Animalistic Desires

AHaCAS Part 19

(I do not own any of the images in these stories.)
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Thirty five years prior.....

Antonio Esposito was probably one to the most feared mafia bosses in Europe alone. He had many rivals, with his biggest being the Sabino crime family. It was just a few years ago that his father had passed on, and Antonio had become head of the Esposito family.

He was a ruthless man, that many either loved, or feared. His money came from the blood of others, and failure from his men was never an option. Drugs, women, illegal stockpiles of weapons, it didn't matter. Anything and everything was for sale, as long as it turned a profit. This is where his family had made their fortune, and whoa to anyone who got in the way of expanding his empire.

A handsome man, he was bit of a playboy, and had no trouble finding women to share his bed. Yet he knew he was going to have to settle down soon. He had an underground empire to run. And just as he had been the heir apparent of his father, Antonio was expected to produce at least one son as well.

He was waiting in his office, for something special to arrive. While at a charity auction, he had purchased a rare statue. It cost him a lot, but to him it was worth it. He had the money, he might as well enjoy it. As he was waiting, there was soon a knock on his office door.

"Who is it? He asked as he kept his gun cocked, and ready. It was always better to be on your guard. Like many other mafia bosses, they all would have loved to take one another down.

"Mr. Esposito." The person on the other side of the door replied. "It's me, Vincent."

"Cone in!"Antonio ordered. Vincent Salvatore was Antonio's personal body guard, and right hand man. He was also his friend, and most trusted advisor. He was perfect for the job. A right hand man should always show little to no emotion, and Vincent had mastered it perfectly.

"The statue that you have been waiting for is here." Vincent informed him.

"Excellent!" Antonio replied. "Ever since I saw it at the auction, I knew I had to have it for my collection."

Antonio had always been a fascinated by gargoyles, especially the ones used in architecture. They were guardians, warriors that protected their domain. Many times if a building that had a few gargoyle statues on it, was being raised, he would buy the gargoyle statues before the building would be demolished.

But this statue was never part of a building. In fact it had just been discovered, recently. And when it was put up for bid at the auction, Antonio knew he had to possess it. This gargoyle seemed to be much more than a guardian, he was a leader. Antonio could tell by the look in the gargoyle's eyes, this sculpture was how always pictured himself.

As it was being unloaded, off of the delivery truck, Antonio and Vincent made their way over to it.  "Careful with that!" Antonio exclaimed. "That statue worth more than all your worthless lives combined!" He immediately removed the drop cloth, and stared at his recently procured piece of art.

"It's amazing isn't it Vincent?" Antonio stated in complete awe. "Look at him!  He's amazing, such power and raw determination in his eyes. A true king, no one would ever dare get in his way. But this is the first time I've ever seen a gargoyle statue, were he's holding some woman in his arms. A human woman in fact."

"She almost looks sad." Vincent replied, as he looked as stoic as ever.

"Perhaps." Antonio replied. "But look how he holds her. She is his, and his alone. He protects her, and cares for her. She belongs to him, and he will never let her go. She may fear him, but she knows he would do anything to protect her. He protects what is his, and no one knows that better than she does. That's why these creatures have alway fascinated me, they have a strength that mere man does not."