Chapter Eight – Mourning the Silvermane
"Our sincere condolences to you, my friend." Bruno Karnelli, head of the Karnelli crime family, said in the direction of a brown-haired man in his thirties.
The man nodded in thanks. "It was a blow to us all, but not one my father was unexpecting." Joseph Manfredi replied solemnly.
"It may not be unexpected, but it is a great shame nonetheless." Whitney Nefari said. "I remember the sadness I felt when my father died, so you have my shoulder should you need it."
The seven heads of the six Maggia families were gathered together in a comfortable dining room, hosted by Isabelle Libris in one of the five-star restaurants she owned. There were no armed guards present, a sign of trust and respect at this time of sadness for the families. Isabelle herself raised her wine glass.
"A toast." The older woman announced. All six people present similarly raised their glasses. "We all here have made mistakes." The figures nodded in agreement. "Bruno when he allied himself with Mr Negative." Bruno gravely lowered his head, remembering his mistake. "The brothers de Costa when they were shot by the Punisher in a moment of carelessness." She looked towards the two de Costa brothers, Frank and Bruno (the second one at the table). Both brothers met eyes with her, their stares usually which burned with the intensity of hell now softened in remorse of their fallen associate. "But Silvio was not one for mistakes. He was the best of us."
"To dad." Joseph finished, tipping his glass slightly before lowering it to his mouth. The rest of the figures followed his lead.
"You have our promise that Spider-Man will pay." Hammerhead assured him. "Whilst you get to grips with the business and the operations, we will put our efforts into finding him and getting vengeance for your father." He folded his arms, a scowl on his face.
"I give you all my thanks." Manfredi replied, looking around the group. "I hope only that I can live up to the performance of my father."
"Don't worry yourself with living up to your father." Oliver de Costa told him. "Take it from me, it is better to go your own way rather than to try to live up to his reputation."
"We have no doubt whatever you will do would make Silvio proud." His brother Bruno de Costa added.
"This is a discussion for tomorrow." Karnelli said. "Tomorrow we speak about living up to the legend of the Silvermane, tomorrow we speak about getting our pound of flesh from the Spider. Tonight we commemorate the life of a dear friend and wonderful father."
Joseph Manfredi nodded. "This night we celebrate father's memory."
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