His Little One✔️

11. The peace treaty.

Marcello's POV

"Marcello, you are aware that the choice you've made won't make your mother happy. Although rather attractive, she is not at all what your mother had in mind for you." Francisco, my father, chatted to me when he was in my office.

"Father, I believe I've matured sufficiently to know exactly what I want." He nodded in agreement with what I had to say in response to his generally unappealing thoughts.

"While I'm more at ease with your decision, your girlfriend doesn't really seem to fit what your mother considers appropriate therefore it'll do you well to manage the situation before she gets a sniff of it and handles it herself," Francisco went on.

"Father, have you come here to discuss my woman?" I made sure he detected the annoyance in my voice as I talked.

"No, that's not why I'm here; instead, I'm here to demand that whatever is going on between you and the D'Angelo's halt; there is no need to continue. It is not essential." At him, I grinned.

"What? Have they reached you too?" I pondered.

"No, they didn't," One of my men carried a tablet inside as my father gave a handclap announcement, and to my surprise, Enzo was on the other end, which somewhat startled me.

"What is this?" I clinched my teeth as I spoke to my father, who was sitting in front of me.

"Hello, Marcello." While I awaited my father's response, I disregarded Enzo.

I had to forsake Amia and our time spent together in order to remain with Enzo, the target of my murderous intentions. I was wasting my time by doing this.

"There doesn't need to be a war; we can settle this right here and right now, I know who you are, Marcello." I stood up at my father's urging.

"I'm confident that I have at least gained your respect enough for you to sit down and pay attention to me when I speak to you." Declared Francisco

My father's repeated statement, "I still have enough authority to remove you from the head of my mafia, Marcello," Caused me to stop moving toward the door to see Amia and instead pay attention to what he had to say.

"And to whom would you distribute it?" I waited for his reaction before turning around to face him.

"Those who prioritize doing what is right and have less trigger-happy tendencies. I never thought I'd say it, but Marcello, you like to create wars. I regret that you took a big step forward after me." As he went on.

"I almost lost myself when I prioritized warfare over everything else. Not when you have the chance to, but when you are threatened, is when you should go to war." Father gave me a speech.

"When Silvester came close to putting me in the ground, was my life not in danger? I was raised with the adage "an eye for an eye," and now you're telling me to forget about who I really am and seek peace." I paused for a moment before moving on.

"There is nothing wrong with wanting peace, but after feeling like my life was in danger, I'd rather put an end to it before it spreads and I get walked over for being weak knowing that others can see it as an opportunity that I'm slipping up and can easily exploit. I'll look for tranquilly once I'm done."

"You're not dead, Marcello, therefore there's no reason for you to kill a boy over nearly killing you. That's just your self image talking. The impulse to make a statement is understandable, but there is a lot that Enzo can do for us that is beyond our grasp." He concluded.

"You want to put your trust in a gang that you don't know and that nearly killed your own son? If I'm wrong, please correct me, but wasn't the foundation of your mafia people's dread of you? And tell me if I'm wrong, but isn't your mafia a hundred times more successful and effective now that I've taken over? If I'm wrong, please correct me, but weren't you the one who would kill if anyone ever ventured to cross you? In fact, father, you were far more dangerous than I really am." His behavior was quite unnerving.

"No one has ever crossed you even slightly and survived, but despite the fact that a bullet nearly killed me after striking my chest, you seem more concerned with your business, which I have successfully elevated to a higher level. What can the D'Angelo's do for you that I can't already?" He was grilled by me.

"That's exactly what I'm saying, Marcello, that I would change a few things if I could go back in time. We've been through many wars over the years, and many men and family members have been lost; while I appreciate you for helping our business, I'm actually giving you more ways to move the business forward in the right direction. A repeat of the past could be disastrous." His peculiar words made me take offence.

"What if this battle leads to a decrease in business? Since Enzo has connections that go beyond our country's boundaries, working together might be better than fighting." Francisco continued.

"Then you'll be among the mafia leaders who have been ousted the quickest in history." Said my father.

"My men wouldn't permit that," I defended.

"My name is on the account for whatever that is being paid for by my men's expenses, therefore they would not have any voice in the matter." It seems he had thought about everything.

"How long have you been thinking about doing this? Does mother know anything at all? It wouldn't be the first time that she is unaware of what is happening behind her back, I suppose." I challenged him.

"Obviously, your mother is unaware of this Marcello, as this was not something I had been planning." He admitted it.

"I have the documents of the peace treaty right here. Enzo has already signed it with his blood, all you need to do is to sign it with your blood as well and we can get on with our day as if nothing happened." My father pulled out an envelope from his jacket and took out a few sheets of paper for me to sign.

"This contract will permit the both of you to work somewhat closely together with you in charge. It's a win, win for business and for the both of us." He threw the paper on the table alongside a pen.

"So you contemplated all of this behind my back and also had a face-to-face conversation with Enzo?"

"Yes, don't take it personal but business is just business Marcello. Enzo merely reached out to my in order to preserve his brothers life and I made him the deal of his son staying alive for good business for us." He responded.

"Just for business? I'm wondering if I can ever trust you again because I guess loyalty is no longer one of your character traits, father. You obviously value your business relationships over your own family, based on what I can perceive." Before taking a seat, I looked over the papers.

"You will know when I've made my decision later when I've fully viewed it." I glanced towards the tablet to see that Enzo was still on video call but he was muted.

"It's not very lengthy, so you may sign it while I wait, or would you rather to remain here and become involved with someone your mother will never accept?" He irked me once more with his words.

After reviewing the agreement for a short while, I was about to ink my blood on it when he spoke.

"Under no circumstances is this regulation to be disregarded. Failure by either party will lead to the elimination deemed by me." He said as I signed the dreadful document.

"Very well then, I'll be off and you may be with your woman." He stood up and left my office.

Why do I get the perception that there is more going on than what my father actually conveys?