page32 (1/2)

Emilio was all smiles, but his smile didn't quite reach his eyes when he looked at Alonzo "I hear congratulations are in order," he said without preamble once introductions were made

Alonzo inclined his head "Thank you"

Eht you said she was unavailable Was I mistaken?"

Joshua smiled easily "I'it under the radar I didn't want there to be any bad feelings between you two should ahave occurred"

Eet down to business"

Elijah stood up and went to the large screen, bringing up a conference table with seven men seated at it "Gentlemen, can you hear us clearly?"

"Yes, Elijah We're ready" The man at the head of the table tapped his palm several times as an indicator that all talk should cease "We've coether to discuss what should be done with Patrizio Aestions have been made and three people's names have been put up to take over We need to vote Emilio has put in a request The two territories are next to each other and it would ed by Ahly unusual to say the least, but he has backing in this Two others have put in Alonzo Massi's naed by Amodeo"

E, Alonzo did "I appreciate the vote of confidence, but e and still new to me With the advice of theto understand the scope of Antonio's businesses They are vast and complex To take on A "

Several of the bosses at the conference table nodded their heads in approval, as did Eain

"Emilio, you have the floor," Mario Esposito said

Emilio nodded and stood up "I have been in this business now many years My father was in this business of ours Patrizio wronged Alonzo, it is true, and he should never have betrayed our alliances that way He was a uidance and his businesses left in chaos I believe I can provide that guidance quickly as I was privy to quite a few of Patrizio's dealings" He sat down

"Ulisse?" Mario prompted

Ulisse nodded "I will cast my vote for Emilio"

"Elijah, you have another candidate in mind?" Mario said

Elijah stood He er than Eh as nails He'd been born into the life and he'd worked his way up His territory was international "Patrizio Amodeo harmed more than one man Mitya Amurov is the man his hit squad shot"

There was instant silence The nahout the world as one of the most brutal and powerful names in the business "Mitya is the son of Lazar Aer affiliated with his father's businesses He was nearly killed He grew up in this business of ours He would come in under the alliance here with Alonzo, Joshua, Fredo, Emilio and Ulisse"

"No No" Eet in bed with the Russian mob They are never satisfied with their territories They always seek more Always No, this man cannot possibly join us"

"E across from you, the one you know as Alonzo Massi, is in fact Russian He is Fyodor Amurov, son of the late Patva Ao, and Antonio thought it best that he become Italian"

That was the story Elijah had sold to the other bosses and they believed him They weren't all Italian American Tere just plain American It ins of his soldier, a valued enforcer, from the others, especially that he was Russian They had a loose alliance with the bratya, but they didn't necessarily want them in their ranks Now one was a boss and another was put before them as a potential boss

"No" Eain "Absolutely not These nize one collective group or head Mario, listen to s with them and they"

Mario lifted his head "Dealings with the with the Russians"

There was a sudden silence Enity Alonzo could see he was very careful not to look at Ulisse, and the other man stared down at the table with a small frown on his face

"It was nothing o anywhere," E out that they think differently than we do"

Alonzo lifted his hand "Eht The brotherhood in my country is run very differently It is for that very reason that I decided to coht me a better way The way of a family"

Ulisse sighed and shook his head "Antonio was a great hter in your hands, and more than once you kept her safe in spite of impossible odds Everyone knows your reputation But what do we know of Mitya Amurov? His father, Lazar, is one of the cruelest and bloodiest men known to us He's a shark He eats people and territories alive Your father was"

"Patva Amurov Lazar is my uncle Mitya is my cousin My entire family iped out when our territory was attacked Only Timur and Gorya survived I came to the United States to work for Antonio Arnotto when he reached out to me I realized had we been structured differently, that wouldn't have happened I would still have h their families and territories were still intact, I knew Mitya and Sevastyan felt the same as I did There had to be a better way They followed me here"

"Alonzo"--Ulisse leaned forward--"what of your uncles? What happens when they find out their nephews and sons are working for us? What happens when they demand we do business with them? And they will"

Alonzo shrugged "Any probleo to war, it is with Mitya and me They are businesso to ith all of you You and I both know it is a symbiotic relationship If they ask for favors, Elijah will be told immediately"

He'd just cut the legs out from under Emilio, but he did it in such a way that he seeic Antonio Arnotto had been considered one of their best businessmen He ell respected by everyone, as was Elijah Lospostos Alonzo had the endorsement of both men He had offered to take on any problems with the bratya

"Mitya grew up in this business He understands what is needed to lead He was groomed for leadership, but he came up from the bottom so he appreciates his soldiers He understands loyalty and family"

Emilio snorted "The bratya does not hold family sacred There are rumors that Lazar Amurov murdered his oife to prove his loyalty"

"Lazar Amurov murdered his wife because he likes to kill," Alonzo explained in that same low tone devoid of all expression "As did my father and Sevastyan's father My father killed s should be sacred Antonio Arnotto cherished his granddaughter I saw that every day I want a family That is important to me This" He swept his ar there "This is a fa"

Fredo nodded "I knew Mitya A the university with ent He is also extremely loyal and has connections we all could use once he is established"

There was a small silence Mario nodded slowly "If no one else has anything to say"

Ulisse stood up "I respect all that Fyodor has to say, but the fact remains that he acquired his territory under false pretenses He acquired it as Alonzo Massi, not Fyodor Amurov I know this man's reputation, and he is one of the worst of the Amurovs Hoe k

now he's telling us the truth? Excuse me, Fyodor, but we need tohere Loyalty is needed in our business, and you were not raised that way"