Well, the story really picks up here, I told you those Russian's don't get away without some blood and here's where it starts. Also, I wanted to make the story darker from here on out so be warned. this chapter isn't tat bad but the next will be. Well, please enjoy!:)
As it tuned out, it was indeed only punks messing with Francis and after that was settled, it came about that Marcus wished to return to Italy. This was met with cries from Feliciano and even Lovino raised several objections but he assured them that he had faith in them and that they could run his empire well enough. He was proud of his boys. Proud of their strength and courage, proud of their dealings and unity.
He promised them that he would not be forever gone and that he would eventually return. "But would you deny an old man the right to see his home?" He asked. Both boys regretfully said that they would not.
Both brothers and Ludwig too saw him off at the docks. The brothers had not been to the docks since their own arrival which now seemed ages ago and a lifetime away. Marcus kissed them both on their heads and even gave a grandfatherly hug to Ludwig. While Feliciano cried and Lovino told him to shut up because he was making a scene, Marcus leaned in to whisper to Ludwig. 'Thank you for all the help you've given me with my grandsons." He whispered.
Lovino nodded. "Of course, and I'll continue to help."
"Good man but..." Marcus cast an eye towards the bickering brothers. "If there was ever some sort of. . . . problem to arise, would you help one more than the other?" H chose his words carefully.
Ludwig frowned. "I don't understand."
"Ludwig, a family cannot have two heads. One of the boys will have to leave. For now they agree and agreeing works for them but there will come a time when they will not agree and when that time comes, you must pick the right one. The one you support will be the one to lead the family. Will Gilbert follow you?"
Although he was horrified by the idea, Ludwig nodded. "Gilbert will take my side. Yes."
"Then watch them closely and see who would be a better leader because one day this will end and one day there will have to be only one. Protect them. Please. Do not let my grandsons fight each other. When that day comes, try to end it without bloodshed. They love each other but power and money can do things to men. You are strong and you are smart, watch and know." Marcus tapped Ludwig's head. "Watch and know." He leaned forward and kissed Ludwig's head. "Goodbye my grandsons! I go now, home to Italy!"
The brothers stood waving but Ludwig felt cold. A chill hung over him as he looked at the smiling and waving brothers. He looked up at Marcus on the ship and caught his eye and Marcus nodded and there again came that icy chill. He could not see a rift coming between the bothers. Feliciano adored Lovino and Lovino was so protective of him. Yet despite that, he knew he was right. One day they would not agree.
That night he watched them discuss business, trying to think of which one he would support. He didn't know. Feliciano took time in thinking things over and Lovino rushed into things but then Lovino was quick to take action when Feliciano looked for a bloodless outcome. He was lost. They both had fault and strengths and they seemed to make up for whatever the other lacked.
He went to bed that night confused and unhappy. Marcus's words had shaken him to the core.
The days passed and no rift seemed to come. Things went well with the Russians and the Chinese. The police stayed off of their backs and the brothers did a wonderful job of obtaining connections. Nothing seemed askew and so Ludwig put the troubling thought from mind. If they ever came to that bridge, he would deal with it then.
They corrupted the police force. They bought off politicians and even big business owners. It all stemmed from liquor. Everyone wanted liquor. People liked drinking and they liked the money that could be made from of it.
"You know, if Prohibition ever ends, we'll be in the poor house." Gilbert joked one day. "Well, not you Ludwig. You're too smart for that but the rest of us, we'll be flat broke."
Ludwig assured him that that was not the case and that the family had other sources of income besides liquor. They had invested in business and they had stocks and other interests and men on the inside monitoring the stock market. They would be fine. Gilbert had shrugged, saying it was just a joke when he really did not understand it.
It was 1924 before anything else happened that could be construed as out of the ordinary. Trouble arose in the form of money being withheld The Russians were holding out on them. Feliciano was willing to make a new deal but Lovino would not. He simply would not hear of anything close to compromise.
Arguing sprung up between the brothers. They could not agree and Ludwig found himself taking Felciano's side. They could not risk a war with the Russians. They would loose all of their eastern European ties and their connections with China.
Feliciano understood this bit but Lovino did not. He was angry that money had been withheld and that his brother wanted to let them get away with it. "It is not so much!" Feliciano reasoned.
"It's not the mount!" Lovino cried. "I never wanted to have dealings with them anyway. They've made fools of us and everyone knows it. They've been holding money since we started."
"I will not spill blood over this!" Feliciano said, for once sounding firm. "I know what Braginski has done but I see no reason to wage war against him. It is a war we would surely win and if we went so ballistic over it, the other families would think that we are unreasonable people and we would never be able to work the same way. We have to let this slide."
Lovino stormed from the office.
Feliciano sank miserably into his chair. "Ludwig, what am I to do? I'm worried that my fratello will do something he'll regret!" he accepted the drink Ludwig offered him.
"It was more than a little money they withheld." Ludwig pointed out.
"I know but I would not go to war over it! One piccolo pezzo is not enough! No one is dead. What cause would I have for killing one of them? None! I could not justify it. What would grandfather say? He would say that it was wrong! Lovino is so stubborn."
"Do you think we could give him something to satisfy him?"
"Like what?"
"You will have to address this problem. Even if you think it is nothing, it will have to be addressed and dealt with. Lovino is right about that, even if his measures do go too far."
Feliciano sighed. "Alright. Arrange a meeting. I want to go and lie down. I have a headache and I need some rest." As he passed, he patted Ludwig's arm heavily. "Thank you for this,Ludwig. Thank you." He continued on his way and left the office.
Ludwig shook his head and settled behind the office desk, glass of scotch in hand and a growing pain in his head.
The next morning Feliciano met with Braginski in secret. He did not meet wit the man in his office as he would have normally, instead they met in a restaurant.
"So, what seems to be the trouble?" Braginski asked.
Feliciano sighed. "We know you have been holding money." He said, almost mournfully. "And I promise you that unless you stop, you will regret it."
Braginski smiled. "Do I have you to fear?" He asked.
"No. you have my brother. I can stop him now but if you continue to withhold money from me, then I will not be able to." His eyes hardened. "Nor will I even try."
Braginski gave him a long look before leaning forward and smiling. "Da, but I am not afraid of you. Or your brother."
"Braginski, if you want to remain in business, then stop. I will pretend that it never happened and we will move on."
Braginski paused. "Italians are so hard to work with." He said. "You come across as poor immigrants and yet underneath, you and your brother are cold. Your American dream is to be rich by any means necessary."
Feliciano was silent. "I have come from nothing." He said quietly. "I will never be noting again."
"And what about your brother?"
"He has come from the same place I have."
"Then you have warped the American Dream."
"No, I have simply archived it."
Braginski leaned over the table, eyes narrow and face playing a smile. "But can you hold on to it?"
Feliciano's eyebrows came together. "I came here to talk business." He said.
"And I reject your business."
Feliciano sat silently before he raise is eyes and stared directly into Braginski's. "Why do you risk war? You know tat we are stronger and we will defeat you. I do not with for blood to be spilled."
"Oh? But blood has already been spilled. We know of your little friend from Spain. The one who plays Italian."
"You didn't!"
"We did."
Feliciano tore from his seat and out the door. Gilbert was waiting in the car, reading a newspaper. "What's up?" He asked. He was stunned to see Feliciano such a mess. He looked frantic.
"Quickly, drive to Antonio!" He cried.
Gilbert threw down is paper and did as he was told.
In is chest, Feliciano could feel is heart beating faster than it ever had.
Thank you for reading and keep a look out for the next chapter, it should be up soon! Also CLIFFHANGER! fid out what happens to Antonio next time!