King of Hearts

Chapter 6 – The First lesson: Don Skier.

Shadow Robotnik's POV, Skier compound.

My boy and I waited outside the compound entrance, as the guards on duty made a quick notice to let us in.

Pitch seemed in awe by the new place and the new men. Maybe it was the fact that this mob business is real. God, I wouldn't even know where to start if he thought this was all just a game.

"Don Skier is awaiting your attention Don Robotnik sir." Stated one of his guards as we entered.

I gave the man a pat on the shoulder as I let Pitch go ahead in first.

As soon as we both entered we were greeted by another guard who smiled towards me.

"Don Skier is waiting for you two. Please, follow me." He urged as I nudged Pitch forward. This was his lesson. Not mine. I learned these years ago.

Pitch made his way behind the man, as we soon came to a large reading room. Don Skier was resting in his usually place as we both entered in behind his man.

"Don Skier? Don Robotnik and his son are here to see you." He stated as Don Skier smiled immediately.

"Oh good! Thank you Jules. You may go now." He stated in response as he came to greet me in person.

The guard made his way out, shutting the door behind him as I took Don Skier's hand.

"Nice to see you again Skier." I stated with a smile as he shook back in just as much and even more excitement for my presence.

"It's always an honor Shadow. You're always welcomed here. You know such." He replied as he looked to Pitch who just calmly looked on at him.

"And you must be Pitch. Your father here told me a lot about you over the years. Finally nice to meet you face to face." He stated with a smile as Pitch quickly replied.

"I bet it was nothing good."

Skier laughed in response as I butted in.

"You'd be surprised Pitch. We came over to discuss something important with you Skier." I stated as he looked back to me in understanding.

"Yes, of course. Take a seat and we can talk." He urged as we both followed him.

Pitch and I both placed ourselves down along a couch he had across from his seat, and as we got comfortable Skier asked.

"So what's wrong? Has to be important if you're coming to me." He stated with a smile as I pointed to my son to reply.

"Pitch will be filling in as Don while I'm gone and I was hoping you may get to know each other if you're going to be working together."

Don Skier widened his eyes in joy, as Pitch looked nervous.

"So you're putting on the big boy shoes, huh Pitch?" He asked as my son nodded.

I remained quiet as Don Skier went on his rant I knew would be coming.

Don Pitch Robotnik's POV.

"Well first and foremost my name is Robert Skier. I'm thirty two years old, and I was born in Pennsylvania. My father who was first to run my family, moved us to New York on behalf of your father. Shadow here shared his business with us and we came to a truce going on ten years now I believe." He stated as he looked to my dad for approval.

My father slowly nodded as this cat went on.

"Not soon after the treaty, my father passed away, and with me being the only child, I took the position as Don. For over nine years I've ran the family and I like to think pretty well. We haven't had any issues of late with any other families butting in on our turf, but that's not to say they won't try something sooner or later." He stated as my father replied.

"Verno and Cora will be too busy dealing with each other and Morgue if he decides to accept the compound and move in to their business."

The cat smiled instantly as I was lost by the names.

"Smart idea getting those fools to fight one another Shadow. But I'm sure Morgue isn't a fool. He knows why you did what you did." Stated the cat as I looked back to my father who nodded.

"I'm sure, but what will he do? He's too busy with Soul to hammer me down. The only issue I can see happening may be a little interference with the police when they find all the businesses around New York changed hands."

"They will come to me Shadow I'm sure." Stated the cat as I gave up trying to understand minutes ago.

As I remained quiet, the cat looked back to me.

"Either way Pitch I'm sure your confused on what we're talking about, so I'll start easy for you. There are six families today. Two based in each of the major cities. Here in New York as you know is your family and mine. The good thing is, I'm friendly. Your father and I have been good friends and I'm sure we will too, so we can focus on the real issues among us."

My dad nodded as the cat went on again.

"On to the people who don't take kindly to our friendship, there is Don Verno and Don Cora out in LA. These guys our as dumb as children at times but don't let that fool you, they're both dangerous, and will do anything to be able to get rid of us lower level families. Originally, I was the only lower level family. Your father's was the top until he decided to slow down and retire. Now the big dog is Don Soul. Based in Boston. Guy is smart, methodical, and sometimes, crazy if pushed in the right direction. He owns all of Boston now thanks to your dad, and if everything goes well we won't have to deal with him. As for the family under him, it's Don Morgue. Don Morgue is a guy who likes to think he should be where Don Soul is right now, but if you ask me Morgue is too stupid to be on top. Man has an issue and finds joy in only bringing war with him when he meets a threat to his way of life." Stated the cat as my father added.

"Morgue won't like it when he hears the new Don to my family is just a kid, but don't let him intimidate you son. That's his game. And whatever you do, don't let him get close. He's a backstabber." Stated Shadow as I nodded.

"As for the others Pitch, Don Cora and Don Verno shouldn't be an issue with the war they got going between themselves, and Don Soul will keep to Boston. All we have to worry about is keeping our heads low and the cops from making a bust. I'm sure your dad has a way of teaching you what has to be done, right?" He wondered as my father nodded.

"I have a man coming down in a few days to teach him everything he needs to know. In a few months' time he will be ready to be on his own judgment calls rather than someone else."

"All this is too much. How am I supposed to learn this all so fast?" I asked them both, as they took notice to the worry in my voice.

"You have time son. Just listen to your family and you'll be fine. It will come to you." Stated my father as the cat nodded.

"Listen to your dad Pitch. It'll be fine. The business we men find ourselves in today isn't much different than it was years ago. Just stick to your guns and your wits and everything else will fall into place sooner or later."

I nodded to myself as the cat added.

"And don't be afraid to come talk to me sometime. I'm here if you need me."

My father took more notice than I did at the statement, and as I went to respond he said.

"First he needs to learn the basics Skier. In time, when he is ready, we will proceed further into the business."

The cat nodded in approval as my father looked to me.

"Skier here also owns half of all our business Pitch. You're in charge of rackets while he covers the fronts that protect them."

"What's that?" I asked in confusion as my dad quickly replied.

"There are two parts to a mob business. Both we make money on. The front of the business is what the naked eye can see on the outside and the inside of the shop. It's the legitimate part to any mob racket."

I nodded as he went on.

"A racket is where the money is earned. It's all your illegal gambling, girls, bars, porn; anything you can think of that would cause questions to arise is in a racket. The cops look for these so long as they're not on the payroll. So your job along with Don Skier, is to make sure they're paid off. Understand?" He asked as I nodded.

"Yes."

"If you lose these businesses, you lose all your profit and all the turf that came with it. Business is your first priority and always is on every other Don's mind. Some will look to take these over time. You have to be ready in case someone makes a move on you. Lucky for you, Skier isn't that guy." Stated my father as I looked to the cat who sat there with a smile.

I'll watch your back, so long as you watch mine Pitch." He stated as I smiled slightly.

"As for the money itself, Rover is usually in charge of that. He'll let you know when it's payday." Stated my dad as I looked to him again.

"I'll have Damien manage the financials till you're ready. Money is the key to any family. Keep it close, but don't let it overwhelm your limits." Urged my dad as I asked.

"How?"

Giving the cat a look, Skier replied.

"By not getting involved in deals you're too weak for. Don't trust Don Soul if you're at the bottom, for example."

I nodded, as my father went on to finish the answer.

"Don't take jobs you know you're not able to do. You fuck it up and it reflects on everyone in the business. Stay in your space." He ordered as I nodded.

Both the cat and my dad went silent, as I asked.

"How do I know I can trust you?"

Skier widened his eyes as my father looked to me in a serious grip of eyes.

Everything went silent, as the question floated among the room like a bad breath of air.

In time, the cat replied.

"You can trust your father. He will vouch for me. I'm a man of my word and have been for ten years. If anything son, I would worry about yourself. You barely know enough to question the friendships your father has built for you. Don't climb ahead when you're already rolling downhill."

Our eyes locked, as my father said.

"We should get going Don Skier."

Quickly getting up, Skier took my father's hand to reply.

"A pleasure as always Shadow. Have fun in Europe." He urged as my dad chuckled.

"I'll try. Pitch, let's go." He ordered as I slowly got up.

As I went to move, Skier put his hand to my chest.

I gave him a confused look as he said.

"Good luck. This business is hard on a guy. I will like to see if your spirit is the same as your father's."

"It is." I replied in determination as my dad waited by the door.

Getting close to my ear, the cat whispered.

"We'll just see about that then."

"Yeah, we will." I replied as he let me go.

As I got into my father's arms, he guided me back outside were our car waited.

As we got in and our driver led us out of the gate, my dad looked to me to say.

"Good job."

"For what?" I wondered as he looked into my eyes deeply.

"You got him raddled."

"So?" I questioned as he calmly replied.

"Every Don in the business is a snake. You will soon learn this. Don Skier is just a little garden snake compared to the others. Don't trust anyone completely. You let them get too close you're in for a rude awakening. And whatever happens you can be sure he'll make a move on you as soon as I'm gone and far from the country. Don't give him the chance son. Cause if you do….?"

My father went silent as we both felt the tension of our conversation.

Gently putting his hand on my shoulder he said.

"You'll be dead by tomorrow. And there will be no one to mourn you. Not even me."

That statement came with a slash of hurt as my father just calmly looked back to the driver.

"Take us home driver! We're done here." He stated as I stared at him in anger.

Lesson one:

Don't trust anyone who isn't family.

Don't get ahead of yourself in the business.

Keep your profit safe.

That is it for Lesson one and this chapter. I will have more on tomorrow. Please review as always and let me know what you think so far.

mT Shadow.