Hey guys

Thanks so much for reading. Thank you for all the reviews, alerts and favourites. hugs and kisses all around! xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

For anyone who is interested I am playing pretty fast and loose with History here in the story but I will say that it is fiction and I am giving myself the right to artistic license. The Cosa Nostra in the story is based on Sicilian Mafia and I have been using their clan names as it is so much fun, however I am romanticizing significantly everything about the mafioso as the 'facts' are mostly hearsay and stories often corrupted by mafioso themselves in an effort to maintain secrecy. Also those who migrated from Italy to the Americas were not from the particular families I named in this story. As I said before, fiction and a bit of fun so don't crucify me. Some of the characters are OOC too because in this world I have created they are different people.

Again Love you guys!

They had spoken of the demise of Ribera like it was an imperturbable affair, a mere trifle to wile away the afternoon. Powerful men, usually undaunted by blood wars and insurrection had banded together to ensure that one clan did not rule them all.

"Niklaus is…" head of Porto Empedoclo, "I do not believe I have ever met anyone quite like him. He is powerful, yes as men in his position are but he is also terrifyingly dangerous. His father, Mikael, was the head of Ribera for many years before he died. It is said the only thing harsher than Mikael's words were his fists and Klaus bore the brunt of it. And one day, mere conjecture mind you, he met his demise at the hand of his son. He succeeded, making his clans countless dollars and he made them more influential than Mikael ever could. Ruthless, cold, calculating he trusts no one not even his siblings. But they have a loyalty between them that is not understood but very often underestimated. None is a push-over, least of all Niklaus."

"He is but one man," Cianciana this time, "I say we kill him and merge his clans into ours. Nothing cleaner."

"If it were that simple we would have killed him when he took over from Mikael. We need to do this with un po 'di finezza," Padrino of Porto Empledoclo mused, "Ribera has always had tentative relations with Favara. I propose we start a blood war between them and we will use all our men to cripple Ribera until they yield. Niklaus will be among the first, his brothers to follow after. Without the head the body will flounder and what he has shall be ours. Do you agree Guiseppe?"

The grey-haired man of Campobello di Licata nodded before asking. "And what of our contact? Can he be trusted?"

"With the promise of amnesty to his family the Lockwood heir has agreed."

"I still don't trust him. I will send two of my best in to keep an eye on him and his family."

"Very well. Niklaus won't know what hit him."

To say Tyler was surprised at the man who exited would be an understatement. Wasn't Padrino supposed to be older, balder and looking like a reject from the casting of Bram Stoker's Dracula? But 'Klaus' as he had introduced himself was nothing like that. But in truth it didn't matter what he looked like because he commanded the same respect as Al Pacino in that picture. At least Hollywood got some things right. The man in question was dressed to the nines, charcoal suit fitting perfectly, crisp silk shirt, the black diamond cuff-links adorning his arm. Even Tyler knew what they signified, only capo di tutti capi wore those. He was the boss of all bosses and they respected him as such. As he stepped out of his car he was first greeted first by Mason and Tyler, then by the heads and advisor of each clan and finally by his father as the host. Klaus had barely acknowledged his father's greeting with a nod before turning back asking Tyler to escort him the study. Tyler had barely managed to hold back the laugh at his father's surprised look, and he knew had it been anyone but Padrino, he would have been outraged. As it was Richard Lockwood was barely a member of the clan anymore.

Padrino strolled into his father's study, fingers clasped behind his back looking for all intents and purposes like he commanded all he surveyed. As if the man in question was reading his mind, he turned his eyes searching out Tyler's with a smirk as he made his way to the side-bar. The study would serve as a sort of command central, a place where meetings would take place, this weekend. It was court meetings of sorts, each member of the clans was able to air grievances and make any requests known from boss to soldier. It was a brilliant plan to keep everyone happy as these meetings happened every few months.

In the short time Tyler had been with him he had seen and observed much about the man whose eyes glittered with intensity. His face remained impassive at all times but his eyes told a world of stories. Padrino thrived in order, fed on respect and fear but he preferred genuine loyalty. He would not forgive folly easily as his father was proof but he would reward hard work with redemption.

"Drink?" Klaus offered as he poured a glass of Valpolicella into the wine glass.

"No thank you sir," Tyler refused knowing that he already had one drink and he needed all his wits for this meeting.

Klaus smiled at the formality and there was something almost sinister about that smile. Capo di tutti capi then invited him to sit and he took a seat across from the man who had his fate in his hands. Tyler met his gaze straight on determined to show this man that he was ready to face anything he threw at him.

"You uncle speaks highly of you," Tyler merely inclined his head in acknowledgement, "That recommendation as well as your ties to the clan have brought you into the fold. Initiation is nothing more than a formality for you have done much to solidify your place. I am suitably impressed but there is a warning there...Don't disappoint me."

"Si Padrino," And it wasn't just an answer but a vow. It wouldn't do to piss off the man who literally could ruin your life with a few well-placed words.

"Good. Tomorrow evening, you will be meeting one of clan Favara's capodecina at Cafe 216 to pick up a package. You are to retrieve it and keep an eye on the courier. Adriano will do the introductions. When you have completed that successfully you are to return here. Do not engage him, just observe. Is that understood?"

"Si. Is that all?"

A brief nod of his head was all the answer he gave, his head motioning to the door and Tyler took that as the easy dismissal it was. Tyler left the room and only then did he breathe a sigh of relief. His initiation was acting as an errand boy and he couldn't be happier. Maybe his uncle had talked Padrino into it or maybe the fact that he had already shed blood made doing it at this point moot. Whatever the reason he was fine. He was fine. He bounded up the stairs knowing that Klaus would be conducting meetings until dinner and no one expected him to be around until then. He pulled the door to his room and saw Caroline sprawled across his bed, wearing one of his t-shirts and a track pants.

"How was the meeting?"

"Good. What are you doing here? I thought… Did something happen?" He became alarmed moving toward her.

"Ty…no. Well, nothing more than usual. I'm…ok. How are you? What do you have to do?"

"You know I can't tell you that."

"Omerta," she sighed out. Tyler frowned knowing that after the initiation there would things he couldn't tell her. If he had chosen a life this wouldn't have been it, keeping secrets from his best friend, isolating the one constant in his life.

He used to dream when he was little after one of his father's beat-downs that he was a pirate sailing across the sea, visiting foreign lands. Anywhere really to get away from his father's taunts, his harshness, his disappointment that he didn't get a 'better' son. It was something he had never told Caroline because when she came into his life the dreams had changed. He had no longer dreamed of going to faraway places, he simply dreamed of time spent with her. Doing the simple things like playing in the garden without his father's evil eye, ever watchful. It was simple and stupid but one of the few memories he kept close to his chest and sometimes if he dug deep enough it would still be there; enticing as ever with a few more adult scenes in the grass thrown into it.

"I wish I could share this with you," he spoke softly.

"I just don't want you to be alone," She whispered looking him straight in the eye. And it was things like that that made him think that if he let himself acknowledge the thumping of his heart he would fall hard for his best friend.

"How could I ever be alone when I have to deal all those personalities up there? Huh?" he tapped the side of her head and chuckled.

"Whatever Ty!" she punched his arm as she shouted outraged, though he could see her fighting a smile.

"So what do you want to do? I have until 7pm, then it's dinnertime. Gotta tell Emma to send a plate up for you. Best to do it discreetly; don't want anyone to know you are here."

"Ty, Mason saw me already," Caroline bit her lip.

Tyler paused for a moment, "How did he react?"

"Like Uncle Mason not consigliere."

"Good. Good. Just don't leave this room, not sure anyone else will react that way."

She nodded before she said, "So….The Godfather is on."

"Caroline…" he groaned as he saw the smirk on her face.

"Come on! You have to watch it now that you've met the godfather! It will be so cool to laugh at the Hollywood version."

"The things you make me do!" he groaned before slipping off his jacket and joining her on the his false protest there is nowhere else he would rather be.

Caroline rose from beside Tyler, easily slipping from next to him as she felt the vibration of her phone alarm. She had been way too nervous about this morning's meeting to actually sleep much last night. She had startled awake as Tyler had slipped into bed with her after dinner with the clans. Emma had turned up, food and wine in hand from the main course tonight. The delicious food and wine had lulled her into sleep, which had been anything but restful. Tyler had soothed her before wrapping her in his arms and falling back to sleep.

She had awoken then every hour until finally it was time for her to get up. Slipping out of Tyler's embrace she got dressed in the bathroom using a heavy dose of concealer for the dark circles under eyes. With light make-up, she slipped on the sleeveless dark blue sundress adding a red wrap before making her way downstairs to meet Mason in the library. When she entered the man in question had just laid out an interesting assortment on the desk in the library.

"Firearms 101," she muttered before entering.

"Morning Caroline," Uncle Mason spoke smiling. It was a little creepy with the arsenal on the table.

"Morning Mason. Is this really necessary?" She hadn't touched a gun since…that night.

He merely raised an eyebrow at her so Caroline secured her wrap and gritted her teeth. She was doing this for Tyler. She was doing this for Tyler. So she picked up the first firearm. Clicking on the safety she checked the cartridge to see that it wasn't loaded, "9x19mm Walther P99, German semi-automatic pistol." She disassembled it in less than a minute. Then moved to pick up the next one, "I always feel like I'm in a western with a revolver. Nagant M1895, fixed cylinder. Can I keep it? Can I keep it?"

Mason shook his head wondering how Caroline could still be so Caroline while talking about guns.

"The pump action Remington 870. Nice, but shotguns not really my thing. Now here's what I'm talking about," she picked up the rifle next, "Blaser R8. Didn't know Richard had this beauty hidden away. And seriously Mason, where the hell did you get this antique derringer? Does this thing even fire anymore?"

"This young lady is older than you and a thing of beauty. No touching. I take it the firearm lesson was moot."

"Definitely. My mom is a cop she is big on gun safety so I had that. And Richard had an arsenal and Tyler had to learn so I practiced with him, a lot. Became a little bit of a hobby."

"Where do you hide the Beretta next to the pom poms?"

"Hilarious. So what else since we now both know I aced the gun test?"

"Careful, Cara," he teased her for her cocky attitude before getting serious, "Now, there are some things you need to know before you go through with this. Please sit."

She nodded. And Mason began, "Padrino is ruthless. He is cold and calculating. He has to be, there are many who would see him dead. He values loyalty not blind but with faith in him. He prefers the company of men who love and trust him but will use fear and terror to command respect. Do not underestimate him."

"Okay…"

"He knows of you and so far your actions toward Tyler have proven your loyalty, despite your heritage," he said eyeing her.

"You mean because my mother's a cop."

"Yes, Care. That is a factor you should carefully consider because even though you will not be taking the oath you will be irrevocably tied to the clans. Your loyalty lies with Ribera, not with your mother. Do you understand?"

"I am aware. I would never betray Tyler or you and to betray Ribera is to do that."

He nodded seeing the sincerity in her eyes, "Do not mistake me, Caroline. Cross him, fail to impress him and there is no one and nothing that can save you from Padrino."

She gulped nervously, "I understand."

"Good. You may remain here until I come to get you."

Mason exited the room and Caroline had some time to think. The implications of what she was committing herself to finally hitting her but as she thought of the past and all that lay between them, her and Tyler, she could see no other path. Choosing to forego this would mean being out of his life and nothing would be worth that.

It seemed like only a few minutes later that, Mason came for her and he squeezed her fingers reassuringly. She entered the study then and was at once taken aback. She didn't know what she imagined he would look like but not this; never this. He was gorgeous…with brown curls and a playful smile made cuter by the deep dimples. Even his eyes were swoon worthy if one ignored their intensity. She had only ever seen one other man with eyes as shrewd as intense as Padrino's and that had been Damon Salvatore. Stefan's brother. It was like their eyes told a tale if one had enough sense to look deeper.

"Buongiorno* Carolina! I fear I have been deceived, you are far more beautiful that I pictured."

Smiling demurely she bowed before him, "Grazie Padrino. Sono lieto che acconsentito a incontrarsi con me**."

"Your Italian is excellent, but shall we use English for now?" He took her hand guiding her to the seat before sitting himself, fingertips meeting as he assessed her.

"Yes, sir. I am hoping that you will find my request favourable."

"Please sit and tell me what bothers you bella."

"Tyler and I… We have been through much together. And I would not have him face anything without me."

"What exactly do you think Tyler is doing?"

"Taking the omertà. I need to be with him, Padrino. I will ask no more of you than this."

"You realize what this means, that you would bind yourself to Ribera also. And should you betray us, much more than your life shall be forfeit."

Bracing her shoulders Caroline answered, "Yes. I understand."

He took a moment to gaze intensely into her eyes and nodded.

"Excellent. I have a task for you then. I need not remind you that anything we converse about remains here," she shook her head in agreement, "Good. Tyler's task is to meet with a member of Favara to make an exchange. An informant of mine will slip a chip into his pocket which you are to retrieve. However you do so is your business. Also I suspect he shall bring his sister for they are rarely separated. She shall try to distract Tyler. Your job is make sure Tyler stays on point and report back to me. Is that clear?"

"Yes, sir. "

"Mason will get you ready and I will have some things sent over. If you are going to act the part you have to look it…though I see no problem in that department."

She nodded as he rose. She followed suit waiting for him to dismiss her.

"It was a pleasure Carolina," he stuck out his hand. Grasping hers he raised it to his lips and said, "Your name indeed does you justice."

As soon as Caroline exited she saw Mason standing outside, his eyes questioning. She merely nodded to Consigliere but his response was all Uncle Mason, his smile all teeth.

"You really are amazing you know that," he said as he led her back up the stairs.

She shrugged before answering, "I just…He's not gonna do this alone. Not if I can help it."

"Chi da donna e amato - e ricco e fortunate.***"

Caroline's Italian was excellent but she pretended not to hear the murmured words which Mason seemed to have spoken more to himself than her. But she turned and asked, "Did Tyler ever tell you how we met?

"No, he just kept saying you saved him."

"Yeah, well he's saved me a hundred times since then. I was riding my bike around the neighborhood when I saw this guy, Liam Nicholls. He was like the school bully, too big for his age and all kinds of dumb and he was just laughing maniacally and I just knew that laugh; knew that he laughed the same way when he pushed me off the swings or when he pulled on my pigtails until I cried. He was just so vexing so I got off my bike knowing that I would probably end up on the ground but I didn't care. I wouldn't let him do to anyone what he was doing to me," she shrugged and blushed as Mason looked at her impressed, "He had his mammoth sized foot on someone's back. The dark-haired little boy was trying to push his face up from the ground but like I said, Mammoth sized feet! I just saw red and I don't know what came over me. I grabbed a rock and hit him in the back of his head. Good thing I was such a scrawny kid because he wasn't seriously hurt. But boy did he cry, so much that he wet his pants. I laughed so hard I almost pissed my own pants. He ran off then leaving me with the dark-haired boy, who just happened to be Tyler, newly moved into town."

He had invited her back to his house and from then on they had been friends. They spent almost every waking moment together. But what she didn't tell Mason was that Tyler's dad had seen the whole thing and had started a rant about how weak he was, how he needed the tiniest girl to fight his battles and she had spent the rest of the day trying to cheer up the little boy who hadn't cried once.

"So that's why he says that you saved him?"

"Yeah, well we save each other. Now and forever."

Caroline saw Mason smile before he nodded and walked away.

* Good Morning

**Thanks Godfather. I am glad that agreed to meet with me

*** He who is loved by a woman is fortunate and rich.