Chapter 2 The Mafia Family

In the shadowy underworld of New York City, one name commanded respect: the Lombardi family. For decades, they had ruled with an iron fist, their influence stretching from the dockyards of Brooklyn to the high-rise towers of Manhattan. They were the silent partners, the puppet masters, the ones who made the city tick and took a cut of every deal. But the Lombardi's power wasn't just built on fear and intimidation. They were also the architects of the city's skyline, their construction empire Lombardi Builders and Construction a testament to their wealth and influence.

From luxury condos to commercial high-rises, their name was synonymous with quality and prestige.

At the helm was Marco Lombardi, the patriarch of the Lombardi family and the father of Alessandro and Javier. He is a man feared and revered in equal measure. From Marco Lombardi, he is known also as Don Marco, but only a select few dared to address him as such. Don Marco's sons, Alessandro and Javier, were groomed for different paths. Alessandro, the elder, was bred to inherit the throne. He grew up in Queens, learning the intricacies of both the legitimate and illegitimate sides of the family business from a young age. He is to be his father's successor at the company and also to be the head of their family's mafia gang, "The Black Gang".

As his father's right-hand man, he was ruthless, cunning, and calculating - a true chip off the old block. Alessandro had no patience for weakness, no tolerance for leeches. He respected only those who respected themselves. His focus was on power, on building the Lombardi Empire. Love, to him, was a distraction, a luxury he couldn't afford although, he had the utmost respect for women, he was the kind of guy who would never speak ill to a woman, or scold her, instead he would rather walk away from her presence.

However, there was one exception to Alessandro's hardened heart; children. He had a soft spot for the vulnerable, the innocent. Every day, he visited the local orphanage, bringing gifts and guidance to those who needed it most. It was a side of him few knew, a side he kept hidden from the world. Javier, on the other hand, was a different story. Having spent his childhood abroad, he was detached from the mafia life. He showed little interest in the family business, preferring the world of architecture and design. His passion was building something new, something beautiful - not tearing others down.

As the Lombardi's continued to build their empire, their legacy was cemented in the steel and stone of New York City. But with great power comes great danger, and the Lombardi's knew that their position was always under threat. In the world of the mafia, loyalty was a luxury few could afford and the Lombardi's were no exception.

Later that morning after the incident that happened at the hotel room with Camille, he traced his steps back to his real room where he ought to be as he saw his brother who stood there worried as he said to him "Oh my gosh bro, where were you, I searched everywhere and I called too", then he paused and said to him teasingly "Don't tell me you were with a woman" Alessandro sighed as he sat on the couch in the room, his brother looked at him with a smile as he sat in front of him and said "Oh my, you are not denying it, which means you did".

Alessandro was pissed as he explained everything that happened between them, his brother laughed as Alessandro said to him, "The strangest part was that I think she was a virgin" his brother looked at him as he said to him "You think or you know", he sighed as he said "Forget about it, I just hope I never see her again", Javier nodded, then Alessandro looked at him as he said "So, he is coming back home today", Javier looked at him as he said "Wow! Thanks fro ruining the mood bro", Alessandro stood up as he was changing his clothes then he said to his brother, "Look bro, I know you and dad don't see eye to eye but he is your father and you know he loves you".

Javier sighed as he said "He loves only you and you know what, I don't care because you on the other hand, love only me" they both laughed as Javier sighed and said to him, "You have always been dad's favorite and you know that, I mean he groomed you to take over the company and to be the head of the gang right from when you were young, I never had any interest in all of that, that's why he and I were never close neither did we have that kind of relationship" Alessandro sighed as he said "Don't worry my dearest brother, at least you know you have my heart" they both laughed as Alessandro freshened up so they could leave the hotel.

Camille got home with such excitement as her mom was surprised seeing her so she asked what happened and then she narrated the entire thing that went down to her, her mom was surprised as she said "Oh my gosh, so you are telling me, you spent the night with the one and only Alessandro Lambordi, the heir to the Lambordi empire", they chuckled as she said "Well, technically Ava did and that is why we have to do something fast".

Just then, Ava came back with tears in her eyes as she cried and said she was too late and her mom is dead, Camille fake sympathized with her as she said to her, "It's such a shame I know, but there is nothing you can do about anything now my dear, but there is one thing you can do for me", Ava looked at her as she wondered what she could want from her now, then Camille said to her "Leave the country", Ava looked at her surprised as she asked , "Why, what has my staying here got to do with anything", Camille took a deep sigh and then she said to her "I am not going to repeat myself, I want you to take this cheque, go and do something with your life, study, remember we made you drop out of college, well take this opportunity and start your life afresh".

Ava wasn't sure what their intentions were but what she did know was that she had no one she could call her own, her dad was so into their clutches that he doesn't love her like he used to when her mom was still in the picture, and now her as doesn't care. Her step mom came to her as she said "Just take the cheque girl, this is your father's way of settling you, I mean you know whenever he sees you, he remembers your mom's betrayal, but after I spoke to him, he decided to do this for you, so see this as your inheritance and leave, and please go somewhere far away and never come back".

Ava looked at the cheque as she sighed as she looked at the cheque and said "Okay then, I will need to pack up and leave", Camille smiled as she asked "Do you have anywhere in mind you will like to go to", she nodded no as she said "I will just go wherever, but don't worry, I will make sure I am out of your hair and you will never have to see me again". They smiled as they watched her go upstairs to pack her things, and in a short while, she came down and said her goodbyes and then she left. She spent the night at a hotel and the following day, she was en route to Paris where she had to pick up the pieces of her life and make a name for herself.