The Mafia Lies

"Gather everyone. I have an announcement to make."

Though I didn't understand at that time what was happening, I calmly waited for my uncle who I never knew I even had until this day, gather all his employees.

I have never seen an organization like this. They were all wearing black suits with complete coat and tie ensemble. Body building and gun shooting may have been their past time basing on how buff they look and the guns that they were holding whenever they thought I was not looking. They look like stars of a yakuza movie.

When my mother introduced me to my Uncle Dencio this morning, I was surprised on how much we look alike. It turned out that he was my mother's twin brother. They parted ways after my parent's wedding for reasons still unknown to me.

We arrived in Italy after my uncle sent an invitation to my parents for a long awaited reunion. I am old enough to figure out that my uncle is a frail man. His illness, stage 4-lung cancer and was given only a few months to live. After a closed-door discussion with my parents, I was told that I do not have a choice but to accept my Uncle's announcement. This is my family's legacy as per my mother.

"You very well know, that I am dying."

It was evident on the way he speaks that he is hurting. His cough was also prominent and pitiful.

"Before I go and meet whoever it is I will meet in the afterlife, I want to introduce all of you to my successor and heir. My nephew, Marco Garcia."

When I heard the announcement, I was shocked by how well the employees accepted the old man's words. They respect him too much to complain or question him.

"Marco, you need to stay here for your training. This organization will need your leadership but before that you have to be worthy to be part of the group."

I almost dropped out of my seat when they shouted.

"Boss Marco, we are ready to serve. All hail our new Leader!"

And then my mother approached me.

"Marco, you have just inherited a Sicilian Mafia Mob."

Growing up, Marco always wondered why he had to undergo various martial arts training, archery and firing range training. He is a black belter in Jujutsu, Capoeira and Taekwondo. He is also a sharp shooter and doesn't miss a shot even on an indoor and outdoor range of 1, 200 yards. Now that he inherited his uncle's organization, he can put everything he learned into good use.

"Marco, you will be trained by Denaris. He is my underboss and right hand man. You can retain his position or choose a new second in command but I encourage you to try and test him first. He is very fierce but also very loyal."

"Yes Uncle. I understand."

As Marco waits for Denaris in the dimly lit room, he pondered how he could lead an army of men he just met. Deep in thought, he did not notice the man that sneaked behind his back and tried to strangle him with a rope.

Marco's various self-defense training was put to good use. He held the man's arms and pushed them away from his neck. He did a double sidestep then slammed his head on his opponent to loosen its hold. He elbowed the man in the ribs, his right leg kicked fast and hard as the man lost its balance. Marco faced his attacker and was about to lunge at him when he clapped his hands.

"You had a good training. I'm Denaris. Pleased to meet my new boss." He stood up and bowed as a sign of courtesy.

"You were testing me."

"I need to know your strengths and weaknesses. It's a good thing you are strong enough and fast enough for the role you have to fill in."

"I know enough to keep me alive."

"Yes. But now you have to be the best to earn the respect of everyone else. They may have accepted you but you haven't earned their trust. For them, you were just lucky to be the next in line."

"I didn't sign up for this. I don't know anything about being in this organization."

"That's why you need to listen to me until you have learned everything you need to know."

It was evident from the way Denaris looked at Marco that he will not be easy on the training. But being the fighter that he is, Marco will not back down. He will accept his fate even if he had to live a different life.

"Let's start then."

With a firm resolve, they started his training. Denaris was a tough man to beat, he withstand every punch and blow, every kick and assault Marco gave him. The training is not all about shooting or fighting. It also involved how to run the Organization's various businesses. It was an advantage that he is already an established Businessman on his own. With his knowledge on how to lead and manage, he knew he could do just about anything that needs to be done.

Three months of training and familiarizing himself with the business, he secured the trust and confidence of the whole organization. He now leads an army of hundreds of men together with the businesses he already have and the companies related to their group. His net worth increased from Millions to Billions in just a span of months.

Two and a half years later, he was already an established and accomplished leader of the biggest organization in Italy.

"Boss, we had a problem at the warehouse. Dimitri's men tried to ransack our operations. The goods that were due to be delivered next week were destroyed. I am sure the buyer will be furious if we can't give the items on time. He already paid half."

"Call the buyer, tell him we need another week. If he doesn't oblige give him 10% discount on his next transaction. If he will still be unconvinced, just return his payment. We don't need an angry client."

"Yes Boss."

"Denaris, arrange a group to go with us. We need to teach that Dimitri a lesson he won't forget."

Marco was not a violent man. He learned from his past that violence should be avoided at all cost. But he also has a group to lead and a set of rules to abide.

Their Range Rover came to a halt when a woman suddenly crossed the street.

"Damn! Check if she's hit."

"Right away Boss."

Two of his highest ranks Dustin and Hoff checked the woman.

"Boss, she's unconscious but she's got a strong pulse."

Exasperated with the turn of events, he got off the vehicle to look at the casualty. What he saw made his heart skip a beat. He carefully approached the woman. He touched her wrist to check for a pulse though he already knew that it was strong. He just could not resist touching her pale and silky smooth skin. He would have held her hand if not for the men around. He knew what he had to do. He carried her like a groom does for a bride and barked another order.

"We have to proceed. Brent, take her to the estate. Call Dr. Stafford to check on her. Do not let her leave until I arrive." He transferred the unconscious woman in the third vehicle as he ordered the three men to move to the other cars.

"Yes Boss. "

It did not escape's Brent's eyes that the Boss touched the woman's cheeks before he closed the door and signaled him to get in the Driver's seat.

"Now. Let's get this over with." Marco took his seat and moved towards another battle but somehow, his mind keeps on drifting back to that face. She looked like a stranger but he felt like he knows her.

"This is bad Marco." Denaris was shaking his head as he looked at his new boss and friend.

"What?"

"You have a thing for that damsel."

"I don't even know her."

"Exactly. That's why this is bad. She might be a spy. Or worse, she might have been sent to kill you."

"Then I have to give her credit for trying. Though I am sure she will not succeed. That's why you are here."

"You know I got your back, but if you are alone with her I don't think you would survive."

"For such a big man you do talk a lot."

"Just a warning my friend. Don't ever let your guard down. Just a simple mistake will cost you your life. This business has its perks and dangers. You haven't been exposed to any deceit and plots. Just be careful."

"I will. Now, let's go get those bastards!"

Marco's group again proved that they are still the best mob in California.

Marco

Being a Boss is exhausting yet fulfilling. I was never a vengeful person but I learned that when you do something you have to do it with care and passion, otherwise, you shouldn't have started doing it at all.

Being in the Mafia made me care about everyone in the group. How they looked up to my Uncle and me was admirable. Their fierce loyalty and respect. It was not easy to earn their trust, I had to fight with my tooth and nail just to get them to trust me. I get it. They are entrusting not just their lives but their future and families. That was why I needed to step up ahead of everyone else. To protect them is my vision even if it involves hurting others just to do that job.

As I took over the group, we tried to stay low and avoid any fights. But if it can't be avoided, we can't show any mercy to our opponents. I learned to be tough. If I had known then that my weakness was just inside the guest room, I shouldn't have been eager to meet her.

"How is she?" Seeing her in that bed, all pale and beautiful made me walk towards her.

"She's under shock. She might have seen or witnessed something to make her distressed. There is no sign that she bumped her head or any fractures to imply that she was hit by your car."

"Thank you Dr. Stafford."

When the doctor left, I approached her, utterly mesmerized by her beauty. I can't control my hands as it strokes her curly and silky chestnut brown hair that framed her face.

I guess I slept beside her. When I woke up the next morning, I saw her peacefully sleeping. Waking up was like heaven next to her perfect heart shaped face, her languid eyelashes of velvet black, her elegant nose, luminous skin and inviting pink lips. I wondered how her lips would feel against mine. I was about to try. I closed my eyes as if under a spell, slowly lowered my face towards her until I smell her breath when a piercing scream and blow to my face brought me back to reality.

"AaaaaaaahhhhhH!!!! Who are you! What are you trying to do to me!?"For a moment I thought she was cowering in fear but when I looked again, she was holding a vase ready to strike at me again. I was still feeling my cheeks from her good punch. I wonder if it was her right or left hand. I shouldn't have closed my eyes.

"Damn! That hurts. I was just. . ." Well, how was I supposed to tell her that I was about to taste her inviting lips?

"Don't go near me! I swear I will break your skull!" She was backing away then stepping forward. Any other time than this, I might find her graceful. She looked like she was dancing. That punch may have given me more delusions that I can bear.

"Relax. I don't mean to scare you. I was just trying to see if you were awake." Lame Marco. You are so lame.

"Just please, let go of that vase. . . . Wait no!" She threw the vase at me. It was a good thing I remembered to duck.

"I said let go not throw!" By that time, she was looking for another object to hurl towards me so I did what was necessary. I lunge at her and firmly took both her arms and wound it around her back to keep her from moving. I made sure that it wouldn't hurt her.

"Let go! Just let go of me! You maniac!"

That word just pierced my ego a little. If I were a maniac I would have ravished her delicate curves the moment I woke up beside her, but of course I did not tell her that.

"I am not a maniac and I will not let go until you calm down." Or I can just hold her forever, as I smell her vanilla scented hair.

She might have figured I smelled her as she bashed her head backwards and almost broke my nose. Fierce damn woman!

"Shit! My nose!" I did not let go of her arms even if I was in verge of tears because of that hard head of hers. I held her closely, moved her closer to the bed, pushed her and pinned her there.

Well, I guess the position we were in did not grant me a better impression from her. I was on top of her and it was pure torture seeing her angry and reddened face with her emerald green eyes looking at me with fury.

"Miss, just relax. I promise I won't hurt you. . . Just calm down. . .and listen." Looking directly into her eyes was like looking in an endless green sea. It made me want to look at her more. It was relaxing and peaceful. I almost forgot what I was trying to tell her.

"Go on. I'll listen." She relaxed a little. Perhaps she heard the change in my voice and the rapid beating of my heart.

"We found you last night. You crossed the street and were almost hit by my car. You lost consciousness that's why we brought you here." My gaze on her eyes and face never faltered. I was still pinning her on the bed, half of my body was on top of her, feeling the soft curves of her breast. My hands were still holding her arms. I can let go but didn't want to. It was like my whole being was waiting for her response.

"Who are you?" My heart almost got out of my chest with her voice. It was endearingly sweet.

"Marco Garcia. And you are?"

"Selena Rossi. And I really think you are heavy." She smiled with her pearly white and perfect teeth. This is bad for me. I am losing myself just seeing her smile.

"I won't say sorry but here, let's get up." I released her hands without averting my gaze from her, got out of the bed still facing her and pulled her up towards me. I may have pulled too hard as her body pressed into mine, closer and more intimate than before. I noticed that she's tall. Her tall height and body fits mine perfectly.

"Thanks for helping me." She said while biting her lower lips as she looked into my eyes. The gesture almost brought me to the edge. I could have kissed her then if not for the incessant knocking on the door.

"Won't you get that?" She started to gently push me away and I didn't have a choice but to release her and walk towards the door.

"I will. . . and I will kill whoever is behind that door." I made sure she didn't hear the killing part.

"You better make sure this is important Brent!" I barked.

"Boss, Denaris wanted me to bring this here. He also said that breakfast is served.

I checked the contents of the bag Brent handed to me and found woman's clothes. I wasn't able to turn my eyes away from the red lacy undergarments inside. I imagined how that would look in contrast to her flawless and pale skin.

"Marco? What's that?" I looked at her and smiled. I love how my name sounds from her mouth. I will make it my life's mission to make her say my name over and over again.