St. Mary the Virgin Church
10:45am


The coffin sat on the bier, its sleek black lid was partially opened. The priest continued to read, pausing every so often to glance upwards at the people in the chairs. At the front was the grieving widow. She was inconsolable. Her hands clutched a pure, white handkerchief and she would dab at her eyes every so often.

On her right, nearest the aisle was a young man. His blond hair had been combed, but managed to stick up in certain places as though it was being deliberately defiant. The man was leaning forward, eagerly listening, but his gaze would trail to the coffin, open and containing his recently dead father.

He glanced at his older brother, who was sitting to the left of their mother. She had buried her face into her hands, but it did nothing to drown out the sobs. The young man, whose name was Donnie, glanced round the room again. There were several associates of his father seated here and there.

His eyes landed on Annaliese. She was seated quite far away and her face was blank. Donnie shifted and his eyes landed on Andy, who was slouched in the wooden chair. Donnie almost chuckled. The chair was just a tad too small for Andy's lanky frame. Someone pinched Donnie's arm and he whirled round to look at his brother, Vinnie.

Vinnie was older by four years and he had a way of looking at Donnie that made him feel like a child again despite being twenty-one. Their mother had ceased her crying and was staring at the casket with a look of defeat. She had known this day was coming for a long time. They'd had a year to prepare for it. All of the family had.

"We now commit his body to the ground; ashes to ashes, dust to dust," The priest continued. "In the sure and certain hope of eternal life with the Lord, our God and his son."

Donnie dragged a hand through his hair, disliking how it would not stay neat. Vinnie had stood and was guiding his mother over. She touched a hand to her husband's forehead. Vinnie did the same, guiding her down the middle of the aisle. Donnie knew he was next so he stood and walked over, glancing at his father's face.

That same face that had laughed, been happy to see him. Those same features would never smile again or cry. He'd seen his father cry plenty of times and he'd give anything to see it again. Donnie had to wonder what would become of their extended family.

"Pretty sad, eh?" He turned to see Annaliese.

She was wearing a black dress, heavily patterned with red flowers. Her heels were crimson and her black hair was done up elaborately to show off her pale face. Her blue eyes stood out against her skin. She glanced down at the man she had come to know as her boss. She didn't touch him, instead she nodded, respectfully.

"You knew how sick he was." Donnie replied.

"Yeah, of course. Everyone here knew the cancer would kill him in the end." She said, somberly.

Donnie walked up the aisle, allowing everyone to say their goodbyes. He glanced back briefly before leaving.

It was a cold morning and a chill gust of wind whipped round the small cemetary. This would be where his father's journey ended. Vinnie was walking over, hands tucked into his pockets. Their mother was over by the gravesite. She and the priest were deep in conversation. They had journeyed all the way to the other side of New York and Vinnie looked like he wanted to discuss business.

"We'll need to talk after this." He said, glancing around.

"Dad's just died and you want to talk about that kind of stuff." Donnie sneered.

Vinnie smiled and Donnie glanced round. Annaliese had exited the church along with the rest of the gang. They looked distressed, but suitably more composed than Donnie felt.

"They're all career criminals, Donnie. We can't have them dishonouring Dad." Vinnie tsked.

Donnie scowled and walked over to the gravesite. The burial was quicker than the service and this time it was Donnie, who hugged their Mother. She nestled close to her son, like a child.

Donnie never wanted it be this way. He had seen his Mother be strong and fiercely protective. It felt wrong that she had to go through this.

Through the whole ordeal, Donnie barely noticed the coffin being lowered into the ground and his Mother released him, temporarily, to sprinkle some of the dirt into ground. She motioned for Donnie to do it, but he couldn't. He wasn't ready to admit that his Father was gone. She didn't force him. Vinnie stepped forward and sprinkled some of the dirt into the hole.

A gust of wind rippled through the cemetary and this seemed to be the end of the service. A wake would be held at the family home. Donnie went to climb into a car and was stopped by Vinnie, grasping his arm in a steely grip.

"When we get home." Was all he said.

*********************

Kacee POV

57th Street, New York
11:15am

"It's quite a nice building, isn't it?" My Mum whirled round on the spot.

She had been walking round the appartment now for about fifteen minutes. She hadn't turned her nose up at this one, like all the others. This building was on the far end of 57th street near the Carnegie Hall. It boasted an amazing view of the street below and if you looked out the huge window, you could see across towards the Central Park Zoo.

"Yeah, I really like it." I replied.

In truth I was set on this one. It just felt right. Ultimately, it was Mum's decision. She was the deciding factor as she would have to tell Dad I had found the perfect one. To be honest, I would live in any appartment to escape the reach of my parents.

I glanced at Mum in her designer suit and Jimmy Choo heels. She looked every bit the stereotypical New Yorker and then there was me. I was wearing a pair of scruffy jeans and an old hoodie that had belonged to my brother, Liam.

I didn't want to fit in with my parent's crowd. That lifestyle wasn't for me. Mum walked over and touched her manicured hand to my arm.

"This one?" She whispered.

"Yeah, Mum," I bit my lip, then smiled. "Mum, don't cry. I haven't even moved out yet."

"I know. You'll miss all the excitement though." She replied, drying her eyes with her hand, then she remembered she was a lady and retrieved a floral handkerchief. She was a Congressman's wife, no less.

I certainly would not miss any of it. I was just glad to get away from the sheltered upbringing I had and come to a city that practically breathed independence.

"Don't forget it's your father that's funding this." She said, sweeping her hand round the appartment.

She didn't need to remind me. I mumbled out a thank you and she smiled, thinly. She looked as though she wanted to say something, but thought better of it. I guessed she didn't want to strain the already difficult relationship we had.

The Realtor reappeared. She was a tall woman, wearing a plain suit and black heels. She looked ecstatic that we had decided to rent the appartment. She was slightly more surprised to learn it would be me moving in. She didn't ask questions though and it was obvious she recognised Mum from the pictures in the papers. I had been careful to avoid the press.

"Shall we go to the office?" The Realtor, Ms Johnson, asked.

"Yes, we shall." Mum confirmed.

We followed her out of the appartment and towards the elevator. All the while, Mum and Ms Johnson chatted away. I merely listened and fidgeted nervously. This was actually happening.

*********************

11th Avenue
11:45am

"Now's the time." Vinnie said, brushing past Donnie.

Their Father's closest friend, Don Acerbi had raised his glass in a toast. Donnie had mimicked the older gentleman out of respect. Donnie looked at their Mother. She was sitting on the couch, raising her glass too. She didn't really drink, except for on special occasions.

Vinnie moved through the crowd and spoke to some of them and he led them through to his Father's meeting room. Donnie set his glass down and decided to join. The room was strangely empty without their Father and the books lining the shelves had started to become very dusty. A few were yellowing at the edges.

"Shut the door." Vinnie said, seating himself in the chair.

Donnie bit his lip when his older brother sat down in the chair that had once belonged to his Father. It seemed unreal, but no one else protested so Donnie kept his mouth shut.

"At this time, I believe we need to keep everything running just as it was when my Father died." Vinnie started, leaning forward, elbows braced on the desk.

"The club?" Andy asked. He was the first to speak from his group.

"Yeah, keep her running. She's a good front." Vinnie nodded.

"It's funny you should say that because I heard the club's a dive." Paul laughed. Andy shot him a dirty look.

Vinnie raised a dark brow at the turn of phrase, eyeing up the British kids. They had been kids when they started working for the Don, but were now in their late twenties.

"It's a shit-hole, dude." Annaliese was the one to translate.

"Well, make it 'not a shit-hole' or a dive." Vinnie sighed, rubbing his temples.

Donnie leaned against the bookcase. The club in question was an old-fashioned bar that his Father had kept. It was fully licensed, but also a cover.

"Hire some singers, or something," Vinnie snapped. "That's not the point of this meeting."

Everyone was silent for a moment and Donnie glanced round the room. This would either be a total disaster or a stroke of genious.

"Has anyone watched the news this morning?" Vinnie asked, eyeing up the group.

Dani was leaning across the way, flicking through an old book and he raised his hand, slowly. Nikki did the same.

"We both did, why?" Dani asked.

"Kenneth Hanley's still running for congress." Nikki quipped.

"Yes, he is," Vinnie grinned. "His little girl won't be running with him though."

Donnie narrowed his eyes at his brother. Congressman Hanley was a conservative man with a strict background. He had a beautiful family. Donnie assumed him to be a lucky man. He longed for that someday.

"Where's she gonna be?" CC asked.

"Right here in this very city." Vinnie replied.

A few of them shared looks and then glanced back at Vinnie to see where this was heading. Donnie wasn't entirely sure of the plan yet. He sincerely hoped his brother wasn't suggesting what he thought he was.

"She's not going to live with them?" Annaliese said. "She's only eighteen. She's a baby."

"Well, that baby will be here in the city and I want her found." Vinnie retorted.

"It's a big city." Donnie cut in then, sensing the worst.

"I'm sure she'll be easy to find," Vinnie smirked. "Just look for the scent of entitled princess and you'll find her."

Donnie opened his mouth in protest, but then snapped it shut again. He didn't even want to know what his brother was planning.

"Let's give this mission to my favourite Brits." Vinnie grinned.

"You sure about that?" Dani said, incredously.

Donnie stared across the room at them. Vinnie nodded.

"I want her bought back here." He snapped.

John smirked and Vinnie stared him down before adding, "Alive, please."

Nikki snorted out a laugh at that and Annaliese muttered something about finding a girlfriend. Vinnie dimissed them then. Donnie stayed behind, waiting for them all to take their leave.

"What the hell are you doing?" He shouted, shutting the doors.

"I am picking up where Dad left off." Vinnie replied, uncaringly.

"You're operating a plan to abduct a girl," Donnie seethed. "What's wrong? Can't get laid?"

"Dear brother, you wound me," Vinnie said, standing and rounding the table. "She is a Congressman's daughter. We could ransom her off."

"To her father and mother?" Donnie said.

"Or to whomever wants to buy her."

"You gave the mission to four hitmen. They'll kill her if she so much as screams." Donnie shouted, hoping their Mother wouldn't hear of the heinous plan.

"She best learn that silence is golden then." Vinnie chuckled.

Donnie slammed his hand against a shelf, making it groan under his strength. He rounded on Vinnie, preparing to go on another tirade, but he knew it wasn't worth it. Instead, he left to talk to his Mother and be there for her.

Notes

Couldn't help but start this story. It's gonna be a long one haha :) Character profiles to come.