Chapter 1
The summer air always made Anatoli crave the Sicilian Coast. Memories of his father kissing his mother on the beach. His brother and sister running around. Sicily was home and he never wanted to leave. Being the oldest of three kids, Anatoli knew why the family had to come to New York. Family business was important. When the head of a family dies, the oldest son takes over. The responsibility of one day running the Mancini crime family weighed heavily on Anatoli, even as a child. So, when his father met his fatal end, he knew what he had to do. Protections were set in place and messages were sent. Anatoli Mancini was The Don. Il Maestro. And his childhood nickname stuck with him. He always was “Il Diavolo”. As his father’s second in command, he did the dirty work for his father.
The Mancini crime family knew one rule. Loyalty to “The Family”. Il Famiglia Demone ran the Sicilian and New York crime syndicate. No drug or weapon came into one of those ports without first going through the family’s hands. To keep the cops and feds away from them, they would pay off the Commissioner. No need to war with one of the most powerful crime families. Anatoli was not lost on his part when illegal drugs and guns hit the streets. He rationalized his family’s dealings with the good he does for the communities around him. In Il Famiglia Demone, you didn’t ask questions. You made money and shut your mouth.
“Today, marks the year anniversary of Don Michele Mancini’s horrific death. But the Il Famglia Demone is still running his business. When will the crime stop? When will the police stop the violence that they spew into our city streets? Never. Because then the payments would stop. The New York Police Department is bought by these monsters.”, a female voice sounds from the television. “Hey cuz, do you hear this bitch? Maybe we need to pay her a little visit?”, Alessandro, his cousin and second in command says. “She’s gorgeous that Nathalie Loubriel. A reporter with a mouth like that. She must suck a mean dick.”, Anatoli smirks. He walks over to the television and shuts it off. “We have bigger things to worry about. A shipment of a hundred thousand guns is coming in. This is the biggest shipment we have ever received. They are hidden under jars of olive oil. Giovanni, I need you and Nicholi to meet the captain of the ship. Are the other men ready to unload? And have the authorities been paid off?”, he directs at his men. Giovanni and Nicholi nod that they are ready for their assignments. Luciano follows Anatoli into his office and shuts the door.
“My Don, are you sure we have everything ready? We don’t need any surprises.”, Luciano asks. Anatoli walks up to him and playfully smacks him in the face, “You know I am untouchable. I am Il Diavolo. Fuck everyone and everything. I want to face the man that would betray me. He would be eating his kidneys while dangling from a post.”, Anatoli says. Luciano smirks and hugs Anatoli. Tonight, would be the most money that he would make in a while. His dad’s legacy was now surpassed by Anatoli’s business ethic. Il Diavolo would not let anything stand in his way. “I am going to go home and rest for a bit. Didn’t sleep well last night. Need to make sure I am alert.”, Anatoli says. With that, he leaves for his mansion.
Westchester County Estates had the most exclusive homeowners. From bankers to real estate moguls. When Anatoli Mancini moved in, their property value went through the roof. He was the richest man in New York. As soon as the guards would see his car, they opened the gate quickly. “Good evening, Mr. Mancini! Enjoy the rest of your night.”, the guard said as he tipped his hat. Anatoli nodded and looked away. The Mancini residence was breathtaking. It was also secluded by its own gate. He didn’t want any of his neighbors in his business. His butler, Benicio, greeted him, “Pronto, Signore Mancini! Dinner is ready for you. Sit down in the dining room and Giana will serve you.” Anatoli nods and heads for the dining room. “Giana, mi amore! What did you cook for me tonight?”, Anatoli pries. A short, older Italian woman comes into the dining room and giggles. “Signore, I made you spaghetti alla carbonara. We start with cold antipasti. Your favorite wine is chilled here. For dessert I made tiramisu, and a cappuccino will be made once ready.”, she says. Anatoli squeezes Giana’s cheeks. She giggles and starts serving him the courses.
After a two-hour nap, Anatoli showers and puts on a tailored suit. Today, his money would triple, and his empire would be larger. The Sicilian syndicate was about to join forces with New York. After many years of feuding and disappointment, Anatoli would be reunited with his childhood friends. Both their fathers hated each other. Now that they had passed. The men wanted to united empires and grow businesses. Anatoli wanted to build a bigger family than his father and father before him did. Business and loyalty are all he is after. He wondered sometimes if his father hated the other for a particular reason. And sometimes he thought it best to keep the past in the past. Now he was ready to finish this business deal. One more look in the mirror and he was off to New York Harbor.
