"First, I want you to pick someone up for me. I don't care what condition he's in; make sure he's alive when you get here. I'llsend you the addresses." Othello hung up and texted Zoraki The Mirage's address, then cleared the club. Othello didn’t care about the money he would lose and wanted the club empty when Zoraki and his crew arrived.
Iago, Roderigo, and the commission planned to kill him in a few days; however, Othello would make sure they never got the chance, and the first person he'd start with was Roderigo.
A couple of hours later, Zoraki and his men showed up with Roderigo slung over one of Zoraki's men's shoulders. Roderigo was knocked out and dressed in nothing but his underwear.
"Was he any trouble?" Othello asked Zoraki.
"No more than the usual," Zoraki responded. "Where do you want him?"
"Come this way." Othello directed them to the storage room.
"Want to tell me what's going on?" Zoraki asked.
“Your questions will be answered soon. Have your man tie him to the chair,” Othello instructed.
Zoraki waved a hand, and his man did as he was told.
"Before I wake him up, have them bring everything out of the room." Othello pointed to the extra space, and Zoraki poked his head through the door and whistled. "It's all yours," he told Zoraki.
"Just for bringing a man to you? We should do business more often," Zoraki said.
"The job’s not over yet," Othello said.
Zoraki stared at him for a few seconds before nodding, then instructed his men to empty the room. While Zoraki and his crew worked, Othello sat in front of the still-unconscious Roderigo and watched more videos. He replayed a few of them repeatedly, ignoring the dialogue and keeping his eyes fixed on Iago’s face, searching for any signs that his brother was being forced into all of this. He still couldn’t comprehend that this was entirely Iago’s plan.
It was maybe one hour later when Zoraki told him everything was done. Othello nodded, stood, and, without warning, slapped Roderigo so hard it sounded like thunder cracking in the air.
"What the fuck?" Roderigo screamed, waking up.
"Nice of you to join us, Roderigo," Othello said, reclaiming his previous seat.
"Moor," Roderigo snarled. "What the fuck are you doing here?"
"Setting up your death the same way you have been planning for mine," Othello drawled.
"My death. What are you talking about?" Roderigo cackled, but his laughter died down as he looked around, noticing where he was and what was surrounding him. "H—how? How did you find my secret room?"
"I'm the one asking questions," Othello said, bringing Roderigo's focus back to him. "I've told Iago and your father you were an idiot, and every time I give you the benefit of the doubt, you crush my expectations."
"Do you think I live to please you?" Roderigo snarled.
"No, I suppose I'm not the one you're trying to impress, but I bet all you got to do was suck his dick," Othello said.
"I don't know what you're talking about?" Roderigo turned his gaze away, and Othello was sure he was close.
"My brother," he said. "How long have you been in love with him?"
"I'm..."
"Even when you're about to die, you deny it." Othello scoffed and took a shaky breath, trying to relieve the weight of his melancholy. "I guess I was an idiot to miss the signs. I knew he kept you around. Maybe your technique is that good, and he couldn't help himself." He gave a mocking smile. "We had the biggest argument when I came out of the closet. I thought the brotherhood we built from childhood was over. At least that would explain why he's trying to kill me, right? But to know that he's?—"
"We never, I mean, he's never… We've only shared partners," Roderigo whispered. "He doesn't see me that way and never will."
"But you want him to?" Othello said sympathetically.
Roderigo was silent, and Othello thought he would not answer. "I wish just once he'd notice me. See all the things I've been doing for him," he growled. "I know he doesn't care for me like I do for him, but he hates you to the core. I bet you want to know why."
Othello didn't respond.
