Jagoan’s intensity and cool demeanor sent shivers down Antonio’s spine. Jagoan’s words only heightened his fear, he understood that Jagoan’s decision to spare him for now hung on the whims of his mood.

Overwhelmed, Antonio broke into tears and implored Jagoan, “Mr. Jagoan, today was just a minor misunderstanding. You’ve already taken a heavy toll by breaking my knee. Please consider my sincerity. I admit my mistake…”

Jagoan smirked, “Look at you, crying like this. A Sicilian man shouldn’t shed tears. Especially not in front of his daughter. Are you honoring the Sicilian code?”

Suddenly, Antonio felt a profound shame.

Despite his frequent championing of Sicilian values, when faced with a loaded gun and the threat of death, he found himself begging Jagoan for mercy.

At this moment, survival was paramount. Antonio would have gladly run pantless through Manhattan or circled Central Park three times if it meant Jagoan spared him.

Few accomplished individuals in any field were truly unafraid of death. Despite Antonio’s rise through the ranks, he was not as fearless as his youth would suggest.

In his early days, Antonio was like many fourteen- and fifteen-year-olds, impoverished and unfamiliar with prosperity. He couldn’t even afford a cab to his hits. A bus ride, machete on his back, fare dodging, that was his reality.

He hadn’t grasped the value of life then. It was a bus ride to carry out killings while alive, and a brief stint in an ambulance if he met his end. But as he clawed his way up to become the reigning mafia kingpin of New York, his fear of death grew.

His courage only surged when victory was absolute. Just ten minutes ago, Jagoan seemed inconsequential, an ant to be crushed without hesitation.

Yet, now, at a dire disadvantage, his courage vanished.

In a desperate bid for survival, Antonio stammered, “Mr. Jagoan, if you’re still dissatisfied, I’m willing to compensate you with five million dollars. It’s a small gesture…”

smile was wry. He queried, “Antonio, how much do

said, “I… I… I

against Antonio’s cheek, sneering, “Do you

corrected himself, “No, no… I misspoke… I probably

added, “But mostly

gunshot or other factors, it felt numb, until warmth trickled down his cheek. He was horrified to discover

a prized possession of the Italian Mafia. Its power was

hands.

a fascist. Your father, this great Sicilian man, might have ties

Julia, Jagoan’s voice turned stern, “You’d do well to see clearly. It was your father who first sought to end my life. You saw it, he aimed for my head. Were I less capable, I’d be an unrecognizable corpse. I’ve only given him two shots and

it was his own doing. But the man now who got shot twice was her father. She could only

back to Antonio, “Will you tell the truth, or continue with

tell the truth… I have over 2 billion in assets. Roughly a quarter in real estate, a quarter in fixed assets, another quarter in various forms of cash, deposits, stocks and trusts

billion? Why the secrecy? Are you afraid I’d

his head, blurting, “No, no, that’s not what I

goose shop in Chinatown. A gang, the Burning Angels, extorts three thousand a month from him. What’s

himself, but it

knew of his ties to the Burning

came for Antonio today and here I am, half an hour late. Antonio might already

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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