CONNECTION | MAFIA ROMANCE

Chapter 1 - The Diner

"I've already expressed my condolences and I don't know what else you expect me to do, Enzo. You are the fool for allowing the boy to get involved!"

"We've been working with each other for years, Salvatore! I know how skilled you are in the narcotics business, I hoped you'd at least be capable enough to baby-sit the boy - my own nephew! If you cannot at least accept your errors, then I am afraid our friendship comes to an end."

And that's all I could remember. What I didn't know at the time was that this one argument had dictated the future of my father's empire which meant my own life too.

Because I'd seen it all - seen this one argument unfold into something entirely sinister. And if my own wounded brother didn't tell you enough then I don't know what else will.

"Hold still will you?"

"What is this - the fucking statue game?" He spat, sending a shower of blood down his front, "Put yourself in my position."

I glanced at him. A purple balloon had swelled under his eye and his nose had become crooked.

I'll pass, thanks.

I would've expressed this to him but the scowl on his face was a clear warning. Busying myself with the bandages, I quickly wrapped them around his knee which had been kicked so vigorously that a bone had surfaced. He was a total idiot and I let him know for sure.

"Idiot? Speak for yourself!" He threw his head back dramatically.

Finishing the last of the bandage, I tugged tightly and smirked as I watched him yelp in pain.

"Says the one who went into unknown territory and didn't anticipate the attack from the large man who was clearly standing right behind you."

Rolling my eyes, I left him there to rest. I still couldn't comprehend how Luca, my eldest brother, could possibly run our father's legacy one day when he was about as mature as a new-born.

As I left the living room - which is ironic because it seemed Luca was on the verge of death - I saw my father's capos surrounding the door.

"He's alright now, you can go inside."

The parade of stocky men filed inside and I left them, making my way towards my father's office.

What had happened to Luca - the entire deal that he was supposed to make with the Bianchi's - was a disaster. They set us up and fled with the product leaving us empty-handed and an idiot with a broken leg. I knocked on the door of my father's office. Hearing the familiar grunt, I entered.

My father was slumped in his armchair, papers scattered across the table and floor as if a hurricane had swept in. His head was thrown back, hands sheltering his weary eyes; he was the total image of defeat.

"You took care of Luca already?"

I nodded. "What happens now?"

He sighed, taking a few moments to collect himself, then said, "It's not easy anymore." I simply looked at him; he never revealed his weakness especially in a way that was so blatant. That alone told me that everything had been a total failure...

And from there he explained to me how the business was slowly crumbling- how ever since the he'd broken away from the Sartori family everything was simply going to shit.

Everything we owned was built on the foundations of cocaine - amongst other things, of course. Making deals without the protection they used to provide were, as he repeated, "not easy anymore."

And he hated to admit this - hated it even more that he needed the Sartori family back on his side as he pronounced their name with utter contempt.

And I could understand his anger - after all, Don Sartori had broken their friendship over stupidly accusing my father for the death of his nephew.