Shadows of Omertà

Alfredo Fabri POV

As you might already know, I am Alfredo Fabri.

Within the Family, I simply go by Fabri, but outside the Family, they call me "The Butcher".

Why, you ask?. Well, if you stick around long enough, then you might just find out.

All my life, I've always been second.

Second this, second that, and currently I am Sottocapo, ranking as the second to the Boss of the Colombo Family. I know, it sucks, but that's reality.

A street riff raff once called me "second to none" once. Unfortunately for him, he neither knew my history nor how much I've grown to detest the word. I didn't ask him what he actually meant by that, and I can't do that now either, because he no longer resides on planet earth.

È finita (it is finished). Yes, he is dead. I know right, How did that happen?

What have I done about changing the condition of things, you say? Well, I've fought tooth and nail and I've gone lengths to conquer beasts and the likes of them with my very bare hand.

You don't believe me now, do you?Well your answer doesn't matter, you can see for yourself.

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"Lil Joe,you feel so big now don't you?"

The Don, Paolo Romano's voice rang across the rooms of the Colombo's family's Palatial. It didn't require a soothsayer to tell the members that Paolo, "The Jackal" as he was notoriously known as, was furiously mad.

It had for weeks now become a trait that seemed unavoidable to the residents of the Family, and in all honesty, it was becoming hella annoying in here.

Paolo spoke to no one besides the Consigliere, Marco and I, the Underboss about the mess we had going on with Lil Joe.

"When do I get my money?, you're messing with the wrong Dog, Joe, I'm certain you're aware" He continued, honing out flames from the bellows of his mouth.

It was popular opinion that "The Jackal" wasn't one to be messed with, and anyone who had an outstanding business with him, made no mistakes to leave it pending. But Lil Joe, an associate of the Colombo's had overnight seemed to grow some wings, and had gone rogue with The Don's money. Rumor had it that he had sworn an oath of loyalty to the Gambino's.

You see, in this line of business, Loyalty for your family is a valued commodity. It is an unspoken notion but it is loud enough for anyone with two ears to hear.

"Don't hang up on me Lil Joe, Dont-" The look on the Don's face expressed his shock. He needn't say another word Lil Joe had hung up on Paolo. In that moment, I guessed that we all had for a flash moment pondered over the guts Lil Joe had seemed to acquire.

"That lil piece of crap!!!" The Don went on cursing as he rummaged the room with his unsure pacing.

"I told you not to associate directly with Lil Joe, it just speaks so lowly of what you've become." I said as I took a long sip from the cup of coffee I had in hand while everything played out.

"With all due respect" I added as Paolo flashed a death glare towards my direction as if to question the temerity of my statement.