After navigating the city’s public transportation system, Arslan found himself in the upscale neighborhood of Forest Hills, known for its high quality of life and safety, among other things as it was one of the best neighborhoods in the city.
Standing there, he observed a distant two-story house behind gates, guarded by a group of men.
While they appeared harmless at first glance, Arslan’s [Street Smarts] skill kicked in, revealing them as members of Sal’s crew.
He was the same guy Mr.
Spark had tasked him with the job of kidnapping his wife.
Sal was the short guy with a bald spot on his head, a man who was present from the recent meeting with Don Luca and the other capos.
Arslan, standing amidst the pristine neighborhood, refrained from lighting a cigarette, mindful of the immaculate surroundings.
He focused his attention on the house, scanning for potential vulnerabilities he could exploit.
Surveying the scene, Arslan noted that the guards stationed at the property consisted of only two at the front door and another two at the back.
With Mr.
and Mrs.
Giordano, their two children, a maid, and a driver residing in the house, the situation presented several opportunities for him to leverage.
“This seems manageable, Now is a perfect time to do it,” Arslan remarked, a glint of confidence in his eyes as he turned on his heel.
Retrieving his phone, he dialed James, knowing he needed assistance and supplies to execute the job effectively.
The incessant ringing of the phone yielded no response from James, leaving Arslan irritated as he clicked his tongue in frustration.
“Tsk…
can’t even answer his phone but rushes me for this job,” Arslan muttered, perturbed by the urgency conveyed in James’s previous call urging him to expedite the task.
In need of an escape vehicle for the upcoming job, Arslan swiftly moved on to the next contact on his list, dialing a different number with a determined focus.
The phone rang only briefly before Ryder answered promptly, eager for updates.
“Did you make any progress?” he inquired, hoping for news on the sought-after connection they lacked as their product was running out.
“Not yet,” Arslan replied, exhaling a puff of smoke from his cigarette as he stepped outside the neighborhood, onto the bustling main road.
“I have a job for you,” he continued, drawing Ryder’s full attention.
“What’s the plan?” Ryder asked, not even concerned about what type of jon it was, as Arslan scanned his surroundings, strategizing their escape route.
“I need you and Sofia to secure a car for me.
Ensure it’s in top condition and come and meet me in Forest Hills,” Arslan instructed, prompting a puzzled reaction from Ryder.
“Forest Hills?
We have opps over there?” Ryder questioned, seeking clarity from his enigmatic partner.
“It’s a job.
Make sure you both come prepared.
It won’t be a walk in the park,” Arslan cautioned, conveying the seriousness of the upcoming task before ending the call.
With the arrangements in motion, Arslan paused by a nearby clothing store, recognizing the need to change into more inconspicuous attire to facilitate the successful execution of the impending job.
============================== Upon receiving the call from Arslan, Ryder and the others swiftly wrapped up their current operation for the day, recognizing that a job with this risk required more than just two operatives for a safe and successful outcome.
With a quick change of clothes to blend into the urban landscape, the duo set out to locate a suitable vehicle for the task at hand.
Their sights set on the parked cars beneath the train station outside their neighborhood, Ryder and Sofia knew that the vehicles in their immediate vicinity lacked the quality and reliability needed for a high-stakes job.
Determined and focused, they embarked on their mission to secure a car that would meet the demands of the upcoming task.
As Ryder and Sofia strolled nonchalantly down the street, their hands casually tucked into their jackets pockets, their keen eyes scanned the surroundings for a suitable vehicle.
Ryder couldn’t resist posing the same question to Sofia each time they passed a car, “What about this one?” With a dismissive shake of her head, Sofia replied curtly, “Nope,” her confident stride unwavering as she led the way.
Dressed in her tight black pants, a tank top with a black hoodie over it, and a black bandana draped around her neck, Sofia exuded an aura of confidence around her.
“What about this?” Ryder’s next suggestion, a bright yellow car that appeared sleek but outdated and lacking in space, was promptly shot down by Sofia.
“How are we supposed to fit three people in that?” she pointed out, highlighting the impracticality of the vehicle’s limited seating capacity.
Their quest continued until Ryder’s attention was caught by another car, prompting him to open his mouth in contemplation.
However, before he could utter a word, Sofia swiftly pivoted and issued a warning, her voice laced with a hint of menace.
“Say another word, and I swear to god I’ll gouge your fucking eye out,” she threatened, her demeanor leaving no room for negotiation.
Ryder, recognizing the seriousness of her tone, simply raised his hands in surrender, a wry smile playing on his lips as he acquiesced to her authority, knowing his playing around had to stop .
After a brief search, Ryder and Sofia stumbled upon the perfect target, a new car that seemed ripe for the taking.
Sofia, a seasoned expert in the art of theft, wasted no time in showcasing her skills.
Whether it was cars, safes, storefronts, or houses, she navigated them all with finesse, earning her reputation as one of the most skilled thieves in the neighborhood.
Swiftly retrieving her tools, Sofia got to work on the car door, her nimble fingers working deftly as she instructed Ryder to keep watch.
With heightened awareness, Ryder scanned their surroundings, vigilant for any potential threats that could jeopardize their operation.
In a matter of moments, Sofia successfully unlocked the sedan’s door, sliding into the driver’s seat with practiced ease.
Ryder followed suit, seamlessly slipping into the passenger side as they prepared to embark on the next phase of their mission.
“Do you know how to start this thing ?” Ryder’s inquiry about starting the car elicited a glance from Sofia, who couldn’t help but scoff at his question.
“This idiot.” With an eye roll and a muttered remark, she swiftly took charge of the ignition, showcasing her expertise once again.
In a matter of seconds, Sofia had the car purring to life, much to Ryder’s amazement.
Impressed by her swift skills, “Look at you, I hope that head is as good as your hands,” Ryder couldn’t resist teasing her, complimenting her dexterity with a playful remark.
Sofia, unamused, swatted the back of his head before securing her seatbelt with a no-nonsense air.
“You know I don’t swing your way, bro,” Setting the record straight, Sofia made it clear to Ryder that whatever he was thinking won’t be happening ever, a fact he was well aware of.
“Now put on your seatbelt and shut the fuck up, we don’t want to look sus out there,” Urging him to focus on the task at hand and avoid drawing attention, she emphasized the importance of maintaining a low profile during their operation.
Despite Sofia’s instructions, Ryder couldn’t resist the temptation to customize the car’s sound system to his liking, much to Sofia’s chagrin.
As the music blared at maximum volume, Ryder surrendered to the rhythm, losing himself in the music and breaking into a dance, much to Sofia’s resigned reaction as she shook her head slowly as before she drove off from there.
================================== It took the two about 30 minutes to meet with Arslan, who was standing by the side of the road when they pulled up in the black sedan they stole.
Puzzled by the loud music, Arslan quickly hopped in and lowered the volume before he started shouting at the two.
“What the fuck are you doing?
Do you want to get stopped by the cops or what?” Arslan scolded them, his frustration evident as he glared at Ryder and Sofia, who remained quiet.
“You can ask him, every time I lowered it, he raised it back up,” Sofia explained, pointing at Ryder, who sat in silence, his gaze fixed ahead not daring to say a word.
Realizing the futility of the argument, Arslan sighed before addressing them again.
“Whatever…
just listen,” he said, gesturing towards a house a short distance away.
“The job is to kidnap a woman who lives there.
The husband isn’t home, so it should be easy.
Ryder, you’re coming with me inside, and Sofia, be prepared to drive off as soon as we come out,” Arslan instructed, his tone firm as he outlined the simple plan.
Ryder and Sofia nodded in understanding, bracing themselves for the intense task ahead.
Ryder swiftly lowered his mask to cover his face, prepared to accompany Arslan on the mission, while Sofia interjected with a crucial question that demanded clarification before proceeding.
“Who is she, and whose house is this?” Sofia inquired, her gaze fixed on Arslan with unwavering intensity.
Familiar with Sophia’s curious nature and intelligent instincts., Arslan found himself at a crossroads, torn between deception and honesty.
Understanding the ramifications of withholding information from Sofia, he made the decision to disclose the truth, recognizing the importance of maintaining her trust in the long run.
“It’s Salvatore Giordano’s house, and we’re kidnapping his wife,” Arslan revealed, his words hanging heavy in the air, eliciting a shocked reaction from both Sofia and Ryder as their eyes became wide.
“S-Salvatore Giordano, the capo?” Sofia repeated, seeking confirmation as her eyes widened in disbelief.
With a solemn nod, Arslan affirmed her suspicions, solidifying the gravity of the situation they were about to plunge into.
“If you want to head back, now is the chance, I won’t hold it against you, just don’t run away and leave us hanging here” Arslan’s offer hung in the air, a moment filled with tension as he extended an opportunity for Sofia to reconsider her involvement in the risky venture ahead.
With a steely resolve, he emphasized the importance of commitment and loyalty, urging her not to abandon their team mid-mission.
Sofia’s contemplative silence spoke volumes as she processed the weight of Arslan’s words.
Without a hint of hesitation, she lifted her bandana, covering her face in determination, “I’ll be here,” she said as she wasn’t gonna leave her boys here hanging when they needed her.
Arslan, acknowledging her decision, tapped her shoulder in silent approval, a gesture of mutual understanding and respect that transcended words.
Arslan and Ryder exited the car together wearing their mask as they made sure to walk stealthily toward the house to extract their target.