Chapter 17

"Thank fuck I'm not involved in your games," Mike slammed the glass on the counter.

"You didn't come here to discuss about my games Mike. Give me the report," Vitali pushed the chair with his legs, stood and rounded his desk once more, sitting on his chair and resuming his work.

"No. But I'm glad that I came here today. Are you going to throw the party to introduce your wife to the Famiglia? People expect it. Everyone will be wondering about her, her background."

Vitali rubbed his chin with his fingers in thought.

"I should, shouldn't I? Since, you gave the idea, you handle the preparations"

Mike groaned internally but didn't voice it louder.

"Of course. That's what I'm here for. Does your family know about this?"

"If not already, then they will soon. It's not my duty to inform them about such trivial matters"

He flipped through the file and placing it back on the desk, picked another.

"Any sound from Monestero side?" Vitali asked without lifting his head from the papers.

Pietro Monestero is his underboss. Next in line to him to gain the power. Thus, his biggest enemy within the Outfit. Though he is older than him by a decade and a year, he covets the position that Vitali etched with his brutal strength.

If not for the money the Monestero infuses into the Famiglia, Vitali would have just killed him and he done with it. Alas, he couldn't kill.

If he have to kill every time he doubted his men then he won't have any to rule over. But Pietro is becoming a thorn. Slowly, gaining more faction from other Outfits. If he gets enough support from them, he might land an attack on him.

This is not a situation of 'if', but 'when'. And Vitali is prepared to take him down when time arises. Until then let the rat think he has successfully hidden his treachery.

He is confident but not overly so to think not to keep tabs on his opponents. Every powerful family has his men. Same goes with the other Outfits as well.

And he is sure, some of his men are strategically planted to extract information. It's all a game of chess. Who gets to move the piece first, who gets to reach the power first.

Vitali let's them think they won the battle only to lose the war he brings at their doorstep.

"Nothing much. His usual grumblings about how he doesn't get much stake in profits. How he isn't included in the meetings etc., nothing new. Oh, I almost forgot."

"What is it?" He lifted his head, pinning him with his glare.

"Rumour has it that he is marrying his third cousin off to someone from Los Angeles Outfit. Probably a soldier. But I'm not sure"

"This is not good for us. If he gets his hands on any of the other Outfits, then he will start to act. I don't want his tantrums now"

"What do you have me do?"

"Find out who dared to propose marriage in my Outfit without my permission. I want his hand on my desk. Arrange the marriage of that cousin with one of our soldiers. Make it look like a love marriage."

"Do you think one of our own would be able to pull it off?"

"Inform him that if he doesn't then he would have to answer me. Trust me, he will spew poetry in no time. And let Pietro know that it's my doing"

"Does it really have to be necessary! He already loathes you. Why dose fire over it?"

"Because he overlooked my command and agreed marriage with an outsider. I'm Capo Dei Capi for a reason. If I let it go unanswered then several more will follow suit. No one does anything without my permission. Nothing moves without my say so. Pietro might have forgotten that. I believe you will remind him?"

Mike squirmed in his seat. For a man who works in mafia he averts violence.

"Do I have to?"

"If it's not done by you, I have to interfere. Do you want me too?"

"Cleaning the slaughter of a powerful family or humbling myself to make the underboss understand about the severity of the situation. Choices, choices."

"Consigliere is supposed to be on friendly terms with all families"

"That doesn't mean I go on a rampage and threaten everyone regularly"

"Everyone has to follow Omerta"

Omerta is mafia's strict code of silence that regards to underground affairs. It demands loyalty and discipline above all else.

"Fair enough. I will remind Pietro to concentrate on his fat ass and not needle you in his spare time."

"Anything else?"

"New shipment of arms supplies will be arriving soon"

"Any problem from chapters?"

Chapters are governing body of local Motorcycle club who try underhand tactics to steal their supplies. Whenever it happens, there is usually a gun fighting and lots of blood involved.

One day Vitali is going to eliminate these Chapters if they became too much hustle. Not today though. It's more like a buzzing bee near his ears now.

"There is a fuss as usual"

"Inform it to Sebastino. He will handle"

"By handle you mean he will kill a few," Mike looked skeptical.

"Is there any other way to handle?" Vitali asked placing his hands on the desk and folding them.

"Of course not. If that's all, I will take my leave"

Just as Mike was reaching the door, Vitali called his name.

"Make sure today is not repeated. I don't want to search for new consigliere soon," Vitali said calmly. The threat underlined subtle but effective, reminding him his place and how he overstepped today by asking questions about his personal life.

Mike visibly gulped, nary a doubt in his mind about what he is saying. Today, Mike has crossed a line and asked Vitali questions. Though he received the answers he seek, it's at the cost of a black mark beside his name.

"Yes Vitali," he nodded solemnly.

Vitali knew he is being harsh but if he had to maintain his throne then harshness is what warranted. He couldn't afford to make friends, couldn't afford to become predictable, to relay on someone.

Every single step he takes is scrutinised, recorded and dissected by his near ones and enemies alike. He might have created an empire, but he couldn't afford to lean on anyone.

Weakness.

That's what it will be. Once anyone gets a whiff of it, it will be used against him. Like a weapon. He can't allow it to happen.

Currently, he is alone but keeping his family alive by staying aloof. That's how it was supposed to be. No one said, carrying a burden is easy.

And being Capo Dei Capi is sometimes a burden more than it's worth. His mind traced over the new addition to his family.

What will she be? Why should he care? She would be nothing but a pile of ash in few months. Once, he took what he want from her, he will kill her with his own hands.