“Mmmm, sounds quite interesting, to be honest. And I’m pleased that you came straight to me; shows your people have good sense… yes, of course, of course… mmm, in a month’s time? Alright, that’s fine. I’ll be waiting, then… alright, fine. Goodbye.”

Rex ended the call, a pleased look on his face. Another call from a prospective international client had come through, seeking a major assignment. Not too much had been provided in the way of details, but it looked promising. And as mentioned, he’d hear from them in a month’s time. Hopefully, more information would be made available.

“This is what we are. Internationally known,” he proclaimed, a smirk playing across his face as he picked up a cigar, ready to light it up. “We’re bigger than anyone could ever imagine. That stupid little boy and his friends thought this is a school playground type of thing we’re doing here. Such fools! They clearly don’t know who I am…”

His proud soliloquy was interrupted by the ringtone of his phone. He looked at the screen, and his face darkened. He picked it up.

“Darlow.”

A pause followed.

Then he heard on the other side of the line a low and measured voice, carrying a weight of what appeared to be… humility.

“Mr. Bruschi,” Darlow slowly spoke. “I owe you an apology.”

Rex raised an eyebrow, choosing not to respond immediately.

The fool had finally seen sense? How interesting!

When he finally spoke, his tone was as cold as ever. “You’re damn right you do, little boy! What happened to make you suddenly find some common sense?”

“Look, Mr. Bruschi, I crossed a line. You made that clear. And the resulting attack—it’s… it’s a message I’ve taken to heart. I won’t push any further, please. The Duplex won’t interfere with Basilisk Garrison in any way ever again. We’ve learned our lesson.”

A low chuckle came from Rex. “And you expect me to take your word for it? After the silly little stunt you pulled earlier? No, Darlow, we’re not done. Not at all.”

Darlow’s voice remained even, though it sounded like it was forced. “What do you want from me now?”

Rex sat up. It was time to stamp his authority on this kid and let him know who the real boss was.

“I want you,” he started, his voice hardening, “and all your closest associates. And all those… those useless little tramps you call concubines that you’re always parading around… to meet me at a neutral spot. You’ll apologize properly. Face-to-face. Anything less won’t cut it.”

A moment of silence followed. He nodded in satisfaction, knowing this was pure humble pie he was shoving down Darlow’s throat. No less than he deserved for daring to go toe-to-toe with him.

Darlow’s voice returned, his tone lower and quieter. “If that’s what it takes, Mr. Bruschi. Name the place and time. I’ll be there.”

“You’ll hear from my people on the venue, but it’ll be tonight,” Rex replied. “9 pm, sharp. Don’t you or any of your men or sluts even dare to show up after I get there. And Darlow? Don’t even think about playing any funny games. You won’t like how it ends. I promise you that.”

“Understood.”

Without waiting for any further words, he ended the call. Placing the phone on the table, he smirked evilly. “Ah, how sweet it is when fools realize how brainless it is to challenge me!” he cackled to himself. “They always end up dead or on their knees, begging for mercy. Beautiful stuff! I am going to humiliate this little child and his kindergarten friends like crazy! Next time, they’ll know better than to mess with the all-powerful Rex Bruschi and his precious Basilisk Garrison.”

Done with his personal plan for the apology, he called out.

“Denny! V.A.! Call Koni for me! We’ve got somewhere to go tonight!”

***

It was 8:45 pm, and the sleek, black Mercedes-Benz that often carried Rex around was on the road, in the midst of a convoy as the top rank of the Basilisk Garrison made their way to the field he had instructed the Duplex boys and girls to wait for them.

Upon hearing of this meeting, Koni and the others were beyond delighted, seeing it as a well-deserved victory and a testament to their superiority over the Duplex. It felt good to have cut down the ‘primary school kids’, as one guy, Costo-Dee, declared, fully annoyed at how they appeared to consider themselves as equals to Basilisk Garrison. The guys could not wait to goad the Duplex guys as cruelly as they could. After all, it was less than the cocky bastards deserved.

The only downer was the absence of Benyi. He was still recovering from the wounds obtained in his attack. It was probably for the best, though, for he would probably shed some blood if he was there.

Rex briefly viewed himself in the rearview mirror and nodded, very satisfied with his appearance. Dressed in a bespoke charcoal Brioni suit that hugged his frame, he was exuding power. A crisp white shirt contrasted with a tie of deep burgundy, and over his eyes, a pair of Tom Ford sunglasses shielded his gaze.

“Those fools from Duplex are gonna see what real power looks like,” he declared to himself, a smirk on his face. “And they’ll know who the real master of this crime underworld is. It’s me and me alone. Nobody else.”

Ten minutes later, the Mercedes turned onto an industrial road, leading to an open, desolate field where the members of the Duplex stood in a loose, submissive circle. Their vehicles were parked haphazardly, indicating a hurried and nervous arrival.

Rex smirked as he saw the humbled looks on the faces of Darlow and his men. “Stupid little boys!” he cackled, with his driver, Fallos, snickering as the scenes of Koni, G-Tack and a few others openly mocking and dissing them came into view.

“Felt too big for your fucking boots, eh? Stay humble, dickheads!”

“You be small boys ooo! Nothing give you niggas!”

“Kwasiafuo! Ibi Basilisk you dey try shake? You all fool!”

“You then your useless ashawos all fool! Mmoaa!”

“See these ugly bitches! Tweakai! 2 by 4 pussies nkoaa!”

“I sure sey them dey toss pass. Smelly ass bitches…”

As the car slowed to a stop, Rex waited a moment, savoring the verbal abuse from outside. He could literally feel their resignation from afar, and he loved it to the max.

Fallos opened the door for him, and he stepped out with the grace of a man who considered himself totally untouchable.

As he walked over to the field, briefly taking his sunglasses, the Basilisk guys doing the goading held their fire. Darlow and his men and concubines shuffled uncomfortably as he approached. Finally, the leader lifted up his head, staring Rex right in the eye.

He swallowed hard, then began.

 “Umm, Mr. Rex Bruschi… we… we acknowledge our mistake. It was impulsive to get back at you, and we regret all the disrespect showed to you. We’re… we’re sorry, and on behalf of my people, I promise… it-it won’t happen ever again…”

He lowered his head afterward, with his men and girls following suit.

Rex stared at him for a moment.

Then he let out a sharp, scornful laugh. A laugh that caused them all to raise their heads.

The triumphant sneer on his face, he walked closer and closer to Darlow. He moved until his face was centimeters away from Darlow’s. His eyes flamed with vicious fury as he glared down at him.

“You senseless, misguided little child!” he snarled. “You thought it wise to target me and my men? You came after me? Me, Rex Bruschi, the man who half this city pays to keep their businesses and lives running and the other half pays to stay out of my way? Huh?”

Darlow remained mute, as did everyone else behind him. Some of the concubines held their mouths, scared to let out a sob lest Rex react strongly to it.

Rex continued, his voice rising in both volume and disdain. “You think you and your little group of primary school friends are players in this game? You’re not even pawns, you hear me? You’re the dirt under my shoe, that’s what you are. Look at you, standing there like a dumb little bitch, apologizing like it means something to me. You fucking idiot!”

Rex slowly circled Darlow, his gaze sweeping over the gathered members of Duplex, each person avoiding his eyes. “I am highly sought after, Darlow. Every move I make is watched by those in the underworld, and every decision I take makes waves. And you, with your band of dumb boys and… and filthy little females, you thought you could make a splash? Do you even know who I am?

“Listen to me: at the age of sixteen, I was already in prison, doing time for armed robbery, learning from the best in the worst. Hardcore criminals, the kinds of heartless niggas who would eat you all for breakfast and not even blink. They taught me the true meaning of power, survival, and loyalty. That’s where I built my foundation.”

His voice grew louder as he continued. “And I didn’t just survive in there; I fucking thrived. I made connections, real precious ones. Connections with police officers, the kind that are more corrupt than the criminals they’re supposed to chase. I came out, and built Basilisk Garrison from nothing, from less than nothing. Every brick, every deal, every life taken or spared, it was all me. And you think you can just waltz in and challenge me? Fools, all of you! You’re not on my level! You’ll never be on my level! You’re just a speck of dust trying to block out the sun.”

He laughed again, the sound harsh and mocking, before leaning in and staring Darlow in the eyes yet again.

“Now let me make this clear to you, you little shit. If I ever hear so much as a whisper from your direction, if I smell anything like you, your men or your trashy little harlots anywhere near Basilisk, you’re not just done for, you’ll be erased from the face of the earth! Do you hear me? You fuck up again, and I will exterminate your little gang and set of prostitutes straight away. You hear me?”

Darlow nodded.

“Open your mouth, motherfucker!”

“Yes, yes!” Darlow mumbled. “I’ve heard you. And we’ll stay away.”

“Better!”

Rex straightened, putting his sunglasses back on. “Remember this night. And never cross my path ever again.”

Spitting at the feet of Darlow, Rex then turned, his moment of domination complete. As Koni continued the charge of the mockery, he returned to the car, deeply pleased at how brutally he had put them in their place.

“I rule this underworld,” he declared aloud as he took his seat, “and nobody will ever, ever take that away from me. Ever. Let’s go, Fallos.”

The car drove off.

Damn, Rex really humiliated the Duplex with that verbal beatdown. Was this Mr. Graham’s plan, or there’s something else? Coz this is pure humiliation. Surely they’re done. Well, as we end this first season, we’ll see…