Chapter 3

ARTHUR DROVE LIKE a madman as he thought of the text that Diego had sent to him. He zoomed into the estate and drove directly to the mansion. No time for garage parking. He stepped out and felt a wave of nostalgia wash over him. This mansion does not hold fond memories for him and since old Papi had refused to sell it, he avoided coming here at all costs.

It had happened 16 years ago, almost a month before Arthur’s eighth year old birthday.

It was a bright day. But it had that sort of New York City weather where the sun and the rain had not decided on who will take the day. So the sun shone on and the rain fell in a lazy drizzle which floated aimlessly in the air. It was more like dew.

Mrs Sofia Salvatore, Arthur’s mother was going out to do birthday shopping for little Arthur who had begged to go along but had been shunned.

“Requesting to see your birthday gift before the day is only asking for bad luck, Chico.” She had said, softly. “You don’t want bad luck to follow me and you forever and ever, do you?”

Little Arthur shook his little head and with teary eyes, he said, “But you will bring me a gift, right? Not for my birthday. Just a regular gift.”

She had nodded and wiped the tears from his face. “Of course.” She said.

He stood on the huge front doors on the porch and waved at her as she entered the driver’s seat of her Ferrari 365.

She turned the key but instead of the engine whine, a big ball of flame engulfed the car and exploded in a massive shockwave, sending out twisted metal all around, one of which had buried itself deeply into little Arthur’s stomach. The scar from the stitches was still there.

Arthur was hospitalised for close to six months and many nights after that, he kept having nightmares and his insomnia started. It was then that the family realized they needed a therapist for the kid. 

A heavy wind gusted around and brought Arthur's mind back to the present. He rubbed his belly and felt the slight bump on his mid-abdomen where the metal had torn through. He took a deep breath and walked towards the house. 

Out on the porch there, two henchmen sat, playing cards. They made an unlikely team. Where one was huge and muscular, the other one was small and slim. 

They both stood up as they sighted Arthur coming up. 

"Ángel" Arthur nodded to the big man. "Dominic." He nodded to the smaller man. 

Ángel leaned across and opened the door to let Arthur in. In front of the fireplace, Diego sat there, nursing a glass of whisky.  He turned when he heard the door open. 

"Ah, Arthur." He stood up and opened his arms in welcome. "You got my text." 

"I did," Arthur said, grimly. "Are you serious?" 

Diego nodded. "Old Papi would call a meeting soon. I give him 6 minutes… or less." 

"Shit," Arthur swore under his breath. 

"Come on…there's nothing so bad about it." Diego said, pouring out another glass of whisky. 

"I am still searching for Laura." 

"Oh, Laura. Sweet Laura." Diego said sarcastically. He handed over the glass to Arthur

"I thought you liked her." Arthur said defensively. 

"I did, in fact like her." Diego nodded. "She was good for you. She made you a better person… but you were not right for her." 

"What is that supposed to mean?" Arthur dropped his glass. 

"You should know what mean, don't make me explain myself but regardless, here you are… about to be betrothed to another stunning lady." 

"It's not all about looks." 

"But it is." Diego said. "Listen, it would be beneficial to all of us for you to marry into the Three-headed-dragons family. It would strengthen our family… make us even more - "

Arthur cut him off. "Is that what my father told you to tell me?" 

"Oh hell no." Diego replied. "They don't even know I know. I overhead them - your father and mine." 

Arthur grunted. 

"They seemed to consider marrying me off… but hey, you're the heir, not me." 

Their phone pinged at the same time. Arthur glanced at his and sighed. "Trust me, I would give anything to swap places with you right now." 

"Don't be so glum. It's showtime." Diego patted Arthur on the shoulder. 

Arthur downed his drink in one gulp and followed Diego as they went up the stairs and towards the meeting room. 

THE MEETING ROOM was a gigantic hall. Most times the pungent smell of expensive cigarettes, alcohol, black coffee and even more expensive perfumes mixed and hung heavy in the air. 

No matter how many times the room was aired out, the smell still remained, like it was engraved on the walls. 

Arthur and Diego walked into the room. Arthur took a sweep around with his eyes, not all meeting members were around yet. From the view of things, he could see some notable mentions. 

But in a few minutes, all members were in and waiting for Old Papi to come in. 

They did not sit, because this meeting was not a long one and the tables and chairs were not arranged in the room, so the men just stood around in lazy groups, talking in hushed tones until Old Papi arrived. 

Now, a little stooped and weak, People who knew Fernando Salvatore aka Old Papi in his prime know he was one to be feared. He took over the Salvatore family when it was all but a matches making family fighting over scrubs and sales and pieces of information about the other families. 

Suddenly, a week after Fernando had taken over from his uncle, the arch rival of the family wound up dead and hanging on a pole outside his coffee shop. A week later, another arch rival was found floating face down in a small lake. 

Word rose and fell. Rumours flew about but no one confronted anybody. Rumour went about that the last man on the same street with Fernando sent an assassin to finish off the Salvatore family. The assassin got into the Salvatore building but instead of killing Fernando, Fernando spoke with him and hired him all over and they both went to the first hirer's house. The assassin didn't do anything, just watched Fernando smother the other man, but he still got paid in full and remained loyal to the Salvatores to date. 

Fernando built the family with his blood and sweat, with every meaning of that phrase. From owning and running the street, Fernando owned two streets. Then a district and finally he came the third biggest and most feared family in New York City. 

They were only beneath the Three-headed-dragons which were three families all under an umbrella. They had started out as two brothers running from Japan to NYC. Then they became linked to a third family by marriage. 

The second biggest family was the Orsatti's. Ruthless, deadly and feared. But no history. They had been the biggest family in New York before to their despair and anger, the Three-headed-dragons swathed them and became the first, pushing them to second to their utmost dislike. 

The Salvatore family was now one to reckon with. 

It felt like Fernando had done everything, but now a few eyes were casting a searching glance at Arthur, asking themselves if he had what it takes to run a Mafia family, telling themselves that he was too soft to rule, telling themselves that he would only run the family to the ground. 

But all those thoughts dissipated and a hush fell over the crowd as Fernando, Old Pap, walked in with his brother who was also his partner, although Fernando held a more authorities status. 

Old Papi stood on a small podium and overlooked the crowd of about 13 men. His eyes fell and held gazes for a second with Arthur before he spoke, "I have a proposal to make for the betterment and growth of this family." 

No one said anything.

"No objections? None?" Old Papi paused and looked around, making eye contact with each man in the room. "Good. My son and future heir, Arthur," He gestured vaguely toward the general direction of Arthur. "...he will get married to Melissa Chan of the Three-headed-dragons in a week. Combing both our families, giving us more power and revenue income." 

The whole hall erupted in cheer and the men around Arthur crowded him, giving him playful arm punches or back slaps and all saying, "Congratulations."

Everyone knew the marriage was a good thing. Everyone except Arthur whose mind was somewhere else.