SHADOWS OF POWER

CHAPTER THREE:THE MAFIA KING

ALESSIO POV

My men and I were walking towards the entrance at the airport in Fornia. It has been a hectic three days as I had to fly out to Bionbri to meet with Xavier. That goddamm old fool was against me being the next Mafia King and was gathering some of the Mafia Lords or Ghost as we call them, to vote against my crowning. I tried being civil with the bastard, called his cell numerous times but each time is Secretary would pick up and tell me he was f*****g busy. So I had to clear my schedule and deal with him the hard way. Got to his home without telling him and found him with the Lord of Doshmi and the Lord of Aghatha. I tried talking to him again but the motherfucker thought himself so great and he ended up with broken ribs and limbs. I didn’t need to say a word to the other two Lords before they pressed their thumbs on the mandate I had with me and promised to tell the other three Lords who were siding with Xavier to vote for me.

There are 12 Mafia Lords that make the Azure Council and my father was one of them. It’s been 10 years since the council had a King and they finally decided to crown one. I happen to be the most eligible with 6 votes on my side. Xavier, however, is a longstanding rival of my father and thus regarded me as unworthy. I could have dealt with him harshly from the start but the fact that he has half the council on his side made me treat him with respect until today however. We are the Mafia and only through violence do we surrender. I met with the other three Lords who also pressed their thumbs on the mandate, I’m sure they’ve realized they can’t go against me as I had gone in and out of Xavier’s residence with ease. Now I have 11 thumb prints on the mandate and all that is left is the formal vote to crown me as the King, not that it matters anyway.

I was talking to my third in command, Mike, on the walkway when we noticed a presence running towards us.

“Boss, someone coming towards us.” Mike says.

“Let him come. We don’t know what his motives are or if he’s alone, so be at alert.” I said.

“Okay boss.” Mike answered.

When we got to the car, I noticed the person stopped walking and was now staring at me. The stare was so intense I had to turn around and look at the person.

“Should we approach him boss?” Mike asks.

“No” I replied.

“What if he’s a spy, boss?” Mike asks again as we got into the car and he signaled to the rest of the men to get going.

“If he is a spy then he must be very terrible at his job or whoever sent him is stupid. And that look on his face is different.” I said as our car drove off.

“He is still looking boss.” Mike says looking from the rearview mirror.

“Let him be. What’s on the schedule for the week?” I asked.

Mike starts reading the schedule to me as we forgot all about the guy and focused on business. As soon as we got home, I was approach by one of the maid who told me my father was waiting for me in the study. I pulled off my jacket and gave it to the maid as I walked towards the study to meet my father.

I met my father in the study with Alexandra, my big sis, and Antonio (my lil brother). “Hello father.” I nodded towards my father who was sitting behind the large mahogany desk in my study “To what do I owe this pleasure, Father.”

“I came to hear the tale of your journey. I was told you failed to get Old Xavier’s signature.” My father said as he lit up a cigar to smoke.

“I got the other five and I now have 11 members on my side. Xavier doesn’t really matter.”

“Just admit you weren’t competent enough to get his damned thumb print on the mandate.” Antonio said.

“I never said it was a pleasure to see you Ant.” I said to my stupid brother.

“No one asked for you take on the matter Antonio.” Father said glaring at him. “You should have gotten his approval too. It would solidify your stance to everyone and you wouldn’t be known as the Mafia King who couldn’t get all the men to bow to him.”

“I already proved he’s worthless when I strode in and out of his base without any harm coming to me. I’m sure he would readily give his vote on the day of the official election without any hurdles.” I said to my father.

“What if he doesn’t give his vote readily, huh?” He asked puffing smoke from his mouth.

“Does it really matter though Father?” Alexandra added. “He would be seen as an outcast to the council if he doesn’t vote in favor of Alessio which will to his position being vulnerable and his business falling into the hands of others. After all, he also got it through dubious means.”

“And I doubt he is that dumb.” I said “But I’ve never been able to tell with dumb people. I could just have him killed and give his businesses and group to someone more worthy. The person will be indebted to me and Xavier would be out of the way. I mean people only respect the motherfucker because he got the entire business and groups under the last Mafia King without much scruples. So I’m certain all the lord’s will be rest assured if the snake is out of the way.”

“He is right, Father.” Alexandra says. “The old slug is too power hungry, not that it is uncommon, but there have been rumors about him flying around. We need to have our guard up and have the upper hand at all cost.”

“Have our guard up?” Antonio says. “That would make us seem weak and those fools would fail to recognize us for who we are. We are the Dragons and we are never weak.”

“You seriously need to read the Arts of war or some other book. Are you seriously this dumb Ant? Ain’t anybody saying anything about weakness? Why did you invite him to the meeting Father?” Alexandra says perplexed.

“His stupidity disgusts me.” I said. “You’re no dragon Ant, you’re just bird poop.”

“How dare you?” Antonio flared up and pointed his gun at me.

“You are really dumb.” I said.

“Put your gun down now.” Father shouted. “The disrespect. I am here seated in front of you and you pull a gun on your brother.”

“I’m sorry father but he…” Antonio said as Father interrupted him “Leave Antonio, your presence seems not to be needed in this meeting.”

“Yes father” Antonio said as he bowed towards our father and gave Alex and I a hateful glare before banging the door loudly on his way out.

“You really need to stop involving him in serious matters Father. He will be the first to rat us out if put under the least pressure.” I said.

“You two figure out something for him. Tell me Alexa, What rumors have you been gathering on Xavier?” Father asked.

“There are rumors that he has been conducting some experiments on humans and animals. I’m not certain what it is for yet but we need to be ready for anything.” Alexandra says.

“Did you notice anything strange at his place when you were there Alessio?”

“I didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary.” I replied.

“Okay. We should keep our guard up, double up the security and get the spies checking everything. We can’t let anything slip us by at this juncture. You’re going to be the Mafia King and Alexa would be taking over from me. You two need to work together to show our men and the men from the other groups that we are not to be trifled with.” Father told us.

“Yes father” Alexandra and I replied in unison.

“You should find a way to train your brother also. We are family and we do not need disparity at this moment.” Father said as he put out his cigar and stood up to take his leave.

“Yes father, I’ll do my best.” I replied as I walked Father and Alexa down to their vehicle downstairs.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Alessio.” Alexa says.

“I don’t want to.” I replied.

“It’s business so you’ve got no choice.” She says and zoomed away in her car.

“Yeah Whatever.” I said as I walked into my house to finally take a much needed bathe and sleep. As soon as my back touched the bed, I slept off.