New Dog

Fletcher's eyes narrowed as he studied the mysterious masked man before him, his annoyance barely concealing the faintest flicker of fear. Leaning in, he lowered his voice to a conspiratorial whisper, ensuring the patrons of the lounge remained oblivious to their conversation. "You... you stole such important information from me..."

The masked man, revealed to be one Lorenzo, let out a low chuckle. "Indeed, I did. And that there information is going to cost you... dearly."

Fletcher's jaw clenched, but he pressed on. "Very well, then. Just tell me what it is you want." He added, a note of desperation creeping into his voice. "Is it money? Name your price."

Lorenzo's lips curled into a thin smile. "Money? No, no, Mayor. Money is of little concern to me."

Fletcher's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Then what, pray tell, do you want?"

"I need you, Mayor." Lorenzo's smile widened, his eyes glinting with a wicked glee that sent a shiver down Fletcher's spine.

"Wh-what do you mean?" Fletcher stammered, his heart pounding in his chest as he feared he already knew the answer.

"Don't play dumb with me, now," purred Lorenzo. "I want you." He pressed the tip of his cane against Fletcher's leg, emphasizing his point. "I want you to be my... lapdog, so to speak. You'll do everything I say, without questions or hesitation. And you can continue living your life as the corrupt mayor you are."

Fletcher's face flushed, but he didn't dare look away from the masked man's cold gaze.

"If you agree, your little secrets will remain safe with me." Lorenzo's voice dropped to a menacing whisper. "At least, until that man Leland and his bribed officials slip up and find themselves in the crosshairs of the FBI. One wrong move, one loose-lipped G-man from that 'Project' of theirs, and your whole scam will come tumbling down. Until then, your secret is safe... with me."

Fletcher's eyes blazed with fury as he glared at the masked man. "You have no idea what you're getting yourself into, golden mask fella." His voice was low and menacing. "There are powerful, influential people involved in this, and Leland has a lot of pull."

Lorenzo's smile didn't falter. "Oh, I'm well aware of Mr. Leland's... influence." He leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers. "He's powerful, yes... but only when it comes to money."

Leaning in close, he whispered in Fletcher's ear, sending a chill down the mayor's spine. "But me? I have something far more valuable than money: information. I know where Laddy-boy Leland lives, who he's bribed, and all the dirty little secrets of those 'powerful' people you're so fond of mentioning."

Fletcher's face paled as realization dawned on him.

"And most importantly," Lorenzo continued, his voice dripping with malice, "I know where your family resides."

"You see, Mayor," Lorenzo purred, "I'm not one to be trifled with either. I have men who would kill without a second thought." He leaned in closer, his voice barely a whisper. "I have connections with the most powerful mafia in New York State, and I've got my own contacts in high places, if you catch my drift."

Fletcher swallowed hard, his bravado evaporating like smoke. There was something about the masked man's demeanor, the way he carried himself, that brooked no defiance. And of course, there was the small matter of the incriminating information he held.

After a tense moment of silence, Fletcher finally relented. "Very well, what do you want me to do?"

Lorenzo's smile returned, wider than ever. "First order of business: call off your daughter's engagement."

Fletcher's eyes narrowed. "What business is it of yours who my daughter marries?" He stood up, defiance still flickering in his eyes.

"Sit down, Fletcher." The masked man's voice was as cold as ice. "Did I give you permission to stand up, dog?"

"I'm not your lapdog!" Fletcher spat, but he didn't move an inch.

Lorenzo tapped the table with his cane, a menacing gesture. "You are now. And if you don't act as I say, well... let's just say your face will be plastered all over the front pages."

Fletcher's jaw clenched, but he remained standing, propping himself up on the table. "You think I'm afraid of you?!"

Lorenzo's eyes bored into Fletcher's, unyielding. "Oh, I know you're confident. It must be because of your friend, the editor-in-chief of the Los Angeles Times."

"How did you—" Fletcher's words trailed off as realization dawned on him.

"No need to be so shocked, Mayor. Soon enough, Raymond Gordon will be working alongside us too. You'll have a friend in high places." Lorenzo chuckled, gesturing to the chair. "Now, be a good dog and sit down."

Fletcher hesitated, but ultimately, he lowered himself back into his seat. Defeated, he asked, "Why do you care about my daughter, huh?"

"Let's just say... one of my associates has taken quite a shine to her." Lorenzo's smile turned predatory. "He's just set foot in LA and is looking to acquire some... businesses here."

Fletcher's fingers drummed on the table, his mind racing. "This associate of yours... he's a businessman?"

Lorenzo nodded. "Correct. And he did ask me to convince you to call off your daughter's engagement, but I knew you'd be... stubborn." He chuckled darkly. "So, I had my men... acquire some insurance to ensure your cooperation."

Fletcher's face flushed with fury, but he didn't dare lash out. "You had your men in my home to steal things from me, all because you wanted me to break up my daughter's engagement?"

Lorenzo's expression didn't falter. "Well, that was the original plan. But it seems my men found some... interesting mementos along the way."

Fletcher's jaw clenched so tightly, his teeth ground together. "Fine, fine! I'll do it. I'll call off the damn engagement. But will that be the end of it? Will I be free from your... association?"

Lorenzo's laughter filled the air, cold and mocking. "Hehehe, don't make me laugh, doggy Fletcher." He sneered, emphasizing the insult. "I'm not asking a favor of you. I'm giving you your first order as my lapdog."

Fletcher's hands clenched into fists, but he knew better than to lash out. "I understand." The words tasted like ash in his mouth.

[Ding! You successfully put the mayor in your pocket!]

[Reward: Ancient Trionfi Cards (12 Trump Cards Edition)]

[Ancient Trionfi Cards: A set of 12 Cards— Each Card depicts the ending fate of its victim, who accepted the card from the host. The victim cannot rid themselves of the card, even if they try to discard it; it will always teleport back to them, the card also cannot be destroyed. Only the host can relinquish the card or the victim's suicide will free them from the curse. If the host triggers the victim's fate as portrayed on the card, they will die accordingly.]

[After the individual's death, the card will return to the host.]

Lorenzo read the system notification and studied the effects of each card. For example, if he were to give someone a card like "The Fool," they would meet their end in a manner befitting the card's meaning: carelessly walking off a cliff or trusting the wrong person, leading to their downfall. The possibilities were chilling, but Lorenzo couldn't help but smile behind his mask. He now had a powerful new tool at his disposal, and he intended to use it wisely... or perhaps not so much.

"Now, as my dog," Lorenzo began, a sinister edge creeping into his voice, "you're now part of my organization."

Fletcher's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Organization? What do you mean?"

Lorenzo smirked and slid a card across the table. "You're now part of the 'Wolf Familia'."

The card depicted a foolish-looking figure, about to step off a cliff.

Fletcher picked up the card, glanced at the masked man and then back at the card. "Is this… a tarot card?" He asked, picking it up gingerly. The cardstock felt ancient, as if it were an original from centuries past.

Lorenzo nodded, a chilling smile on his lips. "Correct. It's one of the oldest decks you'll ever lay your hands on. Treasure it."

Fletcher slipped the card into his pocket, but he couldn't shake the chilling sensation that crept up his spine. He retrieved the card once more, flipping it over in his fingers. "What is it for?"

Lorenzo's grin widened, his eyes glinting with malice. "Simply put, it's a supernatural phenomenon. The moment you accepted the card, I have an even tighter grip on your life."

Fletcher's frown deepened. "What do you mean?"

"Hehe, it's a card that foretells your end." Lorenzo's voice was cold as ice. "It means, if I so desire, your fate would be sealed as 'The Fool'."

Fletcher's frown deepened, but he brushed off the masked man's words. "Scare all you want, but such superstition won't phase me." He scoffed, casually placing the card back in his pocket.

Truth be told, Fletcher found Lorenzo's claims ridiculous, but the incriminating evidence he held over him was enough to warrant caution.

Lorenzo stood up, the chair scraping against the floor. "Our meeting here is done. You may leave now, and expect my associate to contact you about how you can... assist our organization as a mayor."

Fletcher nodded curtly, watching the masked man exit the lounge. Once he was alone, he retrieved the tarot card from his pocket, examining it more closely.

Despite its age and possible value, Fletcher couldn't shake the feeling that the masked man's talk of fate and control was nothing more than superstitious nonsense. He found the whole idea preposterous, believing it to be nothing more than a ploy to intimidate him. Convinced the card was just a worthless trinket for the masked man to boast about, Fletcher stood up, carelessly tossed the card into the trashcan, and then entered his car.

Moments later, Fletcher returned to his office in City Hall, still mulling over his meeting earlier. As he listened to his secretary, Ronald, rattle off his packed schedule, Fletcher's attention was abruptly diverted by a small object on the floor.

"Mayor," Ronald said, his voice laced with confusion, "I believe you dropped this."

Fletcher's heart skipped a beat as he recognized the object in Ronald's hand... It was the tarot card!

The same one he had so carelessly discarded in the lounge's trashcan. The masked man's ominous words echoed in his mind, but he quickly shook it off, glaring at his secretary instead.

"You... are you part of that 'Wolf Familia' too?" he accused, suspicion lacing his voice.

Ronald's eyes widened, his expression a mix of confusion and surprise. "What are you talking about, Mayor? I don't understand."