war

**Luciano**

The summer of 1914 was recorded to be one of the most peaceful summers ever. Then out of no where, Archbishop and his Wife get shot and world is plunged into war.

World War One.

One of the bloodiest wars in our time.

As Eses shoot up the warehouse, the Irish gun down the Eses while Russians shoot directly at us. Then you have another unit of Ferris who shoot at the Russians.

Issue? We don't really know who's who.

This is our World War One.

After the Russians burned our Estate, they found out that wasn't the only one I have. So they enlisted the Eses to go to each of my known houses and kill everyone.

Ferris told me. So right now, I have a real fragile alliance with Irish, and everyone else?

They're all shooting at me.

At my family. They shoot each other, yes. But everyone shoots at us.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend, isn't that the saying?

I drafted what soldiers I have to neutralize the Ese, but it backfired. Those bitches are like ants. If Italians are cockroaches, they are ants. There is never just one.

Never.

But they have more men then we do. We have more skill then they do.

Shit is getting blurry. They raided one of my clubs, killed everyone. Civilians, My people, their people, they didn't give a damn.

And the best part?

I have no fucking clue who did it. Rivals are going around killing and amputating and pinning it on others. Mostly me.

I knew this was a trap. But I couldn't just leave my family there. Those men, their wives. Their children. I couldn't leave them.

There is no honor in cowardice. There is no honor in disloyalty.

So I raided the warehouse. Niccolò, I pray he's alive, got all of the family out. Hell, knowing him, he'll get everyone out. Family or enemy.

Meanwhile I'm taking the fucking shots and they keep coming. But I will use their hatred, and their quest for blood against them.

They don't have infinite weapons. They don't have infinite funds. These raids, they cost money. Billions when they're gunning after me.

Soon, the Eses will be out of the game for a while. They do have a connection down south but so do I.

I hear a click. Then another. Then a group of frantic clicks. I can't help but chuckle.

Idiots.

They run, but bullets move faster than they can and I'm an excellent shot.

I gun them all down, just me, and other men deal with the Russi. They still have ammunition.

My orders are not to engage until they have significantly lost fire power.

We're not the only ones they're shooting. And their would be suppliers will be out too. I need as many men as I can to come home to their families.

The battle field is quiet. I signal to evacuate quickly. Niccolò should already be gone. There a safe house underground a hour or so away from here.

That makes me think of my wife. I can't call her, I can't come home. Not yet.

I kiss the cross she gave me.

Don't die or I'll kill you.

I smile. I will try to her home to her in one piece. No promises.

I open the car, and stop. Tickticktick

"Everybody move! Go! It's a bomb!"

I duck behind the trash cans and watch my car blow up.

"Nobody get in their cars! Step away and unlock them!"

Boom! Everyone of them. Every single fucking one of them blow up.

"Car bombs, really?"

That's just not classy. At all. Dramatic? Yeah. Explosive? Absolutely. Lethal? That's the point. But classy? Bitch, I plant bombs on people. Not cars.

But now I have an issue. There's almost a hundred men here, no cars. Limited amo. Out in the open.

"Figlio di Puttana."

(Son of a bitch.)

We're too far from any cover to walk. We can't stand here like fucking sitting ducks. And cabs? Cabs.

"Alright half of you call a cab! The other half pick someone to go with. Go to the hotel. Put it in my tab!"

At least I am an efficient man.

Still, I'm drowning in fucking stress, I got three bullets in me, and I got to get home. If they follow I'll just have to be ready.

Everyone switched phones and went on different routes

Everyone switched phones and went on different routes. The ones that could hold their own broke theirs, went their own way.

Home is an hour away, and I can't wait. But then I remember. I came in hundred and fifty.

I came back with a hundred.

If I were someone else I might cry. I can't do anything, not really.

We have the biggest territory. But we don't attack unprovoked. I shouldn't have deal with getting gunned down for some land. Some influence. Connection.

I know at twenty little girls and boys who's Daddy's will not come home.

For land.

They steal our wives, slay our children for land. Damnit.

What do you say to a little girl when she looks up at you, so hopeful and she asks you where her Daddy is?

I've had to do it more times than I can count, and it never gets easier. And when I think of why we're fighting, what they died for; I can't find one valid reason.

Senseless slaughter, has always been something that I was opposed to. When I'm

angry enough though, it becomes fun.

I'm getting there.

I think I'm probably going to snap. And when I do I will shoot anyone and anything in sight.

And I will feel no fucking remorse.

Because goddamnit they're getting off easy. At least I don't rape their wives and children.

Like they do mine.

I open the door, and I see that familiar scene

I open the door, and I see that familiar scene. Families waiting. The remaining men flood into the room, they find their family.

I see the ones that look around and realize...

My heart feels like lead. I have to tell them. Before I can, I get attacked.

Savannah flies into my arms and hugs me tight. I smile lightly, until I remember.

"Hey Kitty. Can you wait for me a little while longer I have to...tell some bad news."

She slides off me and nods.

I kiss her forehead and go to the first family.

Carlos. He has three children. Two boys and a girl. All under ten. A wife. She's fairly young.

The children come hug my legs like last time. They know me now. But last time their Father came home.

This time he won't.

"Zio Lucy where is Daddy?" Benjamin the oldest. Seven.

"Yeah. Where's Daddy." Sarah, the middle she's the smartest. Only five but I look in her eyes and I know she knows.

And then the youngest. Micah. Not even one. He will never know Carlos. And I have to tell them that.

If I could talk. "Why don't you two go get Deena to give you a cookie, sì?"

I try to smile. Benjamin was happy he raced away. But Sarah just looked at me.

"He's not coming back, is he?"

I shake my head sadly.

"No, piccola. Unfortunately not."

She doesn't break down. She just nods. She's just like him, the stone bastard. He had a face of granite. He only smiled around them.

"Maria, words cannot express how sorry I am. I know that doesn't do anything. But if you need anything, I am here. I would be grateful if stayed with us a little longer."

"Did he suffer?"

Yes he did. He got forty holes shot into him. "No he didn't. I will get him by tommorow."

She nods but doesn't say anything.

"He told me to tell you that loved you all. And he told me to Sarah that Itsy Bitsy spider is still creepy."

She giggled. I smile at her and take my leave.

One down. Forty nine to go.