Part 3:
=====================================================================================
Dave pushed past the body guards posted outside his Father's room-feeling an irrepressable urge to get some fresh air.
He stepped outside the main entrance of the Hospital and began to walk the streets. Ordinarily a
potential heir to the Family business would not risk walking around unprotected-but it was a common known Fact
that Don Malucci's son was a mere civilian, who had long since turned his back on his Father's business.
*At least that was the plan* thought Malucci bitterly.
To anyone else such a request upon a son form a mother might have shocked them to the core. But the truth was it was
what Dave had feared all his life. Of course he had made his feeling clear. He had ebarked upon his own career.
He had even been supported in his decision. But He knew he could never rest easy. He had always known somewhere
within himself that one day this scenario would be presented before him-though he had tried to block it from his mind.
An option no longer possible.
He was the Don's only son. To pass on a Family business to anyone but family was unheard of in their circle. Of course
his sister was not a candidate. In sicilian tradition-only a man of the Family blood line was to inherit such a business.
To go against such tradition would not be respected choice amoung this circle. Such a move would render the family
helpless. They would be robbed of all political and internal powers-and be left effectively with nothing. If Dave turned
his back on them now he would only be delaying the inevitable.
One day he would be expected to take over. Either now or after the death of his father. His mother spoke the truth-and
that was why her words had hit him so strongly. She had presented before him his greatest fear-and his *destiny*.
*There's no way out.* he thought miserably.
Of course he could decline. But what would become of his Family? All assests were in his Father's name. If he was to die
and Dave declined leadership those assets would be absorbed by other memebrs within the organisation-who in turn would
then disband. His Mother and Sister would be left with nothing. This was the only life they had known. He would destroy
the very fibre of their existance. He couldn't live with that.
*But how can I live with what I KNOW goes on in this business? I would be defying the Law. I would be detaching
myself form society once again-except this time irreversably so. I would be cutting off my links to the life
I've tried to make for myself. I worked so hard to be a doctor-to save lives-to help people. And now? I would become
a taker of lives. A destroyer of people. I CAN'T, I CAN'T-I know it's what I was born and raised to do but I can't...*
His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of his pager. His Mother's cell phone number flashed on the screen.
He realised that he had been walking quite a while and was quite far away form the hospital. Spotting
a phonebooth he opened the door and began to dial the number.
"Hello-David? DAVID-TELL ME THAT IS YOU, DEAR GOD!!"
"Mama? What's wrong-is it Father?"
"NO-YOUR SISTER, MARIA-OH MY GOD NO!!" his mother's voice gave way to sobs-as her body heaved
and wretched.
"MAMA-WHAT HAPPENED??" screamed Malucci his heart gripped with fear.
"SHE'S BEEN KIDNAPPED!!"
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Dave ran back to the hospital as fast as his legs could take him. He practically fell overhimself as he climbed the stairs
to his Father's room in the ward.
He met his Mother at the door. Body guards looked on their faces grim as Dave held his Mother tight to his heart.
Meanwhile his Father remained on the bed oblivious to what was happening having not yet regained conscienceness.
At that moment Roberto Demalia-the Don's conciliary stepped foward. Dave remembered him well. He had become
conciliary-the most coveted advisory post to the don- when Dave was barely 10 years old.
DeMalia beckoned to Dave to follow him. David released his mother from his embrace as she assumed
a place at her husband's bed side.
Dave and DeMaliaere escorted by body guards into a car just outside the Hospital. Within minutes Dave and DeMalia
were driven back to the Family House. Once inside they made their way to Don Malucci's study where they took
seats oppoite eachother. Through out this time-not a word had been uttered. It was just understood-you never
talked business on unsecure territory. A fact Dave had been raised to know.
DeMalia poured himself and Dave a drink of Whiskey before speaking quietly but surely to the young Doctor.
"David-we recieved a call at the House about 60 minutes ago from a representative of The Gianini Family.
It seems they are holding your sister hostage. She was taken form just outside the hospital when she left
unescorted. They are planning to kill her unless the Don agrees to hand over Union and political control
to them . They also want exclusive controls over the casinos-as well as 90% of the assests currently stored in the accounts.
We're looking a total take over here. Such a thing has never been tried before as theoretically it would not be
possible. One familly has never possessed enough 'weight' to make good such a demand.
That's why they've made it personal. That's why they've taken Maria. They've been trying to set up the Don for some time now-
but to no avail. This seems like the final act of a desperate organisation. This unchartered territory.They've hit us where it hurts."
"No shit sherlock-so what's happening.?" fumed Dave finding it all so unbelievable yet so painfully real. So much had happened
in such litle time. He had just seen Maria. Just been about to follow her. Why in God's name didn't he ignore
his Mother and just follow her. Suddenly he realised DeMalia was speaking to him again.
"David-think like your father would for a minute. They have gotten a civilian-a woman no less-a personal familly member
involved. This is a great dishonour..."
"Oh yeah-it's shit like this that gives organised crime a bad name!!" spat Dave with such heartfelt rage that
his voice trembled as he spoke.
"David try and reason..."
"Let's get one thing straight!" spoke Dave slowly but with danger in his voice. "Your little 'business' is not the
priority here-my sister's safety is. SO just give 'em what they want and..."
"DAVID-surely you are not that ignorant! There is no way of ensuring that they would make good their word.
I'm afraid that we can not agree to such an offer-it would mean the demise of the Family. We would lose everything..."
"WHAT THE F**K GIVES YOU THE AUTHORITY TO GLOSS OVER MY SISTER AS THOUGH SHE MATTERS NOTHING!!
YOU WILL NEGOTIATE, LIE CHEAT OR KILL IF YOU HAVE TO BUT YOU WILL GET HER BACK. I DON'T GIVE
A SHIT ABOUT THE BUSINESS-SHE IS MY SISTER HER SAFETY IS WHAT MATTERS! "
Dave's angry voice echoed within the halls as he said eerily quietly:
"David-I know this is hard for you to accept-but there's very little real chance of getting her back We'd loses everything
and probably all for nothing. I can not allow such a thing-I will not agree to it."
"Who put *you* in charge- you miserable excuse for a human being." Dave said almost in whisper.
"As concilary I am acting head of the Familly so long as the Don is incapicitated..."
"Well not anymore you're not." spat out Malucci.
Malucci shut his eyes realising the immense step he was about to take. The last few
minutes felt like a blur-yet it was all so dangerously clear to him. He had no real choice.
If he was to stand any chance of saving Maria this was the only way. There was no turning back.
"From this moment on- I am acting Head of the Familly; I am Don David Malucci."
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
To be continued.
Please R&R, Baby jen xx
=====================================================================================
Dave pushed past the body guards posted outside his Father's room-feeling an irrepressable urge to get some fresh air.
He stepped outside the main entrance of the Hospital and began to walk the streets. Ordinarily a
potential heir to the Family business would not risk walking around unprotected-but it was a common known Fact
that Don Malucci's son was a mere civilian, who had long since turned his back on his Father's business.
*At least that was the plan* thought Malucci bitterly.
To anyone else such a request upon a son form a mother might have shocked them to the core. But the truth was it was
what Dave had feared all his life. Of course he had made his feeling clear. He had ebarked upon his own career.
He had even been supported in his decision. But He knew he could never rest easy. He had always known somewhere
within himself that one day this scenario would be presented before him-though he had tried to block it from his mind.
An option no longer possible.
He was the Don's only son. To pass on a Family business to anyone but family was unheard of in their circle. Of course
his sister was not a candidate. In sicilian tradition-only a man of the Family blood line was to inherit such a business.
To go against such tradition would not be respected choice amoung this circle. Such a move would render the family
helpless. They would be robbed of all political and internal powers-and be left effectively with nothing. If Dave turned
his back on them now he would only be delaying the inevitable.
One day he would be expected to take over. Either now or after the death of his father. His mother spoke the truth-and
that was why her words had hit him so strongly. She had presented before him his greatest fear-and his *destiny*.
*There's no way out.* he thought miserably.
Of course he could decline. But what would become of his Family? All assests were in his Father's name. If he was to die
and Dave declined leadership those assets would be absorbed by other memebrs within the organisation-who in turn would
then disband. His Mother and Sister would be left with nothing. This was the only life they had known. He would destroy
the very fibre of their existance. He couldn't live with that.
*But how can I live with what I KNOW goes on in this business? I would be defying the Law. I would be detaching
myself form society once again-except this time irreversably so. I would be cutting off my links to the life
I've tried to make for myself. I worked so hard to be a doctor-to save lives-to help people. And now? I would become
a taker of lives. A destroyer of people. I CAN'T, I CAN'T-I know it's what I was born and raised to do but I can't...*
His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of his pager. His Mother's cell phone number flashed on the screen.
He realised that he had been walking quite a while and was quite far away form the hospital. Spotting
a phonebooth he opened the door and began to dial the number.
"Hello-David? DAVID-TELL ME THAT IS YOU, DEAR GOD!!"
"Mama? What's wrong-is it Father?"
"NO-YOUR SISTER, MARIA-OH MY GOD NO!!" his mother's voice gave way to sobs-as her body heaved
and wretched.
"MAMA-WHAT HAPPENED??" screamed Malucci his heart gripped with fear.
"SHE'S BEEN KIDNAPPED!!"
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Dave ran back to the hospital as fast as his legs could take him. He practically fell overhimself as he climbed the stairs
to his Father's room in the ward.
He met his Mother at the door. Body guards looked on their faces grim as Dave held his Mother tight to his heart.
Meanwhile his Father remained on the bed oblivious to what was happening having not yet regained conscienceness.
At that moment Roberto Demalia-the Don's conciliary stepped foward. Dave remembered him well. He had become
conciliary-the most coveted advisory post to the don- when Dave was barely 10 years old.
DeMalia beckoned to Dave to follow him. David released his mother from his embrace as she assumed
a place at her husband's bed side.
Dave and DeMaliaere escorted by body guards into a car just outside the Hospital. Within minutes Dave and DeMalia
were driven back to the Family House. Once inside they made their way to Don Malucci's study where they took
seats oppoite eachother. Through out this time-not a word had been uttered. It was just understood-you never
talked business on unsecure territory. A fact Dave had been raised to know.
DeMalia poured himself and Dave a drink of Whiskey before speaking quietly but surely to the young Doctor.
"David-we recieved a call at the House about 60 minutes ago from a representative of The Gianini Family.
It seems they are holding your sister hostage. She was taken form just outside the hospital when she left
unescorted. They are planning to kill her unless the Don agrees to hand over Union and political control
to them . They also want exclusive controls over the casinos-as well as 90% of the assests currently stored in the accounts.
We're looking a total take over here. Such a thing has never been tried before as theoretically it would not be
possible. One familly has never possessed enough 'weight' to make good such a demand.
That's why they've made it personal. That's why they've taken Maria. They've been trying to set up the Don for some time now-
but to no avail. This seems like the final act of a desperate organisation. This unchartered territory.They've hit us where it hurts."
"No shit sherlock-so what's happening.?" fumed Dave finding it all so unbelievable yet so painfully real. So much had happened
in such litle time. He had just seen Maria. Just been about to follow her. Why in God's name didn't he ignore
his Mother and just follow her. Suddenly he realised DeMalia was speaking to him again.
"David-think like your father would for a minute. They have gotten a civilian-a woman no less-a personal familly member
involved. This is a great dishonour..."
"Oh yeah-it's shit like this that gives organised crime a bad name!!" spat Dave with such heartfelt rage that
his voice trembled as he spoke.
"David try and reason..."
"Let's get one thing straight!" spoke Dave slowly but with danger in his voice. "Your little 'business' is not the
priority here-my sister's safety is. SO just give 'em what they want and..."
"DAVID-surely you are not that ignorant! There is no way of ensuring that they would make good their word.
I'm afraid that we can not agree to such an offer-it would mean the demise of the Family. We would lose everything..."
"WHAT THE F**K GIVES YOU THE AUTHORITY TO GLOSS OVER MY SISTER AS THOUGH SHE MATTERS NOTHING!!
YOU WILL NEGOTIATE, LIE CHEAT OR KILL IF YOU HAVE TO BUT YOU WILL GET HER BACK. I DON'T GIVE
A SHIT ABOUT THE BUSINESS-SHE IS MY SISTER HER SAFETY IS WHAT MATTERS! "
Dave's angry voice echoed within the halls as he said eerily quietly:
"David-I know this is hard for you to accept-but there's very little real chance of getting her back We'd loses everything
and probably all for nothing. I can not allow such a thing-I will not agree to it."
"Who put *you* in charge- you miserable excuse for a human being." Dave said almost in whisper.
"As concilary I am acting head of the Familly so long as the Don is incapicitated..."
"Well not anymore you're not." spat out Malucci.
Malucci shut his eyes realising the immense step he was about to take. The last few
minutes felt like a blur-yet it was all so dangerously clear to him. He had no real choice.
If he was to stand any chance of saving Maria this was the only way. There was no turning back.
"From this moment on- I am acting Head of the Familly; I am Don David Malucci."
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
To be continued.
Please R&R, Baby jen xx