Don Vito Corleone looked outside the Venetian blinds of his mahogany paneled office. He closed his eyes and turned slowly around as he sensed someone walk into the bureau.
The calm figure of Tom Hagen stopped before the desk, taking off his hat and holding it in his hands. The Don faced him, holding his hand over the polished wooden desk. The family Consilliere leaned down and respectfully kissed the Godfather's heavy, jeweled ring.
"What news do you bring, Tom?" asked Don Corleone in his distinctive voice; barley a whisper yet heard by all who heard it.
"Dino Moretti is dead, padrino. He was killed by a Tatalliga soldier when he was shaking down Alfonso's" the under boss said in a somber but business like tone. It was a terrible act of disrespect towards the family, but these things were never personal. It was business...
The Don closed his eyes once more and sat in his chair. He had known Dino Moretti for a long time, since his father had served with him as a Mafioso. He had given his word to the man that he would look after his son, but he knew it was a promise he could not keep. Such was the way his business worked.
But this business dictated something else… never to lose control. He could do nothing to stop Dino Moretti's death, and seeking revenge would make this personal. The fact remained, however, that the Tattaligas were still in control of that barbershop. It may not have been much, but giving an inch to a Tatalliga was like inviting them to take a foot. And any sign of weakness would definitely sensed by the other families.
"Tom… we must start to take back what is rightfully ours" the Don finally replied after a few moments of silence. The mighty mobster then drew Tom closer and outlined a plan to take back Little Italy. They would hit the other families' fronts and rackets, disguised as other family members, hopefully causing them into a mob war with each other. With the families distracted, the Corleones would then take back the streets of Little Italy.
To be continued…