Threats.

The Cosa Nostra Den is like a rendezvous; a meeting point for all members of the inner circle.

They have their meetings at least thrice a week if there are no problems on ground to solve.

Paolo drove into the underground park, and Massimo carried himself powerfully, walking into the Den which is surrounded with trained guards.

Paolo followed him into the secured building where they met the three other members waiting already in the dark-walled room.

There are black couches surrounding a long glass table like a conference setting.

"Look who's here" Niccolo boomed, pouring himself a glass of vodka.

He's shirtless, the tattoos on his skin looking ruggedly ominous.

Niccolo is carefree and at the same time a hardtack member of the circle. His Peruzzi family owns the hospital, which is why it was so easy to get Violette treated there.

"Still can't believe he actually snatched her" Marina said beside him, mounting her legs on each other.

She's a tall beautiful woman who has a strict badass look, and of course she's strict. She's Niccolo's stepsister with the same father.

Massimo sat beside the third member who's usually the most quiet but stern, and Paolo stood behind him.

"I believe we're here to talk about the Yakuza, not my substitute wife. Get the talk on the table" Massimo spoke straight to the point.

"Were you paid to always ruin my fun?" Niccolo groaned.

"Go with Massimo's order, Nicco" Marina spoke in all strictness, dropping her wine glass.

"I spoke with The Yakuza family last night as arranged, and their boss has agreed to meet here next week" Nelson finally spoke, his voice devoid.

Nelson Gambino is the only American in the circle, and his unhinged aura is close to Massimo's.

Nelson is actually a crazy man who covers his craziness with sternness, but he's a great strategist, together with Massimo.

Every plan they made together has always resulted in victory.

"It's somewhat suspicious. The Yakuza boss agreed to meet just like that? The fact that he'll also be the one to fly down here is not to be overlooked" Massimo said.

"Your trust issues is still intact, Massimo" Niccolo said.

"Not taking enough precautions led to the bombing last year, are you all willing to do that shit again?" Massimo spoke rigidly.

No doubt, the bombing left scars on everyone to be remembered for a lifetime. Not only did Massimo lose Teresa, but Nelson lost both parents too.

Marina lost her mother and the father she shared with Niccolo.

The memories are still fresh, still lingering and haunting.

Back then, they were all still careless folks who knew close to nothing about how the Cosa Nostra worked, but the bitter occurrence forced them to take over the circle with hearts thirsty for revenge.

Their Albanian enemies planned the bombing, and they eliminated every single member of the gang except their boss who's still in hiding, still wanted and will soon be caught and slaughtered.

"Run more investigation on the Yakuza, and dig out everything there is to know before we meet" Massimo said.

"Yes, boss" Paulo replied behind him.

"I'll do some diggings too" Marina spoke.

"Good" Massimo stood.

"A drink with us wouldn't take your head, Massimo" Niccolo stood too, placing an hand on his shoulder.

"Or at least with me alone" he said.

With a plain glare, Massimo shook Niccolo's hand off and left with Paolo.

"You have a substitute wife now, no time to drink with us anymore! I'll meet her one of these days and trick her, send her out of the country secretly so we'd have our Massimo back" Niccolo shouted after him.

"Aren't you too obsessed with Massimo?" Nelson said indifferently.

"Zip it up, Nelson. You're just as obsessed as I am, you only mask yours" Niccolo pointed at him.

"Whatever makes you sleep at night" Nelson said casually, and Marina smiled, leaning forward on her chair.

"I badly need to meet this new Mrs. Visconti. I love hardheads."

"I'm all here for the games, those twins are too witty to be deceived" Niccolo grinned.

---

[Visconti Estate]

"Do you think they'd like it?" Violette asked, unsure of what to expect.

She just finished making waffles and beet juice with Marie. Though, Marie just watched her.

Violette refused to let her help with anything. Waffles and beet juice are one of the things she read on the tab at the hospital, and thankfully, it wasn't hard to learn.

She's a fast learner, making things easier. Honing her skills wouldn't take time at all.

"Trust me, they can't look away from waffles" Marie assured, and Violette calmed before going upstairs with a tray containing the delicacy.

She stopped in front of their door, giving it a soft knock.

"Babies, I made your favorite snack" she said, waiting for a minute before speaking again.

"I know I left for a year without a goodbye, but trust me the circumstances were beyond my control. It wasn't my plan to leave you two, but it just happened. I missed you both, and I'm still missing you right now. Please open the door and let's eat this together over chats like we always did" she said, fighting back her emotional tears.

She needs a medal at this rate, this acting is too raw.

The door opened, and she sniffled as Lucia showed up without Luca.

"What mission did you go for?" She questioned with an unfriendly look.

"It's for the Cosa Nostra,"

"The empire is important than us?" Lucia interrupted sharply, and before Violette could talk further, Lucia knocked the tray away from her palm, wasting the juice and waffles on the ground.

The glasses broke on Violette's feet, but she didn't wince till Lucia went back into the room and slammed the door on her face.

"Lucia!" Violette hit the door again despite her bleeding feet.

"Luca!"

At the base of the stairs, Massimo stood.

He has been watching since Lucia came out of the room. He actually arrived minutes ago.

He turned around, walking out of the living room.

Violette saw him and quickly rushed after him, following him into the balcony.

At the same time, Paolo entered the balcony.

"Boss, the bodyguard who raped a teenager in a club last night got caught" he reported.

"Waterboard him and hang him upside down. Leave a little life in him and I'll take it in one hour" Massimo ordered in all mercilessness.

Paolo left to carry out the order, and Marie entered the balcony with a tray containing a cigar pack and a lighter.

Massimo took both, and Marie left.

He lightened a stick, ignoring Violette's presence totally.

Before he could start smoking, Violette spoke up.

"Your kids are too much to handle."

"You think?" He faced her, the smokes from the cigar clouding her face.

He looks mad, and it seems all directed at her.

"What do you mean?" She frowned, her hazel eyes shrinking.

"They're too much for you to handle because you're not her. You're nothing like her. You're failing, and at this rate, they'll find out within twenty four hours. If that happens, I'll fucking hand you over to the cops myself" he said, meaning every word.

Despite the fire burning in his eyes, Violette went closer, eating the remaining space between them and calling out her bravado before speaking boldly.

"Are you threatening me, Massimo?"