Chapter 2 Loss and Loyalty

SICILY, ITALY (DE LUCA'S RESIDENCE)

The De Luca mansion stood majestically, its stone façade gleaming in the fading light. The sprawling gardens were meticulously manicured, with perfectly trimmed hedges and vibrant flowers that added a pop of color to the otherwise serene atmosphere.

Inside, the dining room was set for a lavish feast. The long, ornate table was adorned with fine china, crystal glasses, and silverware that sparkled under the soft glow of the candelabras. The table was filled with risotto alla Milanese, pasta alla Norma, arancini, and caponata. The De Lucas sat down to enjoy their dinner, surrounded by the soft hum of conversation and the clinking of glasses. The maids, dressed in crisp, black uniforms with white aprons, served each dish with precision and grace.

A throat was cleared in the air, and Ariana's words hung like a challenge. "Why isn't Papà here?" she asked, her voice laced with a mix of curiosity and concern.

Anastasia, their mother, set down her glass, her expression calm but guarded. "Your father is busy with some things, Aria. Let's not discuss it further."

Donatella's eyes sparkled with mischief as she chimed in, "Oh, you mean with those mafia stuffs?" Her tone was playful, but the underlying tension was palpable. Anastasia's gaze turned cautionary, her voice low and even. "Dona, be careful what you say." The warning was clear, but Donatella just rolled her eyes.

"She doesn't even have respect for Papà," Valerie said with anger. Donatella's face flashed with indignation. "What do you mean I don't have respect for Papà? I have every respect for him." Ariana intervened, her voice a calm mediator.

"Can we not start with this tonight? Can't we just eat peacefully?" The plea was directed at her sisters, but her eyes met her mother's, seeking support.

Anastasia's expression softened slightly as she reminded them, "Table manners, ragazze." The gentle rebuke was enough to steer the conversation back to safer topics, and the family continued their meal, the tension simmering just below the surface.

As they continued their meal, a little bit of time passed before Valerie suddenly dropped her spoon, her eyes locking onto her mother's. "Mama, I'll be done with college soon, and I have plans, I have dreams, and I also want to achieve them." she said, her voice filled with determination.

Dona chimed in, "I'll be twenty in two months to come, and I cannot wait, Mama. I want to celebrate it big, you know. I want it to be large." Her eyes sparkled with excitement.

Valerie's face twisted in annoyance. "You're talking about your birthday? Can't you see I'm discussing my plans after college with Mama?" Her tone was laced with frustration.

Anastasia's expression turned concerned, and she set down her own utensils. "Can we discuss this later? Let's just wait till Papa comes back." Her words hung in the air, leaving her daughters to wonder what their father's reaction would be.

PALERMO, SICILY (LA FAMIGLIA DE LUCA'S EMPIRE)

The men gathered in the grand meeting room, a place where the underbosses of the La Famiglia De Luca Empire convened to discuss important matters.

Suddenly, Ivan De Luca walked in with his personal guard, Ronan Marino, and everyone stood to their feet, waiting for the Capo to take his seat. Ivan De Luca sat down, his presence commanding attention, and the others followed suit, taking their seats. However, there was a vacant seat, meant for Giovanni Bianchi, the family's consigliere, but he was nowhere to be seen.

The tension in the room was palpable as Ivan De Luca's expression turned grave. "Giovanni is dead," he said, his words dropping like a bombshell.

The room fell silent, gasps filling the air as everyone was shocked by the news. Ronan Marino's jaw clenched, his teeth grinding in anger, and his fist tightened. The underbosses exchanged stunned glances, the weight of the news settling heavily upon them.

Barino, one of the underbosses, spoke up, his voice laced with panic. "What happened? How did he die?"

Ivan De Luca's expression turned grim. "We were on our way back from a successful drug exchange with the La Mano Roja when we were ambushed by their men. Giovanni died during the fight."

The room erupted into gasps and stunned murmurs. Ronan's anger was palpable as he clenched his fists and teeth. "Before Giovanni died, we were discussing how we've been at war with the La Mano Roja for over five years. But you, as the Capo, wanted peace between the two empires, and that's why you agreed to bring peace by buying drugs from them."

Ronan's voice dripped with resentment. "Gio was against it from the start, but you insisted because you're the Capo. You forced us to make friends with them."

The tension in the room was palpable, and Ivan De Luca rubbed his temples, his eyes closed in frustration.

Ronan's anger boiled over. "Now he's dead. We can't let this slide. He is the consigliere of La famiglia De Luca. There will be a real war this time around."

Benjamin, another underboss, spoke up, his voice cautious. "We don't have what it takes to win a war with the La Mano Roja. We've been on this for over five years now."

Ronan's face twisted in rage. He stood up, slamming his fist on the table. "We must find a way to win this war and clear them out for killing Gio. Don't you get it?"

Ivan De Luca's voice cut through the chaos. "Enough."Ivan De Luca continued, his voice measured. "Ben is right. We don't have what it takes to win over the La Mano Roja. We've been on this for a very long time."

"What do you propose we do, Capo?" Barino asked, his voice cautious.

Ivan De Luca's eyes scanned the room, his gaze lingering on each of his underbosses. "We need to regroup, reassess our situation. We can't take on La Mano Roja without a solid plan."

The weight of Ivan's words hanging in the air. What would they do next?

Ronan's phone rang, and he picked it up. The room erupted into whispers as Ronan's face turned dark. "La Mano Roja's men burnt down sterling club" he said, his voice low and menacing.

Everyone was stunned, whispering to each other in shock.

Lukas, one of the underbosses, spoke up. "That's our number three best club in the city. This is getting out of hand, Capo."

Ronan's face clenched, and he turned his face away, his anger simmering.

After a moment of tense silence, Ivan spoke up, his voice low and measured. "The Bratva."

The room fell silent, with everyone exchanging fearful glances. The mention of the Bratva sent a chill down their spines, a reminder of the ruthless and merciless organization that's not to be crossed path with.

"How about we form an alliance with them?"

The room was silent, with no one daring to speak up.

Barino broke the silence, his voice cautious. "That would be dangerous, Capo. The Bratva is not to be dealt with lightly. They're the most feared and respected mafia in the world."

Another underboss added, "Speaking of the Bratva, the Pakhan's seventieth birthday is coming up soon. There's a possibility we might get an invite. How about we use this opportunity to make an alliance with the Bratva?"

Everyone nodded in agreement. Barino spoke up, "I think I have a little bit of connection in the Bratva. I can work on that."

"How will you be able to do that, Barino? What do you need our help with?"

"Don't worry about that, Capo. I can handle it. What we just need is to get an invite, and we will be present at the seventieth birthday of the Pakhan."

Ronan spoke up, his voice filled with determination. "We must not fuck this up. This is our only way to avenge the Consigliere of La Famiglia De Luca's death."

The Capo stood up, and everyone else followed suit. "The meeting has been adjourned. Barino, I expect a response from you in two days' time.And also, we need to deal with what's going on at the Sterling Club now."

Ronan spoke, "I'm moving over there now."

The Capo nodded. "I'm coming with you."

Barino intervened, his voice cautious. "No, Capo. You're not meant to go. We just lost Giovanni. Let's not let something bad happen to you. I'll escort Ronan to the Sterling Club and see what's happening."

The Capo considered it for a moment before nodding. "Alright, it's decided. We'll host a meeting in two days' time." And the Capo walked out, with Ronan and Barino following from behind.

As the Capo left with Ronan and Barino, Gambino spoke up, his voice heavy with pain. "I cannot believe Giovanni is gone"

Cassio looked ready to leave, his expression somber. "I'm off. We even forgot to discuss Giovanni's burial. We haven't even seen his dead body."

Another underboss, Victor, spoke up. "Maybe in two days' time, we'll discuss Giovanni's burial. But for now, we have many things on the ground, we need to make sure that we don't lose someone else who's very important to us."

Victor's words were laced with a sense of urgency and caution, as the underbosses tried to navigate the complex and treacherous world of the mafia.

DE LUCA'S RESIDENCE

The guard rushed to open the car door for the Capo. As he walked towards the house, the maids lined up and greeted him with a bow. "Welcome home, Capo."

The Capo nodded and climbed the stairs, walking towards his room. He opened the door and saw his wife, Anastasia, pacing back and forth, biting her fingers in worry.

"Amore mio," he said softly, "I'm home now."

Anastasia rushed towards him, her eyes filled with concern. "Are you alright? I heard what happened."

The Capo's voice was pained. "I'm fine, but Giovanni is dead."

Anastasia whispered, "I know." She hugged him tightly, and he held her back. For the first time, a drop of tear came from his eyes.

He tried to hold back, but his voice cracked. "I failed to protect him. I failed to protect everyone. We lost over fifteen guards at the scene, and...and the Consigliere of La Famiglia De Luca."

Anastasia whispered in his ear, "It's not your fault, mio amore. It was time for Gio to go."

The Capo shook his head, his voice filled with grief. "He's just thirty-five years old. I was even trying to convince him to get a wife..."

Anastasia hugged him tighter. "You need to eat."

The Capo sighed, releasing her. "I'm not hungry."

He walked towards the bathroom, and Anastasia sighed, climbing back onto the bed.