G, RUSSIA(THE B

began to disperse. Some lingered to wish him a happy birthday,

amiglia De Luca took a deep breath, his eyes never leaving Pakhan's figure. The weight of years and powe

apo asked quietly, his voice bar

e been waiting for the right moment, Capo. Perhaps no

nodded th

s eyes narrowed, and he turned to face them, his voice low and urgent. "People a

nodded curtly. "Alright, let's go." With a unif

ched the Pakhan, Adrian and Igor st

th and calculated. "I am Ivan De Luca, from Lafamigli

impassive. "I'm afraid that's not possible," Adrian said

ly as he took in the scene. His expression changed, and he nodded curtl

anding behind Ivan, cast a piercing glare at Adrian, her eyes flashing with a war

eir faces neutral, but Adrian's eyes flicked to Ivan De Luca, a flash of curiosity and wariness

heads slightly. In perfect harmony, they chimed in, "Happy birthday, Pakhan." The Pakhan

ca, the Capo of La Famiglia De Luca." He gestured to his right. "By my right is my right-hand man and personal

hter, Valerie; my second daughter, Donatella; and my youngest daughter, Ariana." The Pakhan's eyes narrowe

honor to meet you. I believe our families share common interests, and I'd like to

Ivan's bold suggestion. "Private?" Pakhan repeated, his voice low and measured

believe our families could benefit greatly from an alliance. The det

lf. He nodded slowly, a hint of curiosity creeping

KHAN'S

ioning. The La Famiglia De Luca's stood before the Pakhan, their faces etched wi

La Mano Roja, the death of Giovanni Bianchi, and the current threat from the Me

welling up with tears. "I beg of you, Pakhan, please consider an alliance

and Barino following suit, thei

rowed slightly as Ivan spoke. "This is all my fault," Ivan co

sed a hand. "Enough," he said, his voice firm. "You

Once the door closed behind them, the Pakhan leaned back in his

, his finger still tracing his lip. Ivan De Luca and

paration for my seventieth birthday, one of my advisors mentioned you

mixture of grief and grat

need something in return, even if we are to accept your re

others scrambled to their feet and set

lost in thought. After a moment, he focused on Adr

akhan's expression turned ste

d left the room, closing the door behind them. T

w. "I can die anytime soon, and I want my second grandson to be the future Pakhan

ed confused glances, unsure wha

he can become Pakhan, but he's not interested. He's

sed in thought. "You have three daughters,"

to share a moment of understanding. The P

this alliance," he said, his voice measured.

this alliance, I cannot give one of my daughters to the

yes narrowing. "Are you sure you need help

exhaustion and confusion. The Pakhan's wor

firm. "She'll become the wife of my second grandson, Mikhail Morozov. He's cold, but

night to think about it. I'll have my people prepare a guest apartment for you and your family to stay in tonight. Tomorrow morning, I

eir faces etched with pain. "Yes, Pakhan,

s them, concern etched on their faces. "What h

s head. "We need a break," he whispe

certainty. They didn't know what to think or say anymore. The weight of the Pakha