It had been earlier that week when I received News I would be sent overseas, to start everything new. I couldn't help but miss home as we neared the coast of Florida, things would be different here. I could feel it already. My father wanted me gone, he wanted me to be better than him. So he sent me to live my Aunt Martina and my Uncle Marco, who had honest livings as a baker and a steel worker. Uncle Marco had moved to america years ago, he was my father's Older brother, who strayed away from the family business and preferred to work hard, something I admired about him. Years had gone by since I had last saw them, my love for them still strong. As i walked towards the rear of the boat I could see a gathering of people on the doc. Stepping off the ramp I see my uncle, his head gleaming from baldness as always. My aunt next to him in tears because it had been so long since we last saw each other. I can't lie the moment was getting to me as well, I dropped my bag and ran to my uncle and aunt with my arms open. I had missed them so much, and now they would help me begin my next journey. After we got into the  car my uncle and I begin to talk.

“Dona, Hows my brother?”

“He is….. You know zio , himself. Things have not changed that's why im over here now.”

“It's a shame my brother cannot change this life of his. I'm glad you came to stay with us Dona,” His accent heavy when he said my name, all of these things to remind me of home I hope i am able to make good here.

“Me too zio, zia is it possible I can work at the bakery with you for a while till I am comfortable with something else?” I had no idea why I was asking I knew my aunt would not say no to me.

“Of course of course, you know you do not have to work until you are ready baby, but I know how much you want to prove to everyone you are independent. Unlike your brother, how is he doing?”

“He refused to come with me, but the last few years have been rough for him so I understand. I will be like you soon an aunt”

I could not help smiling, it was true my brother who was a few years older than me had finally gotten his childhood lover pregnant. My father whom loved my brother very much wanted to send my brother and his wife to be with me. My brother refused, over the last few years he had been running rampant in Naples. He was picking up my fathers habits quicker than my father had hoped, this upset my father and left them arguing all the time.

As we pulled into my uncles giant house it was then I realized my family did not exaggerate when  it came to taking care of each other. My uncle could never afford this on a steel workers pay.They allowed me my own space at their guest house welcoming me to anything in the main house. My aunt assured me I could begin working this weekend with her. The boat trip was long with no good showers, I could finally get sleep on a comfortable bed and wash my hair.

The next morning it had took me quite some time to get out of bed, but I had to get off my ass and see the rest of my family in the states. My Uncle had taken the day off so we could visit my nonno. I had not seen him in over 8 years. He was forced to move because of certain circumstances back home in Naples years ago, but he has refused to return back ever since. After a wash and buttered bread my uncle and I headed towards our destination. It was a quiet ride for the most part besides the casual talk of back home. I could tell my uncle missed it, I always wanted to ask why exactly he left, but there was no rush on things as I would be here for some time and could ask him at another point. We pulled into a long road and then down another towards the back end of a lake. My nonno’s land was beautiful something out of a black and white. My nonno started to cry when he saw me. I was expecting this after not seeing me for so long.

Sitting with my nonno we talked about what I had wanted to do with the rest of my life, something I thought about quite often. I didn't quite have an answer for him and I didn't want to embarrass myself either. So I quickly switched the subject. I was curious as to why he had left Naples all those years ago. We drank and he smoked Cigars while he dived into details about his time in Naples before I was born. He explained to me that my father was not the man who brought our family to peak position in Italy, but his younger brother Don Tristano Bisi. I had never met my great uncle he had passed before I was born. My family in Naples hardly spoke of him and switched the subject whenever he was mentioned.   

My nonno told me about how he and his ruthless brother, painted Naples red to gain respect among the current mob bosses at the time. During these times the tension was high in Naples due to the amount of different families wanting a claim on the ever so limited productions there. My Great Uncle, my age at the time decided he would have a piece of wealth as well, no matter the pain it would bring to others. With a high temper like all Bisi's  I could tell my nonno was not exaggerating when he explained there upcoming. He told how his brother would make examples out of people for personal amusement. The detailing of there first robbery brought knots to my stomach, the man sitting in front of me had committed such treacherous crimes . Am I wrong because It does not change my love for him? Who am I to Judge?

Nonno elaborated on the robbery. He and his brother had prepped for days, with nothing but a broken shotgun and Kitchen knives they plotted to steal from  Don Vitto Notte's stash house. Vitto had been one of the heads of 4 current families in Naples, out of the 4 the Notte family was the newest to form. Lead by Don Vitto's father they controlled a small percentage of the dock and multiple bars and brothels through Naples. They waited till one of Vittos man had left the stash house on a night most of these men were drunk or at the brothels having their fun. Upon his return to the stash house, my elders waied nearby for him to open the front door. Once open my nonno pressed the broken shotgun against the back of the Notte family associates head motioning to continue moving. Nonno went into detail at how the man boasted and bragged about his revenge while his brother raided the place.  Taking what cash and gold they had Tristano ran throw the house like mad man. Upset he could not find more, he begin to make his way out. At this point the Notte family associate was still mouthing off about revenge, this did not sit well with Tristano. Hus anger built , due to his much over complex greed, he stabbed the man repeatedly in the abdominal area and once across the throat muttering the words “Can't talk now can yeh”. My grandfather admitted that was the first time he had been a witness to a murder , but it wouldn't be the last. That robbery was the start to the foundation my father and brother sit on. Soon after Tristano get in really close with the Matello brothers, a group of men led by Victor and Hector Matello, they ran a local underground gambling spot . These guys didn't belong to any family but were well respected among them because of etiquette business.The Matello brothers were the first two people my nonno and his brother trusted with their lives.

A few weeks had passed since the robbery at the stash house, with both my nonno and Tristano on edge , trying to anticipate relation there was not much going on. That was until Hector stumbled into Tristano's garage holding victor up as a crutch. Blood pouring from his face, my grandfather's toned changed as he explained stitching his friends face up. He hated to see the people he loves hurting. Putting Victor inside to rest , Hector beings to explain what happened. Victor and Hector had been having a usual night of customers when some drunk prick decided it would be a good idea to go around flicking people off. This was something they could not tolerate in an establishment ran by them, no matter the customer,they showed respect and expected it back in return.  After having a few guys deal with the man business presumed as usual. The night was quite up until fifteen past 3 , when a group of guys entered the establishment flipping tables, throwing bottles and beating ass. Some of Matello’s men fought back but where outnumbered, to no surprise among these men, the man thrown out and Little Joey Notte, Joey was Vitto’s son. A very dangerous man with a hot temper, he had no respect for peaceful grounds and was clear he did not care about who respected the Matello brothers. Little Joey was the one who slashed Victor's face. If not for Hector pulling his gun and threatening to kill Joey if he did not leave, Victor may have been killed.

"All of this and my brother had not even found out yet" nonno told me.

My nonno continued the story, Getting deeper into detail. He and Hector waited for Tristano to arrive back home, once there they explained what happened at the casino while Tristano looked over Victor's face. He was not happy and wanted an eye for an eye. My nonno did not think this was a good idea , but Hector was all for it. My nonno thought it would bring more bloodshed and there would be a loss of money, he suggested setting a meeting up with Don Vitto to discuss the mater. Don Vitto at the current time had no idea who killed his man and robbed the stash house.  Tristano agreed for his brothers option and the meeting was set for the following night. Hector would be joining them in the meeting. Once there my nonno spoke directly with Don Vitto with Little Joey sitting besides him. Vitto was under the impression Joey was attacked at the gambling spot, something that did not happen. After hearing Hectors side of things, Vitto asked  Joey if all this was true , Joey admitted he had started the altercation but only after a friend of his had been thrown out. Vitto continued to to converse with my nonno and Tristano, finally deciding he would come to an agreement where he would send some of his high rollers to the Matello brothers establishment. This was fine by my nonno as he would soon have a percentage into something that would be much more lucrative. 

Things had been fine for some weeks at the establishment. Money was being made, no issues has occurred and most importantly Victor was back on his feet and able to oversee thing's giving Hector and my grandfather a break. At this point the Matello brothers and my family had joined forces to open up a series of restaurants. Bisi Cibo and a few other restaurants had been flourishing, making what would soon to be one of the Bisi crime families many sources of incomes. My uncle Tristano started to higher local thugs to keep these establishments at bay and protect them, the Bisi crime family had started up, with a lack of men they made up of it with opening up steel mines a few miles out of Naples generating them a huge source of income not only in Naples but in all of Italy. 

It was looking good for the Bisi family, money rolling in, my uncles(the Matellos included) and grandfather had waged there all into getting things rolling, and so far it had been paying off.  The Notte family owned a few horse track's in which they would invite the heads of the other families once a month to meet and speak freely. Being new to the scene in Naples the Bisi family decided to take it upon themselves in joining the meeting. One by one the four uppers of the Bisi crime family entered the betting are, one of the Notte family associates quickly notice this and escorted them to the area the other families would meet at. Entering the room my nonno had knots in his stomach, he knew there would be a sour taste left in the mouths of those who did not approve of the uninvited attendees. He greeted everyone with respect shaking the hands of  Don Vitto of the Notte Crime Family, Don Finn of the Dando Crim Family, Don Miguel of the Paladino Crime Family and Don Valentino of the Maestri Crime Family. 

The five families gathered together, my nonno told me Don Finn, Miguel and himself had been discussing the future possibility of providing steel in exchange for reduction on taxes when transporting through the doc. Miguel and Finn heads of the two oldest families ran the docs together as a unit , as there fathers did before them. My nonno respected these men as they all had something in common, they all wanted to keep peace in Naples and strive to make the city among the better in Italy. My grandfather took there rates down and told them he would let them know by the end of the upcoming week, he wanted this to be a time of enjoyment and getting to know one another instead of jumping straight to business though he was extremely interested. 

With the meeting still going my nonno explained to me how my uncle Tristano spoke with Don Vitto about a small situation the Notte family had, in which my uncle helped. The Notte family had a member who was had been profiting off of there losses in the race track . Betting against the family was a serious no no, the family member could not be touched but would have to reimburse some money as his punishment. His friend who had been placing the bets for him however was free of association, thus leaving him to the wolves. This is where my Uncle Tristano stepped in, he had heard about what had been going on as word gets around quickly in Naples, he know of the friend personally from growing up someone he was not found of, my uncle thought he was a smug bastard. 

During one of the rowdier nights of Naples my uncle had got word from a "Little Bird" that there would be a certain someone would be dining in at Bisi Cibo, the restaurant my family owned. Getting this info my uncle decided to do Vitto a favor the word was he wanted the man dead and on this night my uncle had the power to make it happen. He sent one of his men to Bisi Cibo and told him to wait until after he left as he did not want to make a scene, it was to be a silent execution nothing less nothing more. That next morning my uncle's breakfast was interrupted by someone at his door. Vitto had sent one of his men with 5 boxes of his finest Cuban cigars. It seemed Don Vitto had gotten the message as to who had helped him with his issue. 

Back to the meeting Hector and Victor had been drunk out there mind at the time and been going back and forth with Don Valentino , the brothers and him had known each other for quite some time. They had lived in the same neighborhoods as children and could be caught among the same crowds growing up. It was when they took on the life of crime that they went there own ways but respect went a long way. The group of them had placed bets each on individual horse's and were arguing about who would win. Drinks had kicked in and the group of them were enjoying every minute of it. It seemed the current empire had taken well to the Bisi families setup. The group of men had decided it would be time to talk further business as a group. Don Valentino had been running into some issues in Don Vitto's area of town with some local thugs. They had beaten up and stole from one of Don Valentino's messengers. The thugs did not work for Don Vitto but they knew him and respected his reign over the area. Don Valentino was hoping Don Vitto could put an end to it as he had businesses he needed to take care of in this part of town. Don Vitto had agreed to this and told Don Valentino not to worry anymore. With the issue resolved it seemed like Don Finn and Don Miguel had some heat on them at the docs and would need to put a hold on most things getting transfer through there. This did not sit will  with most of the families besides the Bisi's because they had just got in reach to make money from the docs. Valentino had gotten up and left the room it seemed the news was to much for him as he had some important merchandise on there way that would be getting in through the docs. Vitto was upset but he knew it would be best to lay low with shipment through the docs so time could pass and the heat could go away. During this time my uncle Tristano spoke up about another form of shipment he could substitute for them in the meantime. 

Tristano was offering his service as a middle man between a friend of his from the army that is a pilot. As long as the money was correct he would do favors for my uncle. Finn and Miguel both agreed they would come up with there share and have what they need setup to be dropped off at the air strip he would take off from. Vitto on the other hand was uneasy and did not feel like taking the risk, he said the opportunity seems to easy and nothing was ever this easy, my uncle tried to reassure him that he had used this method before for smaller things but this would by far be the biggest thing he has shipped through the air. Vitto was not convinced but would see how things played out this time and will keep a open mind for next time. At this point Hector has stepped out to find Valentino's right hand and ask to speak to Valentino. Hector knew he would be able to calm his old friend and convince him of the new method. They agreed to discuss further details later and continue to enjoy the races. Victor had the hot streak tonight as he beat Vitto in horse betting 7-2. The night had been successful for my family they established many connections and even more so had developed a bond of trust between Don Miguel and Don Finn. My nonno told me he would later confirm if he would take part and exchange steel service for the tax deduction when the docs would be back running. The night had ended and the gentlemen shook hands and departed there own ways. 

Back at my uncles home my nonno discussed his offer from Miguel and Finn and wanted to run it by the other guys before proceeding with his own judgment. Hector thought he should get the tax deduction percentage before he accepted the deal. Tristano agreed as did my nonno, he would end up talking to the two gentlemen sometime at the end of the week. Everyone had said there goodnight to each other and were heading home until one of Hectors nephews banged on the door yelling to let him in . Upon entering he informed the men Little Joey had been shot on an attempt on Don Vitto's life. The guys could not believe what they were told and all of them sat back down to discuss how this could have happened and for what reason. Vitto was an asshole but he did well by his people and stood for them, there was no reason he should have been targeted at all unless for reasons not concerning relations. The guys believe someone was trying to clear some room up in Naples already as 4 families were enough but a 5th on the rise could cause cash shortage from certain sides. Thins in Naples had begin to get bloody and my family knew they had to prepare themselves for what could be an attempt on them or a possible all out war between the families due to the anger Don Vitto was feeling. 

Things were quickly taking a turn for the worse what had seemed like a great night ended in a dark fashion. Little Joey dying would bring Vitto into dark times as he had cared deeply about his son Joey. Few days had gone by with little to no commotion and business went as usual until Vitto had reach out to Tristano asking to sit down with he and Valentino. My uncle would not refuse knowing in doing so it could raise some suspicion, something the Bisi family did not need right now. Tristano showed to the meeting with my nonno by his side. Upon entering he could see that there was no one else there besides the two men. My nonno felt a moment of relief as this could have all ended badly with there heads on the table.  The Bisi heads sat down and had brought Vitto some expensive whisky from his stash as a condolence gift to Vitto. They arranged for some cups and begin drinking, talking casually among each other. The talk had been going well until my nonno decided to break the ice and bring Joey up.

The men knew they would have to discuss the situation at some point in the night. My grandfather wanted to get a start on it now, Vitto had spread the word that any information was to be rewarded in large sums of cash and those reporting it would be taken cared of no questions asked. Vitto also had wanted to ask Tristano for another favor he knew my uncle had risked some repercussions  by helping him resolve the last situation though Vitto did not ask. This time he was , he wanted my uncle to do him another favor this time but he would offer him 20% profits from his group of brewers, this was a lot of money and could help fund any future operations the Bisi's had been interested in. The reason Vitto could not handle the situation himself is because he believe the hit was order  from inside his own family thus his reason for reaching out. The Bisi family agreed to carry out the deed for him, my family and Joey had there altercation but they had learned that Vitto had spoiled him growing up and his actions were a reflection of his childhood. 

The Dons continued to drink, Vitto telling stories about his uprising and how he aided Don Miguel in a similar way before taking over his family's head position. Soon after the talking everyone wen there own ways and would meet again only after things had been settle. Tristano and my nonno would go home and speak to each other to discuss how they would do this. It was not as simple as kill one man and covering the body up there were 3 individuals of the Notte family that  had been contracted to the Bisi family. My nonno and unlce discussed killing all three in public to make an example of how ruthless the Bisi family was, they decided against it as two of the three members would be attening a local street fair going on the next night. The last member of the Notte family difficult to find but was usually out late at a local bar near Bisi Cibo. They decided tonight they would get the odd man out waiting for him to leave the bar drunk. 

The night was long but it was a successful one nonetheless. The first of the three targets had been taken down and they managed to clean up pretty nicely. They did not think his missing for the next 24 hours would alert the others as he is the casual drunk and goes missing for some time quite often. It was time for the brothers to go home sleep as they would need to finish there job the next evening. The next morning Tristano and my nonno met up at Bisi Cibo to check up on things and get something to eat. They had set the hit up already for a public execution, Hector and Victors nephews had been eager to show they were ready and the opportunity presented itself. Hours had gone by and the street even had started , the street had been flooded with venues selling different foods and drinks. Among them tons of local Naples mobster,  the two members of the Notte family had been dancing with a few girls, this was not proper time since there was a chance the girls with them could be hurt and that was not the way things were done in Naples. The slowly made there way towards an are of venues where a bunch of drunks hang. Sitting a few venues over Tristano gave the signal to Hectors nephews and the two teens shot both men from behind at point blank range. The hit had been done. 

Days later Don Vitto asked to meet up with Tristano and my nonno,  he wanted to thank them and share some of his recent batch of alcohol he had brewed . The Bisi boys got there and were greeted by a few men of the Notte family, some thanking them for the deed they did, some not so happy a brother of theirs had been killed by another hand. Either way the favor was asked from there family head so authorization was clear. Entering inside Vittos backyard they approached him by his pool and sat down to speak. He had been excited to see Tristano as he wanted to thank the Bisi family in person. He gave them an address as to where they could find there gift at and the three men continued to drink and talk. Vitto was now interested in cargo transport as he did not expect the doc slowing down to cause him such a hassle. Tristano used this opportunity to milk some more money from Vitto for doubting him at the meeting with everyone. Tristano assured him he would see to get what he needed picked up and things would go well. There was much business to be handled during that day as Don Valentino wanted to meet at Bisi Cibo.