Uncovering The Boss

CHAPTER 8: FROZEN WOLF & FROZEN MEMORIES

"Boss, the ball has begun, and all of the top mafia families are now in their respectable seats. We made sure that the biggest and most powerful families of every country are on both sides of the stage, and the less powerful families are closer to the exits."

I looked up at Stephanie who wore a beautiful sapphire blue dress with a long slit that allowed her better mobility. I knew that behind that beautiful façade was a bodice filled with arsenals that could kill a dozen people in two seconds flat.

"Thanks, Steph, you look beautiful tonight. Sei una bella raggaza, Stephanie."

"Grazie, Michael, sei una bel raggazo. The women tonight would do anything to get on your good side."

"Well, they could try, but I know you and your team could demolish every woman who isn't fit for me. You already know that my standards for women are the same as your standards for men."

I was standing still while Steph was talking to me, but I instantly caught the remote she tried to throw at me. The designer who was trying to fix me was startled by the flying object and looked at me, but I just laughed at Stephanie's childish act. The designer took it as a cue to proceed with what he was doing and leave immediately.

"Oh please, my standard for lovers is superior to yours, my friend. At least I know how to pick guys who have brains and not just bodies."

The two of us bickered until the designer finished my overall look. I looked dashing with my all white suit, and my hair was slick and pushed to the back which gave me an intimidating look.

I took Stephanie's hand, and we both went straight to the castle's ballroom. All eyes were on us as we entered the room, and after a few introductions and words of welcome from me, the party began.

As expected, Fuego Kane Mondragon was with his son, Damien Kane Mondragon. They were talking to one of the mafia bosses in Europe, and Don Fuego met my eyes. We nodded at each other, and as if a silent agreement was made, there were no interactions between the two of us.

I proceeded with Bruno and five other men to the biggest library where I had a meeting with multiple bosses of other mafias. I met with the mafia boss of Singapore, Japan, Philippines, South Korea, Canada, and Germany. All of them agreed to form an alliance with me and the De Angelo family. There was one more boss that I was scheduled to meet, and it was the boss of Russia.

The boss of the Volkov Family in Russia was the biggest mafia family in Russia. The boss was Morozova Volkov, and she was nineteen years older than me. However, she looked like she was only a few years ahead of me because of her beauty. Her brunette hair and steel gray eyes could make any man or woman feel fear and uneasiness, due to her aura of dominance.

"Good evening, Ms. Morozova Volkov. I knew that your name means frost wolf, but I never expected your beauty and aura to be as beautiful and powerful in person."

I kissed Morozova's hand as a sign of my respect, and I saw her relax as she allowed the simple gesture. She took the seat adjacent from mine, and the both of us stared at one another for a solid fifteen seconds. None of us gave in, and I saw both of our guards on edge at the silence of their bosses.

"Mr. Michael De Angelo. I have heard many stories about the new King of the Italian mafia, but I never expected you to be as young as you are. I expected someone older, and possibly someone less respectful towards a Godmother of Mother Russia's mafia."

Among all the bosses that I have spoken to, Morozova's demeanor was the most intimidating and powerful. She held herself with confidence, and even her eyes held a fire that felt like she could see through your soul.

"I assumed that after all these years of being in the mafia, you would find it refreshing to see a male boss with good looks. Your beauty isn't worthy of old men's gazes alone, Ms. Morozova."

"You are good with your words, and for a young man, you radiate power more than these old geezers in the mafia that call themselves bosses. You are right, it is refreshing to have a new face in the mafia world. I assume that you are a face that would last longer than most, am I right, De Angelo?"

"Perfectly said, and yes, I am a face that you will gaze upon for a very long time. However, in order for me to remain for a long time, I would need your allegiance."

Morozova's brow was raised, but I saw the look of curiosity shine in her eyes, and so I proceeded with my proposition. I poured her a glass of vodka while I explained to her my desire to maintain my position as the top in the Italian mafia.

"You are bold to assume that I would provide you with assistance just because you asked me, De Angelo. That is a pathetic proposition and I hope, for your sake, that you will give me a better reason to help."

"Well, I am currently the head of the Italian mafia families without even having a complete heir and lineage. That means, I am more than capable of maintaining my position longer than you expect. However, I offer my allegiance, because together, we can maintain and solidify both our positions as the head of our own countries respectively. The De Angelo family would gladly go to war for the Volkov family, and I am sure that Mother Russia would also be at our aid."

"That is true, the Russian mafia is not just about families, but also, camaraderie. That is the reason why I want you to know that the moment you make any mistake that would jeopardize our allegiance, I will destroy you. You may be young, bold, and powerful, Mr. Michael De Angelo, but I have been playing this game longer than you have been alive."

The woman's threat was straight to the point, but you could hear the venom that came from every word. The look on her eyes, and the way she said the threat with ease made me see why she was the most powerful boss in Russia despite being a woman.

If Mother Russia was a woman, Morozova Volkov was the perfect representation. She had the power, and her experience and ruthlessness made her the perfect Godmother of the Russian Mafia.

After our meeting, Morozova's men led her out of the library, but Morozova stopped at the open door. The both of us took one glance towards one another without a single word spoken.

A wide grip crept up on my lips as I saw the excitement and promise in Morozova's eyes. Somehow I knew, now that I have the Russian mafia by my side, her smile became the promise of my long reign as the King of the Italian mafia.

The party ended by dawn, and I was the last boss to leave the parameters. I had a smile on my face as I left the vicinity, however, my smile faltered when I read Stephanie's email.

"Michael, I have new reports about your brother, Gabriel De Angelo. I'm sorry, but this bad news, and you need to set a meeting about this later tonight."

The fact that Stephanie began to give me the schedule of the meeting means the information was big. If Steph used my name and forgot about our Capo and Don/Boss relationship and the news was bad, it meant whatever it was, I was going to lose my mind.

I went straight home and changed. I gave Stephanie the exact address of the villa I chose to meet, and gave her further instructions. When I arrived at the villa later that day, Steph's eyes told me she was deeply worried.

"Get straight to the point, Stephanie. What news did you get about my brother Gabriel, and why is it bad news?!"

My voice was nearly a shout, but I could see Stephanie visibly relaxing herself. She took short and shallow breaths, and looked me straight in the eyes.

"Your brother doesn't exist, Michael. There is no Gabriel De Angelo in any place that you have been in. He never had a job, nor did he work for anyone to get you to school. There are no parents or relatives related to you or him, because he never existed, and so do you. It was like, the moment he died, every grace that he had of every existing, as well as yours, were erased as if you never existed."

I was shocked beyond imagination, and I sat on my office chair  with my eyes wide and my mouth slightly opened. My breathing was shallow, and I could feel my heart race like a caffeinated horse. I was trembling with confusion, fear, shock, and betrayal.

"There is one more thing, Michael. Even the files of your studies back in grade school were wiped clean. Even if you never existed, nor your parents, because your parents didn't exist. There are no Diane and Rodrigo De Angelo who were born or married in Italy. I took the initiative to search for Gabriel's grave, and when we took a DNA test, the guy was identified as an ex-convict that had multiple plastic surgeries. Based on the investigations, he isn't your brother, and both your DNA's never matched."

The world felt like it was spinning, and I blacked out with rage. I threw everything that was on my desk, and Stephanie just looked at my outburst. She didn't try to stop me, but she made sure to keep a safe distance from me where she could jump in any time.

"If that's true, Steph, then-then who in the world am I?!" 

I shouted in pain, sorrow, and horror. I am the king of the Italian mafia, and yet, I don't even know who I am. All my life is a lie.