CHAPTER ONE

Alfredo Fabri POV

As you might already known, I am Alfredo Fabri. 

Within the Family, I simply go by Fabri, but outside the Family, they call me “The Butcher”. 

Why, you ask?. Well, if you stick around long enough, then you might just find out. 

All my life, I've always been second. 

Second this, second that, and currently I am Sottocapo, ranking as the second to the Boss of the Colombo Family. I know, it sucks, but that's reality. 

A street riff raff once called me “second to none” once. Unfortunately for him, he neither knew my history nor how much I've grown to detest the word. I didn't ask him what he actually meant by that, and I can't do that now either, because he no longer resides on planet earth. 

È finita (it is finished). Yes, he is dead. I know right, How did that happen?

What have I done about changing the condition of things, you say? Well, I've fought tooth and nail and I've gone lengths to conquer beasts and the likes of them with my very bare hand. 

You don't believe me now, do you?Well your answer doesn't matter, you can see for yourself.

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 “Lil Joe,you feel so big now don't you?” 

The Don, Paolo Romano's voice rang across the rooms of the Colombo’s family's Palatial. It didn't require a soothsayer to tell the members that Paolo, “The Jackal” as he was notoriously known as, was furiously mad. 

It had for weeks now become a trait that seemed unavoidable to the residents of the Family, and in all honesty, it was becoming hella annoying in here. 

 Paolo spoke to no one besides the Consigliere, Marco and I, the Underboss about the mess we had going on with Lil Joe.

“When do I get my money?, you're messing with the wrong Dog, Joe, I’m certain you're aware” He continued, honing out flames from the bellows of his mouth.

It was popular opinion that “The Jackal” wasn't one to be messed with, and anyone who had an outstanding business with him, made no mistakes to leave it pending. But Lil Joe, an associate of the Colombo's had overnight seemed to grow some wings, and had gone rogue with The Don's money. Rumor had it that he had sworn an oath of loyalty to the Gambino's.

You see, in this line of business, Loyalty for your family is a valued commodity. It is an unspoken notion but it is loud enough for anyone with two ears to hear. 

“Don't hang up on me Lil Joe, Dont-” The look on the Don's face expressed his shock. He needn't say another word Lil Joe had hung up on Paolo. In that moment, I guessed that we all had for a flash moment pondered over the guts Lil Joe had seemed to acquire.

“That lil piece of crap!!!” The Don went on cursing as he rummaged the room with his unsure pacing.

“I told you not to associate directly with Lil Joe, it just speaks so lowly of what you've become.” I said as I took a long sip from the cup of coffee I had in hand while everything played out.

“With all due respect” I added as Paolo flashed a death glare towards my direction as if to question the temerity of my statement.

“All I'm saying is this, What would the Family say when they find out that the Don got duped by an associate?” I continued, letting out a sarcastic chuckle.

“Watch it Fabri” Marco flashed 

“With all due respect” I added again, gesturing with both arms in the air to signify that I meant no harm.

“Look Marco, I am simply trying to be plain here, void of sentiment. The Don has nothing to talk about with a mere associate but again Sentiment was brought Lil Joe into the picture and here's the result”

“I had voiced my opinions against assigning Lil Joe with a task that huge, but then again, I'm not Consigliere, so my opinions hold on weight when they're in direct contrast to yours Marco” I added in a breath, flashing a glance towards Marco's direction.

“But you have to admit, at times I give way better advice than you do. Because now, had it been my words were taken for it, we'd have kept Lil Joe put, in his place, and we'd still have our frickin $30,000 in the bag” I finished, my voice over the top this time.

“Don't you put that on me—”

“ Stop it!” Paolo lashed out, cutting Marco off, banging his hands against the sleek boards of the table. I could have sworn that they didn't get off scarred.

“What's been done has been done” 

“And you're right Fabri, Lil Joe could have been kept in his place and he still can!” Paolo added, a glint flashing in his eyes.

“What do you mean Still Can? Lil Joe's apparently under the umbrella of them disgusting Gambino's. How he got in, I don't know, but I do know he's got some coverage” I said, letting down my cup of coffee.

“I think we should break the news to the Family. Marco, I suggest you take the blame for this. You are Consigliere for a reason and you can come up with something. It seems like the only resolution at this point, and it'd give us some leverage because now we can work together to get the money back” I let out , directing my glance towards Marco.

“What do you mean take the blame for it?” Marco added, unable to hide his disapproval to all I had just said.

“You heard me right Marco, You're Consigliere, this is where you step in, make sure everything falls in place, protect the best interest of the Don” I spewed, but the expression on Marco's face signified that he wasn't having any of it and he'd give anything to leave the room that instant.

“Why don't you take the fall for it?” He said, fondling with both of his hands as he spoke.

In all Honesty, it was a funny sight. The thing about Consigliere, tough as they seem, loyal as they might be, rationale and smart as they portray themselves to be, in there somewhere, there's just a self will that does nothing but think about themselves. A little heat, and you'd see them crack under the intensity. 

Despite undergoing the ceremonial oath of loyalty with the saints, there's still a remnant of self will that fights the bulk of loyalty attained. It's the basic concept of being a Human.

“Stay in your lane, Marco,” I warned.

“I'll be back, I need to go take care of something” Paolo said, cutting in abruptly, reaching for the pistol beneath the table’s drawer and tucking it into the length of his pocket.

We'd suggested tagging along, but he stopped us from doing so. He was most definitely annoyed by the back and forth between me and Marco, but we never did get an opportunity to apologize, because that was the last we saw of him.

Dead or alive we are yet to find out.