ELLA FAMIG

tombstones standing as monuments to their legacy. The mourners, dressed in black, surrounded the flower-draped

Bianchi-a man of loyalty, honor, and service to La Fam

ds in silence, the weight

n De Luca. "Don De Luca, woul

as not only our consigliere, but also my friend, my brother. I often urged him t

e was stolen-taken by the cowards of La Mano Roja. Th

m sorry. I failed to protect him. My he

oing like finality. One by one, mafia leaders offered their co

aid. "May his soul rest, and may yo

Rizzo families followed, each express

behind-quiet, grieving, but burning with purpose

***

candles, and other tributes. The Capo stood before the grave, his eyes fixed on the nameplate

, approached the Capo and nodded respectfully. "It is

he nodded slowly. La Famiglia De Luca's people dispersed, l

they turned to leave the cemetery. The atmosphere was heav

he had the support of his community, and that they would stand by him in the days ahea

ll, a promise to keep. Giovanni Bianchi's death would not go unpunished. The Capo's eyes narrowed, his jaw clench

G, RUSSIA(THE B

he meeting room was equally impressive, with high ceilings and walls adorned with intricate Russian artwork. The room was ma

istinct presence. Dimitri Vorobev, leader of the Vorobev organization, leaned back in his chair,

Dimitri asked, his voice laced with impati

e you speak of the Pakhan lik

uld escalate further, the door swung open, and Pakhan Sergei Morozov

, Pakhan" (We

respect to the elderly Pakhan. Sergei

ing his hand. "Sadiytes', poja

scanning the room. His gaze la

grandsons are no

rm. "What a disrespect they ha

forget that respect is a two-way street." The other lea

anning the room. "Davayte nachnem, my ne mozhem z

ssful, and as you know, we're already preparing for your seventieth birthday. We'll be doing this in the g

stra, I believe they're trying to give us a little bit of headache. Bu

akhan, walked in nonchalantly, greeting his grandfather

ov faced him, his voice stern. "You

he remaining two vacant seats. He shook his head,

ather in the same way: "Zdravstvuy, dedushka" (Hello, grandfather). Alex

the time you spent in America has really changed y

usement on his face. "I don't think yo

his voice firm. "Enough, l

ks' time. We need to start preparing for my birthday party. I want it to be very classic, nothing too modern. Even the

all the leaders impressed

en't really had much issues lately. That's because we're not just called Bratva for nothing. Our name is synonymous with ruthlessne

n a winter night, sending a shiver down the spines of the other leaders. He was tall, imposing, and radiated an aura of menace. His eyes were piercing, like ice picks, and his face wa

ance, his eyes narrowing slightly as if he had just smelled something foul. The Pakhan stare

Russian: "Zdravstvuy, dedushka" (Hello, grandfather). The words seemed to rumble through the room

rinned and hit Mikhail's knuckle with

on the Pakhan. "So, what am I missing out on?" His

ust planning my seventieth birthday, and I was sa

expressionless, and sho

xt week. Make sure this birthday becomes the best of the best in the whole of Russia. We have a lot of big men and rich

he room before coming to rest on Mikh

iosity and respect. Nikolai's eyes lingered on the Pakhan, his mind racing

han, his expression neutral. "What do you have to s

"Mikhail, I might not be around forever. Anytime soon, I'll be gone, and you'll hav

is eyes. "But Nikolai is the first grandson, Dedushka. Originally, he's m

emotional. He'd let his personal feelings cloud his judgment. You, on the other hand, have the maki

I'm not ready to have a wife, Dedushka. Women are weakne

at, Mikhail, but I still think you're the better

you again, Dedushka. For the sake of respect, I'll let this slide." He turned and walked out

aking his head. "He's