Fated Rivals - Landoscar

Chapter 14

Oscar Piastri stood in the dimly lit warehouse, the air thick with tension as Fred Vesti paced in front of him. The light from a single bulb flickered above, casting long shadows on the concrete floor, and Oscar felt the weight of Fred's gaze piercing through him. He could sense something brewing beneath the surface, an intensity that sent chills down his spine.

"Are you listening?" Fred snapped, halting his pacing to face Oscar. "This is important."

Oscar forced himself to focus, though his mind kept drifting back to Lando—the way his laughter echoed in his ears, the warmth of his touch. He shook his head slightly, trying to clear the thoughts that clouded his judgment. "Yeah, I'm listening. What's the mission?"

Fred's expression was serious, the usual playful demeanor stripped away. "We've received intel that Lando's mafia is planning something big. They're gathering resources, and we can't let them gain the upper hand. We need to eliminate one of their key players—Carlos Sainz."

The name hit Oscar like a punch to the gut. Carlos was one of Lando's closest allies, a trusted friend who had stood by his side through thick and thin. "Kill Carlos?" Oscar echoed, disbelief tinged with panic in his voice. "You can't be serious!"

Fred stepped closer, his tone sharp. "This is war, Oscar! We can't afford to be sentimental. You know how dangerous it is for us. Lando's not just another driver; he's a threat. You need to understand that."

Oscar's heart raced, caught in a whirlwind of emotions. He had been training his whole life for this, had been molded into a weapon by his father, but the thought of killing someone like Carlos felt like crossing an unforgivable line. "I can't just kill someone without knowing the whole situation," he said, the words tumbling out before he could stop himself.

Fred's eyes narrowed, suspicion flickering in their depths. "What do you mean, Oscar? You're hesitating. Why?"

"Because—" Oscar hesitated, searching for the right words. "Because Carlos is important to Lando. He's not just a pawn in this game. He's a person. A friend."

"Is that your excuse?" Fred countered, crossing his arms. "What's really going on here? Are you starting to feel bad for the enemy?"

"No! It's not that simple!" Oscar snapped, frustration bubbling to the surface. "I just... I can't be a part of something that feels so wrong."

Fred's expression hardened, and Oscar could see the gears turning in his mind. "You're not getting soft on me, are you? This isn't about friendship; it's about survival. You're part of this family, and we look out for each other. If you can't pull the trigger, you're putting us all at risk."

"I can do it," Oscar insisted, a tremor of desperation lacing his words. "I just need time. I need to think it over."

"That's not good enough," Fred replied, his tone cold. "We don't have time to waste. I'll give you until the end of the week. Make your choice then. Either you do this, or we'll have to reconsider your position in our family."

The words hung heavy in the air, and Oscar felt his stomach drop. The ultimatum crushed him, a wave of panic flooding through him. He had spent years training to fit into this world, to be loyal to his father and the mafia, but now everything was different. His heart was torn between duty and the emotional chaos Lando had stirred within him.

As Fred turned to leave, Oscar grabbed his arm. "Wait. What if I refuse? What if I can't go through with it?"

Fred's expression hardened, and a flicker of disappointment crossed his features. "Then you're not one of us anymore. You'll be seen as a traitor. You think Lando will protect you? He's not going to risk everything for you."