Mob Sorcery 2 - Ch3

Chapter 3

A miserable silence descended following the retreat of the branch family wolves. Alessia glowered at the conference room door and finally allowed her tail to move. It lashed the tail fast and hard enough to kick up a small wind that rustled Vince’s pants.

“Why don’t we step into that neighboring room?” he suggested, looking at Fia.

“Yes. Let’s,” Alessia ground out.

One of the suited enforcers escorted them to an empty conference room down the hall. Fia flicked the lights on as they entered, but Vince noted that both hers and Alessia’s eyes lit up in the darkness of the room. Whether they were allowed to use this room at all was an open question, but Vince sincerely doubted anyone would question Alessia or the enforcer standing by the door.

The room appeared like any other office conference room he’d ever seen. A long conference table with fancy leather chairs around it, plus a pair of large TVs on one wall. Various painted art pieces in ornamental oaken frames depicted mages, dragons, and various mythological figures.

Alessia initially stood quite close to him, to the point where she seemed almost ready to automatically link arms with him. Then she turned to face him and sniffed. Her head tilted and she blinked a few times.

Afterward, she danced away a few steps and leaned against the long wooden desk that dominated the otherwise empty room.

Vince chose to break the silence. “I take it I’m not well liked among the branch family elite?”

“It’s more complicated than that,” Alessia said, her brow furrowing. “Arnulfo doesn’t like you, but opinions on your actions are mixed. Officially, I don’t accept input from the branch families on enforcer matters, other than those who are properly initiated and have taken the oaths. But, as I’ve said before, the Lionetti Family and Lionetti Enterprises are a complex affair.”

“I’ll admit to not really understanding it.” Vince didn’t really want to.

Unfortunately, Alessia decided to explain it anyway. “The family handles the underbelly, whereas the corporate side manages everything else. But there’s a line in between, primarily due to how much illicit business we handle beyond simply sending out enforcers to collect protection money. The property and wealth made in that grey area is owned by the branch families who operate it, and the Lionetti Family itself takes a cut of it to fund central operations.”

“They’re fronts, in other words,” he said.

She shrugged with a small smile. “Sometimes. It’s more a separation of concerns. But there is a significant benefit to the arrangement. Benefits, really. The chance to gain substantial wealth through working with us is alluring to many. The branch families also provide new blood for the enforcers, as you saw with Vanna and Fia.”

Fia coughed. “I’d prefer if you don’t bring that up.”

“Oh, you hadn’t explained?” Alessia raised an eyebrow.

“She has,” Vince said. “I was surprised to see Vanna here, given Fia said she doesn’t attend the branch family stuff because…” he trailed off when he recalled the precise details of why Fia disliked being involved in the broader business.

She worried about the perception of nepotism.

“It’s up to individual enforcers and families as to whether they attend the branch family events,” Alessia said. “Given the nature of their work, most enforcers decline. I usually keep Pola way unless her attendance is requested, as she’s very antisocial at these events.”

She wandered around the table, toward some of the artwork. Her fingers traced the edges of the leather chairs as she walked and her tail hung low as she walked.

Feeling as if the topic was wandering, Vince tried to push it back to something familiar. “Sorry for rising to Arnulfo’s bait earlier. I’m pretty sure I was supposed to stay silent.”

Fia clicked her tongue. “Damn right you were. Do you have to rise to such basic provocations?”

“Half of posturing as an enforcer is talking down to people who think they’re stronger than you. Standing there when somebody is showing off doesn’t help,” he said.

“Posturing, hmm?” Alessia said, staring up at a painting of a massive wolfgirl draped in furs standing beneath a tree, while a pair of young boys clung to her feet. “It’s no problem. Arnulfo was being troublesome, as always. It was an annoying reminder of how often I need to establish my authority, when it should be unquestioned.”

Her hands shifted the painting slightly, as it had been slightly off-center.

Nobody said anything. Vince stared at the painting for a little while, uncertain of what it might mean. No inscription below it either, so he remained in the dark.

“They called you by a title I didn’t recognize earlier. Capo… something or other,” Vince said.

“Capofamiglia,” Alessia said, facing him. “Literally, head of the family. The enforcers call me boss, but that’s my official title, much as Pola is the sottocapo and Fia is a caporegime, often shortened to capo.”

“Oh.” He scratched the side of his face. “I thought your official title was don.”

A giggle escaped Alessia. “No. Don is an honorific. Although, technically, they should be calling me Don Alessia. Nobody does, however. I think everybody gets confused because it’s a term for men, and the female version, donna, hasn’t been used for the head of the Lionetti family before. So everyone uses the full title to be safe.”

“Safe?”

“We’re sticklers for etiquette. As Lionettis, we must be more graceful, more impressive, more unmoved, more elegant, more… everything than all others in Aulfair. It’s part of what we are, to prove that we deserve our place in the city, even as it changes.”

Once again, she looked up that painting.

“I assume the painting’s important,” Vince finally said.

“It depicts La Lupa, the famous She-wolf, with Romulus and Remus beneath the fig tree. This is where the alliance between Rome and wolffolk was forged, and our fate was forever tied to that of humanity, and especially Italy. Only broken when…” Darkness overcame her face. “All things come to an end, I suppose. It is merely ironic that my ancestors came out from the shadows to fight for Italy in the Great War, only for many of us to effectively driven away by those that took over the country afterward.”

That explanation put the painting in a new light for Vince. Sort of.

“Um, I feel a little dumb, but I still don’t quite get why it’s important,” he said. “What ties you to the ancient wolffolk? You mentioned before that some of the wolffolk families put a lot of importance on this, but I don’t get it.”

Alessia grimaced. “Tell me, what do you know of your ancestry, Vince?”

“Absolutely nothing. I don’t know who my father is, and my mother told me absolutely nothing of her family. I’ve met my uncle on her side, but he wanted nothing to do with me.”

She winced and her ears and tail drooped. “That’s not… I apologize. I had not wished to open old wounds. Fia briefly explained your family situation to me last night, and I should have known better to ask such an open question.”

He waved her off. “It’s fine. But you did ask.”

“Yes, I did. And I apologize again.” She pursed her lips. “Do you think your friend, Mr. Kilpatrick, knows much of his family history?”

“A little, yeah. His old man told me once over drinks. The Irish side of the family came here during the Great Famine—the one over the potatoes—and the other side are a mixture of British and German.”

“But do they know much more beyond the 1800s?”

Vince opened his mouth to answer, then closed it. He rubbed his chin. “Honestly, I doubt it. I think they’ve done one of those ancestry tests. The ones where they use magic and technology to try to track your blood line and how much demihuman blood you have in you.”

“It’s low,” Fia said flatly. “Humans always overstate how much we interbred with them.”

“I’m just saying how it works.” He raised his hands defensively.

Alessia rolled her eyes. “I believe my point has been proven, however. Ordinary people understand their recent genealogy. Perhaps those who see themselves of higher stature know their family tree going back several centuries, such as royals and nobles from Europe. But everything is mere guesswork. It is often different in demihuman families. Especially mine.”

“Is this where you state you’re related to La Lupa herself, just like how everyone is related to Charlemagne?” Vince said glibly.

Fia snorted, while Alessia merely smirked.

“The difference is that whereas everyone else needs to lie about their distant relations to famous historical figures, I know exactly when my family became involved with Charlemagne,” Alessia said. Her smile slipped. “But that is the problem. We’re long-lived and have good records of our families. Just as your friend’s ancestors left Ireland, never to return, mine fled here as well. Our history is part of us and something that we can’t forget.”

“Is that why only Italian wolves can join the mafia?” he asked.

She pursed her lips again. “That is the reason, yes. I feel it is too limiting, but understand why many are fearful to change it. We are trying to be the new wolf kingdom, transplanted from Italy into Aulfair, and cling onto everything we once had. But I fear we are leaving behind so many of our kin in the process.”

“That’s not our problem,” Fia blurted out, then looked at the floor. “Sorry.”

Alessia sighed. “It’s fine. I feel I need at least some pushback from others at times. The branch families push and pull, according to their wishes, but they don’t understand how the family works. And I haven’t had an advisor for years now.”

“I still shouldn’t speak out of turn,” Fia muttered.

Vince let the two wolves work out whatever problems they had. The weird etiquette of the Lionettis grated on him, but saying as much would be insulting.

Once Alessia looked back at him, he nodded.

“I think Fia’s right,” he said. “There’s a limit to worrying about everyone else, particularly when things aren’t exactly going well for the Lionettis. There aren’t human-first companies doing everything they can to uplift me. The foxes only care about those who are loyal to themselves, and attack foxes who aren’t. Even the lions are broken up.”

“Yet Kaziern supports the Polish community in the city,” Alessia countered.

“Doesn’t that prove my point? You support the Italian one.”

She bit her lip. “Yes, but only Italian wolves. I think we have a strong identity, but it’s difficult being in Aulfair at times. Even as dwindled in power and influence, we’re still the beacon for wolffolk. The only other large company owned by wolffolk is a seafood processing plant, and it’s far smaller than the bigger ones run by catfolk.”

Vince couldn’t say he was surprised that cats controlled the fish industry. That seemed like the way things should work.

“But you’re right that I need to do other things first. This is just what I discuss with the branch families and shareholders, as part of changing the direction of the Lionettis. Taking back our territory, and reestablishing ourselves in Aulfair in the face of Houou’s aggression is the highest priority.”

Alessia’s expression sharpened and she turned away from the painting. Her hands gripped the back of a chair.

“I take it you want to talk about Gawlik,” he said.

“And Juliet, and Quintus, and everything else that Fia brought up from your unscheduled meeting yesterday,” Alessia said. “I’m impressed that you stayed away from Albion as I requested and still managed to cause such a mess.”

“Everyone else created the mess this time. I just tried to enjoy some drinks and food,” he protested.

“So I’ve heard. Well, what did you make of Juliet Forest?” Her gaze bore into him.

“Annoying. Powerful, but less dangerous than I expected. I don’t know if my dragon will work against her, so I’ll need to research how to handle her,” he said.

Alessia blinked. “That’s it?”

“I kind of figured some dangerous enforcers would come after me, even if that wouldn’t be until the Golden Path got involved.”

“Yes, but…” She bit her lip. “What about Quintus Hierum? I understand you were correct that he disapproved of us.”

“He and I had a disagreement over the meaning of the word ‘independent,’ but we’ll reconvene to discuss it after this job is finished,” Vince said.

Fia snorted. “You mean Nin—Uh, your roommate scared the shit out of him and he backed off.”

“Roommate?” Alessia looked at Fia. “I don’t remember that part of your report, Fia.”

“Um…” Fia looked away.

Ah, shit. Lying at this point wouldn’t help matters. Fia hadn’t told Alessia about Nina, likely due to the Pola connection.

“My roommate is a retired enforcer. Strong enough to convince Quintus not to cause a ruckus in public,” Vince said.

Alessia narrowed her eyes. “I see. I was going to bring this up later, but is she the source of the lion scent that’s intensified on you today?”

“Intensified?” he asked, looking at Fia.

She didn’t answer, and instead looked at Alessia with wide eyes. Terrified ones, as if she’d come to some horrifying conclusion.

“Yes. Wolves have quite sensitive noses, so I knew you were acquaintances with a lion when we first met,” Alessia said. “It’s quite common in Aulfair for people to be close to various demihumans, so I thought nothing of it. The change in the scent today makes me suspicious, however. Either you’ve met with somebody recently, after a break, or you’ve intensified your time with them.”

Met with… “I’m not working with Kaziern, if that’s your thinking,” Vince said flatly, his eyes narrowing into slits. “I don’t stab people in the back or double-time contracts or employers.”

Alessia glanced at Fia, who shook her head.

“Uh, that’s not what the smell is, boss,” Fia said, scratching the back of her neck and looking down. “I met his roommate last night. She’s a lion. Big one, and not with Kaziern.”

“I see. My apologies, Vince, but I’m quite wary of betrayal given Gawlik’s threat,” Alessia said quietly. “So, that means you are now sleeping with your roommate?”

“Um…”

“Pretty sure, yeah,” Fia said.

Alessia sighed. “Well, good luck with Pola. She’s been an untamable bundle of fur, tension, and excitement since you rejected her. Once she smells the same thing, there’s no telling how she’ll react.”

“Not giving up on the marriage idea, huh?” Fia smirked.

“Not until Pola does. She asked me how many puppies usually come in each litter yesterday.”

Vince sincerely wondered if he should pick up some of those male contraceptive pills, even if Nina was already taking her own. Just in case.

Whatever expression crossed his face brought laughter to both wolves. After several moments, Alessia wiped a tear from her eye.

“In that case, we’re left only with Kaziern itself,” Alessia said.

“Do you think he has a mole in the branch families?” Vince asked. “I can’t see why he’d think the Lionettis would collapse just by eliminating you and Pola.”

“Perhaps it’s arrogance. Houou accomplished a lot merely by taking out my father and our top enforcers last time.” She turned back to the wall and began walking along it once more. “But times have changed. We’re no longer overstretched and reliant on other conglomerates avoiding our territory. If I fell, Pola takes my place. If we both fall, it’s likely that Fia or Vanna would be appointed as boss, plus their choice as underboss.”

Fia hissed and glared at the floor, fists clenched. Whether her reaction was due to the news that she might take over Alessia’s position or that Vanna might remained unclear.

“However, the politics within the branch families is volatile. While most support my attempt to regain power, there are those who think I am foolish, and others who have already given up. Arnulfo leads a rather powerful faction that believe the latter. They’re old, wealthy, and have more to lose than gain from the Lionettis brawling with other companies.”

“And the shareholders?” Vince asked. “You mentioned them earlier. Is it possible they’re involved?”

Alessia laughed. “They sit on the wrong side of the divide to assist Kaziern. Even if they had access to information or power to assist Gawlik, it’s unlikely they’d help him. My expansion plans have strong support. We may be a privately held company, but we lost significant revenue when many of our illicit businesses fell out of our hands. Our shareholders would love to regain the profits and dividends from those.”

That left precious little possibility to Vince.

Somebody on the inside wanted to help Kaziern and undermine Alessia. She’d fingered exactly one faction interested in doing so.

“Is it Arnulfo?” he asked bluntly.

Rather than laugh at him or become annoyed, she merely bit her lip. “I can’t rule that out. All the pieces are in place for him to be the mole. Vanna could provide him with information, whether she knows he’s a traitor or not. He’s influential and wealthy, with more than enough power to sway the branch families or at least cripple them in responding to an attack by Kaziern. Any deal he might strike would likely be to have Kaziern take over the enforcement role that the Lionettis currently do.”

“That would cause outright civil war,” Fia snapped. “The enforcers would riot, and I bet most of the branch families would too.”

“Yes, but what about those enforcers whose parents side with Kaziern?” Alessia stared at Fia.

The capo glared back at her boss. “Fuck that. I’m not here to make money for my parents—not that I think they would pull this shit—and Vanna shouldn’t even be a capo if you think she’d betray the Lionnettis like this.”

“Maybe.” Alessia sighed. “More than just Vanna is under suspicion. I’ll be limiting the information provided to each capo from now on, particularly regarding mine or Pola’s movements and the defenses of Lionetti Tower.”

“Does that include me?” Fia asked.

“No. But mostly because it’s effectively impossible to exclude you from these plans if we want to be effective against Kaziern. Pola can’t manage Vince, and I can’t abandon this job just because Kaziern thinks it can destroy us from the inside.”

Fia nodded slowly, then sighed. Her ears flapped once.

“So, uh, does my job more or less work as normal?” Vince asked once the two of them finished their little tiff. “Take a few days off, then capture both sites once the heat dies down? Oh, and stop the Golden Path once they counterattack.”

“No, I need you to…” Alessia frowned. “You’re confirming the scope of your contract, aren’t you?”

“Yeah. I got burned pretty badly when Immanuel used me to hold off the cops back on main street during that big crackdown and never helped me. I like working for you, but if I’m doing extra jobs or taking more risks, I do like to be paid. Especially with Kaziern throwing more resources around.”

“There were always lots of resources to be thrown around,” she said.

A long pause resulted. Almost like a standoff, as both of them stared at each other.

“If Lionetti Tower falls, you won’t be able to collect on your contract,” Alessia pointed out.

“Oh, come on, Alessia,” Fia said, running a hand through her long hair. Her tail moved rapidly behind her. “You’re still playing hard ball after everything he’s done?”

“It’s my job to negotiate him down. Whose side are you on?” The mafia boss glared at her subordinate.

“The one that wins, and we’re paying Vince far less than all the morons who fucked up in the past.”

“Yet more than any one enforcer usually gets paid.”

“Sure, but—”

“How about a bonus if you get attacked and I defend you?” Vince suggested, cutting into their argument. “Big enough to cover any police fines I might get hit with if I have to cut loose. I’m guessing any attack big enough to threaten you will attract police attention.”

“It’s hard to say. Officially, yes. Unofficially, the police would arrive long after any battles between corporate enforcers are resolved if it takes place away from the public and there’s no evidence of civilian deaths.” Alessia paused. “Civilian meaning nobody unassociated with the criminal side of the Lionetti Family, in this case.”

“So I’m not likely to get fined.”

“No.” She looked him up and down, as if that meant something. “A bonus, then. If necessary.”

“I’d also like another job after this,” he added.

Alessia rolled her eyes. “If you complete this one, that’s not in question. I’ll leave you to deal with your demonic friends, however.”

She strode around the far end of the table and back to the door. It opened to reveal the suited enforcer from earlier, still waiting for them.

“The conference starts on Thursday, so Fia will talk to you on Wednesday about our plans,” Alessia said. “Take care of yourself until then. And try to avoid Pola.”

“I thought you wanted me to take her out on a date?” he asked.

“I don’t want to take risks that she might immobilize you before our next move.”

Then Alessia left. Fia grinned at Vince.

“What?” Vince asked.

“You’re a popular guy, it seems,” Fia said.

“Uh huh.” He walked out of the room. “Why don’t we grab some lunch and work on some spells? You said you wanted to do something about Juliet, right?”

- - - - -

Commentary: I'm still not sure if I should add more flirting or some sort of more visible attraction from Alessia to Vince. Any signs that she's interested in him are quite subtle, and likely too subtle despite how slow the relationship will be.

I'm also unsure about the don vs donna thing. Mostly because it's difficult to determine how much donna is used in Italy. It's fairly common for the female equivalent of a male noble title or honorific to be more widely used or hold a lower status, particularly given men frequently had exclusive rights to specific positions or powers. So I hedged my bets and went for a simple explanation for why nobody calls her don.