Godfather System C92 After the victory

The once-mighty Cohen Crime Syndicate, a force that had held Los Angeles in its vice-like grip for as long as anyone could remember, was no more. Their empire, built on bribes and bloodshed, crumbled to dust in the blink of an eye. In their place, a new power emerged: Lorenzo's gang, "Wolf Familia". They'd been in the city for mere weeks, but they'd already made their presence known.

Word spread like wildfire through the underworld: the Cohens were finished. Their territory, their rackets, even their political connections—all of it was up for grabs. The 38th Street Gang, the Diamond Street Gang, and the Third Street Gang, once cowed by the Cohens' reach, now circled like vultures, sensing an opportunity.

Lorenzo's boys didn't waste any time. They moved in on the Cohens' turf, absorbing their operations—legal or otherwise—in a matter of days. The takeover was swift and merciless, leaving the other gangs reeling.

How could this have happened? How could the untouchable Cohen Crime Syndicate be brought down so quickly?

The headline screamed out from the front page of the Los Angeles Times: "Cohen Crime Syndicate Wiped Out Overnight!" The article below danced around the details, only stating that the LAPD was investigating the matter. Everyone in the underworld knew better, though. The police were as tight-lipped as a clam, and for good reason.

The "Wolf Familia" had emerged from nowhere, and already they were making deals with the other gangs. They'd come out of left field, and now they were running the show. It was unheard of—the Cohens had been the most powerful outfit in LA for as long as anyone could remember. How could they have been taken down so quickly?

Some speculated that it was all a ruse, that the Cohens had simply rebranded themselves as the Wolf Familia. But the grisly images splashed across the newspaper told a different story. Mickey Cohen, the notorious boss himself, and his underboss, Johnny Stompananto, lay lifeless on the ground, their faces unmistakable even in death. No, this was no power play. The Cohen Crime Syndicate was gone for good.

The other gangs, the 38th Street, Diamond Street, and Third Street crews, were uneasy. If the Cohens could be brought down like this, who was next? And more importantly, who was exactly is this new player in town? The city's underbelly seethed with tension, as everyone wondered who would make the first move in this new era of uncertainty.

---

In the opulent study of the McAfee Crime Syndicate's Las Vegas mansion, Underboss Harris paced the oriental rug, a newspaper in his hands. His boss, Guy McAfee, sat behind an imposing mahogany desk, puffing on a Cuban cigar.

"Boss," Harris blurted out, "you won't believe this." He slapped the paper down on the desk, the headline screaming about the Cohen Crime Syndicate's demise.

"What in the blazes?" Guy muttered. "Who did this?"

Harris shook his head grimly. "They call themselves the 'Wolf Familia,' boss. They came outta nowhere, and now they're making deals with the other crews."

Guy leaned back in his chair, stroking his chin in contemplation. "Wolf Familia, huh? Never heard of them. Who's the boss?"

"That's just it, boss," Harris replied, "they're real secretive. Their low-ranking guys wear wolf masks, but the higher-ups have their own unique getups. As for the boss, all we know is that he wears a golden mask, a fancy tuxedo, and a fedora. Oh, and he carries a cane too."

Guy couldn't help but chuckle. "So, they want to play it coy, eh?"

Harris nodded.

"What about our casinos in Los Angeles? With the Cohens gone, what's happening to our business there?" Guy asked as he sipped his wine.

Harris shifted uncomfortably. "That's why I'm here, boss. The boss of the Wolf Familia wants to negotiate with you. It seems they've already taken over our casinos and started collecting protection fees from our managers. Some of their goons are even robbing the joints or causing trouble when they lose at the tables."

Guy only laughed softly. "Well, well, they're bold, aren't they?"

Harris frowned. "What do you want me to do, boss? Fight back or arrange a meeting with the Wolf Familia's boss?"

Guy tapped his fingers on the armrest of his chair, considering his options. "We can't afford to pick a fight with an outfit that took down the Cohens. Besides, we're in Las Vegas, they're in Los Angeles. For now, play nice. Set up a meeting, but make sure our boys are on high alert. I don't trust these newcomers as far as I can throw 'em."

"Boss, we could always join forces with the Roth Syndicate," Harris ventured. "We both have a stake in this, and together, we might stand a chance against these upstarts."

Guy McAfee snorted, his expression darkening at the mention of his rival. "I'd rather cut my own throat than work with that slimeball Hyman Roth."

Harris knew better than to push the issue. The bad blood between the McAfee and Roth Syndicates ran deep, and it all boiled down to their shared interest in the casino business. The Roth Syndicate had managed to outmaneuver them in Las Vegas, leaving the McAfees with a sour taste in their mouths.

In other cities, the McAfees only held a strong foothold in Los Angeles thanks to their close ties with the Cohen Crime Syndicate and Guy's personal friendship with Benjamin Siegel, the syndicate's founder and former boss. With the Cohens gone, their grip on the City of Angels was tenuous at best.

"So, you're going to meet with the Wolf Familia boss?" Harris asked, raising an eyebrow.

Guy nodded, but there was steel in his eyes. "Yes, but on our terms. I'm not a fool. If this 'boss' wants to talk, he can come to our turf. In the meantime, I want you to find out everything you can about this Wolf Familia. I don't like being caught off-guard by some newcomers."

Harris nodded, "Yes, boss. I'll get right on it."

As Harris turned to leave, Guy stopped him with a raised hand. "One more thing. What about the Los Angeles Family? How are they reacting to all this? They must have something to say about another powerhouse moving in on their turf."

Harris hesitated, "Honestly, boss, we don't know much. They've been quiet as mice since the Cohens went down. Some even think they're scared of this new crew."

"I don't think Jack Dragna and the Los Angeles Family are just going to roll over for these upstarts," Guy mused aloud. "Harris, find out what they're planning. Maybe we can work together to take this 'Wolf Familia' down a peg or two."

"Understood, boss," Harris said, before leaving the study.

Guy poured himself another drink, his mind churning with possibilities. There were other players to consider as well, like Benjamin Siegel. The old man might be retired, but he still had ties to the powerful Barzini family on the East Coast.

"I wonder what Benny's reaction will be when he finds out his baby's been taken down by some no-name crew," Guy mused with a chuckle.

He took a sip of his drink, savoring the burn as it traveled down his throat. The underworld was like a chessboard, and Guy McAfee intended to be the one calling the shots.

---

With the Cohen Crime Syndicate eliminated, Lorenzo didn't have time to celebrate. He knew there were still threats lurning in the shadows—the Los Angeles Family, and the man who'd been pulling the Cohens' strings: Benjamin Siegel.

In his office at Lupo Pictures, Lorenzo poured over stacks of paperwork when his friend, Adam, rapped on the door.

"Come in," Lorenzo said, gesturing for him to enter.

Adam entered the room, hat in hand. "I'm afraid we've had no luck on that Bugsy fellow, boss."

Lorenzo set down his pen, frowning. "You mean to tell me you still haven't found him?"

Adam shifted uncomfortably. "We've had no luck, boss. The only lead we have is that he boarded a flight to New York as soon as he caught wind of the Cohens' fall."

Lorenzo frownless, nodding. "I see, it seems this Bugsy fellow has friends in low places."

Lorenzo had sent his men to find Bugsy the night he'd taken over the Cohen Crime Syndicate's turf, but it seemed the man had been tipped off by one of the surviving Cohens.

"Forget about Bugsy for now. Any word from the Los Angeles Family?" Lorenzo asked, tapping his pen on the desk.

Adam shook his head. "No, boss. It's like they've gone deaf and dumb."

Lorenzo frowned, not buying it for a second. "No, not with the Cohens out of the picture. They're up to something we don't know about. Keep our guards up."

Adam nodded in agreement.

Lorenzo leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers. "What news do you have about Philip in New York City?"

"Well, boss, since we sent Patrick back in NYC to check on him, he says Philip's looking pretty rough. He's asking when we can pull some strings and get him out."

Lorenzo sighed, considering his options. "I think Philip's been through enough in that hellhole. I'll see what I can do. I'll contact the Corleones—"

"Boss," Adam interjected, "Patrick also mentioned something urgent about the Corleones in his letter."

Lorenzo's eyebrows shot up. "What is it?"

"Someone tried to take out Don Vito Corleone," Adam said, running a hand through his hair. "The Don's been hurt and is in the hospital now."

Lorenzo sighed, a frown creasing his brow. "I feared as much." He'd seen it coming, of course, having watched the "Godfather" films in his previous life. But knowing it was going to happen and actually hearing the news were two different things.

Lorenzo stood up so fast his chair toppled over. "The life of Don Corleone is on the line, and I can't just sit here twiddling my thumbs. Gather as many men as you can trust and get them ready to leave for New York. We're going to make sure no one else gets near that hospital he's in."

Adam's eyes widened in surprise. "Are you sure that's wise, boss?"

Lorenzo fixed him with a steely glare. "The Corleones have had our backs when we needed it most. The least we can do is repay the favor by making sure the Don pulls through this."

Adam nodded, understanding in his eyes. "You're right, boss. I'll get the men ready."

With a curt nod, Adam left the room, leaving Lorenzo alone with his thoughts. This was far from over, he knew, but they'd cross that bridge when they got there. For now, their focus was on keeping Don Corleone alive.

The memories of "The Godfather" film swirled in Lorenzo's mind. He knew the original events all too well: Don Corleone's life hanging by a thread in the hospital, Michael desperately trying to protect him by moving him to another room. But in this world, things could be different.

He couldn't afford to lose Don Corleone now, not when Michael was still unprepared to take the reins. If the Don didn't make it, the Corleone family would crumble, and the Barzini would swoop in like vultures.

That was a future he couldn't allow to come to pass.