"Can I get you a drink?" Peter Clemenza asked.

Clemenza, studied Leo Maroni's face. Working for the Corleone family for more then thirty years was enough to know what to expect in a button man. Under the orders of the Don himself, Peter was to find bodyguards and button men to protect the dockside gambling. Or what they thought it was. After all, war in the Mafia was unpredictable. They would be placed at the docks until a possible war broke out, when they would be moved up to someones regime, to protect the family, that is.

Mob families were an everlasting chain. First, there was Associates. These were good boys, who did errands for the family of minor importance. Never killings. Then, there was button men, or soldiers. Italians called them Soldatos. This is what he was looking for today. Smart and strong boys who would grow up to become ruthless killers.

As employees of the business would die or retire, the ranks would be constantly moving up. A good rookie might land an important job, if he did well he would be placed Caporeime, Clemenza him self's job. This was Italian for Captain. He would have his own ranks of Soldatos and would send jobs for them, as they would have to report back to him about every move they made. After the Capo's there was the Consigliere,which was the counselor of the Boss. This was for intelligent people. More of a businessman job then what he was looking for.

Then there was the underboss. Most likely the successor of the boss, the underboss followed the Don's every move, and his opinions were valid to the Don.

On the top of the chain was the Boss, the Don, or the Godfather. They ran everything. They knew everything. Every single request was brought to them. And they were obliged to accept the request. Unless it was the impossible. Still, even the Godafther's could do some things that were thought to be impossible. They could weild as much power as a President, possibly even more. Clemenza knew that his Don, Don Corleone did.

Clemenza looked this boy in the eye and the boy stared back.

He had exquisitly handsome features, one's even his two sons did not have. Shiny, dark brown waves framed his face, which was rigid and impassive, yet cold with mystery. His brown eyes glinted angrily. He may have been a good looking kid but that didn't mean that he wasn't tough. The coldness in his eyes proved that.

Clemenza poured the boy a shot of whiskey and put it on the table in front of him. They were at a small bar that served as headquarters for the Soldatos.

The boy muttered a thanks as he picked it up and quickly downed it. He grimaced as he swallowed.

Clemenza decided it was time to talk business.

"How old are you?" He asked.

"Eighteen," Leo said confidently.

Clemenza raised his eyebrows. He could easily sort out liars.

"How old are you, really?"

"Sixteen" Leo said, sighing. He wouldn't press his luck about lying again.

"Good age," Clemenza said. "What's your name, kid?"

"Maroni. Leo Maroni," The kid said in a tough but smart voice. Clemenza smiled. This was the type he was looking for.

"Have you got any experience in anything? Schooling or apprenticeship?" He knew he probably didn't but had to ask anyway. Don's orders.

Leo shook his head. "Naw. My mother and father immigrated from Sicily, Pop died, grew up poor, Mother died, then I ran away from home. I worked some odd jobs and lived in the streets. Never did drugs or any shit like that. I may be a hood but I kept my honour."

"Running away from home is keeping your honour? That's disrespect, something I don't approve of," Clemenza said coolly. If it was the Don he would have gotten angry, however Clemenza was not like him.

"I had no choice. I would have died anyway."

Clemenza nodded. Tough kid. But was he tough enough for the job?

"Have you ever been involved with a crime business before?"

"Yes, but not really. I was an Associate for a minor family, nothing big though. They went out of business last year, so I guess you could say I was laid off."

"I trust there is no more connections with them?"

"No. They were all killed off."

"Good," Clemenza said, then poured himself some more whiskey and put some in Leo's glass.

Leo frowned impatiently. Why the hell was this taking so long? Couldn't he just have the job now?

Sensing Leo's feelings Clemenza cut to the chase.

"If our family were to hire you, you would be placed as a button man for this place. You would be the guard, under my command. You would take care of all funny business. Your going to be trained with a gun or garrot, your choice. But never use them unless I say. You have to obey me, though, no explicit decisions are made by yourself. If you prove to be good, maybe I'll find something a little better for you."

Leo grinned. "How much do I get for it?"

Clemenza returned the grin. This kid was a true Italian.

"You'll start with $250.00 a week, but this will increase as I give you special jobs. This isn't normal for a rookie, it's a little more then usual. However, I see much potential in you. You may very well be the next Luca Brasi."

Leo didn't know who Luca Brasi was, but didn't ask any questions. He was satisfied with this pay. Plus, the guy liked him. He was sure that he could move up in the ranks fast.

"You've got yourself a deal," Leo said confidently.

"Be here on Monday, noon," Clemenza ordered.

Leo got up from the table. Putting on his coat, he grinned and said, "Grazie."

He entered the crisp New York outdoors with a smile of triamph.

Leo had shacked up with his girl and gotten a job with the Mafia all in the same night.


AU/ Sorry for the short one! If you have any questions or are confused about anything just ask me in reviews and I'll respond! :D