Io sono completamente al vostro servizio, consigliere - I am entirely at your service, adviser

Consigliere al Padrino del clan Ribera – Advisor to the Godfather of Clan Ribera

Naturalmente. Grazie consigliere. Ti devo - Of course. Thanks advisor. I owe you.

Cosche – Gang

Capofamiglia – Boss of clan/ head of family

The front lawn was covered in cars; from Mercedes to Rolls Royce to Lamborghinis to Porsches. That didn't look suspicious at all! He sighed realizing that his father was going to rip him a new one if he was already there. Sneaking through the back he met Angelo at the door his eyebrow raised as he watched him enter.

"Is he here yet?" Tyler asked meeting the man's eyes. He didn't need to explain who he meant.

"Luckily for you, no," the bodyguard answered.

He nodded at the older man who just rolled his eyes in response. His father would have killed him if he had missed Padrino's arrival. It wasn't everyday that capo di tutti capior "boss of bosses" called a meeting at the house of an exile in a small town. The disrespect it would have implied had he been late was not to be borne. But he almost couldn't bring himself to move away from Caroline. To let her leave the safety of his arms to face her mother again had almost proven too much for him. When he had dropped her off and he literally felt physical pain as her smile faded when they neared her house. He wanted to drive away with her but his house was no better. It was almost as dangerous for her to be here now with every Mafioso in a hundred mile radius at his house.

He ran up the stairs stopping short as he entered his room. His Uncle Mason was sitting at his desk, his recent reading The Count of Monte Cristo in hand. The man had an easiness about his movements that belied his station within the clan. Tyler had often envisioned that his uncle would have been the surfer type if he hadn't been born into a family associated with the Cosa Nostra. He looked the part with his life-guard build, sandy hair and tanned skin. But the eyes that would have twinkled, Tyler imagined, were hardened.

"You're late," he remarked casually as Tyler shut the door.

"Tell me something I don't know," Tyler answered back snippily.

Uncle Mason eyebrow rose at his nephew but he ignored his tone and instead continued, "We need to talk."

"Io sono completamente al vostro servizio, consigliere." He grinned at his Uncle seeing the way the corner of his lips turned down. He knew it got under the man's skin when he distinguished him from his title. But 'Uncle Mason' was for those intimate moments when he asked Tyler how school was going, how was dating, when they tossed around a football in the backyard or went on runs when he visited to bond. 'Uncle Mason' was for the man who threatened his father to watery grave if he so much as blinked at Tyler wrong again. But 'Consigliere' was for these moments when he was serving as Padrino's relay, when Clan Ribera was the most important thing on his mind. The distinction was for Tyler as well, to remember he needed to be on guard, to watch what he said.

"Tyler, your final initiation is this weekend."

"I figured."

The consigliere nodded in approval, "The heads of the clans are here and will welcome you once you have completed the test. He decides on the test and will reveal that to you himself when he arrives. I have no doubt you will do well. Keep your eyes open and you ears ever listening."

"I will." The last part was said with some intensity and it made Tyler heed those words.

"Good."

"Now get dressed. Dinner is to be ready by six and then you will have a meeting with him."

Tyler nodded his head showing he understood as he moved to the bathroom for a quick shower.

Caroline tried to put on a brave face because she could feel Tyler's concern rolling off him in waves as he dropped her off. But it was too much. She didn't know how much she had counted on being with him tonight to ward off the fear of going home. Her mother would be home by six and it was on night like these that she seemed to be at her worst. Maybe coming back to the house where she had been through so much pain was too much for her. Maybe coming back to the place where she had lost everything played too much on her mind. Caroline usually just stayed long enough to make sure she was locked in for the night, everything flammable out of sight, the stove unplugged and the sharps locked in the drawer with the keys added to her own keychain.

Caroline had once tried to lock the booze in there but that had ended in disaster with her staring down the barrel of a gun. She never made that mistake again. It was surreal not being comfortable in her own house, terrifying not knowing when her mother would snap. Trying to shake those thought she dropped her bag on the chair as she moved around the kitchen cooking dinner for two, knowing her mother wouldn't eat a lot of it. Her appetite so little these days… but if she was full before drinking she tended to fall to sleep faster.

She had literally taken the last bite of her fettuccini and chicken alfredo when she heard the car pull up. She couldn't stop the answering thump of her heart as she quickly rose and washed the pate before loading the dishwasher and setting her mother's plate. Caroline heart picked up speed as she heard the door open. Despite this she put on the best cheerful voice she could muster and said, "Hi, Mom."

Her mother barely grunted a greeting before moving to the cabinet where she kept her stock. She didn't break stride once and Caroline heart sunk. Talking as though the woman had not straight-pulled Absolut without a wince she said, "Dinner is on the table when you are hungry. I'm just going to go upstairs and do my homework."

The sheriff grunted; her first acknowledgement of her daughter and moved into the direction of the study. That room was always where it started. Once Caroline was sure she was in there, she ran around quickly, bolting both doors and windows, pulling closed the blinds and made a bee-line to her room making sure to grab her bag and lock herself in. She remained fully dressed, shoes and all, taking out the last of her work. She knew she had an hour max before the woman downstairs started the taunts that would keep her up half the night and she still had two questions to finish for history essay. Caroline found the answers quickly, closing the book and sat on the edge of her bed waiting, just waiting.

It seemed like hours, like time was stretching on an endless loop of cord but in truth it had been little over an hour and a half since she had left her mother downstairs when the first thump of a foot on the stairs made her jump. Caroline closed her eyes as she heard her mother's voice, "Caroline? Ca-ro-line! Where are you? Ouch!" she heard a stumble, "Little bitch! I told you not to hide from me Caroline. You know, you are just like your father, hiding, always hiding because he was weak. Looks like that gene pool really carried strong. Ouch!" The woman hit on the stand next to her door. Caroline could track her movements they had become so familiar. The insults hit in places she refused to acknowledge, the pain sharp, but she didn't answer knowing that answering just fuelled her mother's ire.

"Care, honey I know you're in there. Can you open the door?" It was the 'mom trick', at least that was what she called it. When she was younger it used to fool her, get her to come out of her hiding place because it sounded so much like her mom, the one she needed Elizabeth to be; so she relented. But more than a decade of experience had taught her the truth. The 'mom trick' no longer worked.

"Open this damn door, little girl. I swear to god if you don't open this goddamn door, I will break it down and then you'll be sorry!"

Caroline squeezed her eyes tighter as the tears flooded in. She didn't even think she still had tears left to cry but it seems she did. When she heard the first crash she jumped off the bed. When the second crash sounded she picked up her bag. She couldn't stay here tonight. She needed to get away and she knew just where she was going too. Slipping out the window with her bag she climbed down the tree that bordered her window. It was easy; a feat she was too accustomed to. Swiping at the tears running down her face she jumped into her car pulling out of the street knowing that her mother in her rant would not hear it. She parked a few blocks from Tyler's house going on foot. She knew that if the guards caught her it would be disastrous. But she and Tyler had spent way too many days sneaking her in and out of the Lockwood house to not be able to shake a few dumb goons and get into his room.

Caroline breathed a sigh as she opened the door to Tyler's room and slipped in. The voice that came from the dark corner startled her, "Breaking and entering. Not exactly your best idea cara, especially this house."

"Not my fault you guys make it far too easy," she teased, squinting in the dark. Not that she needed to see she would recognize that voice anywhere, "What are you going to do? Call the cops?"

"I was thinking more along the lines of breaking your legs," the man answered his voice devoid of emotion.

"You do know that that voice has never worked on me, not since the pink nails."

"I knew that night would come back to haunt me some day. Come here," he stood holding out his arms for a hug and Caroline giggled as she gave him a quick squeeze. But the man seemed to have a sixth sense and he pulled back looking into her eyes, "Are you alright?"

"Yes, Mason. I'm fine,' she lied.

"You would tell me Care, if you weren't?" he asked refusing to let go of her chin, still forcing her eyes to meet his.

"Yes, Mason," she replied dutifully because she had to. If Mason ever found out about her mother the threat he had made to Richard would seem like child's play. It was why she trusted him more than she trusted Tyler's parents. That day she had seen who Mason truly was, who he might have been if not for the Cosa Nostra.

It had been a day not unlike today, sunny, beautiful and Caroline had ridden over on her bike as usual eager to hang out with Tyler. She had rounded the corner the same time Mason did and they had both gasped. Tyler's face was buried in the grass as Mrs. Lockwood screamed at her husband to let him go. His father had been pretty rough with him lately, she knew, saying he needed to learn to fight, needed to be a man. Mason had moved into action and pulled Richard off his son, glock immediately at his brother's neck. Caroline had never seen him so angry, his eyes almost glittered as he spoke in low tones to his brother. She had rushed over helping Tyler up watching the interaction between the brothers. When the men had finished speaking, neither of the children privy to what had been said, Richard had walked away a sneer on his lips. And Mason had spent the rest of the day playing with them. Playing cowboy and Indians, hide and seek and settling his rather large self in a small chair to accommodate Caroline's tea party. Both she and Tyler had had a little bit of hero-worship after that. Caroline didn't know what Mason had said but from then on Richard had backed off and Mason's visits had become more frequent. Caroline knew if there was anything either of them needed him, he would be there. Mulling over that thought she pulled away and settled on the bed looking into Mason's eyes. On the drive an idea had formed and because she trusted the man in front of her implicitly she didn't hesitate to tell him.

"Look, whatever is happening with Tyler. I want in."

"Tyler said something to you?" Mason's eyes narrowed and Caroline was reminded that not only was this man Uncle Mason but Consigliere al Padrino del clan Ribera.

"No. Last I heard he had a family meeting lasting the weekend, I gave my inner calculator a run and came up with 4. I want to help him…and I need you to make that happen."

"Caroline…"

"No," she refused to back down, "I'm not letting him do… whatever by himself. He owes Padrino because of me and I will not let him face this alone."

She saw the tell-tale quirk of his lips, "I see you are still taking care of him."

"More like we take care of each other."

Uncle Mason smiled at her then, "You do realize you will have to request it of him."

"Anytime anywhere," She said with certainty. She had never before met Padrino but he was a man, no more, no less.

"One does not simply walk up to the Boss and demand something Caroline. I have to walk you through."

"I'm ready, Mason," the girl answered defiantly and Mason couldn't help but smile at the spitfire that had attached to his nephew.

"I'll request a meeting at 10 am. You meet me in the sitting room by 7am. Okay?"

"Naturalmente. Grazie consigliere. Ti devo." She bowed with flourish

Mason smiled in approval. The girl certainly knew how to work the crowd. Maybe the Boss would actually go for it.

Tyler hated the meet and greet. He sincerely hated speaking to people he only even saw when the 'family' got together. The handshakes, the hugs, the kisses, the parade of eligible daughters by their excitable mamas. He wasn't too enthused. But he made the rounds and showed his father he could rub shoulders with each member of the cosche.

When he saw Luca from the corner of his eye he genuine smiled for the first time since coming downstairs.

"Consigliere," he greeted a smile of mischief on his lips.

"Compare," Luca greeted in return.

"You honour me." Tyler still teased but seeing the bright smile flashing across his friend's face he motioned to the patio, grabbing drinks on the way.

"So I hear it's your turn man," Luca dropped the formality once they were alone.

"Yeah, I…I…How did you…?"

"What? Lie or kill?"

"Either. Both." He looked his friend in the eyes then waiting on an honest answer.

Luca took a moment to answer, "The lying was harder to execute, the killing lasts much…much longer."

"Yeah, I know."

"Good thing; this isn't exactly your first rodeo and though this might seem cold, it gets easier."

"That is what I'm afraid of." He answered honestly.

He saw the man nod before lowering his voice to say, "He's going to tell you tonight and you didn't hear this from me but you'll have to have your game face on because you are being thrown into Favara's den."

"Favara?" Tyler asked shocked. It was a well know fact that even in Sicily Ribera and Favara clans had a tumultuous relationship.

"They are brokering a deal of some sort and you'll be taking point. That was all Capofamiglia told me."

"I appreciate you having my back," He said thankful to have at least one friend.

"Don't mention it and I mean that… literally," Luca smiled, "But if you need me, I am there."

"Thanks man, same here."

They stood then in silence sipping the scotch he had swiped from the trays. Luca's voice brought his attention back to the here and now. He looked in the direction his friend had inclined his head, "He's here. Stand behind your uncle and to the right. Go on, meet him at the car."

"What? Why? I've never…"

"You are next in line. Stand behind your uncle and to the right. Speak only when spoken to and after your uncle presents you. Strong but not crushing handshake. Now go, your uncle is exiting the house."

Tyler never had cause to doubt Luca and with the bit of information he had just imparted he was more than inclined to listen. He walked to his uncle's side doing what Luca suggested. Mason looked surprised for a moment but smiled a proud smile as he opened the door for Padrino.

The man who stepped out of the BMW concept was not what Tyler had been expecting. He was younger than he imagined, with a face of the innocent, brown curls hardly tamed as they framed a face so innocent he had a hard time believing grown men cowed in fear. But his eyes, when Tyler saw their aqua depths shrewdly assessing, scrutinizing every thing from lapel to exit he understood then.

As Mason started to introduce them he saw Padrino wave him away. Tyler grasped the hand that was outstretched willing himself to keep his spine straight and his expression neutral even as a chill ran through him.

"It is nice to finally meet you Tyler. My name is Klaus."