Page 4 of Obsession of the Egoist
“You’re stupid if you ask this. I can’t kill everyone who crosses my path, but I can keep them close where I can watch, control, and use them. You see, after all, we have a common goal. They want to earn, so do I. They’re powerful. Not too powerful to stand each on their own, but powerful enough to be taken seriously. I’d rather have them as my allies than enemies.
“Remember, loyalty is a rare quality, but if you gain it, it’s worth more than money. You were small so, of course, you don’t remember how we moved here from Sicily. How we had nothing but a handful of people and a burning hatred. How Gustavo milked a cow to feed you. When I had to start over, I had nothing but their loyalty. What do you have, Mio? Maybe one year with Tobias will teach you something.”
Mio lifted his chin in a defiant gesture. His lips pressed together, losing all color. It took him a moment before he managed to choke his pride. “Not him. He hates me… Please, let me go to Gustavo.”
“You had your chance to pick your punishment.” Yugo’s head tilted to the side. “Not anymore. One year with Tobias will do you good.”
PROPPING HIS ELBOWS AGAINST THE DARKpolished surface of the desk, Yugo rested his forehead over his linked fingers. The dark atmosphere in his office aggravated with every second of silence. Even without looking up, he could picture the pale-gray, almost colorless eyes that now drilled his head with pinpoint pupils.
“I wasn’t the one who took away your puppy. If Mio fucked up, why are you punishing me?” The rough voice dripped with displeasure, and Yugo raised his eyes. Pensively scratching his unshaven cheek with his nails, Tobias sat cross-legged in the deep leather chair. His messy, yellow hair stuck out in all directions. The pocket of his black hoodie bulged with a familiar shape, suggesting that he didn’t bother to hide his gun. “How is that my problem?”
“I make it your problem.” Yugo’s voice sounded odd even to his own ears. Dull and tired, it lacked strength, and Yugo wondered if he had picked the right time to have such a difficult conversation.
Standing against the door, Greg frowned and folded his arms over his chest. A sharp vertical line split his forehead as his bushy brows drew together. Yugo saw that something bothered him, but the man refrained from voicing his concerns. Greg didn’t often withhold his thoughts, which made Yugo wonder if it was Tobias’ presence that glued his lips shut or something else.
“No, you don’t. Ask Gustavo or leave him with Rudolph.” Tobias chapped lips twisted in a wicked smile when he granted Yugo with a challenging stare. “I’m not babysitting the little shit.”
“If I had a choice, I wouldn’t be asking you.” Yugo’s eyes peered into the ever-tiny pupils as he wondered what would be the right thing to say. Unwilling to lay his cards on the table, he asked, “What do you want for your troubles?”
Tobias scrunched up his face and ruffled the hair with both hands, messing it even more. “You know I don’t like Mio, right? The kid is rotten.”
Yugo smirked. “That’s exactly why I want you to take care of him. Rudolph’s morality and values are shattered. Mio can’t stay with him any longer. Gustavo is his godfather. He has a soft spot for Mio and can’t educate him properly. Greg is getting married.” Tobias’ head jerked in Greg’s direction, a weird expression in his tense eyes. Yugo shrugged it off, continuing, “That leaves me with you. You’re smart; you have some moral values, and you respect loyalty. Also, you’re the only person Mio failed to wrap around his finger. I want you to educate him. He has to grow up and step into the business.”
Tobias winced, his head bobbing from side to side. “That’s a whole fucking year of torture…”
“I will write off your share of the lost cargo. That would be… forty million?” Yugo offered, watching a suspicious smile stretch Tobias’ lips. The light eyes squinted with curiosity, and Yugo raised his palm. “And…I’ll make sure you get the permission to fly that military aircraft you bought a week ago.”
“Are you spying on me?” Tobias squinted. “Anyway, how do you know I wanted to keep it?”
Yugo smiled, pleased he’d hit the spot. “Twice a month, Tobias. You’ll be allowed to use polygons. Even fire rockets... with supervision, of course. You know, without me you’ll spend years getting that permission, right? This is a generous offer for a year of inconvenience.”
Tobias side nodded, smirked, then murmured, “What do you want me to do?”
“Fix him for me. He has to learn respect, responsibility, and loyalty. He thinks he is untouchable and smarter than everyone. I want him to be independent. He has to grow up. I also want him to learn the business and strategy. He is smart but too careless to execute a simple plan. He has valuable traits but lacks self-control. Fix that, and I’ll be grateful. Try not to break him. I don’t want him to act out of hatred. Greg will forward his psychiatric profile to you.”
“How tied are my hands?”
“No physical violence for obvious reasons. No starvation, sleep deprivation, dehydration, or any kind of health or mental damage. You have to be creative. I’ll arrange his weekly medical checkups. Other than this, you’re completely free. Treat him carefully, he is still my blood.”
“That doesn’t sound simple or fun,” Tobias noted.
“If it was, I wouldn’t be paying you this much.” Yugo folded his arms over his chest.
“True…” A razor of a smile sharpened Tobias’ predatory features. His eyes narrowed as a wicked expression settled over his face. “This makes me curious: are you mad because Mio went against you or because you lost your puppy?”
A pang of irritation shot through Yugo’s core, but he said nothing, allowing Tobias to elaborate.
“And now you want to get rid of Mio so you can get your puppy back, right?”
Yugo smirked as his fists itched to wipe the grin off that mouth. “Aren’t you watching too many soap operas? Mio is in the library. Pick him up now; his things will arrive tonight.”
“Am I?” Tobias got up and tugged the hood over his head. “Then I’ll see myself out. Send my best wishes to your puppy.”
Sinking his canine teeth in the side of his thumb, Yugo watched Tobias’ head snap back in a silent, suppressed laughter as the man moved to the door. Stepping aside, Greg let him slip out of the room. He waited for a moment, watching the corridor, before closing the door and facing Yugo.
“Boss, are you sure it’s a good idea to burden Tobias with Mio right now?” Greg’s booming voice sounded tired, and a pang of guilt shot through Yugo’s chest. He hadn’t slept for the last two days, drowning himself in work, which affected Greg’s work rhythm as well. “Mio is a piece of work. Tobias hates the brat. Mio is everything he despises in humankind. Will Tobias manage to operate with him in his hands?”
“This is why I need them to bond now,” Yugo replied, blinking with heavy lids. Resting his head against the backrest, he covered his eyes with his left palm. Cool fingers met with the burning skin around his eyes, providing some relief. “Recent events prove that anything can happen. I have to think two steps ahead. I have to secure Mio’s future and the future of the S-Syndicate. The day might come when Mio will have to take over. I want to make sure he’s ready, and people respect and follow him.”
