Chapter 7

James, Stefan, Charmaine, Littlefoot, and Ali gathered in the Capo Di Tutti Capi's office as dawn broke, all of them shocked about what had happened. Johnny and Dominic have just proven themselves to be more than just a couple of rebellious thugs with ambitions to take over the Cosa Nostra by all means possible. Everyone gathered in the office sat in silence, all of them thinking about what to do next. Even Charmaine, Littlefoot, and Ali were thinking about the next course of action despite making it their mission to stay as far away from James' criminal doings as they could.

Littlefoot especially was putting more effort than his non-crime dealing friends were, mostly because he knew Cera was also allied with Johnny and Dominic, she having done so to ease her efforts in taking the Apatosaurus down. With George now six feet under, it was only a matter of time before the trio took down someone within the office, given the fact that they could outsmart even the outfit's best assassin.

"Look, I know none of you are going to like this." James sighed as he glares at the Kevlar Vest which came wrapped with three dead fish. "But if we are to make sure those two never bother us again, I need to implement some of my father's old policies."

"Like?" Charmaine asks.

"Oh, you know. The usual stuff."

"I guess those policies are a must in times like this." The Apatosaurus answered with a heavy tone. "But you know where the limit is."

"Yes I do." James answers.

"Anyone we know we can trust?" Ali asks.

"Luca Clemenza and Tommy Brasi are still loyal." Stefan said. "We could ask them to mobilize their men."

"I could also call upon the mercenaries." James adds. "Their loyalty is bought with cash."

"And I…" Littlefoot paused briefly. "I could pull in a replacement for George."

"What?!" Everyone exclaimed simultaneously.

In an instant, the male Apatosaurus found himself being stared at by everyone present in the office. Despite this, he remained calm as he explained who he planned to bring into the picture. The one he chose was a former officer by the name of Turi Andolini. He'd served in the Carabinieri Gruppo di Intervento Speciale for five years before being honorably discharged and is highly trained in firearms handling, close-quarters combat, hand to hand fighting, and takedown techniques.

He'd been recently fired from his job as a restaurant manager after punching a customer who started a brawl at the restaurant. Knowing the man had a family to feed, James knew he could easily give an offer Turi could not refuse. He gave Littlefoot the go ahead to meet up with the former lawman and see if he wanted to serve on the other side of the law. In the meantime he and Stefan would assemble Luca, Tommy, their men, and the mercenaries into some sort of strike-force.

As for Ali and Charmaine, they would split homemaking duties and keep watch on Michael Burnett, Armando's younger brother currently studying at a nearby high school.


The distinct bom bom bom sound of a helicopter signaled the arrival of Johnny Pisciotta and Dominic Ferrero at Cera's residence atop the Swiss Alps. With a traditional two-floor lodge serving as the main house and a single-floor one serving as the guesthouse, the residence seemed more like a resort than an actual private home. The presence of a swimming pool, spa, separate outdoor dining area, and garden also served to reinforce this feel.

Dressed in their usual outfits, the two Mafiosi made their way over to the main house where they found the Triceratops looking out the window of her study. Despite announcing their arrival through footsteps and brief chatter, the two were seemingly ignored by Cera as she continued to admire the view from the window. It was a beautiful view indeed, with a light layer of fog clouding the world beyond the mountains.

"Signora Cera." Johnny finally said. "We are here."

"I know." The Triceratops turns around. "I was just admiring the view. So, what do you have for me?"

"George Francesca is dead." Dominic reports enthusiastically.

"Just one guy? Are you serious?"

"Relax, Cera!" Johnny exclaimed. "George Francesca was one of James' best assassins. With him dead, the organization has very little in the way of targeting a specific individual or launching decapitation strikes."

"They can still deploy the enforcers against us, no?"

"We can force their hand." Johnny begins.

"By forcing James to meet with us face to face." Dominic finishes.

"And how would you do that?" Cera asks.

"You'll see." Johnny smiles.


It was a little over eight at night by the time the metallic black Mercedes Benz G-Wagen 6x6 Limousine pulled up to the valet of the rundown condominium complex on the outskirts of Palermo. Dressed in a specially tailored business suit, Littlefoot stepped out of the one-off vehicle and entered the lobby with two of his bodyguards while the rest of his security detail kept watch on his ride. Tonight he would be meeting with that someone his friend so desperately needed; someone with the caliber to replace George Francesca.

Up the elevator the three went, the distinctive "ting" of the elevator signalling their arrival at the eleventh floor of the condominium. All three walked briskly out of the elevator and took a left, walking till they reached the end of the corridor where they found themselves staring at a wooden door with "11-7" inscribed on the sign mounted on it. Roman, who stood on Littlefoot's right, pressed the doorbell three times to buzz the occupants.

"Yes?" A rather tall looking man with blue eyes said as he opened the door. "Ah, Littlefoot. What are you doing here?"

"Mind if I come in for a bit?" The Apatosaurus asked. "There's a little something I think you'll be interested in."

"Sure sure."

The man goes back inside and returns moments later to unlock the door. A wide smile could be seen on his wife's face as the man led Littlefoot and his bodyguards inside his rather small apartment. His kids were playing with an assortment of toys in the living room, their laughter mixed in with the sound of an animated show playing on the small television he and his wife bought years ago. By the looks of it, this man was very clearly in a bad position, financially anyways.

Littlefoot insisted that he and the man discussed whatever they were about to discuss privately and was led into the man's room. His wife made sure to shut the door when she left after serving them a glass of iced water.

"I know about your financial problems, Turi." Littlefoot said. "I'm here to help."

"Help?" He raised his right eyebrow. "What sort of help are we talking about?"

"My good friend James; he has a job offer."

"James as in James Burnett?"

"Yeah."

"I thought you always made it your mission not to involve yourself with the Cosa Nostra?"

"I had to make an exception. My wife, or rather ex-wife, has pushed me into a corner."

"Oh… I see."

"So, are you willing to accept the offer?"

"If it means getting my family out of this shit-hole, yes."

"Alright, now listen carefully."

Littlefoot proceeded to explain to his friend Turi about the events which happened ever since Cera divorced him. He explained how James found himself in his predicament the minute he decided to help him out and that with George Francesca dead, the Cosa Nostra's ability to conduct decapitation strikes had been severely limited. James needed Turi badly, for the difference between victory and defeat lay within the ability to conduct a precision strike at a moment's notice.

That and the fact that he needed a new Head of Security to better protect himself and members of his inner circle from rebellious factions within the organization seeking to overthrow the Capo Di Tutti Capi. Should Turi decide to accept James' offer, the base monthly salary alone would be enough for him to move out of the shitty condominium he lived in and swap it for a spacious bungalow somewhere in the mountains. Couple that with the commissions he would get from killing someone and he would be able to comfortably afford a luxury residence or supercar on a busy month.

However, even with the guaranteed change in life, Turi was a little hesitant to accept the offer. Why? Because if he did, he would be working on the wrong side of the law; the side he had been trying to combat during his time as a member of the Carabinieri. Turi pondered his options briefly, wondering if he should take the job for the sake of his wife and kids or appeal to his sense of justice.

"I'll take your offer." He finally said. "But only if Don Burnett guarantees the safety of my family."

"The wellbeing of you and your family will be taken care of." Littlefoot explained. "That I can guarantee you a hundred percent."

"Okay then, where do we begin."

"You'll find out once I take you to see James. Get dressed, pal."

"Right away."

"I'll wait for you downstairs."

By the time Littlefoot saw Turi at the valet parking area, his friend's attire had changed considerably. Gone were his casual shorts and boxers and in their place was a rather formal looking suit and tie combo complete with dark long-pants and what appears to be a Rolex Submariner on his wrist. He'd also informed his wife about the new offer on the way out of the house, though she didn't seem too thrilled about it.

Perhaps she would change her mind once their life finally goes back on track.