Godfather System C110 Before the wedding

Tomorrow, the wedding of Lorenzo and Deborah would commence at the Theodore Roosevelt Hotel, a venue Lorenzo snatched up for a bargain due to its dwindling fortunes. However, on the eve of their nuptials, Deborah's emotions were far from settled.

Deborah stood before an ornate mirror, envisioning herself in a resplendent white gown, a veil draped over her raven locks. But the perfect image was shattered by the piercing cries of an infant.

Hurrying downstairs, Deborah's heels tapped against the marble floor, echoing through the cavernous mansion. The source of the commotion revealed itself to be none other than Hera, the daughter of her man, and Apollonia.

In just a few days since Apollonia and her baby, Hera, had settled into Lorenzo's mansion, Deborah found herself growing increasingly familiar with them, even though Apollonia was her man's woman.

Deborah crouched down, gently rubbing Hera's back. "What's the matter, piccolina?" she cooed.

Apollonia, her arms wrapped around the fussing babe, met Deborah's gaze. "It's nothing," she said, but her eyes betrayed her unease. "She's just unfamiliar with the place."

Mica joined them, running her manicured nails down Hera's plump cheek. "She's not used to our place," she purred. "Maybe she's also not used to so many new faces?"

Deborah couldn't help but flinch at the unspoken words. Of course, Hera wasn't the only one unaccustomed to this life.

"Give her time," she said, standing up straight. "We'll all get used to each other eventually."

Deborah glanced at the clock, its hands seemingly frozen in time. "Where's Lorenzo? Has he gone to work this early?"

Mica shrugged, flipping through the pages of a fashion magazine. "He said he'd be back early."

Deborah frowned, eyeing Hera's tear-stained cheeks. "Doesn't he even want to spend time with his own daughter?"

Apollonia smile contained an edge. "Don't you worry, lady. Lorenzo has his reasons for being busy."

Deborah sighed, her grip tightening on the baby's swaddling blanket. "Please, call me Deborah or Deb for short. 'Lady' makes me feel so... formal."

***

While Deborah stewed over Lorenzo's seemingly callous behavior, he sat in his office, awaiting an important call. As soon as the telephone rang, he picked it up.

"Adam?"

"Boss, they've arrived."

Lorenzo leaned back in his chair, a genuine smile tugging at his lips. "Did you give them a warm welcome?"

"Of course, boss. They're currently enjoying a fine meal at the Roosevelt Hotel, the one you... acquired." Adam's voice dripped with amusement. "They're asking to see you."

"Give me an hour," Lorenzo said, checking his watch. "And what about the Corleone family? Are they attending?"

"Caught up in their own problems in New York, but Don Corleone sent his regards. They'll be here."

"Sonny won't be attending since he's running the Corleone family now, but Don Vito, Michael, Connie, and her husband are coming," Adam informed him.

"Alright, Adam. When they arrive, make sure they feel at home. I want our every guest to be safe, not just the Corleones. Work with Richard and Max on beefing up security."

"But boss, they'll have their own—"

Lorenzo cut him off, his voice firm. "I don't care. We call the shots in Los Angeles now, and our gang runs this town. I won't risk anything going wrong on my wedding day."

"Yes, boss. We'll tighten security." Adam's expression hardened.

Lorenzo nodded. "Make sure everything is in place for tomorrow. Deborah's wedding day should be perfect."

After Adam hung up, Lorenzo leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled under his chin. He knew that his true identity as the masked "Wolf" was a closely guarded secret within the Wolf Familia, but with the Corleones' arrival, he couldn't afford to lower his guard.

***

In Las Vegas, Harris commanded the branch of "Wolf Familia", a puppet boss for Lorenzo. The casino business thrived under their control, yet Harris couldn't shake the feeling that the quiet Roth Syndicate and Greene family were scheming.

Today, the unease was palpable. Harris felt it in his bones as he exited his car and entered the casino, flanked by his loyal men. He wanted to appear unbothered, but his senses were on high alert.

The moment he stepped onto the casino floor, the unthinkable happened. A group of men stormed in, guns drawn and pointed at Harris and his entourage. The sharp sound of gunfire erupted, drowning out the cries of terrified patrons who scrambled for cover.

Harris ducked behind a nearby craps table, his heart pounding in his chest.

"Boss, we got this! Get out of here!" Harris's men yelled, their weapons drawn and ready to fire.

Grinding his teeth, Harris holstered his pistol. "No, I'm not a coward. These bastards need to know who they're messing with!"

They fought back, spraying bullets at their assailants. However, the enemy firepower was too great. His men crumpled around him, either dead or dying. Harris's shoulder erupted in pain as a bullet tore through his flesh.

In the chaos, he spotted Leo, Ricky, and other high-ranking members of the "Wolf Familia" in the distance. Relief washed over him; they had come to his aid.

Harris attempted to run towards them, but Leo's cold gaze froze him in his tracks. Cries of agony echoing in his ears, Harris's world slowed down as the realization sunk in.

One of the assailants spat, pointing a smoking revolver at Harris's chest.

*Bang!*

Harris's world went black, his body collapsing lifelessly to the blood-soaked casino floor.

Leo and the others, including Ricky, stood back in their vehicles, watching the carnage unfold without an ounce of remorse. Leo lit a cigar, exhaled a plume of smoke, and said, "Well, boys, nothing to see here. Time to go home."

His driver nodded, and the convoy of sleek, black cars began to pull away from the carnage-laden casino.

The men from the Greene and Roth Syndicates emerged, scanning the chaos they'd just unleashed.

"Should we chase them?" one of them asked, breathing heavily.

Their leader shook his head. "No need. This is just a taste of what's to come for the Wolf Familia. They'll learn their lesson soon enough."

The leader slid into a waiting car, and the rival mobsters sped off in the distance.

***

After leaving the gruesome scene behind, Leo ducked into a dimly lit alleyway and dialed a familiar number on his rotary phone.

"Boss, it's done. Harris and his loyalists are gone, thanks to our friends from the Greene and Roth Syndicates," Leo said, his voice cold and emotionless.

"Hyman will be reeling from this. He's probably assuming that with Harris out of the picture, chaos will ensue," came the gravelly voice of Lorenzo on the other end of the line.

"What's our next move, boss?" Leo asked, a hint of eagerness in his voice.

"Capitalize on this opportunity, Leo. Use the former McAfee's men's anger towards the Greene and Roth Syndicates to your advantage. Make yourself the leader they need in these trying times," Lorenzo instructed, a sinister edge creeping into his voice.

"Boss, you're really promoting me to be the new boss of our gang in Vegas?" Leo's voice cracked with disbelief.

"Why not? You've more than earned it, Leo. Your work with Harris and his men, for one, proves your loyalty. And I know you'll do whatever it takes to protect our interests," Lorenzo said, his voice as cold as ice.

Leo grinned. "Thank you, boss. I won't disappoint you."

"I know you won't," Lorenzo purred. "As for those who aren't fully on board with your new leadership, trust your instincts. Anyone who questions your authority or appears too power-hungry, eliminate them without hesitation."

"Understood, boss," Leo replied, his voice harder than before.

"Excellent. While you're at it, weed out the traitors within our ranks as well. Use this opportunity to clean house while we're at war with Roth and Greene. I'll send you a list of names. Send them to their deaths, and let our enemies clean up the mess for us."

A chill ran down Leo's spine, but he didn't falter. "Yes, boss. Consider it done."

"Very well, Leo. I'll be in touch. Until we've wiped out any trace of McAfee or Harris's influence in our gang there and made the former McAfee Syndicate truly our own, ciao." Lorenzo's warm voice lingered in the air as he hung up.

Leo stared at the rotary phone, his expression cold. He didn't know how Lorenzo knew who to trust, but he'd learned long ago not to question the man's methods. Lorenzo was ruthless, but he always had a plan. Even just now, he'd used their enemies, the Roth and Greene families, to eliminate Harris and his men.

And now, thanks to their boss's cunning, even the unsuspecting Roth and Greene families would do their dirty work for them.

The 'cleansing' as Lorenzo called it, was necessary for their takeover of the McAfee Syndicate to be complete. Harris might have seemed loyal on the surface, but it was all just an act. The man had his own agenda, and that couldn't be tolerated.

So Lorenzo used his rivals in Las Vegas, the Roth Syndicate and Greene family, as pawns to eliminate the likes of Harris and his men.

Using the chaos of their war with the Roth Syndicate and Greene family, Leo would have the perfect opportunity to gauge the loyalty of the former McAfee Syndicate members. Those who prove their allegiance would be spared, but any traitors would undoubtedly meet the same fate as Harris.

***

Adjusting his impeccably tailored suit, Lorenzo exuded an air of confidence as he stepped out of the building.

As he walked towards his sleek black car, he couldn't help but think about the upcoming meeting with Deborah's parents, the Gellys. Mike opened the car door for him, and they set off towards the Theodore Roosevelt Hotel.

Lorenzo's mind was brimming with thoughts, but he remained outwardly composed. The Roth and Greene families in Las Vegas had finally made their move, but he trusted Leo to handle it. All he cared about now was making Deborah happy. He knew how much she longed for her family.

Upon arriving at the hotel, Lorenzo strode into the lavish lobby. Simeon Gelly, Deborah's father, was the first to spot him. His face lit up with a jovial smile as he bellowed, "Here you are, young Lorenzo!" Simeon's booming voice reverberated throughout the lobby.

Delilah, Deborah's mother, wasn't far behind, her warm smile and sparkling eyes reminding him of her daughter. She too greeted him with a hug.

"Where is our beautiful daughter, Deborah?" Delilah asked, her eyebrows arched in a delicate frown.

Lorenzo couldn't help but smile at her motherly concern. "Mother, father," he started, "I actually didn't want her to see you yet... I've wanted to surprise her tonight. She has no idea you're here."

Simeon nodded in understanding, while Delilah covered her mouth with her hand, stifling a giggle. "Oh, you're too much, Lorenzo," she said, shaking her head fondly.

"Where's... Fat- I mean, brother-in-law, Moe?" Lorenzo asked, correcting himself mid-sentence.

Delilah sighed, but her expression softened as she spoke of her son. "He's resting in his room. The travels have tired him out."