Nestled in the hillside of Palermo, sat a beautiful hillside mansion overlooking the tyrrhenian sea, hidden amongst the various trees and shrubbery. The place was a large, 8,500 square foot, thing of beauty with marble floors throughout, and expensive chandeliers hanging in each room. The Decor was vintage and expensive in taste with an indoor bar and lounge located at the very rear of the property with large double glass paned windows.

It was everything Luis had dreamt of as a kid, retiring in the hills of Sicily and it was getting ever seemingly closer. Now, turning 47, and Underboss of a crime family in Philadelphia, he finally had the capital to invest in it, his dreams were becoming ever so closer to being real.. He slid the back sliding glass door open and took a step outside to breathe in the fresh air...

The sea seemed so calm, with the sounds of various birds in the distance and the waves gently crashing against the shore, Luis was immediately in love.. he pulled a large cigar from his suit pocket and stuck it in his mouth, biting off the end and spitting it to the side and nearly nailing Joe with it.. He grinned and stuck it back in his mouth and patted his suit for his engraved zippo, 'Lucky', and flicked it open, igniting the flame at the same time and raising it to the cigar, exhaling a few clouds of smoke before aggressively flicking it back shut and sticking it in his pocket...

"The view.. It's absolutely beautiful... don't you think Joe?" Luis said still grinning as he took small puffs off his cigar

"Yea.. one hell of a place boss... what should I tell the agent.. you gonna take it?" 

Luis glanced at Joe and nodded who quickly grinned and walked over to the real estate agent and informed him of Luis' intent to purchase...

Luis continued taking in the scenery, noticing the seagulls flocking together near the beach as they scavenged for various fish.. It sort of reminded him of home, how the wise guys all flocked to the streets, in search of their 'fish'... he smiled and shook his head, comparing some hardened criminals to dumb birds.. who was he kidding... His shoulder received a minor squeeze before he glanced back and saw his daughter Valencia standing their with a big smile on her face.. It was the first time she had been to Italy, her home country.

"It's.. beautiful Dad.." she said softly as he nestled herself under his wing and gleamed up at him

"I'm glad you brought me this time.."

Luis smiled from cheek to cheek as he kissed his daughter on the forehead and looked back out to the sea..

"Me too... It's so beautiful.. I think I'm going to buy it..."

Valencia took a step back, still smiling but was overwhelmed with Joy she had to jump up and down, embracing her father again before settling down..

"I'm so happy for you! It's what you deserve.. you've always talked about owning a home back here in Sicily!!" she said with Joy

"I know.. which is why I'm also leaving you with a key.. if something were to ever happen to me. This place is yours just as much as mine.. a safe haven of sorts... Something I want passed down through the generations..."

She glanced up at him and nodded, just as Joe and the real estate agent were approaching...

"So, Mr. Patangeli.. your associate Joe here tells me you wish to buy the property... with cash" the man stuttered for a second

"Is that going to be a problem??" Luis said aggressively

"No.. but I must ask.. where are is the 10.5 million Euros exactly coming from.. my office does not work with the mafia I will be very clear..."

The man said very nervously, but was a bit relieved when Luis smiled at him and pulled his business card from his pocket and handed it to him..

"I'm a businessman, my good friend. Read the title.. Union Director of the South Philly Labor Union... my money is all legit..." he said with a grin

"I assure you... there will be no problems from me.. so do we have a deal?" 

The man smiled and reluctantly shook Luis' hand, and pulled the set of keys from his pocket and slowly handed them over to Luis...

"I expect the full payment by the end of this month...er uh.. Mr. Patangeli..." the agent muttered

"Gratzie! That will be no trouble..."

Luis motioned for Joe Delorenzi to escort the agent off his property, nicely of course... Luis found a seat nearby and sat down in it, puffing on his cigar and drifting off into thought.. Would he ever make it to retire here? Look at his father.. 88 years old and still consigliere to a family.. was there any way out of the mafia other than in a bodybag....