The Mafia’s Good Wife
Chapter 44

~ Damon - -----ONE WEEK LATER --

Wearing an all black attire was not a new thing for Damon. That was pretty much the rule for being in the mafia. One must look as sleek and as put together as possible, yet also mysterious and uncompromising. Putting on a black tie and a black suit in the morning was like second nature to him. But today, it felt heavier than usual.

Standing in front of the floor length mirror, Damon was in his usual three-piece black suit and tie. He looked at the suit fondly and remembered the day he got them. This was one of the first suits he got after taking over the family. It was a gift, hand-sewed and imported from Italy, courtesy of his then consigliere.

"Fúcking hell, you look as sharp as a motherfucker," Adrian said as he stood behind Damon in that same mirror.

This was not a dream. This was Damon's memory. Almost ten years ago, Damon stood at this very spot with Adrian next to him. They had just been through the Red Wedding where their rival family, the Maranzano, killed Damon's bride-to-be and her father, Joe Luciano, head of the Luciano family.

Though Adrian was next in line as the successor of the family, Adrian didn't want any part of this world. Adrian had a different dream. When he turned 18, he told his father, Joe's younger brother, that he was quitting the family. His father was so heartbroken, he died of cancer the next year. Still, Adrian never turned back. He was a smart kid, he went to Princeton and studied international politics. He wanted a different life from what his dad and uncle had.

Joe Luciano never had a son and since his only nephew, Adrian, didn't want the throne, he knew he had to groom someone to continue his lineage. He found Damon when Damon was just a little kid. He trained him and taught him everything he knew. Damon also fell in love with Isabella, Joe's only daughter, so that worked out rather perfectly. Damon was to marry Isabella and he'd continue Joe's legacy, leading the Luciano family.

For a while, the Luciano family enjoyed an interrupted period of peace and prosperity. They became one of the strongest families in New Jersey. The Maranzano family, however, didn't like this. They wanted to secure their control of New York City and the growing Luciano family seemed like a threat.

And that was how it happened, the Red Wedding.

After that dreadful event, Damon decided to take over. He dedicated his life to seeking vengeance over Isabella and Joe. It wasn't easy for Damon to do this. The Maranzano family killed almost all of Luciano's guys during that wedding. With only a handful of men, he started building what was now the Van Zandt family. And he couldn't have done it without the support of his consigliere, Adrian.

Adrian had just graduated from Princeton. He was supposed to leave for London the next week to start a prestigious internship at the UN. He came by to attend Damon and Isabella's wedding before he left, and then he witnessed the atrocity that occurred. Everyone he knew in his life was murdered before his eyes. His cousin, Isabella, was shot several times and she died in Damon's arms. His uncle, Joe Luciano, the toughest man he'd ever known, was struck down too. Many of his cousins, neighbors, and friends were also slaughtered. Meanwhile, Adrian was doing all he could to protect Talia. He never carried a gun or a weapon, so he was using a steak knife to fight off people who tried to hurt her.

Adrian managed to fend off five men before the massacre ended. Talia was safe thanks to him, but the same couldn't be said about his mother. Yes, Adrian lost his mother at that wedding. Talia also lost her parents and brothers. Only a handful of people made it out of there alive, including Liam and Beau. But those who made it out didn't come out as the same people ever again.

Adrian changed his mind about the UN. He decided to stay in New Jersey, marry Talia, and dedicate his life as Damon's consigliere. He still believed in peace over violence, but he understood that sometimes violence was the pathway to peace.

"You're gonna be the sharpest looking mafia man out there. Those guys are gonna hate you," Adrian said again as he adjusted Damon's suit.

That day marked a big day for the Van Zandt family. They were going out on their first family meeting to set up shop at a new club in town, which was why they had to dress the part.

"Screw you," Damon chuckled dryly and pulled away. He looked at his reflection again and cocked his head to the side, looking unsure. "This is kinda over the top, don't you think? I'm not Joe Luciano. This feels fucking weird,"

"Of course you're not Joe, you're Damon Van Zandt, leader of the Van Zandt family!" Adrian retorted back. He pulled Damon's face to look at him again and patted his cheek several times. "They won't know what's gonna hit 'em," The two men shared a look and Damon cracked a smile. Adrian looked up and down at Damon's suit and nodded in approval. His leader was as sharp as he could be. Feeling satisfied, Adrian then turned for the door. "Hey," Damon said as Adrian reached for the doorknob.

"Huh?"

"Thanks again for doing this with me," Damon said meaningfully. "I know how much you don't wanna be here,"

Adrian let out a smile.

"Do you know what my dad said when I told him I wasn't gonna join the family?" Adrian said, waiting for a beat before continuing, "He said, one can never escape fate. Just like he can't escape cancer, I can't escape this family. I guess he's right," Adrian stifled a laugh, but it came out rather bitterly. Damon took a step forward and stood at an arm's length away. The two men shared another look.

"Hey, we're gonna get 'em," Adrian said as he put a hand on Damon's shoulder. "Every single one of them. We're not gonna rest until all of Maranzano's family is six feet under ground,"

Damon's jaw was clenched as soon as he heard that name. He nodded his head firmly.

"...And then I'm gonna quit being your consigliere. Talia and I are moving to Costa Rica, and you're free to join us. You can ditch the suit,"

Damon cracked a laugh, and Adrian followed. The two men were grinning from ear to ear as they walked out of the room.

* KNOCK KNOCK *

The sudden knock on the door pulled Damon out of his thoughts. He turned around and saw Liam at the doorway.

"Damon," Liam greeted. "They're ready for you,"

Damon looked at his reflection one last time and straightened his suit. With a stoic look on his face, he then turned around and walked out the door.

"...Adrian was the greatest man I know. And I'm not just saying it because it's his funeral. He really was the greatest, and I have met many great men in the world..."

Damon was standing at the podium in the middle of this great church. He was giving a speech, a eulogy for Adrian. Adrian was lying in the wooden casket and it was closed, covered with dozens of roses. Talia was sitting in the front row. She had dark sunglasses, a hat, and a black dress on. Next to her was Violet, also dressed in all black.

"A lot of men know what they want and they're willing to fight and kill for it. But Adrian was different. Adrian knew who he was and believed in a different world. A world much greater than the one we're in now,"

Amongst the crowd were all of Damon's men and closest allies. The Benigni and Gianni family were also there to give their respect. A sea of men and women dressed in all black covered the great church.

"I believe Adrian's in a much better place. An angel belongs in heaven," Damon cracked a smile as he glanced at the casket. "And as for us, mere humans, we're still here but our lives are different too because of him. I made him a promise once, one day we're gonna take off the suit. There will be peace. No more vengeance. And I believe that day is today,"

Whispers and murmurs began to fill the room. People were looking at each other with confused looks. What does that mean?

Violet turned to Talia who kept a straight face. Though her eyes were covered by the sunglasses and hat, Violet caught a glimpse of the tears flowing down her face. Violet's left hand reached out and grabbed Talia's. Talia gripped her hand back. She was shaking in silence, and Violet held onto her just the same.

"Adrian, my consigliere, my friend, and my brother... may you rest in peace. And so will we,"

Damon finished his speech and the room was silent for about three seconds, and then everyone erupted in claps. Many people were still confused as to what Damon meant. Did it mean the Van Zandt family was walking away? What would happen to all their territories?

Not paying attention to all the looks he was getting, Damon made his way down from the podium and the conductor took over. He started reading bible verses before continuing to a time of prayer.

Damon sat down next to Violet and he grabbed her right hand as soon as he sat down. Violet turned to him, but Damon kept his eyes forward. His eyes were glassy, but he didn't want to cry, so he was doing everything he could to hold it back.

Violet squeezed his hand gently and it made Damon turn to look at her. Her gaze was soft and gentle. Damon couldn't help the single tear that fell off his cheek. Violet just smiled and wiped the tear away. She didn't say anything, but her eyes spoke volumes. It's gonna be okay, Damon. Everything's gonna be okay. I promise.

****

~ Violet -

Adrian was buried in the Greenwood Cemetery, next to his mother and father, surrounded by his other family members. Damon didn't say another word after his speech. He kept his dark sunglasses on and the only words that came out of his mouth were "thank you" when people gave him their condolences.

Meanwhile, Talia wasn't doing much better either. Violet noticed her disappearing after the burial. She said she was going to the bathroom, but it had been thirty minutes and she never returned.

"I'm gonna go check on Talia," Violet whispered into Damon's ear and he nodded his head.

Damon was busy shaking hands with people. Violet quietly slipped away and went back to the church. The church was empty now as everyone was outside. She walked towards the bathroom and she heard a quiet sob coming from inside. "Talia?" Violet asked softly and pushed the door back.

Talia didn't respond, but Violet recognized her sobs. Ever since they returned from Italy, Talia was crying nonstop. No matter what anyone said to her, they couldn't stop the tears.

"Hey..." Violet spoke softly as she found Talia slumping against the wall. She bent down and wiped her face with a handkerchief. Talia looked pale and sickly. She hadn't been sleeping or eating well. It wouldn't be good for the baby. "Violet..." Talia croaked. "...What am I gonna do without him?"

Violet cooed and pulled Talia into a hug, stroking her hair gently.

"... My baby's never gonna know their father..."

Violet could feel the pain in Talia's words. Her eyes turned glassy too. Slowly, she peeled Talia's face and cupped her cheeks with her hands.

"No, Talia, that's not true," she told her. "Your baby will know Adrian and what a great man he was. We'll make sure to tell them..."

Talia and Violet shared a look before Talia broke down in tears again. Violet pulled her into her arms and held her as hard as she could. There was nothing she could say to make things better. All she could do was be there for her. Hold her tightly with the strength she barely had.