CHAPTER THREE

Alfredo Fabri POV

“What do you mean missing?” 

“This is simply an Impious fad, preposterous!”

“Marco, what's your take on this?” Marino raked like a loose dog who hadn't been given a bone to chew on. 

Marino Salvatore was Caporegime, one of the most revered Men of the Family. People often said he had an Aura to his personality, but I agree to disagree. Marino was simply a coward who cowered under the glory of his extravagantly sashayed wealth. Wearing heavy gold and jewelry surfaced above furry coats and clothings, attracting unwanted attention to no one but himself.

He had quite the influence on the family, was successful, had his head in the business. To give it to him, he did quite the good Job when it had to do with the rounds he made for the family. But amidst all that, I saw past his crap. The old lad had not a single loyal bone in him and simply wanted to be Don and as such I wasn't buying his act and if he hadn't been a coward, I'd have said he had a thing or two to do with the Don’s disappearance.

“I'm calling the shots here. You don't question Marco rather you direct the questions to me” I raved rashly, doing well to put Marino in his place. The cold look of fear on his face at my reply, fairly gave me some Satisfaction.

“And why are you the one to call the Shots?” Marco shot at me

“Marino” Franseco Larosa, the second Caporegime in the meeting, tried calling Marino to order.

“Rosa, don't start at me,” Marino replied.

“Passaggio Della Corossa hasn't been done yet, the Family in totality is yet to find out that Don Paolo is missing, so Fabri still maintains his position ad Sottocapo” He continued, making no mistake to look in my direction.

 I was stunned at the guts. Whatever Marino was on, I couldn't tell but it did him well because he had no idea who he was talking to at this point. I tried so much to hide the rage that revved within me from being visible on my face, but it ended up being a failed attempt.

“Do you realize who you're talking to Marino?” I questioned, trying to call his attention to the fact that he was only Capo and I was Sottocapo because apparently he had lost his senses that ordered his demeanor towards the respect of hierarchy.

“I'm well aware, Fabri,”

“And what's with the threatening tone?, don't tell me that implies you'd like to cut me out, just as you did Paolo?” Marino finished. His statement was followed by the gasps of Marco and LaRosa.

I wasn't having any of it, Marino’s words had cut deep into my soul. I could handle everything else but never a question on my loyalty, it was as straight as a ruler. 

“Those are serious allegations Capo” LaRosa said, addressing Marino by his rank to hint that this has gone past the shallowness of the whole news. It was probably LaRosa’s attempt to him to Marino to peddle down a bit.

My hands were folding into fists, and although they were tucked into the grooves of my Jacket, Marco had picked up the signs. “Thread with caution Fabri,” He whispered loud enough for me to hear. I was a rational Man and the Family understood that, not for once has my loyalty every been questioned, but on the disappearance of Paolo, Marino had seemed to acquire some boldness. I knew that there were more to it than met the eye.

“I called this meeting so that we can think of plausible solutions” I said gently, obviously paying no heed to Marino's wild accusations. Like I said, I was a very rational Man, and self control was one of my many qualities. I had a pistol in the pocket of my Jacket, it didn't take me anything to pull it out just to put Marino back in his place, but I knew in situations as this whenever there seemed to be a power tussle in the Family, rash decision and superior display of authority with Firearms was nothing else but a folly display of cowardice, despite the party having the upper hand. I knew that the business ran on Loyalty and Respect, the latter being what I had only just displayed.

“Fellas!” Gina cut in, puffing smoke as she casually strolled into the room, draped in a corporate black on black tuxedo.

Gina was the only female made Man in the Family. Yes you heard right. Her entry into the Family caused quite the ruckus but Gina was as rugged and soul nerving as her beauty was. It wasn't news that most Made men of the Family avoided crossing paths with her. As her news precedes her, she cleared out an entire Mafia Family, in the space of three months, as an associate to the Colombo's. It was one of those new generation families that fought tooth and nail to ensure that they remain relevant. They gave our Family quite the hard time then because there was a tussle over territory dominance. But Gina handled the situation just fine. How she did it, no one knows and no one has had the guts to ask except myself. 

Gina and I were very close and truth be told she was a loyal asset to the Colombo's, she was one of a kind.

“Glad you could join us” Marino cooed sarcastically, his statement being greeted by a roll of the eye from Gina which sent shivers down his spine.

“Here are the pictures and details I could get from downtown, Fifth Avenue” Gina said, spreading out the length of pictures and details over the width of the table.

“Fifth Avenue?What the hell was Don doing there? That's Gambino territory” LaRosa rushed, spotting the obvious.

“He was last seen entering here” Gina echoed, pointing at a luxurious looking building which evidently sashayed itself to be a clubhouse.

“Club Erebus” She continued, calling out its name.

“This is where things get interesting” She said, dragging her hands through the texture of the pictures and paper as though in search of something. Then she paused on a particular picture.

“Lil Joe” Marco and I echoed simultaneously, looking over the picture which showed Lil Joe coming out of the Club.

“Yah, that's right. A short while after Don had entered the club, Lil Joe was seen leaving” She finished with an air of Finality, folding her hands above her chest as if it bid herself a Job well done.

“And… Where did you get all these details from?” Marino spewed.

“Really, that's your take out from all this” Marco fired back.

“On your lane Rino” Gina said calmly. Her demeanor said all that needed to be said. It didn't take a pal reader to tell Marino that Gina wasn't in the mood for jokes, she never was. In fact she detested the likes of Marino, even more than I did.

“Thanks G” I said with a wink, and she welcomed it with a smirk.

 I had often heard rumors that went like this “Fabri and Gina” are together and the likes of them. But Gina and I simply were professional work mates. You can look up the description of the title if you like.

“I'll check it out tonight” I said referring to the Club.

“I will tag along. My sources tell me that there's an auction going on there tonight. Exclusively for the five families. Although, the host decides to remain anonymous” Gina finished.

“No, I'll be going alone. It might be dangerous” I said, staring at Gina in the eyes, hoping she'd let this one slide just this time. Her eyes making no mistake but to hold mine at bay, sashaying her defiance to my request.

The tension in the room seemed to have been turned on a notch, and Marco and the Capos took the cue to exit the room.

Again, We were just professional work mates, believe me.