Free Web NovelChapter 26: Gangs
An awkward silence permeated the alley before Mark resumed his explanation.
"To understand all the different aspects," he said, "it is better that I tell you everything from the basics about how a gang operates and functions."
"Any gang operating throughout the city needs money to fund its operations," he continued. "Money is required to conduct any of our activities. The men working for it need to be paid."
"Now, gangs at our level have two or three ways of earning money," he explained. "Mind you, I am not talking about the big gangs that practically run the city. They have a lot of other options, unlike us."
"The first and probably the most important source of funds for us is the protection money that we collect inside our territory," he said.
"Protection money?" Ronan mumbled.
He had a vague understanding of what that could be. But he did not need to stress too hard, as Mark quickly simplified it for him.
"Yes," Mark said. "It is mostly paid by street vendors, shop owners, and other commercial entities. You know, the people who are running their businesses outside of a strictly legal framework."
"And when I say that, I do not mean they are committing major crimes," he clarified. "I mean they flout simple rules, regulations and norms set up by the government authorities."
"A vendor may not have the proper permission to set up his stall. A shop owner may not have the correct license, or maybe he is missing a fire department clearance. So basically, we take protection money and help them smooth over these kinds of matters," he said.
"And we also protect them if an unwanted situation arises hampering their business. Maybe a particular customer is creating a nuisance and disturbing a street stall. We will deal with such situations."
"How do you help in the first matter?" Ronan asked with a raised eyebrow. "I mean, what exactly do you do to stop the authorities from taking action?"
"Hah!" Mark scoffed. "You think we keep all that protection money for ourselves?"
"No," he shook his head. "A major portion of it goes straight to the authorities. Be it the police department, other regulatory departments, or the local politicians of our area."
"Nothing happens without their approval and participation. They are the true power wielders," he continued. "For a small gang like the one I belong to, we are little more than lapdogs for these politicians."
"If I say that this particular territory belongs to this gang," he explained, "I mean a few things by it."
"The first thing is that the gang holds enough strength and reputation to collect the protection money in that area without any hindrance," Mark remarked.
"And the second thing is that the government authorities recognize you for it. If you do not have an established relationship with them, then you will never be able to hold a territory. They will support someone else and that someone will replace you in no time."
Ronan nodded in understanding. It was not really surprising. Politicians being in cahoots with the mafia and criminals was not a new concept. Politicians had always used the gangs, mafias and cartels to do their dirty and shady work. It was one of the most successful businesses in the entire world.
"Either that," Mark added suddenly, "or you need to be such a big gang, so powerful, that it is you who decides the fate of the politicians, and then it will be them flattering you." freeweɓnovel.cøm
Ronan nodded and took a couple of moments to process this newfound knowledge. There was nothing complex about it, and he was just making sure that he had everything in his grasp and had missed nothing.
"You said that there are other sources of income," Ronan said. "What are those?"
"Well," Mark answered. "A gang usually runs one or a couple of businesses themselves."
"They are mostly illegal, but it gives you a consistent source of income. For example, the gang to which I belong runs an illegal bar."
"Apart from that," he continued. "Say there is a government tender for any kind of work in our area, then we take a fixed percentage of it as a commission, no matter who the contractor is. In return, we make things smooth for them." ƒгeewebnovёl.com
"And then there is the snatching and looting which you do," Ronan remarked with an amused face.
Mark’s expression turned awkward and embarrassed.
"Yes," he said, nodding his head. "But that is not a gang operation. We do it individually and keep the money for ourselves."
"Mark," Ronan questioned after a few moments of silence. "Who is the leader of your gang?"
"Why are you asking this?" Mark questioned, confused and anxious.
"Say," Ronan responded with a chuckle. "If I beat him up like I beat you up and offer him some money, will he step aside and allow me to lead the gang?"
"You!" Mark almost yelled, his fingers pointing toward Ronan. "You! What do you intend to do?"
"This is not the answer to my question," Ronan remarked, narrowing his eyes.
"I will not tell you," Mark said stubbornly.
"Should I beat you up once again?" Ronan growled, his voice turning chilly and threatening.
"I will still not tell you." Mark remained stubborn.
Ronan continued to stare at him for a few moments. A chill was coursing down Mark’s spine as he expected a flurry of blows to land on him at any moment, but he held his ground. He was not going to betray his gang, his boss.
"You are loyal," Ronan remarked. "I did not expect such loyalty from you."
Mark did not respond. He remained in silence.
"Come on! Relax!" Ronan said, patting Mark’s shoulder. "I was just joking. I can beat the three of you, but I surely cannot take down an entire gang on my own. How many people did you say? Twenty-five to thirty? It is impossible."
"Joking?" Mark asked in disbelief.
"Yes," Ronan responded. "But not about establishing my own gang."
"But it seems that," he continued, cutting off whatever Mark was about to say, "it is not a good option either. Given how you explained things to me, it would not be easy."
"I said what I understand," Mark remarked.
"Yes," Ronan responded. "And that is why I have decided that I will join your gang."
Mark’s eyes bulged in shock. Join his gang? Has the kid gone senile?
"Now, that would not be a problem, would it?" Ronan asked.
"Not really," Mark responded instinctively. "I could introduce you, but the rest depends on the boss."
"Fine by me," Ronan shrugged his shoulders.
Mark would have hesitated to even bring Ronan to his gang. But as Ronan had said, he surely could not take down an entire gang alone. Also, his boss was a dangerous man and had a gun. A real gun. Ronan would dare not do anything in front of him.
"About the money?" Mark asked, gesturing toward the bundle in his hands.
"You can keep it," Ronan replied.
Mark was a bit shocked at being given this much money for nothing, but he did not say anything and pocketed it. Though he made a note to not spend it for a few days. It might be entirely possible that Ronan had given this bundle in excitement and regretted his decision later. If he asked for it back, Mark would hand it over.
Ronan then exchanged contact information with Mark, and tomorrow evening was decided as the time when Mark would bring Ronan to his gang. He walked away, supporting one of his limping lackeys whom Ronan had struck in the leg, while Ronan walked toward his own destination.
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