The Empire's Descent (First Draft)

Chapter 9: Family Love

When Luca got back to his hotel room, he was met with Marco and Malco; gone was the playful Luca.

"It's business time," they sat in the living room.

"What do you mean they don't exist?" Luca begun.

"Sir, it seems your mother didn't die in that fire at the safe-house," Malco said softly.

Luca had already surmised as much, but it didn't stop that familiar ache in his chest hearing the words aloud.

"What we don't know is how she planned all this or who helped her. The trail picks up in a town called Bankshire. She worked as a housekeeper for some rich families. I've got an ear in the town; he should be sending me some information shortly," Malco reported.

Luca sat back in his chair, pensive. Oh, Mama, why didn't you come home? A ring snapped him back to reality. Malco pulled out a burner phone and answered.

"Come in," Malco said; it was a sign to let the other party know they were free to speak.

"Amaka lived in a rundown shack on the outskirts of town; that information wasn't known to anyone. She apparently had some run-in with the local gang leader, Marlon. Word is, he's crazy in love with her," a man reported.

"Where is he?" Malco spoke up; that's the way it's always been, only the higher-ups knew of Luca's status as Capo so, he never interjected. (Boss).

"He's in the town and word on the street is, he's lost some girls," Luca had to sit on his hands to keep from lashing out.

"Anything else?" Malco asked.

"The shack, my plug in the Town said a big fire happened... the body of an older woman was found. Over" he reported.

Luca felt in his heart that that was his mother. A new wave of loss overtook him. He had grieved as a teenager when they thought they had lost her, but to know that she had been alive during that time? He felt an intense amount of guilt. The girls must have seen her death too!

"Over?" Malco confirmed.

"Over," he answered.

Malco hung up.

"I want an eye on that Marlon. No authorities; run surveillance, then I want him in the Basement," Luca commanded.

"Also, get the reports on the fire and pay to get her ashes back," his mother is coming home once and for all.

Malco nodded and left. As soon as the door closed, Luca broke down and Marco ran to his side.

"Marco," Luca whimpered.

"I know, buddy, I'm sorry," Marco felt so bad for his best friend; he had watched him grieve so many times over the years: his mother, Marabella, his father and, now, his mother all over again. Marco wrapped his arms around him and allowed him to cry.

No words passed between the brothers. They had seen and done awful things together; those were the kinds of situations that bonded them. As much as he loved the rest, they didn't know him like Marco.

"I have to get ready and go see the girls," Luca told Marco.

"I can't wait to meet them," Marco smiled.

"They are the loveliest little munchkins ever!" Luca laughed through his tears.

"But they've been through so much," the thought sobered Luca.

"Go shower, you stink, man," Luca pouted and sniffed his armpit.

"No, I don't," he laughed and went to take a shower.