The Boss's Funeral (2): Vito Fellini
Vito Fellini. He would be remembered as the boss who lived the most successful life in the history of the mafia on this land. From a mere orphan to the greatest executioner among the five families. He had walked a legendary path, rising from executioner of the five families to their undisputed master.
Exactly three days after Elena returned to our embrace, my father’s funeral was held. We had coordinated with the mayor’s bereaved family to ensure the ceremonies did not overlap.
"...."
Elena and I had to set aside the lifetime of resentment that had built up between us and present ourselves as a flawless couple before the eyes of others.
"Elena, don’t bow your head so low."
"...Whose fault do you think this is?"
Elena answered sharply, yet she still did as I asked. On her chin remained the mark I had left a few days earlier—an unavoidable result of biting without mercy. Not out of hatred, but because it had been the only way to rush her back to the port in the limited time we had.
Father’s funeral procession was magnificent. The column making its way across the city to the funeral hall consisted of the following:
Thirteen limousines. Twelve additional vehicles carrying our own men. Three flower cars positioned at the front, rear, and center of the line.
It was only natural that enormous crowds followed a procession that practically seized the entire road. Some came to pay proper respect and reverence to a man’s death. Others simply saw a gathering and stopped by out of idle curiosity.
"...."
Those who had lived under Father’s protection, families of our soldiers, or people who simply wanted to be seen—they all mourned and wept at his passing.
While the funeral procession crossed the city, no attacks were made against our family. It wasn’t that no one had considered it. According to the rumors—whether true or not—some of the Sanchez Family executives under Eddie Sanchez had apparently voiced such an idea. Naturally, the executive who suggested it had been crushed beneath Sanchez’s iron fist.
To kill the children who had just lost their parents by ambushing their funeral? Even in the brutal wars between organizations, there were lines that should never be crossed. No—perhaps it was more accurate to call it simple human decency.
Thanks to that basic decency holding firm, Father’s funeral procession reached the hall without incident.
The coffin carrying Father’s body. Elena and I. The other wolves and the caporegimes who remained in the family, including Lumini, took positions on either side of the casket.
"Let’s go."
At my command, we lifted Father’s coffin and began carrying it inside. Elena and I stood at the very front. As his only two children, no position could have been more fitting.
Once the coffin was inside the building, we placed it atop the prepared dais. Staff approached and carefully opened the lid, folding it back. Father’s motionless body came into view once more.
"...."
Elena began to tremble violently at the sight.
"Elena."
I called her name and took her hand. For a split second she tried to pull away, but eventually she let me hold it.
After that, Elena and I moved to the countless chairs arranged inside the hall and sat side by side in the two foremost seats. It was customary for the chief mourners to sit at the front to receive the visitors.
While we accepted their condolences and encouragement—
A few of the wolves watched the scene from a distance.
"The young lady is calmer than I expected."
"It’s the boss’s funeral. Of course she is."
The wolves found it incredibly strange that their boss—the little wolf—and Elena Fellini were not snarling at each other. They looked like two children who had lost a beloved parent… or like a perfectly devoted couple.
"If only they acted like that all the time."
"Keep dreaming. It’s not like I don’t understand where the young lady is coming from."
Carso answered Giovanni’s comment. The golem looked uncomfortable in a black suit that was far too tight for his massive frame.
"What do you mean?"
"Sarina, think about it. No matter how little blood they share, they grew up as brother and sister. How would you feel if you had to marry your little brother or older brother?"
"…I’m an orphan. I wouldn’t know."
"And what if that marriage was arranged by their father out of fear for what might happen to her after he died?"
Despite Sarina’s reply, Carso continued.
"When you put it that way… it does sound pretty messed up."
Giovanni nodded, then added that even without blood ties, this was basically an incestuous marriage.
"No, that’s not what I meant. Let’s look at it from the young lady’s perspective."
The fear that after his death the little wolf might push his daughter aside. The suspicion that the marriage had been decided with exactly that worry in mind.
"How would any of you feel? You’d start hating yourself for being inferior to your older brother, and you’d probably develop all kinds of dark thoughts about the brother who outshone you."
"But that’s not Luke’s fault."
"...."
The golem’s mouth, which had been moving nonstop, suddenly stopped at Sarina’s single sentence.
"…Wait, what?"
At Giovanni’s abrupt reaction, every wolf turned to look in the same direction.
There stood Felicia Marinelli, dressed head to toe in solemn black that perfectly suited the occasion—unlike her usual style. She was the first visitor from the five families.
Her appearance momentarily lightened the heavy atmosphere. Still, many people continued to watch her with eyes full of mingled grief and awe.
"...."
"...."
Naturally, both Elena and I reacted to her arrival.
Felicia walked past us, approached Father’s coffin, and gently laid a fully bloomed red rose upon it. Only then did she come to us.
"Luke. Elena. My deepest condolences. I truly wish this hadn’t happened."
"…Thank you."
Elena answered first. Her expression made it clear she was displeased that a member of the five families had dared to appear here. She probably thought it was brazen.
While Elena fought to suppress the sorrow and rage rising from the depths of her heart, I spoke.
"Thank you, Felicia. Did you come in your father’s place?"
"That’s right. I’m here on his behalf. I also have something to pass on to both of you."
Felicia tried to finish quickly before other visitors reached us.
"Father has invited you. Both of you may come together, or just one. As long as it is the new boss of the Fellini Family, it doesn’t matter."
"...."
"Understood. But we have many matters to attend to besides the funeral. I’ll send our answer separately later."
Felicia nodded at my words and swiftly left the hall.
"Armo."
Elena called to Armo, who was standing nearby.
"Make sure no one from the five families is allowed in again."
"…Understood."
"I don’t think that’s necessary."
"No. We cannot let those brazen bastards inside. And Luke—aren’t you being a little too friendly with that woman?"
Elena seemed bothered by the attitude I had shown Felicia. I saw no reason to hide anything.
"Elena. Three days ago, it was Felicia who warned us that Father and you were in danger."
"...."
"That’s why Armo was able to inform Father, and I was able to send Lumini to you."
"...."
Elena didn’t seem ready to believe it. That was understandable.
"Why would the Marinelli side…"
"Not everyone in the five families is rowing the same boat."
"What if they are on the same boat and just trying to confuse us?"
There was logic in Elena’s refusal to drop her suspicion. It was only my intuition that told me otherwise.
After Felicia left, the stream of visitors continued without pause. It was impressive to see so many prominent figures from every corner of Hevilly arriving one after another.
Even the vice mayor, currently acting in place of the mayor who had died on the same day as Father, made an appearance. No other members of the five families came—making Felicia’s visit all the more unusual.
Moving Father’s coffin to the cemetery was scheduled for several days later.
Once today’s funeral proceedings ended, we returned to the port district. Lingering unnecessarily would only invite trouble, and if either Elena or I died, we would have no face left to show Father.
The Rufus Carlton Hotel, which I had been using as my base while managing the port area.
I had gathered Elena and the other wolves on the top floor, intending to speak with them.
"So what’s this about?"
Elena looked exhausted from standing beside me to receive the visitors. The fact that she wasn’t even snapping at me told me she had no energy left.
"There’s something we need to settle clearly while we have the chance."
I repeated what Felicia had told me—that the boss of the Marinelli Family wished to meet the new boss of our family.
"…So? Are you trying to say you’re the boss?"
"No. Our boss is you, Elena."
"...."
"The underboss, however, will be me."
"...."
There was that look again. It was obvious she thought I planned to turn her into a boss in name only—a mere figurehead.
The other wolves also seemed unhappy with my decision.
"Older brother, aren’t you being too hasty?"
"We can’t leave things in this ambiguous state forever. The boss of the family is Elena. The underboss is me. If anyone has objections, speak now."
To Giovanni’s question, I stated my intentions even more firmly.
"...."
None of the wolves raised any protest.
"Elena?"
When I called her name, Elena remained silent, lost in thought. Yet she showed no sign of refusal.
"…Fine."
She stepped closer, nodded, and answered. She was still wearing the black dress, her face pale, but her eyes burned with determination. Rather than dwelling on the grief of losing her father or her jealousy toward me, she had steeled herself for the battles ahead. She extended her hand.
"Luke."
As my name left her lips, I kissed the back of her hand.
"Elena."
It was the moment the new boss and new underboss of the Fellini Family were born.
That was when it happened.
Letters appeared on the glass window behind Elena. There was no frost on the pane, yet the words were painfully clear.
Until death separates the two.
It was a truly ominous message.