Captivating The Billionaire Mafia

Romano sat in the back seat of the SUV as Sammy drove him back to his villa. His thoughts drifted to how happy Karina was when Lorenzo proposed to her. He had seen the love between them from the start. He also recalled the time when Karina urged him to consider a serious relationship, but he had scoffed at the idea. He had no desire to be serious with a woman, let alone have children. It had been nine years since he even entertained thoughts of love, though it all began sixteen years ago, when he was mature enough to understand.

He and his parents traveled to Italy for his grandfather's funeral. After Ronaldo was laid to rest, the family and Ronaldo's associates gathered at his mansion. While the group discussed matters downstairs, Alfred and his wife Marian had a conversation in one of the bedrooms upstairs, with Lucian silently observing.

"Alfred, now that Dad is gone, don't you-" Marian began, but Alfred interrupted her.

"How many times do I have to tell you, Marian? I'm not interested in carrying on his legacy" Alfred said firmly.

"Honey, this is power, wealth, and influence. Why are you turning it down?" Marian asked.

"I thought you didn't like my family because we're part of the Mafia when we were arranged to marry, so why are you so interested now?" Alfred asked.

"Alfred, please do this for us" Marian pleaded as Lucian watched.

"I can't. If I'm leaving a legacy for my son, it has to be something good-not a legacy tied to a group of killers and drug lords" Alfred said.

In the large living room, seven mob members were gathered, some seated, some standing.

"I should be the one who died; he died saving me" Greco said, running his hands through his hair.

"What about Luca? We need to hear from him" Rossi said.

"Yes, he was involved in this, and that's why he ran away" Bernardo said.

"We're not sure of this until we see him. Luca couldn't have done this" Rosario said.

"Why do you trust that bastard, Rosario?" Greco asked.

"Because he's served Ronaldo since he was young, he couldn't have betrayed him now" Rosario replied.

Back in the room, Marian stood angrily in front of Alfred, confronting him.

"You're really not going to step into your father's shoes?" Marian asked.

"My answer will always be no, Marian. I won't take his place. I'm doing this for our son" Alfred replied.

"Alright, then you should go downstairs and meet our guests" Marian suggested.

"I have nothing to say to them" Alfred said.

"They're here because of your father. Your presence would show your appreciation" Marian insisted.

"And what about you?" Alfred asked.

"Honey, you'll have to excuse me. My friend is in the hospital, and I need to check on her" Marian said.

"My father just died, Marian. You should stay here with me" Alfred said.

"I won't be long, honey, please" Marian pleaded.

"She's never visited us-neither here nor in NYC. You're always the one going to see her" Alfred said.

"I told you she's a private person. Please, just take Lucian with you downstairs. I'll leave through the back door" Marian said.

"Fine. Lucian, come with me" Alfred said, and Lucian followed him. After they left, Marian took out another phone and started messaging an unknown person.

"I still don't believe Luca did this" Rossi said.

"Are you really sure the Spanish mobs did this with the help of Luca?" Rancho asked.

"I don't know, Rancho. It happened suddenly, but I'm very sure it was Luca betrayed us-they've been the ones intercepting our shipments" Greco replied.

"How is it that you don't know, weren't you there?" Rossi asked.

"We can't blame Greco. We all know he was loved by Ronaldo, he couldn't have seen his death coming" Bernardo said.

"To avoid any future war, we need to confirm the Spanish mobs really did this." Rossi said.

"What else do you need to confirm? What we should be discussing now is how to avenge the Don's death, retrieve our shipment, and choose the next Don" Greco said as Alfred and Lucian descended the stairs and joined the group.

"We have no proof they did this, we can't attack without reason or we will face dire consequences. Ronaldo was at peace with them" Rosario said.

"Last I checked, Rosario, you're only a consigliere for the leader of this family, let the soldiers decide" Greco said.

"Greco, when did you join the family that you think you can speak to Rosario however you want? Is it because you were loved by Ronaldo?" Rossi asked angrily.

"And because I am very loyal to him, that's why we must avenge his death" Greco replied, just as his phone beeped. "Excuse me" he said before stepping out.

"Alfred, we'll make sure to find out who's behind this" Rossi said.

"Thank you" Alfred replied.

A few days after Ronaldo's funeral, Alfred and Lucian were seated at the dining table in Ronaldo's large mansion, while Marian served breakfast. The mansion's workers approached Alfred, lining up in front of him.

"We are here, master" the head worker said.

"Thank you for serving my father well. I've made the payments into your accounts. You should find another job or start a new life out there" Alfred said while Marian watched and Lucian continued eating.

"Thank you, master" the workers said in unison before leaving.

"Alfred, are we really leaving for NYC? We're not staying here?" Marian asked.

"Yes, NYC is my home, and I have a company to oversee" Alfred replied as he continued eating while Marian was busy with her phone.

"Dad, was Grandfather killed?" Lucian asked.

"Yes, he was killed by his enemies, which is why I won't follow in his footsteps. It's not a good legacy to pass on to you" Alfred said.

"Why didn't you tell the police?" Lucian asked, while Marian listened in, still focused on her phone.

"We can't involve the police because it was related to something illegal, which could tarnish our image and reputation. That's why I don't want you to have a life here" Alfred explained.

"Lucian, your father is just scared, it has-" Marian began, but Alfred cut her off.

"I won't allow you to fill our son's mind with that" Alfred said firmly.

"Fine, I won't be going with you right now. I'll join you later" Marian said as she picked up her spoon to eat.

"And why is that?" Alfred asked, while Lucian watched.

"I need to stay with my friend. She has no one else, and she's very sick at the moment" Marian explained.

"Your friend again? Are you hiding something from me, Marian? Are you seeing someone else?" Alfred asked, pausing his meal.

"Alfred, why would you even think that? I only love you" Marian replied.

"In NYC, you always met her at the hotel, spent days with her, and she hasn't even bothered to visit your house or meet your husband" Alfred said.

"We don't need to argue about this, Alfred. She's a private person, and I'm her only friend. You have to trust me" Marian said.

"Alright then, you should take Lucian with you. I need to get back to the company immediately, and you know we fired the maid before we came here" Alfred said.

"Darling, Lucian is thirteen; he can take care of himself, and I won't be staying long" Marian said.

"If she won't be staying long, let's wait for her, Dad. We can all leave together" Lucian suggested.

"Your dad won't wait for me, sweetheart. You should go with him" Marian replied.

"Lucian's right; we'll leave together. We're leaving in two days" Alfred decided.

"That's enough time to spend with her. Thank you, darling" Marian said.

A few minutes after breakfast, Lucian and his father sat in the large living room watching the news when the door opened.

"Alfred" Rosario called as he approached.

"Rosario, I've been expecting you" Alfred said. "Take a seat" he added, and Rosario sat down.

"You called me, and I've been wanting to meet with you too" Rosario said.

"Oh really? Let me get straight to the point-I would like to have all of my father's and the company's documents that are with you" Alfred said.

"Company documents? I don't have any documents, Alfred, not a single one" Rosario replied.

"Aren't you my father's lawyer? He must have kept some files with you. I've searched everywhere for the documents, but I couldn't find anything. That's why I called you" Alfred explained.

"You mean you don't have RE's documents?" Rosario asked.

"Yes, and without them, how can I claim the company is mine? Dad built the company when I showed no interest in the legacy he created here. I thought he kept the documents with you" Alfred said.

"Something's not right-his sudden death, the documents disappearing-it just doesn't add up" Rosario said.

"Lucian, go to your room" Alfred instructed.

"Yes, Dad," Lucian said and left for his room.

"You think someone stole them?" Alfred asked.

"I suspect so, and that's why you need to take over. The family has been considering appointing you as the next Don" Rosario said.

"I'm not interested, Rosario. In fact, if Marian hadn't gone to see her friend, we'd already be on our way back to NYC" Alfred said.

"If you refuse the position, there's no way we can help you with the documents unless you become our Don" Rosario insisted.

"Rosario, you can help me without me becoming the Don. I need to have the company's documents. This can't be known outside" Alfred said.

"If you don't become our Don, Greco is likely to be appointed. Your father was very fond of him" Rosario said.

"Isn't he the guy my father initiated when we came here for Lucian's fifth birthday?" Alfred asked.

"Yes, time flies" Rosario said.

"Let him take it. Just help me with the documents, find them for me, and finding my father's killer is up to you" Alfred said.

"I'll do my best. We've been searching for Luca," Rosario said.

"Luca is innocent, he wouldn't have betrayed my father" Alfred insisted.

"I believe so. I'll get to the bottom of this" Rosario promised.

"Thanks, Rosario," Alfred said as Rosario stood up.

"You're welcome, Alfred. And you still have three months to think about the appointment" Rosario reminded him.

"Rosario, my decision is final" Alfred said as he walked Rosario out.