36 The Blood Message

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Chapter 36: The Blood Message

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Ian could swear he saw every muscle of every face in the room flinch.

"You're really not afraid of dying, are you?" Carmine remarked, a bit baffled by Ian's behavior.

"You're pushing it!" The Ibanescu head shouted while hitting the table in anger.

Carmine however signal to him to sit down again as he spoke, "Your family is quite successful, almost too successful. A lot of things happened around the city to facilitate your rise, an example of which is the war between us and a certain group. That's convenient now, isn't it?"

Ian smiled and nodded, "It really was. I almost want to thank that certain group for their actions, but they'll probably just take the chance to kill me.

If you're insinuating that I work with them or something similar... Well, that doesn't make much sense and I think you know that.

You see. I had a glimpse of what they were capable of, and I don't think their goal was actually exterminating the crime families. I am a master of the field myself, so I can guarantee that what they were doing is nothing but a distraction."

He was calm and collected as he spoke of his theories. He didn't mind giving them a bit of information as a show of willingness to collaborate. They can only take so many jokes after all.

Moreover, the information he gave might not necessarily be correct, but it likely is, especially with the recent mission with Batman, Ian easily deduced that the shadows' leader has acquired what he desired.

"Oh? A distraction from what?" Carmine questioned out of curiosity.

"That I do not know. I am sure that you'll figure it out yourself if you deem it necessary, you have more connections than me after all." Ian pointed out.

Carmine still had a few doubts as he questioned further, "You wouldn't have anything to do with the fall of the Sicilians, would you?"

"Of course not, I thought the Penguin was responsible. You have enough power to ask him a few questions even in prison, so you can verify that."

Ah, Ian was so glad he was asked that question because only then can he throw the bait. All it takes is an answer which he was given.

"Well, you see. What is strange about this is that he refused to tell me anything. He looked almost too scared to speak. I find that extremely strange because I know what kind of person he is, and what kind of person can make him experience such fear?"

Carmine spoke while observing Ian's expression carefully. All that he saw is surprise and interest as the latter muttered, "Now that's interesting. I guess I have someone else to thank."

Carmine seemed to have acquired all the information he needs as he moved on to the main topic, "You keep all the territory you acquired in the first half of the month while the rest will be divided by us as all things should be..."

"Say less, we have a deal." Ian almost instantly agreed, and Carmine wasn't surprised by that. He was in the field for such a long time that he'd look down on the Rose family if they refuse.

It was a good deal, and Ian knew that. There is a set of rules that the crime families abide by, and they take into consideration situations such as these. He was counting on them which is why the Rose family's expansion was so aggressive for the past month.

"Are you crazy!!? Do you know how much territory they've acquired for the past month! They even took over the crime alley like starving fucking beasts!" Someone however was not happy, indeed, the Ibanescu head, Dragos Ibanescu.

Carmine let out a long sigh and spoke, "If you say one more word during the entire meeting... You're dead."

The Falcone family has their webs spread on every side of the city, so it rarely matters to them who controls the territory. They'll still benefit nonetheless. Of course, as long as their personal territory remains untouched.

"I guess I should say it now... Welcome to the underworld of Gotham, and may we have a bright future." Carmine then stated once he saw Dragos falling back on his chair in terror, perhaps the latter allowed his anger to control him, leading him to death's doorstep.

"And let's start the meeting. We have a lot to discuss starting with the Bat problem. This is a question I ask every meeting, do you have a way to get rid of him or find out his identity?"

A depressing silence overwhelmed the room instantly, and none spoke. Carmine on the other hand just took a long smoke with his cigar and just observed the absolute shit state of crime lords, all due to one man.

"So none again I take it... Well, I am the same, so I can't fault any of you." Carmine then eyed Ian, "You might not understand since your business and source of income is quite small and not that dangerous, but the Bat makes us lose almost half of our income a month.

Sometimes even leaves us at a loss, a significant loss... and that sometimes is becoming a common occurrence as of recently, as if he's been elevating his game.

Many of us are locked up in jail, and we can do nothing about it because he's waiting for us to move. Trust me, we've tried but ended up paying the price... Moreover, several crime lords fell by his hands."

Ian was thoughtful at the sound of the words, 'So Batman is successful in what he does, but the scale of the darkness in the city is way too big for his action to change its trajectory... What he achieved is already miraculous, but just not enough, and I think he realized that, so.'

Ian showed no change in expression as he just nodded in understanding.

They then moved on to discussing other things, mainly business.

Ian staying there means that the Rose family has formally joined their ranks as it should.

Some of them might not realize it but the Rose family is an absolute menace and headache to deal with. Carmine realized just how crazy the homeless can be, people who have nothing to lose but just gained something, they'd fight to the death to keep it.

"Boss!!" However, they were soon interrupted by one of Carmine's subordinates.

Carmine took it calmly, knowing that none of his henchmen would even dare to do something like this if it wasn't important, "Speak."

"T-there is a body on the opposite side of the road, hung on the building, and there is something written on it by blood!" The henchman spoke as fast as he could out of fear though he did manage to stutter a bit before collecting himself.

Carmine frowned and stood and so did everyone, some were wary while others were confused, some even eyed Ian with caution.

Carmine was calmer than most as he ordered, "Go bring it down and search it before the police arrive... We'll wait here."

The underling gulped knowing exactly what that mean. If there is a bomb in it or a sniper somewhere, he'll be the one to suffer the consequences, a sheep sent for slaughter.

It had only taken a single glance at Carmine's cold eyes for the underling to obey. He really didn't have much of a choice, either certain death or potential death.

After a long wait of anxiety to some and tension to others, they received the news they were waiting for as Carmine muttered.

"So the body was just thrown out of the roof and remained dangled in the air by a rope... naked. The blood message only says 'Find Me... or?'"

He turned his attention to Ian and asked, "Is it for you? Or to be specific the Rose family?"

Ian contemplated the question for a bit before responding, "We didn't make many enemies since our commencement, so I am not sure... Unlikely."

He then started walking out, leaving the group with a few words, "I don't feel safe here after this, so I will be taking my leave, and we'll discuss things later."

The others followed suit, each leaving from a different exit with guards surrounding them.

Ian didn't walk far before picking up his phone, calling someone, and coldly saying, "Change of plans, kill the Penguin, then..."

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