{Mac Allister}The next morning :I lay there on my bed, still in a state of undress, Madame Beatrice stormed into my room, her anger palpable. "How dare you choose a new consigliere without my consent?""You even invited Fico, Clementine and the other Dons, excluding Tommy.""Why are you creating more enemies for us?" She sat beside me on my bed.Her words cut through the silence, accusing me of choosing a new consigliere without her consent and disregarding the acknowledgement of Tommy and the other Dons.I sat up, my defences rising instinctively. "We don't need to rely solely on Tommy for our business dealings," I countered, trying to justify my decisions. "We have our resources and relationships with the other Dons. We are neighbours, after all."Madame Beatrice scoffed, her disappointment evident. "You are creating unnecessary enemies for us," she retorted, her voice filled with a mix of concern and frustration. She stood up from the bed, her presence commanding and formidable
{Mac Allister}Early the next morning, I was the first to wake up. I kissed Abebi on her forehead and wrapped her properly in the blanket before leaving the room.I walked to my private gymnasium, immediately I went into the gym. My eyes were met with the daily newspaper my workers normally keep there for me. I took it to read the front page. I couldn't believe what was written in it.As I pushed my body to its limits, the sweat trickling down my forehead mirrored the intensity of my focus. But even amidst the physical exertion, I couldn't escape the nagging presence of the newspaper article that had caught my attention earlier."The Allsters tried to steal Tommy business's partner." The words stared back at me from the pages, taunting me with their audacity. How could such a rumour circulate? Who would dare tarnish our reputation in such a manner?I couldn't help but feel a surge of frustration. Our position in the underworld was precarious enough, and now this unwelcome news threate
{Abebi}My mind felt preoccupied, distracted by the faint voice I had heard coming from the inner kitchen of the restaurant. It tugged at my curiosity, beckoning me to investigate its source. Lost in my thoughts, I didn't realize that Mac Allister had been speaking to me for quite some time."We should go out like this more often," Mac Allister said, his words filled with a hint of amusement. He chewed on a handful of meat, his mouth occupied as he awaited my response. But before I could answer, he frowned, his gaze narrowing at me."Where do you keep your mind?" he asked, his tone laced with slight frustration. "I have been talking to you for over 20 minutes, and you're unresponsive," he added, his disappointment evident.I snapped back to the present, realizing my unintentional lack of attention. "Oh, sorry," I replied, my voice filled with genuine regret. I took a moment to gather my thoughts and refocus on the conversation at hand. Mac Allister deserved my undivided attention.How
{Mac Allister} The car moved along the winding roads. Abebi broke the silence, her voice filled with a sense of relief. "Meeting Clementine was easier than I expected," she remarked, her eyes fixed on the passing scenery. I glanced at her, a small smile playing on my lips. "Sometimes, things fall into place unexpectedly," I replied, my gaze focused on the road ahead.Abebi rested her head against the car window, her thoughts lost in the distance. I could sense a mix of emotions swirling within her. Clementine's demeanour had surprised her, perhaps challenging the preconceived notions she held about powerful mafia leaders."He's a good man and a valuable alliance," I said, breaking the silence. Abebi turned her attention towards me, her eyes reflecting curiosity. "His family has been loyal to mine for years," I continued, emphasizing the deep-rooted connection between our families. Loyalty and trust were rare commodities in our world, and the bond between our families carried immen
{Mac Allister}"Feel free to do anything,"" Tomorrow morning, we shall start business talks." Ermes led us to our room. He graciously offered us the freedom to explore and enjoy our surroundings. His words echoed in my mind, reminding me of the hospitality extended to us by the Ermes family. Tomorrow held the promise of important business talks that would solidify our alliance and set the stage for a prosperous future.The room we entered was a testament to the Ermes family's love for art. Sculptures adorned every corner, their intricate details capturing the essence of human emotions. I couldn't help but be captivated by the creativity and craft skills on display."The Ermes family truly appreciates the beauty of art," I remarked to Abebi, drawing the curtain aside to let the evening sun bathe the room in its warm glow. The interplay of light and shadow brought the sculptures to life, adding another layer of enchantment to the space.Abebi's question about the artworks brought me b
{Mac Allister}As the plane soared through the sky, I couldn't help but notice the contrasting attire between Abebi and myself. Her elegance in the black gown complemented my black coat, creating an intriguing visual juxtaposition. It was a moment of lightheartedness, and I teased her a little."Your girls are lucky," I playfully remarked, raising an eyebrow. Abebi's eyes widened, and a slight blush crept across her cheeks. I could sense her nervousness, causing me to chuckle softly."What girls?" she asked, her tone laced with curiosity and a hint of anxiety. I grinned mischievously, enjoying her reaction."I mean your strippers," I clarified, emphasizing the word with a light-hearted tone. The mention of the word "strippers" seemed to catch her off guard, and I could see her mind racing to make sense of my words.Abebi let out a small laugh, realizing my playful banter. "Oh, those girls," she replied, her voice tinged with amusement. "They have been fortunate so far on this trip, un
{Mac Allister}I settled into my seat inside the plane, ready for departure. Fico's voice echoed through the air, reaching my ears. He stood on the tarmac, his hand raised in a farewell gesture, bidding me goodbye."We shall see again!" his voice carried across the distance, a mix of enthusiasm and anticipation. I watched through the window as he waved, his vibrant energy creating a lasting image in my mind.Fico's presence was both intriguing and influential during my time in Trapani. His unique personality and wisdom had left an indelible mark on me, reminding me of the complexities of this clandestine world we inhabited.As the plane prepared for takeoff, I reflected on the experiences I had gained and the connections I had forged during my visit. Trapani presented me with opportunities, challenges, and unexpected alliances.The memories of our conversations and encounters danced in my mind. Fico's guidance, cautionary words, and genuine interest in my endeavours left an impression
{ Mac Allister}The tension in the room escalated as my mother and I engaged in a heated exchange. Every word spoken carried the weight of our conflicting desires and the inherent danger that surrounded us. I paced the room, frustration fueling my movements, while Madame Beatrice maintained her composed demeanour, using a toothpick to punctuate her words."Why have you brought back the two women I rejected back into my life?" I questioned, my voice filled with a mix of anger and exasperation. The memories of past betrayals and the repercussions they had brought upon our family resurfaced, intensifying my emotions.Madame Beatrice, still calm and collected, responded matter-of-factly, "You know that the rejection of a girl from the Tommy family is a death trap for us." Her words hung in the air, a reminder of the dangerous game we played, where alliances and loyalties could determine life or death."I don't care," I retorted, my tone defiant. The weight of tradition and the fear of re