Page 2 of Ivory Obsession

“And if you don’t?” The Don’s words hung heavy in the air between us.

“Then I’ll do as you say,” I conceded with a reluctant nod. “I’m nearly thirty; I’ll choose a wife.” The prospect loomed over me, yet another chain to bind me to tradition.

Enzo nodded, satisfied with the hedge he’d built around my ambition. But our standoff had only just begun. The old grandfather clock in the corner ticked away the time, each beat a heavy footstep marching toward an uncertain future.

“As you know, my concern is that biotech sounds like a beacon that’ll draw unwanted eyes to our operations,” Enzo said, his voice carrying the weariness of battles fought in shadows.

“Perhaps,” I allowed, standing up to pace slowly before the vast expanse of his desk. “Or perhaps it’s a shield that mends our wounds faster than our enemies can inflict them.”

My frustration grew, a thorny vine wrapping around my resolve. How could I make him see that standing still was no longer an option?

“I’m serious, Dad. This could change everything.”

His silence stretched out, suffocating, his gaze holding mine. His eyes, once the sharp edge of a blade, now looked like they carried the weight of all the years he’d been at war – with other families, with the law, and perhaps with the relentless march of time itself.

“Fine,” he said finally, his voice low, “give me the details.”

I leaned forward, bracing my hands on the polished mahogany that had borne witness to countless Moretti decisions. “It’s simple. We start small, an off-the-books project with minimal investment. If it doesn’t pay off, we cut our losses—minimal damage to the family.”

Enzo’s eyes narrowed, considering. “And if you’re wrong?”

“I’m not,” I replied, my confidence unwavering. “But if I am, you’ll have your scapegoat.”

A muscle ticked in his jaw, the only sign of his internal struggle. I pressed on before doubt could poison the ground I’d gained. “Think of the advantages, Father. We’re not just talking about patching up after a fight quicker. Biotech might be able to enhance our men, I don’t know. I do know that it’ll make us rich beyond measure.”

The air turned thick as my words settled around us, mingling with the scent of old books that lined the walls. The very essence of power and possibility seemed to seep into the room, wrapping its tendrils around Enzo’s old-world caution.

“I don’t know,” he said. “How can you make sure this op is discreet?”

I had to use the ace up my sleeve.

“Arturo Caruso would love nothing more than to see us falter,” I said, my voice steady but edged with urgency. His eyes met mine, a silent battle waged in the space between us. “He’s a shark smelling blood in the water. If we don’t evolve, he’ll tear us apart.” The truth of my words hung heavy in the room as I watched my father process the gravity of the situation.

Enzo’s features hardened, the lines on his face deepening with the weight of decades spent defending our name. “The Carusos have always been vultures waiting for scraps,” he spat, his distaste for our rivals clear as day.

“Then let’s not give them the satisfaction,” I countered, pressing the advantage. “We can’t let our guard down now. Not when there’s so much at stake.”

I could almost hear the cogs turning in Enzo’s head as he mulled over my proposition. His next move was critical; it would shape the future of our family and either cement our legacy or herald its decline.

“Other families are adapting, embracing the new ways,” I continued, sensing the moment to drive my point home. “They’re pulling ahead while we cling to old methods. We need to innovate, or we’ll be left in their dust.”

Enzo’s gaze remained fixed on me, searching for the conviction behind my words. He seemed to be weighing every possible outcome, every risk and reward. Then, slowly, the edges of his mouth twitched—a reluctant acceptance that change was inevitable.

He was silent for a long time, his expression unreadable. Then, slowly, he nodded. “Proceed with this trial. But Dante,” he said, his voice heavy with a warning, “don’t forget who we are. Don’t forget the blood that runs through your veins.”

“Understood,” I said, straightening up.

“And son? If you fuck this up, you won’t just need to find a new wife,” he said. “You’ll have to find a new job, a new place to live. I’ve given you enough chances, Dante. It’s time for you to step the fuck up. Now get out of my office before I change my mind.”

Chapter Two: Jade

Iwas on the edge of a breakthrough. I knew it.

I just had to keep working…for a little longer.

The hum of the lab equipment was a steady backdrop as I leaned in, adjusting the focus on the microscope. Ellie was right there with me, peering over my shoulder, her breath warm against my cheek. The slide beneath the lens was our world, tiny and teeming with potential.

“Come on,” I muttered under my breath, willing the shapes to make sense, to align with the hypothesis that had kept us chained to this lab for what felt like an eternity.

---