Page 34 of Nicco

The morning came with a solemn feeling. This was the end, the final chapter in my father’s reign as don. The funeral services were held at the same Catholic Church my father married my mother. It was the same church where I married Gloria.

The priest was a friend of the family. He enjoyed the donations and benefits that came with knowing a Bregoli. He also appreciated the protection and perks that came with being associated with a powerful a powerful mafia family that dated back to the old country. The priest still talked about his invitation to the Vatican to see the Pope. My father made that happen.

The church was huge and housed many people. That’s why security was very important. There were a lot of families from a lot of different communities coming to pay their respects for my father, my padre Dominicco Bregoli the Don. The church had to install metal detectors through every entrance. Of course, my family donated the money to make sure this place was safe and secure.

Churches were normally no violence zones for Mafia wars. It had been that way for centuries, but this new age brand of gangster didn’t always abide by the rules. So we have to take extra precautions. These new criminals were disrespectful. They all acted like animals. They didn’t have any rules, no organization, and definitely no class.

I was the one who made sure we were prepared for anything. I made sure we weren’t stuck in the old-school ways. Things were going to change now that I was in charge.

The funeral went off without a hitch. There was an open casket and everyone went up to view Dom and pay his or her respects to my late father. We had a police escort on our way to the cemetery. Of course, I had some police officers and a few judges on my payroll. Local law enforcement couldn’t beat us, so they joined us almost seventy years ago.

We never had to worry about the police, but the Feds, that was a different story. Those bastards had a heart on for the Bregoli’s and every single person in the organization. They would do anything to bring us down. They would even threaten our women, children and the hired help. The Feds didn’t play fair. Which was okay because we didn’t either.

Everyone in the family was at the burial. Dom would not be put into the ground. He would be interned in the family crypt beside my mother, Sophia. I wasn’t sure they would see each other again. If my father is going to hell and my mother is going to heaven, I think they won’t reunite. But on the off chance my father is going to heaven, I’m not sure how my mother would feel knowing he got there right after he fucked a hooker. Dom was a wise guy and maybe mother found a good guy when she was up in heaven. Shit! What the fuck was I even talking about?

All my boys were here. My middle son was sniffling when crying shouldn’t be an option. I didn’t really have a problem with it. He was cut from a different cloth. My youngest, Matteo, was stone-faced. He was a hard-core kid. Then there was Rocco. His face was blank, no expression at all. He was Dom’s favorite grandson, but he still knew how to act in public settings. Bregoli men didn’t cry. We definitely didn’t cry in public. Rocco knew the rules.

My wife was keeping her composure as well. It could be due to the Xanax I gave her in the car, so she wouldn’t make a scene with all her emotions. That seemed to work out well. She was mourning just enough for appearance’s sake. Gloria clung to my arm with the talons she called nails. She patted the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief a few times, like a Hollywood actress.

All my old and new siblings were wearing black. We presented as a rather attractive family even with the one blond guy. Valentina was holding on to Alexis’ hand. My sister had a new sister now, and she was in Wonderland. I hoped this newfound relationship would go well. Alexis almost looked unrecognizable. Someone straightened her hair, and she looked Italian now.

Lord was completely uninterested, and his face showed it. He had his arm wrapped around Labria. He was holding her close and, like always, they were in their own little world. I took a mental note. To have him in my life, I would have to have her, too.

The priest was reading something out of the Bible. But I wasn’t listening. I wanted to hurry up and get this over with because I was on a mission to find this Tom Cavallari person. I thought about if Carla was even telling the truth. Could this be a trap? What if our father wasn’t the intended target? Maybe he was some kind of decoy, a separate act to throw us off and make us look in the wrong direction.

My brain was making up so many scenarios. Why? Most of these wise guys were dumb, uneducated meatheads. They could hardly tie their shoes. There was no way they were coming out with some massive conspiracy to overthrow a destiny.

I had tomorrow to figure things out and come up with plans. Today I should just mourn the loss of my father and spend time with my family. It was hard for me to relax, especially when I felt like my family and the organization were in danger. Being the boss took a lot. Being the boss was a full-time job. Being the boss took hard work and dedication.

After the burial, we all got back in our vehicles. I separated from my family and drove in the Bentley with Lefty, Righty, Lord and Labria. Most of us were going to head back to a little celebration of life event Valentina had put together for father. It was basically a little cocktail party to mingle, eat, drink, and talk about the life of Dom.

All Bregoli’s had to show our faces at the gathering to celebrate the life of Dominicco Bregoli Sr. There were metal detectors at the entrance and the exit of the grand ballroom. I needed this environment to be as safe as possible. My men were the only ones allowed to carry guns.

There were a lot of children, women and high-ranking Mafiosos in the building. We had guidelines. One of them was to never hit someone at a Memorial service, funeral or burial. This party was considered a memorial and violence wasn’t allowed. That was not how we conducted business. There was always an opportunity for violence, but the organization thrived for decades because of respect and rules. I believed in the rules, but some of these new age scumbags didn’t grow up with a code. You couldn’t trust them. So no matter what, I always stayed strapped, locked and loaded and ready to blast.

After a brief talk with my head of security, I scanned the room looking forla mia famiglia.My brother, Cenzo, was in the corner talking to Dario and Valentina. My youngest brother, Frankie, was chopping it up with our cousin Maurizio. Gloria was staying out of my way. Most of the young people were staying out of sight. It was their time to sneak away with bottles they’ve stolen from the bar.

Lord was in the corner talking with Labria. Cenzo and Lord were the only people who knew Dom had been poisoned. At this time, I didn’t see any need to inform my other siblings. I didn’t need any unsolicited advice.

I saw Alexis standing out on the balcony. She was finally alone. My sister let her out of her clutches for a few minutes, it seemed. It was the perfect time for me to have a little talk with her. I hadn’t spent much time with the girl. I didn’t know much about my half-sister. Clearly, she was beautiful and exotic looking. She could pass for Italian. She seemed quiet and reserved. I’m sure she didn’t know where she fit in with us.

I had to ask Valentina what she really thought about her. My background check didn’t turn up anything illegal or noteworthy. She was an average student in high school and she didn’t bother to go to college. She was an assistant manager at some clothing store in a mall back in Chicago.

“Alexis.” I called out to her.

She jumped and turned to see me. I had startled her. What had her so deep in thought?

“Nicco, oh sorry. Am I supposed to call you Nicco or something else?”

“Nicco is fine.”

“Okay.” She tried to force a smile on her flawless face, but I think I was making her uncomfortable.

“Did you check your bank account?”

“Yes.”

“You should look happy. You are one million dollars richer.”

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