The Lombardi and Giuliani Family
The driver of the black Chevrolet saw Francesco and Jessica ran away from the pub. He praised God he didn't kill the girl. Once he got back to the Lombardi Mansion, he was dripping wet from the rain, holding his hat in his hand. His wet bald head and big red nose were shining from the dim light in Michael Lombardi's office. He stood afar from the Don, with his eyes glued to the floor out of respect. Sitting on a leather couch in the dark near the door, Michael's son, Giovanni, who was polishing his Smith and Wesson Model 21.
The driver remained silent, waiting for Don Michael to speak. The noise of the gun being polished echoed the room as Michael was reading a copy of the deal with Andrea Saltinotti. He ignored the driver who was waiting patiently until he was finished. Michael raised his head, taking off his small reading glasses.
"So, is it done?”
"Boss, I have bad news—“
"Go on."
"Francesco's still alive."
"That's not what I ordered? Is it?"
"No, Don but there's something far worse."
"Does he know it was us?"
"I don’t know but we have far worse to tell you."
"Speak!"
"He escaped Castello di Vino with your daughter."
"With my daughter? What the fuck are you saying?”
"I waited outside and saw him running with your daughter, Don.”
“Are you fucking drunk?”
“No, Don. I haven’t taken a drink today. I saw the Giuliani boy with your daughter.”
“So my daughter, Jessica was inside the Giuliani pub?!"
"Yes, sir."
"And you shot the place up?!"
"Sir, I didn’t—"
"You shot up the place with my fucking daughter inside?!”
"Don, I was just—“
"What the hell was Jessica doing there in the first place?"
"I don't know, Don."
"You mean, you didn't follow them before you fucking shot up the damn place, you fucking idiot?"
"I—I didn't know, Don."
"Out, Now!" Michael slammed his fists on his desk. The driver rushed out, leaving the door open. Michael turned to Giovanni. "Set up a meeting with Luca!” said the Don holding his forehead in despair.
"When, father?"
"Yesterday, goddamit! When? Right now! Your sister could be kidnapped by those savages!" Michael yelled as Giovanni left out his father's office.
Michael spent time alone in his office, pacing and waiting for Luca to respond to his invitation. His wife tried to comfort him
but he summoned her off. A part of the old Don felt sorry for the way he treated Jessica, but his feelings of remorse never conquered his rage for the Giulianis. Wrecking his deal with Andrea was dishonorable, but this was more pressing. It required immediate action before the city would fall into an all-out war.
Two hours later, Don Luca Giuliani entered Michael's office, soaked from the rain. The low lighting and his slim figure made him look tired. His men were waiting out front and the Don honestly didn't know what the meeting was called for. Michael sat behind his desk with the look of authority. With a simple hand gesture, he had pointed to one of the chairs and Luca took a seat. "Ciao, Michael," Luca said before sitting.
"Ciao, Luca."
"You wanted to meet."
"Yes, we must talk. This is urgent."
"If this is about Andrea, I'm afraid I have nothing to say.”
"No, this isn't about Andrea."
"Then what?"
"Luca, I respect you, you know. You, Giulianis, were in charge of this city for many years but—“
"Thank you, Michael, but cut the bullshit. What do you want?"
"Please allow me to speak, Luca. I respect you as my big brother with honor. You were in charge like a king. Then, now what happened?"
"I'm retiring soon, Michael. Others can take over."
“So that means you can do as like? What's happen to your honor for our families, Luca?"
"What are you saying, Michael?"
"First with Davide."
"He betrayed the Omerta."
"Bene. Then, Andrea."
"I told you, I don't have anything to say about that."
"Yet, there was no honor in how made men get killed without consulting back home."
"I agree with you, Michael. My son has been reckless. He's still learning the ropes."
"And now my daughter?!"
"What are you saying?"
"You heard me, Luca. Your son’s meddling in my territory!"
"What are you talking about?"
"I'll ask once, Luca, out of respect. Where's my daughter?"
"I don't know what you're implying. Is she missing?"
"That idiot son of yours kidnapped her!"
"That's ridiculous."
"My men have seen them running off like two bandits that robbed a bank! Where's my daughter, Michael?"
"I haven't seen my son since morning."
"Luca, I respect you but this has gone far enough."
"What do you want from me? I don't have your daughter, Michael. Why would you insinuate such a thing? Our families' blood is sacred."
"Don't come in my office lying to my face,"
"Yes, we have our differences but I wouldn't hurt your family."
"You're out of line, Luca; you and that figlio del cazzo of yours. I could have had him killed."
"Michael, you are not thinking straight and you don't want to go there."
"This is an act of war, Luca. Remember my words. When this is over, there would be only one family in New York."
"Michael, I urge you not to do something you'll regret."
"Get out of my office, Luca. Now! Out!"
Luca stood up and walked out. He took a deep breath and walked with his men to where his driver was waiting with the engine still on. Before Luca got in the back, he told his men to find Francesco now.
For weeks, New York turned into a war zone as the Lombardi families and their allies unleashed their rage against the Giulianis. Francesco and Jessica were long gone and the Lombardis swore to tear the city apart, until Jessica was found, or the Giulianis were completely wiped out.
At first, the war was one-sided as Luca refused to go to war. The Lombardis sided with the remaining fractions of the Saltinottis and the Baldinottis whom all aligned in hate against the Giulianis. They raided their businesses one by one, hindering gun and liquor sales. The harbors were taken by force; pier by pier causing the revenue for the Giulianis to drop. As a result, the Giulianis stop offering protection to the Chinese shops which were a large part of their profits. The shop owners were now forced to pay taxes and protection to the Lombardis.
The town of New York devolved into an Italian ghetto, which its citizens avoided at night. Every mom-and-pop shop that once belonged to the Giulianis was ransacked. The small pubs were set on fire, oftentimes resulting in senseless fatalities. New York's police precincts were given overtime to combat the violence but many on the force were getting paid by the Lombardis and their allies. They made arrests on anyone connected to the Giulianis. The detectives searched home by home, in search of Jessica Lombardi and still no luck. Michael spent days inside his office having back-to-back meetings with police captains and loyal family members and allies, discussing their next move. His son, Giovanni was out in the streets, leading small units for raids and executions.
New York became bathed in blood. The burning cars and gun smoke were shown on each major TV station across the nation. “The Bloodshed over New York”
, became the national headline. The Mayor and City Council never expected in New
York's history something of this magnitude happening.
They urged New York's citizens to stay inside and go out if only necessary.
Meanwhile, the Giulianis and their allies waited patiently. Luca urged them to avoid the war at all costs; believing sooner or later, it would die down but it only got worse. The war reached the New York suburbs where the captains and bosses lived. This was a no-no from the accord of the five families. The suburban streets always were filled with children, especially after school. One afternoon, stay-home moms and fathers were coming to pick up their children when a driver in a white suit resembling Francesco was leaning on his car, smoking, waiting for Manuel, the younger brother of Francesco. Manuel ran out of the school towards the driver. "Ciao!" Manuel said getting into the back of the car, throwing his bag on the floor. The driver threw his cigarette and got behind the wheel. "Ciao, young Manuel," the driver said starting on the car. The merry laughter of the children in the background was covered by a powerful blast resulting in an enormous fire that reached the sky, spitting out black smoke. There was nothing left of the car and its metal parts were scattered all over the once peaceful street. A man, in his sixties, coming to pick up his child was hit by the car door, killing him on the spot. The neighborhood went in chaos. This was the moment the Saltinottis went too far. They didn’t consult with the Lombardis or back home before they made the hit.
The Giuliani family was devastated vowing revenge. Sofia cursed every member of the Lombardis, Baldinottis, and Saltinottis for killing her son. Francesco was long gone and now their youngest son was dead; killed in a war he never
took part of.
The next few days were silent as the families came to a temporary truce. The Italian residents in the city all dressed in black. Everyone came to the funeral except for the Saltinottis. No remains were retrieved so there was only an open-casket. The news media tried attending but were forced to observe a far distance away. During the funeral, Luca sat a few feet away from Michael, holding Sofia's hands. She constantly screamed and Michael couldn't hold his tears watching the Giulianis endure this pain. Yet, his daughter, Jessica was still missing. After the end of the procession, Luca approached Michael. His eyes were watery but didn't shed a tear. Luca grabbed Michael by the elbow and whispered to his ear, "Things have gone too far, Michael. You can destroy my businesses and the city, but this has gone too far. I have my men searching night and day for your daughter and my son and you do this? The war starts now, Michael." Luca walked away leaving Michael to ponder what to do next.
When the truce expired, the storm was quickly on its way. Luca, for the first time in a long time, showed every family in New York why the Giulianis were the head Italian family; starting with a spree of surprise raids and hits even in the middle of the day in downtown Manhattan. Every Saltinotti or Lombardi sympathizer who didn't side with the Giulianis were executed, extorted or fled. The pubs and clubs owned by the Lombardis were burnt to the ground and the Giulianis weren't stopping there. Every score by the Lombardis resulted in an even greater one by the Giulianis. They evened the playing field despite losing so much in the beginning. Luca was once again became the most feared boss in the city of New York.
It's been almost three weeks since Luca’s purge and Michael was alone in his office with the lights out; leaning back in his chair. Only his cigarette offered a glimpse of light. He was fighting a war he possibly couldn't win; mentally accepting the might of Luca. The last words of his rival stuck, like a ball and chain, suffocating him. The Don took a drag, reflecting on what would be Luca's next move. He took another when his office door had opened.
Serena entered turning on the lights. "You idiota!" she yelled. "What are the hell are you doing?" She said taking a seat.
"Mamma, leave me alone, please."
"Show some respect, you stubborn fool."
"What is it, Mamma?"
“Who are you leading out there, a group of toy soldiers?"
"These criminals kidnapped your nipotina."
"I left for a few weeks and I return back to a dumpster fire. Maria Vergine!"
"Mamma, calm down."
"Put out that disgusting thing. That thing stinks.” Serena snatched the cigarette from Luca and smashed it in the ashtray.
"Mamma, I'm trying to think."
"Your daughter, Michael, is alive and well."
"H-how do you know this? Where is she?"
"I will tell you. But if you do something stupid; Dio help you."
"Mamma! Tell me! Where is my Jessica?"
"She's in Maine with that kid, Francesco."
"What? He kidnapped her there?"
"No, she left with him!"
"Why would she do such a thing?!"
"Because she's in love! Now that she's left. Look what you
have done. You start a war with Luca."
"I thought she—“
"You always think you're right. Shut up, Michael."
"Mamma!"
"No, Mamma. Go make peace with Luca and go see your daughter."
"But?"
"But, nothing. Son, your daughter is pregnant and will marry Francesco next week."
"What are you saying, Mamma? You must have gone mad!"
"I'm crazy over my nipotina, not you. Here's Jessica’s number. Call her, but first go make peace with Luca."
Michael got up and hugged his mother as tears were running down his cheeks. He couldn't handle the sigh of relief despite the pain of Luca losing his youngest son. Jessica is alive and carrying his first grandchild. "Thank you, Mamma." he sobbed, like a little boy. "Stop thanking me and go now. Dai!"
"Ok, Mamma.” “Men, get the car ready!" shouted Michael as he hurried out.
Michael Lombardi and a few of his men were outside the Giuliani Mansion. "I'm here to speak to Don Luca. My daughter and your son are alive," he yelled loud enough for the guards to hear him. Each man pointed his gun at one another and after a few moments of silence, Luca came out the double iron doors. The Don walked slowly to Michael as each boss signaled to their men to lower their weapons. Michael looked at Luca unimpressed. "What do you want now?" "I want to ask for your forgiveness."
"What?"
"I want to admit to my rash behavior!"
"For my son?"
"Everything."
"No apology will ever fix what happened, Michael."
"I know that and I'm sorry."
"Oh, you are. Should I welcome you inside my home?"
"I didn't kill your son. The Saltinottis did so despite my personal orders not to hurt anyone close to you."
"Why should I care, Michael? I don't care who gave the order. I lost my boy! Both for all I know."
"No! Francesco's alive."
"What are you saying? What do you know about my son?"
"He's in Maine with my daughter."
"Dead or alive? "Alive and blessed?"
"How?" "They're getting married next week. My Jessica is pregnant. You'll be a grandfather, Luca and so will I. Please, forgive me."
"If this is another trick to win the war Michael, I swear to God, I will burn the whole city to the ground."
"No, no, this is no trick. Serena told me minutes ago. She just got back from Italy."
Tears ran down Michael's face while Luca's heart was feeling heavier just by looking at his broken rival. Luca's eyes watered, too as both men walked further into the courtyard.
"I forgive you Michael but under one condition."
"Anything."
"Each Saltinotti involved in my son's death will die, today."
"They're already dead, Luca. They’re resting at the bottom of the sea."
"You really will do this?"
"Luca, I'm no monster but family doesn't cross one another. I just want my daughter back."
"You have her now and I have my son with our grandchild."
"Si, they are alive and well; in love, Luca."
"We should head to the wedding then?"
"I'm sorry for your lost, Luca."
"I forgive you now, Michael. You've always been a respectful man."
"Thank you!"
"No need to thank me. Go home and get ready. We have a wedding to get to."
The war of New York was officially over and New York went peaceful once again. In town, there were remnants of a battlefield, but as fast as the war began, that fast everything was restored to normalcy. The Lombardis and Giulianis paid for the damages caused to the businesses and helped repair parts of the city.
No interest-loans were given to shop owners including the Chinese. Finally, even for only a few days, there were no extortions or violence. They were the most peaceful days since the end of the Cold War.
