June 8, 1928
Lorenzo's...
Torelli and his "guest" stood in the dim lit room alone.
There was something this grunt wasn't telling him, but one thing his gut told him was truth: this kid, he's a Maggio—and not just because he looks like Granddad Angelo Maggio did at that age.
"I've been keeping tabs on every one of you Maggio's here." The lookalike went on. "If this legacy of our family is to continue it needs to grow and become a force to be reckoned with."
"We are a force to be reckoned with."
"Yes, but our family has potential for so much more... Even on a global scale."
"But?"
"But these things take time; though under the right leadership, it can accelerate."
"You saying there's something wrong with Danté Maggio's leadership?"
"Not at all. If It weren't for Danté we wouldn't be here. Our family's power would've faded out. No. The problem isn't Danté... The problem, as I've seen it, is Victor Selini-Maggio."
Lor grabbed the kid by his shirt collar. Raised a fist—
"Whoa! Okay, I get it! Loyalty runs deep! But hear me out! Vic is smart! He's capable. He's ruthless! But he's emotionally compromised. He's never gotten over the death of his first wife. I guarantee this torchsinger is going to break his heart. He's on the tipping point and as his closest friend, I'm sure you've noticed. Any other losses and this family will be on rocky ground, cousins and brothers at each other for the power grab."
"What makes you so sure?"
"I make it a point to know things and put together possible outcomes. I'm not telling you to put down Vic Maggio. I'm saying, be watchful, build up to take control when he decides he can't handle it."
"Danté Maggio would never let Vic step down."
"Danté won't live forever. Just think about it. You're a smart one, Lorenzo Torelli. You're just too busy taking a backseat to Vic, you don't even know the drive you could have behind the wheel."
Lor wouldn't deny he'd often felt the little, green germ of envy rise up in him when it came to Vic.
Vic, lost a wife, and sure he lost family, but not the way Lorenzo had. Vic wasn't there when all their family went up in smoke—Vic hadn't lost his parents and siblings. Lor had managed to rescue Joe, his baby brother, but Vic would never understand the loss they fought for the way he did—The way Tommy did. Tommy understood... He wondered if their younger cousin would be on his side if it came down to it.
"Alright, kid, I'll keep an eye, but I don't fully buy it."
"That's all I ask."
"Any other tips I should know before I hide you away?"
"Hide me away?"
"Yeah, you can't go running around with Angelo's face."
"Fine. Last tip. Look after the Peters after Danté passes."
"Why wouldn't we? They're Danté's loyal friends. They're practically family."
"Then you'll have no trouble keeping Harvey's kids out of danger. They'll be good friends to keep if and when you lead the family."
~•~
June 21, 1933
Rigoletto's dress shop...
YOU ARE READING
Through Time Again
Science Fiction((SEQUEL to Through Time She Came)) "Our family was always important to the Maggios, Anet. In your timeline, we had managed to stay well-hidden. Something changed and brought us back out into the game." 2010 is not how she left it. The Maggio and th...
