Chapter 2

Los Angeles, CA

The Marciano family was one of the most powerful in the Mafia, around the whole world. They ruled with an iron fist for generations in Sicily, then half of the family moved to America, to catch more business. Carmine Marciano was the last Don of the family before he died. He had two daughters: Elisabetta "Buffy" Annamaria, and Alba "Dawn" Maddalena. Buffy was now the Donna, and Dawn was one of her Capos. Both of them were trained and born to fight, even though they were women. Their mother, Gioia "Joyce" Emiliana, was also a strong woman, and she didn't care that she had no sons.

Close family friends, the Russo family, also had two daughters: Salice "Willow" Diana, a Consigliera, and her elder sister Tara Estella, both helpful to the Marcianos.

Carmine's brother, Roberto "Giles" Gillo, a Consigliere, and his wife Gianna "Jenny" Calandra had two sons and a daughter: Alessandro "Xander" Lavallerio, a Capo, Daniele "Oz" Osmondo, also a Capo, and Fedela "Faith" Mercede, the Underboss.

The second brother, Vincezo "Vinnie" and his deceased wife had two sons: Marcello and Rodrigo "Rod", both soldiers.

Carmine's youngest brother Tommaso "Tommy", a soldier, and his wife Rosella "Rosa" Loretta had three sons: Luca, Massimo "Max", and Vito, also soldiers working for the Donna.

These were the people that made the family strong.

And then there were the Vitales, another of the two most powerful Mafia families. For centuries they have been at war with the Marcianos, always competing for dominance. One might say they were even stronger, especially with Don Angelo Dante Vitale at the top of the family.

He was one man that was not only feared by his enemies, but also by several members of his own family even. Unlike Buffy Marciano, he didn't care what anyone thought of him, or anybody else's opinions besides his immediate family's, though he never showed his soft side. If something had to be done, then it must be done, no exceptions. This man knew his authority, and he did not take it for granted. Ever since his father, the previous Don, died, he turned into a vicious businessman. No one neglected him and no one disobeyed him. "Angel", they called him, the one with the angelic face.

His mother, Isabella Maria, was one of the few things in his life that kept him going. His brother, the Underboss, William "Spike" Silvio, who was a year younger, was his confidante. He was also the only person in the whole family to have a non-Italian name. His sister, Caterina"Cathy" Bianca, was the apple of her brothers' eyes.

Angel's best friends, Capos Carlo "Gunn" Italo, from the Costa family, and Alonzo "Doyle" Francesco, from the Cavallo family, had always been there for him, since before they could even talk.

Isabella's brother, the Consigliere, Sergio "Serge", a Ponticelli, his wife, Vittoria "Vicky" Siciliana, along with their son and daughter, Lorenzo "Lorne" Valentino, a soldier, and Freda "Fred" Sophia, had always been close to the Vitales.

Angel's father's younger brother, Consigliere Cesare and his ex-wife had three sons and one daughter: Ovest "Wes" Ambrogio, Marco, Adriano "Adrian", all soldiers, and Cordelia "Cordy" Giuliana.

The youngest brother, Antonio "Tony", and his wife, Celeste Letizia, had three sons, soldiers Matteo, Rocco, and Zaccaria "Zack".

These were the key members of the Vitale family. They were loyal and respectful. Despite the Don's relations to them, if one member were to betray him, he wouldn't think twice to make them pay. Just the day before, he'd discovered that the Cardinal Giovanni, a close friend of his father had betrayed him, and within the hour, he was dead.

Now the Don was on his way to meet with a woman he hadn't seen in years. And he was more nervous than ever.

"How about this outfit?" Buffy had been running around the whole morning trying to find something to wear.

"Sure. Whatever. Just choose something already! I don't know why you even care what you look like to him! He's probably just another stuck up man trying to do business with you…maybe he wants to make amends with our family even." Willow was getting tired of this. They had been at it for over an hour now.

"Vitale? I doubt it. He's got too much power in his hands to back down and his ego is too strong. Like he would ever want to be allies with us. Not now, not ever. For centuries we've been rivals. It would be like betraying babbo to join his team!" Buffy looked away for a moment and sighed.

"You're right. Why do I care so much of what he thinks of me? I mean that was years ago, now I'm stronger and smarter!" She looked at her friend in desperation. They both fully understood what she meant.

"Wear that. It makes you look like you have more authority." Willow said finally. Just then, Giles, the Consigliere walked in.

"Zio! What's going on?" Buffy asked.

"Three black Ferraris just pulled in the estate. I must assume that he is here." he said calmly. She looked down, then back up, and opened her mouth to speak when he cut her off.

"You are strong and you have a good head on your shoulders, but I am older than you and you must trust me on this. These people are not to be messed with." he said sternly, then he walked away. Shortly after, Buffy left the room for her office.

Buffy propped her feet on her desk. She was fiddling nervously with her fingers and trying to find a reason as to why he would come to speak to her after all this time.

"Buffy? He's here." Willow stated anxiously, as she led three men in the room.

"Dona Marciano. It feels odd to call you that. I remember being able to address you frequently by 'bambina', or on certain occasions, by 'bitch'," Angelo greeted with a smirk. Buffy looked up to see his face. She twitched.

"Angelo, it's been a long time," she said. "Too long," he clarified.

"I trust you know my fratello William and my cugino Ovest."

"Spike, Wes, why don't you two wait outside for a few minutes, until I'm done?" he said. Once they left the room, he shut the door and there was a long moment of silence.

"Don Vitale, is it now?" Buffy asked. "So how've you been lately?"

"Listen, Dona. This is no time for small talk. I came here to offer my help." Angel's face was serious this time.

"Tell me now, why would we want help from our enemy? Why would we need help? There is nothing that poses a threat against us." Angel chuckled at her ignorance.

"You think you're invincible. Wait till you find out what's in store for you."

"What exactly, Angelo, is in store for me?" Buffy questioned, slowly, as if uninterested.

"Did you hear of Cardinale Giovanni's death?"

She nodded yes in response.

"I shot him yesterday, straight in the forehead. Why, you may ask, would I shoot a Son of God and 'good deeds'? He tried to take a secret shortcut around me. He lied to my face. No one is stupid enough to do that." He looked away, insulted and angry.

"Last night I found out that he was conspiring behind my back. He was recruiting families, making alliances. He wants to take us down. Us, meaning you and me, where all the power lies, Buffy." She was shocked at this revelation.

"Sure, if he didn't have much of a plan, by killing him, it would all be over, but he…he has friends. A lot of friends. And they're angry."

"How many?" she asked, concerned.

"As far as we're concerned, he's already got the Piazzas, the Tarantinos, the Fasolas…you name it! Currently, there are probably only four of five known big guns that still stand alone. We have very few allies left, and the vast majority of them are the small fish. I don't know how we're going to win this war alone, they're all after us, even though we're the biggest around. And that is why I want to make an alliance with you." He looked up at her, straight-faced.

"What do you say?" he asked, lending his hand.

"After all these years, my family has fought to keep you away. It would be an insult!" she spoke loudly, standing up from her leather chair.

"Tell me Dona, would you rather losing your dead father's trust, or would you rather watch your empire fall, along with yourself, your family, and his trust? Your choice. I remember a time when you didn't give a damn! You snuck behind everyone's backs to walk alongside the enemy!"

She thought about it for a moment, then agreed, shaking his hand.

"Fine. It's a deal. You need a place to stay?"

"If it doesn't cause you too much trouble," he answered.

He gradually advanced towards her and stared intensely into her eyes. He grasped her wrist firmly in his hand. "You think you can get your way with me." he said. The icy tone in his voice frightened her.

He pushed her hard against the wall and roughly kissed her. She moved her lips against his and dug her fingers through his short dark hair. After groping for a few minutes she pushed him away, in disgust, as if she were held against her will, still in his grasp.

"What the fuck was that?" she yelled.

"Let me tell you something, Marciano, in the end, I always win." He shoved her on the wall and left the room, with a smirk.

"Spike! Wes! Call for our luggage. We're gonna' be staying here for a while." He ordered.

"Hey boss! Is it just me, or do the girls here look totally fuckable? I mean the New York girls are hot n' all, but they're so hard to get! These are Cali girls, man!" Spike whispered to his brother.

"You're not the only one getting these scary feelings, but if you're looking for easy chicks, the ones in this house are definitely not where you wanna' be. Trust me." Angel replied.

"So how would you get into their pants?" Spike wondered.

"You have to fall in love with them," was all he answered.