Visiting the Consigliere of Diff’rent Strokes

My eyes widens at his audacity. Even though the War Lords and Diff’rent Strokes have been enemies for three years, there had rarely been any fights between us despite our Bosses's bloodthirsty lust.

We have always avoided bloodshed no matter what but Dante just shot my solider without blinking. 

I raise my gun and shoot at his right hand man in retaliation and then all hell lets loose. I see some of my men fall behind me and I know that this time both sides will suffer tonight. 

This was all his fault. 

I stay calm and duck to avoid some bullets as I switch to a new location. At some point, someone from my side cleverly shoots at the street light next to us and then everything went pitch black but I had already see him sneaking over to the other side to retrieve our goods. 

I hear Dante release a string of Italian curses when he realizes what we have done but I take advantage of his distraction and aim at him. He manages to dodge the bullet but I know that it must have hit another part of his body because he groans and then scowls at me. He signals some of his men to retreat when he discovers that we have taken over the goods and my adrenaline-infused heart calms down a bit. 

I can already tell he regrets going easy on me tonight, the Dante I know would have never let us live this place alive but that's not my problem. He is the son of the Boss of The War Lords, I am sure he won't die from losing a couple of goods. 

One of my men returns to my side with a bloodied face so I run a quick look at him to make sure he is fine before I ask. "Give me the report."

He wipes his hand over his face, smearing sweat and some of the blood over his chin as he reports back to me. "Six are injured but the rest are fine. We have the goods back."

"Take care of the rest and go home." I grab the car keys from him and get into the car and leave. When I  return to Diff’rent Strokes territory, the first place I go to is the Underboss's apartment but as usual, I am dismissed away because he had already heard the news. I don't get annoyed like before because I have already come to terms that Vincenzo Corsi always has spies planted in each of our region.

I drive my car to my next destination and I stop at the gate where the security guards with their dogs approach my car. The place is heavily guarded with both manpower and surveillance cameras. After confirming I am safe and harmless, they all greet me with respect as I enter into the house. The first person I see is wearing a green apron and a spatula, hurling some Italian words at the maids around but her eyes widen when she sees me. "Marcella!"

"Aunt." I bend over to let her hug me. I quickly exchange a few pleasantries with her and get back with my real mission. "Is Uncle at home?"

She nods slowly and gives me a hesitant look. I can already tell that he is not in a good mood from the way she seems not to want me to meet him. "He is in the study making some couple of calls. Dinner will be ready in a couple of minutes so don't stay there for too long."

"Okay." I kiss her cheeks and go upstairs, maneuvering my way around the enormous hallway until I reach the study. I knock on the door by twice and stand there until I hear his faint reply echo through the mahogany wood door. "Come in."

I open the door and step into the room confidently to see him leaning on his chair with a hand massaging his temple. He is dressed in a grey inner suit jacket with his sleeves rolled up as he looks up at me and smiles a bit. "Marcella....what are you doing here?"

I look at this man that I have hated and respected all my life, the Consigliere of Diff’rent Strokes and my uncle, Enzo Andreotti. If there was anyone powerful enough to grant my wish right now apart from the Boss and his son, it would be him. "I have come for a small favour."

"Alright..." He seems a little surprised by my words but that's only because he knows I'm not the type to ask for favours. He sits upright and scrutinizes me more carefully. "...what is this important favour that can make my darling niece visit me so late at night?"

I take the seat he offers to me and I tell him without any falters or trembles in my voice. "Dante asked me about Pedro. I told him that he died three years ago and I want to make sure it stays that way, Uncle."

My uncle nods with a rare glint of understanding and compassion in his eyes but I look away, unwilling to share his sentiment. 

"I'll make some calls." He tells me and then pauses a little but my heart sinks at that familiar action. I know he wants to tell me something he knows I won't like. "Have you thought about remarrying again, Marcella?Pedro should have a father."

"Pedro doesn't need a fatherly figure." I spit out, trying to curb my growing annoyance at my uncle's meddling actions. I'm not a fool, I know he is not doing this for the good of my family. "We are doing just fine."

"Just think about it." His words leave no room for argument as he resumes his work making me grit my teeth and nod solemnly. It's not like he could force me into any unwanted arranged marriage like the women in our world. I was a Made Man with a high rank, a Capo. 

But I knew he wouldn't give up so easily.