Luca concealed his murderous intent and stepped forward with a smile to greet Anthony.
"Casso, it's been a long time since I've seen you. You didn't even come to my club's opening. I kept thinking—if Casso had come, hahaha, with your connections and status, you would definitely have brought a lot of business to my club."
"I was out of town, Dove. With that face of yours, you could just stand at the club entrance and wave, and you'd have more customers than you could handle. Those women would fall in love with you like they're addicted to drugs."
The two men embraced warmly, neither able to tell whether the other was hiding a knife.
Today's family meeting could turn into a negotiation… or a settlement.
Then Luca warmly greeted Pauli Cicero and White Tiger.
Including Mariggio, the family currently had only these four leaders.
Each gang leader brought his own close associates, and every one of them was a full member. There were no partners present.
Whenever White Tiger and his gang encountered Luca, they always felt a bit uneasy.
Even White Tiger himself instinctively resisted letting Luca get too close.
The guy was a recognized top assassin.
If they stood too close… would they suddenly get stabbed?
Only after Luca had walked away did they realize they were sweating heavily.
"That Dove guy is getting scarier and scarier," one member muttered.
"I haven't even heard about him wiping out entire families lately, so why does he still feel so murderous? I swear I'm afraid he'll suddenly pull out a knife and stab me."
"I feel the same way. The brighter his smile, the more I feel like he's about to stab me in the back."
White Tiger lowered his voice.
"If all of you attacked together… could you handle the Dove?"
The henchmen exchanged bewildered looks.
Even with a sneak attack, success wasn't guaranteed.
Seeing their cowardly expressions, White Tiger felt extremely frustrated.
A bunch of useless trash.
He had once considered poaching Luca.
But he quickly gave up on the idea.
The most powerful assassin in the family was actually Mariggio's godson, and Luca had been raised by him for more than ten years.
With that relationship, there was no way anyone could dig him out.
A top assassin who could also make money.
The combination of a "cash cow" and a "gangster" made Luca incredibly valuable inside the Mafia.
White Tiger felt deeply envious of Mariggio.
How could that guy be so lucky?
He had literally poured holy water over Luca's head when Luca was born.
If it weren't for Luca, would Mariggio have been able to sell drugs so peacefully all these years?
Otherwise, White Tiger would have swallowed that business long ago.
But this time…
He planned to take everything back.
Soon afterward, the strategist Bartolo arrived at the villa and chaired the discussion.
The big boss still hadn't appeared.
Luca couldn't help thinking about the Genovese family.
For years, nobody had been sure who their real leader was.
They loved playing clever games, creating situations that were both real and unreal.
Fortunately, Luca knew exactly who the real boss was.
Once the meeting began, they started allocating power across various businesses.
The scene felt strangely similar to carving up Dominic's corpse.
As for business, aside from drugs and casinos, the Lucchese family's biggest operation was garbage recycling.
They monopolized nearly the entire garbage recycling business in New York City.
This business didn't require much discussion.
Everyone simply managed their own "garbage" within their own territory.
Then came the allocation of smaller businesses.
This continued until the conversation finally reached the casino business.
Local casinos in New York.
And the much larger "cake" in Las Vegas.
Las Vegas was a massive operation involving numerous Mafia families across the country.
The Chicago family.
The Bufalino family from Pennsylvania.
They had embezzled hundreds of millions of dollars from labor unions, cultivated relationships with local governments, and pooled their resources to build casinos in the middle of the desert.
At first, the reason was simple.
Gambling was legal there.
They opened hotels and casinos to launder money through gambling operations.
No one expected that place would later become a world-famous gambling city.
The industry boosted the economy, created countless jobs, and generated an enormous number of votes.
Bartolo spoke.
"The biggest gang in Las Vegas right now is controlled by a partner of the Chicago family. That man is too brutal. He's killed countless people, and it's starting to anger the local police."
"He's caused too much trouble. The Commission believes he's a threat and has begun considering the idea of eliminating him."
The man was only a low-level partner in the Mafia.
Yet he had built a gang and operated freely in Las Vegas because the Mafia backed him.
The real bosses hiding in the shadows preferred sitting back and collecting money instead of getting their hands dirty.
Bartolo looked around the room.
"Is anyone interested in getting involved? I can talk to the Commission. Las Vegas needs stable order."
"It's too far. I'm not getting involved."
Mariggio was the first to withdraw.
He had already shifted his focus toward the gasoline tax business, whose profit margins were far higher.
"You don't even want free money?" Anthony asked with a half-smile.
"That place is nothing but desert," Mariggio sneered. "Not exactly ideal for long-term living. I prefer coastal cities and the Atlantic monsoon."
Bartolo then looked at Luca.
"Peace Ambassador, don't you want to go maintain peace?"
Luca smiled.
"My club just opened recently. I still need to oversee things here."
Bartolo nodded and didn't press further.
In the end, nobody volunteered.
Even Anthony had no interest in going.
Everyone understood the situation.
Why leave New York, where they already held power, just to start a bloodbath in Las Vegas?
Sure, there was more money there.
But there was also more trouble.
Luca actually had a few ideas.
But he had other matters to deal with and didn't have time to go personally.
The discussion continued.
Eventually, they reached the topic of drug distribution.
"Carmine Galante has taken refuge in Philadelphia."
Bartolo's words immediately caught everyone's attention.
"He tried reconciling with the Commission, but many people still insist on executing him."
"We're not killing him only because of the drug business."
"Galante is greedy. He refuses to share profits with the rest of us."
"Only after he dies can our Five Families cooperate peacefully in the drug trade."
No one objected.
Luca supported executing Galante as well.
But when the conversation turned toward the drug trade itself—
Mariggio suddenly spoke.
"I'm out."
His words immediately drew everyone's attention.
Bartolo frowned.
"Give me a reason."
If a subordinate abandoned the business, how much tribute money would the family lose?
Mariggio calmly pulled out the excuse he had prepared.
He explained that he needed to help his nephew Luca manage the club and casino operations.
Then he abruptly changed the topic.
"I'll hand over the entire drug business—including the markets and distribution channels I control."
"But White Tiger has to give me the jewelry business in exchange."
"From now on, he can focus entirely on drug trafficking."
"We'll handle the rest of the businesses."
"Let's keep things peaceful. What do you think?"
White Tiger hesitated.
The jewelry business was something he had built personally.
He commanded professional thieves and robbers.
They robbed jewelry stores and armored transport vehicles.
They bribed insiders and planted moles inside companies.
Theft.
Robbery.
Switching goods.
Smuggling.
Through a long chain of operations, jewelry flowed into the hands of black-market buyers.
White Tiger had already built a complete network.
Handing it over would hurt.
However…
Jewelry profits came in large but irregular bursts.
The drug trade was different.
It had a stable supply chain through the Bonanno family, and the market demand never disappeared.
The profit potential was far greater.
Greed slowly stirred in White Tiger's heart.
After a moment of thought, he said:
"Let's discuss this privately later."
"After all, only the two of us are involved."
He glanced at the others.
"Anyone else interested?"
Pauli remained silent.
Anthony shook his head.
Bartolo had no objection.
Whether the business was shared between two people or merged didn't matter.
As long as the tribute money arrived on time.
Toward the end of the meeting, the final topic emerged.
The vacant position of Underboss.
Bartolo spoke carefully.
"All of you commanders are the people the big boss trusts the most."
"He has high expectations for every one of you."
"But the position of Underboss cannot remain vacant forever."
"The family needs someone to coordinate operations."
He paused briefly.
Then he revealed the plan.
"Two months from now, Joe Colombo will hold the Second Italian-American Convention."
"Other New York families will attend as well."
"During this period, whoever brings the greatest benefits to the family will earn the approval of the big boss."
"At the banquet, the big boss will announce the next Underboss."
The leaders exchanged glances.
Their expressions varied.
After a moment of thought, everyone applauded.
Luca quietly reflected on the timing.
The big boss had chosen an interesting day.
The same day Joe Colombo would be shot.
On one side, the old king falls.
On the other side, a new king rises.
The meeting ended two hours later.
---
SSR Club
Pauli Cicero didn't go to see Mariggio first.
Instead, he headed straight to Luca.
"I didn't expect you two would actually be willing to give up the drug business."
"Given the current situation in New York, the drug trade isn't as easy as it used to be," Luca replied calmly.
"The trouble with the police is far worse than before, and once you get caught, the sentences are much heavier."
The two men clinked their glasses at the bar.
Luca glanced at Pauli's expression and thought to himself that this man truly neither sold nor used drugs.
His title as an anti-drug ambassador clearly had no effect on him.
"This isn't Mariggio's style," Pauli scoffed.
"I've known him for decades. I've advised him more than once to stop dealing drugs, but he never listens."
"I know him. Trouble with the police is no reason for him to quit."
"He's the kind of guy who would still sell drugs even if he were sitting in prison."
Luca silently penalized himself with half a glass of wine, indicating agreement.
Mariggio's business style really was rather… unrestrained.
Pauli continued.
"The only person in this world who could persuade him to give up the drug trade is you, Dove of Peace. I can't think of anyone else."
Luca smiled faintly.
"Isn't this exactly what you wanted?"
"So what do you plan to use to compete for the Underboss position?"
"Without the drug business, what will Mariggio do?"
"Run the club and casino with you?"
"Or take over White Tiger's jewelry business?"
Luca shrugged lightly.
"We'll simply do business within our capabilities."
The suspense in his answer did nothing to spark Pauli's curiosity.
He took a sip of his drink and lowered his voice.
"But you shouldn't have given the business to White Tiger."
"He'll take control of the entire family's drug trade."
"And once that happens, no one will be able to stop him."
"Do you really want to see a drug lord running the family?"
Drugs could destroy a family.
The Bonanno family had practically collapsed because of rampant drug trafficking.
The entire organization had been dragged into it.
"Dove," Pauli continued, his voice rising slightly, "I know you don't deal drugs."
"If you, like me, are proud of the family's honor, then you should stop White Tiger's rise and prevent him from taking power!"
Pauli's voice grew louder and louder.
But Luca didn't seem to care at all.
He simply smiled and took another sip of his drink.
Inside, he thought to himself that Pauli had probably supported Dominic's death.
After all, Pauli had never liked the drug-dealing Underboss.
Pauli's refusal to touch drugs wasn't because he lacked the ability.
Nor was it out of kindness or concern for innocent people harmed by drugs.
The truth was simpler.
Pauli was afraid.
Afraid that if his subordinates or allies were arrested and sentenced to long prison terms, the police would find a loophole.
And once that happened, the code of silence might collapse.
Which would eventually drag him down as well.
I'm an old man. I don't want to die in prison.
"What family honor?" Luca said softly with a faint smile.
Still, judging a man by his actions rather than his intentions…
Pauli never touched drugs.
And that alone was enough.
Luca hoped the old man would continue maintaining that stance.
Otherwise, could he really withstand the aura of a Drug Ambassador?
"How exactly do you expect me to stop White Tiger from taking power?" Luca sighed.
"Mariggio and I voluntarily surrendered the drug business."
"That means we admitted defeat and stepped aside."
"Mariggio will negotiate with White Tiger later. Once White Tiger takes over, he'll probably give us some preferential treatment."
"White Tiger is the most senior leader, and Bartolo respects him."
"We simply can't compete."
Luca then added casually:
"Pauli, perhaps you should consider currying favor with White Tiger."
"You don't deal drugs, but as long as you can make money for him, he won't ignore you once he takes power."
Curry favor with that bastard?
Pauli's face immediately darkened.
He lifted his wine glass to hide his irritation.
What a useless bunch.
The Dove of Peace and Mariggio were both spineless.
Giving up the drug trade was nothing more than admitting defeat and bowing their heads to White Tiger.
They were willingly handing power to him.
Pauli quickly ran through the possibilities in his mind.
If things continued like this, he would have no chance of becoming Underboss.
Anthony had a strong alliance with White Tiger.
Anthony was the "gangster."
White Tiger was the "cash cow."
They had been cooperating for years.
And then there were the cowardly Dove and Mariggio.
Pauli suddenly felt despair creeping into his heart.
Perhaps it was the alcohol.
In his hazy state, he seemed to see White Tiger's face…
Slowly transforming into the dead Dominic.
What should he do?
When it comes to making money, what business could possibly compete with drugs?
How could White Tiger be suppressed?
A faint but growing murderous intent began accumulating in Pauli's eyes.
At that moment, Luca suddenly spoke.
"Our family's drug business has never been particularly strong."
"The Bonanno family used to dominate the trade."
"And then there's John Gotti from the Gambino family."
"Mariggio mentioned him to me once."
"He said that if White Tiger had Mariggio's help, his business might surpass Gotti's and capture even more market share."
Luca glanced casually at the Silver Queen flower sitting on the counter.
"Pauli, you need to look at this from another angle."
"If White Tiger builds the biggest drug business in New York—bigger than Gotti's, even surpassing the original Blue Magic—then our family's power will rise too."
"You'll receive even greater benefits."
"Pauli, I think we should support White Tiger."
"You actually expect benefits from White Tiger?" Pauli laughed coldly.
"Dove, you're just as stupid as Mariggio."
"The drug empire you handed over will only make White Tiger more arrogant."
"And when he's strong enough, he'll turn around and devour you."
"I regret coming here for drinks today."
"I thought that since you didn't deal drugs, you'd be on my side."
Luca calmly replied:
"I simply made the wisest choice."
"That's weakness, not wisdom!"
Pauli finished his drink in one gulp.
He had completely lost interest in the conversation.
Standing up, he prepared to leave.
"Dove… is the peace you always talk about really just letting drug lords rule the family?"
"Do you even live up to your nickname?"
Pauli walked away.
His back looked lonely…
But resolute.
"This time," he said without turning around, "you've truly disappointed me."
Luca remained silent.
He waved at the bartender for another cocktail.
A glass of wine was placed in front of him.
The liquid was red like blood.
It reflected Luca's faint smile.
The assassin had chosen to rise peacefully using money.
Others…
Would use that same money to buy guns.
---
Pauli ran into Jimmy at the hotel entrance, someone he hadn't seen in quite a while.
Pauli, now in his fifties, was already getting old. Jimmy, in his forties, had also begun to show streaks of gray hair.
"Jimmy," Pauli said, looking at him with a slightly complicated expression, "you've been with the Dove for almost half a year now."
"What is it that makes you so reluctant to leave?"
"You haven't even come back to visit me once."
"Have you really made that much money here?"
Jimmy shook his head slightly.
"It's not just about money."
He was holding a watering can, slowly watering the Silver Queen plant that belonged to the Dove of Peace.
After a brief pause, he continued:
"Maybe it's because of the peace."
"The atmosphere here makes me feel… very safe."
Peace?
How could cowardly behavior possibly bring peace?
Only by taking war into our own hands could true peace be achieved!
Pauli scoffed and walked out the door.
Without the calming presence of the Silver Queen, the murderous intent in his chest grew even stronger.
Pauli recalled the glory of his past.
Back when he was the most notorious gangster in the Lucchese family.
Back then, people trembled at the mere mention of his name.
But now?
Now the family was being handed over to a drug dealer.
And the so-called Dove of Peace was willingly bowing his head.
The thought alone made Pauli's chest burn with anger.
Behind him, inside the club, the lights remained warm and calm.
Jimmy continued watering the Silver Queen quietly, as if the outside world's storms had nothing to do with this place.
Perhaps…
It really was because of the peace.
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