"You two have constantly defied me. Acting like headless chickens the moment I step out of this compound."

My mother's voice echoed through the lavish room, her rage palpable as she paced back and forth. Her eyes burned with fury, and her diamond pendant, shimmering under the chandelier's light, seemed to pulse with her every heartbeat. Seated on the couch, I absently stroked Zeus's head. The loyal dog's ears perked up, and his tail wagged slightly, sensing the tension. Beside me, my father walked in, a smile on his face, oblivious to the brewing storm.

"Hi darling! I didn't know you were back so soon from your-"

"Shut the fuck up and sit your ass down right now, Daniel." Her words sliced through the air like a whip, erasing my father's smile instantly. He joined me on the couch, his confusion mirrored in my own expression. Zeus readjusted himself, now lying partly on both of us, his weight a small comfort against the impending explosion.

"It's funny how you two think you can sneak people in and out of this estate without my knowledge," she continued, her voice low and dangerous. Her gaze pierced us, making it clear that any further deception would not be tolerated. I was grateful she hadn't brought out her gun; otherwise, I was sure it would be aimed at one of our heads.

"Darling, let's calm down-"

"One more word, and I won't hesitate to blow your head off." My father, defeated and perplexed, sank deeper into the couch, raising his hands in a gesture of surrender.

"Care to explain why Kline was dragging a dead man in the backyard?" Her words hung in the air, heavy and menacing. My father and I exchanged a look, and I immediately knew he was going to throw me under the bus.

"Yeah, Conrad. Who was that guy?" My father's feigned ignorance was laughable, his attempt at deflecting blame woefully transparent. I rolled my eyes at his second-class performance and sighed, realizing that if one of us didn't explain, my mother would never let it go.

"Start from the beginning," my mother ordered, glaring at me with a mix of frustration and concern. Her eyes, sharp and unyielding, bore into mine, demanding the truth. She hated being kept in the dark, and I could feel the weight of her authority pressing down on me. I took a deep breath before answering.

"After Devin left, there was an attack on one of the warehouses," I began, choosing my words carefully. "They're a new gang, the Black Talons, led by Marco Santini. He wiped out most of the smaller groups in the city, and his main aim is building an army for reasons we don't know yet. The guy you saw in the back was captured from the warehouse."

She pinched the bridge of her nose, letting out a sigh that seemed to carry the weight of our family's legacy. "What else?"

"Well, Dalary got into bed with Miller, so we had to clip him. And Miller has been looking for Damian Rossi. Our guess is that he's trying to overthrow his brother, and Miller wants in. We don't know where Santini is, but he might be working with the other brother. There's no way a newcomer is coming up so fast and with such advanced weaponry without a puppeteer behind him."

"And you two brought the Baron onto the team. Given his history with Miller, it was an easy decision," she stated, her voice edged with a mix of pride and disappointment.

My father and I exchanged shocked glances. My mother had been out the entire day with her friends, and with most of our men in the cellar and patrolling, there was no way anyone had the time to brief her about the day's events in the ten minutes after she'd returned.

"How did you—"

"Honey, did you seriously think my best friend wouldn't tell me the second she's back in town and that her husband is coming over?" My mother patted my father's cheek, mocking his innocence. Zeus, sensing the shift in atmosphere, finally relaxed completely, his head resting on my lap.

"Don't forget that you," she pointed her freshly manicured finger at me, "haven't taken over yet, and I am still your," then at my father who stood beside her cautiously, "second-in-command. This is the last time you two play your silly little tricks on me. Understood?"

"Yes, ma'am," we chorused, feeling like children caught sneaking cookies before dinner.

The night was heavy with the scent of rain, a prelude to the storm that was about to engulf our lives. I stood by the window, watching the city lights flicker like distant stars, each one a beacon of someone's life, someone's story. The Black Talons' sudden rise was more than just a power shift; it was a harbinger of chaos, a ripple that threatened to become a tsunami.

"Do you really think Santini has anything to do with the brothers?" my father asked, joining me at the window. His voice was low, almost contemplative.

"Maybe. Or maybe he's just the front for something bigger," I replied, my mind racing with possibilities. "Someone is backing him, giving him the resources to take control so quickly."

My father nodded, his face etched with concern. "Rossi is very well capable like you said. But, we need more."

As the night deepened, my thoughts turned to Dalary and Miller. Trust was a fragile thing in our world, easily broken and almost impossible to mend. Dalary's betrayal had been a harsh reminder of that truth. Miller, on the other hand, was a wild card, his ambitions dangerous and unpredictable.

"We need to keep a close eye on Miller," I said, turning to face my father. "If he's really trying to overthrow Damian Rossi, we can't afford to be caught in the crossfire."

"Agreed," my father said, his gaze steely. "But we also need to prepare for the possibility that Santini is just the beginning. There might be others waiting to make their move."

The weight of our responsibilities pressed down on us, but we knew we couldn't falter. Our family's legacy was built on strength and unity, and we would face whatever came our way together.

"Get some sleep, son," my father said, patting my back lovingly. The comfort of his touch was brief but welcome. "You haven't rested in two days now."

A tired yawn escaped me, as if on cue. I blamed the shower for making me feel this way. "Night, Dad."

"Good night, Conrad. You did good." He smiled heartily and left in the direction my mother had just walked by. As soon as he left, Nate walked in, his face expressionless and stoic.

"The Baron has asked for a list of our requirements."

I nodded firmly, trying to make an estimate based on our current situation. "Double the usual. And get rid of the old toys. Randy's lot is faulty for the most part."

Nate huffed, rubbing his temples. He'd been working as much as I had the last two nights. The workload had increased ever since I stepped in for Devin. The clan's manpower was significantly lesser than his, making us work thrice as much as his clan would have.

Unlike me, who was just the second generation in line, Devin came from a long line of mafia bosses. The Hudsons were one of the oldest mafia families out there, with the exception of the Rossis. It was threatening when an American family was taking over. The power shift was huge, alerting gangs all over the country, small and big. It was the first time a non-Italian clan had risen so high up, rivaling the Rossis.

"You also need to talk to the new recruits," Nate reminded me. "You've been avoiding it for weeks. I can't put it off anymore. They're getting impatient. They need work."

"I'll meet them in the morning. Bring them to the estate at ten."

As Nate nodded and left, I felt the weight of responsibility settle heavily on my shoulders. I looked around my room, the opulence of it feeling almost suffocating. The paintings on the walls, the rich, dark wood furniture, and the heavy drapes all spoke of a legacy that demanded more from me than I had ever anticipated.

I had grown up in this world, trained for this life, but nothing had prepared me for the reality of leading a clan. Devin's shadow loomed large, his successes a constant reminder of the expectations placed upon me. The Hudsons had built an empire, and now it was my turn to uphold it, to expand it, to protect it.

I sank into the armchair by the window, staring out at the estate grounds. The moonlight cast a silver glow over the manicured lawns and the distant outline of the woods. Somewhere out there, my enemies were plotting, waiting for a moment of weakness. I couldn't afford to give them one.

I leaned back in the chair, closing my eyes. The responsibilities of leadership were daunting, but I was determined to prove myself. I would protect my family, my clan, and our legacy, no matter the cost.

Morning would come soon enough, and with it, the challenges of a new day. But for now, I allowed myself a few moments of peace, knowing that I had the support of those who mattered most. And with that thought, I finally drifted off to sleep, ready to face whatever lay ahead.

The morning sun filtered through the heavy drapes, casting a warm glow over the room. I stirred, feeling the weight of the previous day's decisions still pressing down on me. There was no time to dwell on it. Today, I would meet the new recruits and begin the process of integrating them into our ranks.

After a quick shower, I dressed in a crisp suit, the armor of a modern mafia leader. As I descended the grand staircase, the house was already abuzz with activity. My father was in his study, my mother in the kitchen overseeing breakfast preparations, and the staff moving with practiced efficiency.

Nate was waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs, a tablet in hand. "The recruits are here," he said without preamble. "They're waiting in the conference room."

"Let's not keep them waiting then," I replied, following him down the hall.

The conference room was spacious, designed to impress. The new recruits, a group of about ten men and women, stood as I entered. They looked young, eager, and a little nervous. Good. They should be.

"Welcome," I began, taking my place at the head of the table. "You're here because you've shown promise, because you've demonstrated skills and loyalty that we value. But let me be clear: joining this family means more than just being good at what you do. It means committing to something larger than yourselves. It means loyalty, dedication, and a willingness to do whatever it takes to protect this clan."

The recruits nodded, their expressions a mix of determination and apprehension. I could see potential in their eyes, but potential alone wasn't enough. They would need to prove themselves.

Nate stepped forward, distributing packets of information. "These are your assignments for the next week. Consider this your probation period. Perform well, and you'll earn your place here. Fail, and there won't be a second chance."

I watched as they took their packets, some flipping through the pages eagerly, others more cautiously. "Remember," I added, "this is just the beginning. We expect excellence. Don't disappoint us."

With that, the meeting was over. The recruits filed out, leaving Nate and me alone in the room. He raised an eyebrow. "Think they'll make it?"

"Some of them," I replied. "The rest will either fall in line or fall by the wayside."

Nate nodded, understanding. We didn't have the luxury of coddling anyone. The stakes were too high.

The rest of the day was a blur of meetings and decisions. We reviewed supply lines, discussed alliances, and strategized our next moves. By late afternoon, I was ready for a break. I found my way to the garden, seeking a moment of peace among the carefully tended flowers and trees.

My mother joined me, a serene presence amidst the chaos. "How did the meeting go?" she asked, her hands busy with a basket of freshly cut roses.

"As well as can be expected," I replied, sitting on a stone bench. "They have potential, but it's too early to tell if they'll live up to it."

She smiled, arranging the roses with practiced ease. "You'll do fine, Conrad. You have a good head on your shoulders and a strong heart. Trust yourself."

Her confidence in me was both a comfort and a burden. I wanted to live up to her expectations, to prove that I was capable of leading our clan. But doubts lingered. Every decision I made carried weight, every mistake had consequences.
Leadership was a lonely road, but I was determined to walk it with my head held high. Our legacy demanded nothing less.

"Thanks, Mom," I said, rising to kiss her cheek. "I'll do my best."

"I know, darling. Oh! Would you look at that! I'm running late!" She turned on her heels and hurried indoors as fast as she could.

"Late for what?" I asked, curious to know what was so important that it required rushing through this scorching sun.

"Tuesday brunch, of course! I need to be there in another half hour, and it takes a good two hours to reach the city with the traffic this time of day. See you later, darling!" She waved her hand in the air, rushing her words as she disappeared inside.

Tuesday brunch... interesting. Wait.

FUCK.

The date.

END OF CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE: A MOTHER'S WISDOM
2341 words

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