Chapter 3 A Precious Favor

CHAPTER 3

When you're born into the mafia, you learn two lessons.

All information can be an advantage. Favors equal power.

So I did. I remained cold, strategic and silent. I waited for the two brothers to finish their sordid moment.

When they had gone, I waited another twenty minutes and left. I went to my room.

Brooklyn was asleep, lying on her bed, still wearing her Founder costume. Too drunk to put on pajamas.

I went into the bathroom, took a shower and put on my most serious clothes. A red women's suit.

It wasn't time to play – it was time to do business.

So I walked with determination to the east building. The wing where Skola's bigwigs slept.

The building was surrounded by security guards. After all, the sons of powerful mafias had many enemies.

It was seven in the morning on a Sunday. Empty corridors, absolute silence. Only a few private security guards guarded the entrance.

I stopped in front of the gates. Two security guards were in the way.

– Good morning. – I said hello.

– Are you lost, miss? This is a private wing. Ordinary students are not allowed in.

He spoke in Czech, Skola's second official language. The first was English.

– I know where I am. – I raised my chin, speaking in Czech. – I have business with a yakuza.

The representatives of the Japanese leaders at Skola were two cousins. Naomi and Akira Mikan. They were part of the "Holy Trinity of Crime" along with the Mexicans and Italians.

There was just one detail...

The three clans hated each other. They were direct competitors.

The security guards looked at each other. They didn't know what to do. Nobody approached a Mikan directly.

Either I was crazy, or I had a very good card up my sleeve.

I announced firmly:

– Tell Naomi Mikan that a daughter of the Brazilian mafia has requested an emergency meeting. My name is Lavínia Falcão, and I have something important to say.

– It's seven in the morning, girl. If you want a private meeting, arrange a suitable time.

– We can't wait. What I have to say, Naomi will want to hear. It has to be now.

The security guard grunted.

– Whatever. It's your funeral.

One of them went to call her. The other stayed to watch me, eyelids narrowed in suspicion. I could see his brain machinating. What does this crazy woman want?

And he was right. Students from lower positions didn't approach Skola's elite directly. It was insanity.

But I knew what I was doing.

The Japanese clan hated the Italian clan. If I told them the brothers' sordid little secret, the Japanese could destroy their rivals. The Coppolas would be dishonorably discharged.

In the mafia, there was nothing more sacred than the family name. This scandal would destroy the reputation of the Italians. An unprecedented dishonor. They would lose business and be humiliated.

I could sell the information to any rival clan.

However, I reasoned.

The Mexicans had the money and the Japanese had the gift of manipulation. My family already had money. We wanted power.

Is it a favor from the yakuza?

Holy shit. That would be liquid gold.

The security guard came back.

"Miss Naomi will see you. Follow me."

The Japanese woman was waiting for me in the building's meeting room. She was wearing a robe and had dark circles under her eyes. Clearly, she had come down from the night before.

I entered the room and closed the door. Seeing me, Naomi grunted.

– You must be crazy, Falcon. You woke me up in the middle of the night after a night of drinking. I'd better have something good for me.

I tried to keep my posture. I've never been so close to an elite mafioso.

– I have some information to sell.

She raised an eyebrow.

– What would a daughter of the underworld like you have for me?

– First, accept the agreement. Then I'll give you the information.

– And what do you want in return?

I smiled a little. I'd ask for the mafia's most powerful bargaining chip.

– You'll owe me a favor.

Naomi Mikan was known for being extremely dangerous. A suggestion that came out of her mouth was like a universal order.

No matter what she said, it just happened.

It was said that her gift was so powerful that it had never been used. If she told the leader of one country to send a nuclear missile to another, it would happen.

In other words, that twenty–one–year–old girl had the power to destroy the world. That's why she lived surrounded by security guards, didn't talk to anyone and had such a strange aura.

She was a human bomb.

The Japanese woman sat down in an armchair. She put her fingertips together, suspicious.

– You know I don't do favors for just anyone.

– What I have for you is too big. Believe me, it will be worth it.

– Do you know the rules?

– Yes. You don't start wars, incite genocides or spread diseases. I'm not an idiot.

– Good. Because only a suicide would come to negotiate with a yakuza without a very strong bargaining chip. What do you have in mind?

– I don't know yet. But my clan may one day need a favor from someone as powerful as you. And when that day comes, I will collect.

A clan like the Yakuza in our hands? Good God. The mafia in Brazil would set off fireworks.

I would be a hero to them.

– So it's just business?

– Nothing more.

– Good. I'll give you a vote of confidence.

– There is one condition. Everything we talk about must be confidential. My identity must be kept secret.

If the Italians knew, they'd kill me. Literally.

– It's fair. I accept.

I sat in front of her, smiling victoriously.

– What would you do if you could eliminate the Italians from Skola?

She leaned forward, suddenly interested.

– I'm listening.