transactions we've done since you entered the prison. Raul and I, personally, take care of each one of them. All the earnings are clearly detailed, and every product is documented. You will find everything in order, and no dollar wasted.”
I was amazed at the level of organization and clarity with which my men worked even in my absence. I nodded and put all the information to one side. Once this meeting is over, I'll review all of it.
I turned my attention to Daniel since he was the Head of Security and knew everything that was happening around our circle.
“Daniel, tell me what happened to my territory in my absence?” I settled myself better in the chair and added the following, “Tell me everything.”
A briefcase was pulled out from under the table, then Daniel put it on top and opened it. Several folders were taken out, then he said, “I have a lot to tell you, boss. Unfortunately, the calls to the prison were recorded. We couldn’t tell you what actually happened.” However, Daniel pointed at the folders.
“You will find out plenty of things that will surprise you, and you won't like them. I have everything you need to know here. I gathered all kinds of information and evidence. We can come up with a strategy once you've re-examined all this, but you must keep an open mind. Someone is handling the competition, but we have not been able to identify who it is. Whatsoever, we do know that this person had something to do with your arrest.”
My fist smashed into the table when I heard that. Everything on the table jumped as a result of the impact. There was a lot to do, so I took a deep breath and calmed myself down. My fury is something I will save for when I have to face my enemies.
“Go on.” With a shake of my head, I urged Daniel to proceed.
“You will not like this information, boss, but you must read it carefully. We believe the person who was responsible for your incarceration was also the one who attacked the Lazzaro.” Daniel's information caught my attention immediately.
“The Lazzaro, have they been attacked?” I asked him.
Daniel opened a folder and showed me some papers. “These are the pictures taken of the attack on the Lazzaro cousins. There were two deaths.” Daniel points to a photo, putting it in front of me. “This is Toni, they considered him the head, although all three had equal power, he was the first one they attacked.”
The photo of Toni's body was in front of me, covered with bullets, inside the driver's seat of his car. It was clear the attacker didn't want to miss. It looked like a massacre from a distance. An unexpected and fulminating attack.
“Their businesses and distribution units were attacked one by one after his death. But after weakening them with this murder, Frank was next.”
Daniel handed me a series of photos showing Frank's tortured and lifeless body. He had been thrown at the Lazzaro house door. It was a clear sign they were all going to die.
“And what happened to the third cousin?” I asked Daniel in amazement.
“We haven't heard from him since Frank died. It appears that he is hidden or dead. However, my sources say he is most likely still alive. From what I can see from everything here, we don't know who the perpetrator is?” Daniel shook his head, which indicated we knew nothing until now.
“We don't even know who he is, which is why we have kept our guard up. We are also in the crosshairs of this person. Some of our establishments have allegedly been compromised along with the FBI. They seem to be working together. That is why they were able to reach you since someone from our circle was with them. They are making an alliance to eliminate criminal cells because of political motives. A single criminal organization can be controlled more easily than several. Other countries often follow this practice. The American government appears to be following this trend. Similarly, in Mexico, the government has an agreement with members of the criminal cartels, everything points to that.”
I wondered briefly who would gain after the Lazzaro disappeared. Many organizations, including Gonzalo. But my spy says that this person is trying to take the Lazzaro as well as me. But I cannot imagine Gonzalo attempting to harm me. Makes no sense. So, I have to look somewhere else
“Daniel, who is the most benefited by the Lazzaro being off the market? In my case, the same. Moreover, who would benefit the most from the elimination of both, The Lazzaro, and me?”
“Yes, boss, we have thought about that, and Gonzalo is the only one who would gain everything by eliminating us. However, we doubt that he is connected with the government. And it does not make sense that he nominated you as ruler of the Lazzaro territory.” I nodded, there must be someone else.
“Keep investigating. No matter how small it is, you have to find someone who knows something. We need to find out who is behind all this; otherwise, we will be next.”
∞∞∞
After our meeting, my men went to work. I stayed in the office, analysing all the documents that they had left me. And suddenly, my phone rang. I let it ring a few more times, wondering who it could be. So, I picked up the handset but didn't say anything, waiting for the other person to speak first.
“Always so cautious, Venezuelan?”
That voice sounded familiar to me. But I did not remember where I had heard it.
“Who is it?”
“It bothers me that you don't remember me, Venezuelan. But I don't have much time, so I'll save the games for another time. I am Vinci, Vinci Lazzaro.”
That's funny! “We thought you were dead and buried in a mass grave in the desert. Now I see we were mistaken. And tell me, why did you call me Vinci? What do you want?”
“Venezuelan, I am outside your house right now.”
That surprised me, so I turned on my monitors and opened the security cameras, meanwhile, I pressed the security button. In a matter of seconds, my house will be surrounded by my guards.
Daniel ran in to see what was going on, but I made a sign for him to look at the screen and keep quiet. He immediately did so and raised his eyebrows in surprise.
“Venezuelan, are you still there? I need to talk to you, and the phone lines are not safe. You should already know that my head has a price that is worth gold. Decide quickly what you want to do. Since I allow you exactly ten seconds to open the gate of your house and let me in. Otherwise, I will disappear, and you will never know who put you in jail. You and I have a common enemy.”
Hearing what he said, I pressed the button opening the gate, giving him access to my property. Anyway, my security team was waiting for him at the entrance.
“Daniel, go with Raul and secure the perimeter. Be sure he comes alone. Ensure anyone entering the property is killed.”
“Yes, Boss.”
“Tomas, come with me. You and I are going to greet Vinci. And if he is lying to me, this will be the last day of his life, since I will finish what our enemy could not.”
Both of us left my office and headed for the entrance. My security team already checked Vinci's vehicle for explosives or espionage devices. I won't let my guard down again.
Outside my house, we stopped. As soon as my security finished checking his car, I asked him to get out. He did it slowly, I knew he wasn't stupid, this way, he would give us no reason to shoot him.
He put his hands in front, showing us that he was unarmed. With my head, I signalled my security team to go over him in detail. They assured me that he was clean, and thereafter, my guards led him to my office and I motioned for him to sit down. Vinci looked around, taking all in.
“Speak up, and if your information is of no use to me, consider yourself dead.”
Vinci nodded and said, “What I'm going to tell you will definitely interest you. In fact, it will make you feel like the idiot you've always been.”
One of my guards cut the cartridge, and the sound made Vinci raise his hands in surrender. “OK Venezuelan, I'll go back in time, a little after you were arrested.”
Vinci began to speak, and with every word he said, my eyes grew wider.
