Hello everyone. I'm currently working on my new book. I write mainly erotica that involves strong willed women however the men in my first series all worked in the Boston Mob. The story revolved around that a lot. My new book I'm thinking with take place in Chicago, however I don't want an exact repeat of my pervious books. My male lead is Latino, the job needs to give him the ability to have a lot of money but can also cause a lot of conflict. I was thinking of connecting the cartels however it's similar to my pervious story. Any suggestions on good jobs or empires that gangsters or criminals might do? I appreciate any help I can get!
An obscure job in between crime and finance would allow having more contrasts between rich and poor characters and showing the blurred moral line. Maybe it started at a corporate coke party with bosses discussing how to bribe cops, and he got in contact with a friend's dealer in need for his unique skill in off-shore accounting and money laundering. Then he saves their skin from the police and he gets to know the gang. Then a miss-understanding ending with his friend getting killed.
I once worked for a man who's body guard was accosted and beaten up by the mob, while he barely escaped with his own life after going 9mm barrel to 9mm barrel with the mob. He was a very wealthy man, but also owned a tugboat service. Another lucrative trade that is don-right cut-throat...believe it or not...is the trash business. EVERYONE, whether rich or poor, have garbage, and do not want it, nor to touch it. There is money in that kind of everybody-consistency. Just two ideas that might make for a memorable character.
He could run a crooked logistics company, moving around illegal or stolen items around the country for the mob, with a respectable front. And perhaps he could be a landlord on the side as well?