LY (DE LUCA

ht. The sprawling gardens were meticulously manicured, with perfectly trimmed hedge

ow of the candelabras. The table was filled with risotto alla Milanese, pasta alla Norma, arancini, and caponata. The De Lucas sat down to enjoy their dinner, surround

ung like a challenge. "Why isn't Papà here?" she aske

xpression calm but guarded. "Your father is busy wi

ne was playful, but the underlying tension was palpable. Anastasia's gaze turned cautionary, her voice l

face flashed with indignation. "What do you mean I don't have respect for Pap

eat peacefully?" The plea was directed at her sist

zze." The gentle rebuke was enough to steer the conversation back to safer topics,

oon, her eyes locking onto her mother's. "Mama, I'll be done with college soon, and I have plans

I cannot wait, Mama. I want to celebrate it big, you know

your birthday? Can't you see I'm discussing my plans afte

we discuss this later? Let's just wait till Papa comes back." Her words hung in

(LA FAMIGLIA D

ce where the underbosses of the La Famiglia De Lu

apo to take his seat. Ivan De Luca sat down, his presence commanding attention, and the others followed suit, taking their

Luca's expression turned grave. "Giovanni is dea

n Marino's jaw clenched, his teeth grinding in anger, and his fist tightened. The und

oke up, his voice laced with panic

k from a successful drug exchange with the La Mano Roja when w

fore Giovanni died, we were discussing how we've been at war with the La Mano Roja for over five years. But you, as

nst it from the start, but you insisted because you'

le, and Ivan De Luca rubbed his tem

let this slide. He is the consigliere of La famiglia

s. "We don't have what it takes to win a war with the La

fist on the table. "We must find a way to win this war

inued, his voice measured. "Ben is right. We don't have what it takes

e do, Capo?" Barino as

each of his underbosses. "We need to regroup, reassess our s

rds hanging in the air.

o whispers as Ronan's face turned dark. "La Mano Roja's men b

ed, whispering to

"That's our number three best club in the

nd he turned his face aw

ce, Ivan spoke up, his voice

ntion of the Bratva sent a chill down their spines, a reminder of the

form an allian

nt, with no one d

dangerous, Capo. The Bratva is not to be dealt with lightly

birthday is coming up soon. There's a possibility we might get an invite

e up, "I think I have a little bit of con

do that, Barino? What d

at we just need is to get an invite, and we will be

"We must not fuck this up. This is our only way to av

en adjourned. Barino, I expect a response from you in two days' time.An

"I'm moving o

ed. "I'm comi

o go. We just lost Giovanni. Let's not let something bad happen to y

it's decided. We'll host a meeting in two days' time." And the

Gambino spoke up, his voice heavy with p

ber. "I'm off. We even forgot to discuss Giovann

s Giovanni's burial. But for now, we have many things on the ground, we nee

and caution, as the underbosses tried to navigat

A'S RE

. As he walked towards the house, the maids lined

his room. He opened the door and saw his wife, Anastas

e said softly,

eyes filled with concern. "Are y

pained. "I'm fine,

im tightly, and he held her back. For the f

ct him. I failed to protect everyone. We lost over fifteen guard

, "It's not your fault, mio am

grief. "He's just thirty-five years old. I wa

him tighter. "Y

releasing her.

oom, and Anastasia sighed,