Charlie sat in the Hotel Dupree, a joint in which he had secretly relocated too. He wanted to enjoy himself, this is how that now happened. Shit was changing around here, times were tough and he recognized that. His crew was making small petty cash right now while he called in some former favors, he had managed to get his hands on a measly twenty thousand dollars that got him a permanent stay in the hotel.

"Charlie, we got some news. A couple of the high-profile city officials, judges, and politicians recognize what you did for them. They are still in your debt and are ready to be called in, should you need something big and better than ever."

Charlie leaned back once more, knowing that there was more. They wanted something, they always did, he heard the news of the people his son was dealing with. Chicago lot, New York lot, and people here in Philly. Wars were breaking out and it was now time that he made a name for himself with this little chaotic scene of men and women trying to make a name for themselves as well. Unlike him though, they didn't have the city officials backing them.

"What else? They wanted something from me, they always do. If they're willing to back a monster like me in play for another, they are having the common fable of the two devils, which was one is the lesser and which one would be the cause for destruction. It's a choice that we don't really make in a business like this but we have to roll with the punches in the end."

Sam stepped to the liquor cabinet, pouring himself some glass with some ice cubes before taking a brief sip, savoring the taste with ease.

"They needed you to get rid of the DiBan Outfit and the Upstate Commission, the people who grew big in the time of Joseph and Michael. They wanted to remove ya from your throne, still, Benny is loyal and is willing to back ya in Detroit, the casino, everything. He's willing to put it up and step down if it means working for you again."

There it was, wage two wars against two beasts of nature, what the fuck? He could do it with a smile on his face but it was the matter of the cost, his men, money, and production. They had only just found out the route in which the Bank Trucks were going on, putting that on hold for war seemed like a stupid thing to do in all seriousness.

"That wouldn't work brother. You guys just started with the bank info, putting that off when we have no money or backing but then you mention Benny, I need him to stay out of this. Keep his head above the grimy shit and make sure that he keeps my pride and joy afloat. He'll be rewarded without a doubt, that is for sure."

Sam stepped out, sitting next to his boss with a sigh that had Charlie questioning what was on his mind.

"I think you should do it. Have one crew head up the war against the DiBan, leave the Upstate Commission out of this for now. While I and the others deal with the Bank business, we can handle both of these ends of the bloody business we're in, boss. Trust us, you've done this before in Sicily. It was not all peaceful, this is the same as before. We can do this, for you and for our future."

Charlie stood from his seat, collecting his glass of whiskey from the table as he stood at the window, leaning against a pillar that overlooked the beautiful city of Philadelphia that had him remembering the simpler times when he was an advisor to Joe The Boss. Remembering the days where he had to stay up with a shotgun in hand and protecting the boss from days where people believed that they could step to him.

"You really think we can do this? With no cash or weaponry? Did you think that was just going to magically appear in our hands, Sam?"

His acting right-hand of his gang chuckled from where he was sitting, a smirk stretching his lips not that Charlie could see with his eyes focused on the city below.

"You're smoking too much, I know exactly where we will be getting our money, from family, of course."

"You want to help us? Truly? What's in it for you? Of all people Father, you know that it is I that knows you the best. You taught me to know my friends, know my enemy, and know my family. I did that and I know you, there is something in it for you but what can you provide with the DiBan Outfit crisis? Nothing besides words and a few ballsy men who have no family back home?"

Charlie sipped his bourbon, his back facing his daughter as he continued to gaze down at the city. He stared at it with a fondness before speaking softly, barely even registering his adopted daughter's words from before.

"I once worked for Isabella Luciano, back then, I was still a ballsy young kid. I worked my way up. I robbed, I stole, and I killed for the family. It was what it was, business at the end of the day. Then I went to Chicago, I did the same thing there, and then I did the same thing in Philly. Except that is where I made my name, people began to take notice, I was soon known as the apostle of South Philly. I was a beast they called me. I grew with it, I changed, I learned with my time."

Cassandra knew this much, she knew her father well, why was he telling her something that she would already know? He was informing her of nothing that she didn't already see for herself. This was annoying to her, the trip down memory lane, was it supposed to make her different, make her feel something about him? She didn't know but right now, all she could do was watch him. She stared at his back, wondering what he was going through to tell her this story.

"I then went to jail, thanks to your lover Gerry and my once best friend, associate, right-hand man. I picked that man to run my business, not to destroy. I learned that day, we pick our family and sometimes that family disappoints you in the strangest of ways. They will do anything to prove themselves better than you, that you didn't make them anymore, that you were a monster, that you killed for nothing but yourself and pure desire for bloodshed."

Cassandra scoffed, brushing a hand through her hair, clearly her father was taking potshots as he controlled this conversation right now. She stepped forward, tensing when his security stepped forward as well, making sure that she knew that their presence was still there and required should they see any act of violence towards her.

"None the less, I am proud of you Cassie. You became what I could not, you became smart, you adjusted and learned the ways of the legitimate side before coming back. I've heard some things, I know that you are at war with the DiBan who wish to take on Falcone and the Upstate Commission who wish for the Pavanno's to cease our ways of the Casino trade. I'm here to help you in one way, connections."

Cassandra stopped short, her father did have those, thanks to JackWaltz, the former Enforcer for Tops division of Race Street Company. The young man that worked for her father had died sometime after but now his work had not been forgotten, her father now used his hard work to call in the favors he was owed and now he had a stockpile of them in his pockets.

"What are you saying pops? Are you looking to get into the game again? We can't allow that, the Ultra-Luxe is the property of Michael Pavanno and the Pavanno family."

Charlie laughed, it was not bitter but quite genuine. His son had displaced his brother and cousins in father of himself. It was quite the move but one that might have repercussions if the Garranzino family had anything to say about it, no he would worry about that later. Right now it was about Cassandra and her business.

"I'm not talking about the Ultra-Luxe, the territory. DiBan Outift territory will belong to me and my crew in exchange for our help in removing them from your little war. After that, you may continue with your war against the Upstate Commission, is that understood, daughter of mine?"

Cassandra knew that making deals like this was something she could do and with her Michael away, she was Acting Boss. The choice to allow her father in on this was something that she would not regret.

"It's understood, once you provide the support and with the removal of the DiBan Outfit, I will move forward in giving you the territory and all its businesses. You have your deal, father, just know that Mikey won't be happy that you worked with us."

Charlie sighed, remembering the boy's mother and another fuzzy moment came to him as he remembered her face for a single second, seeing her green eyes at that moment before shaking his head again. He was close but something held him back, he hoped to know what happened if his mind allowed it.

'I'll find you again, I swear il mio amore'

Honey Dew Bakery

"Can it be done?"

Charlie leaned against the wall of the front-room in the Honey Dew Bakery that was operated by the Pavanno family right here in Philly. It was a business that clearly acted as a front but they did sell amazing sweet buns....that came out wrong as Charlie grinned to himself in his head, thinking that he might occupy his time with a lady downstairs soon enough.

"It can be done but this type of thing, what you're talking happens once in a lifetime Charlie. Taking out your competition is one thing but framing him and then trying to get him to admit, is another entirely. He's the head of the DiBan, the FBN have been having a harder time of catching his fucking ass. Tony Gigante is not your run of the mill boss, he is a Kingpin and has operations all over. What's to say one of his boys won't take over once they see the chance, huh?"

Charlie had calculated the risk and he already knew it was worth it but here was Williamson being a hardass about it. He was putting his reputation on the line here, a politician who made promises of cutting the crime out. To do that, you needed to work with the crime lords and that is what he was currently doing. The business was just coming up, he needed this or his chance at a new beginning was going to fail.

"They won't get the chance to do so. This war you fear, it won't even reach a single death because a power struggle will ensue between themselves once they realize most of their people have been removed from the equation. We, in the society of the chosen, will be the ones to make sure that this does not reach the level you believe it will. I swear on my honor that it will not."

Williamson did not like Pavanno, he was a man that he disliked greatly but the man had once earned him so much that he was in debt and he paid his debts. This one was the just the first of many, cracking down on the DiBan Outfit which would lead to the arrest and deportation of Tony Gigante.

"Fine, I'll make the call and it'll be done but if this blows back, this is on your ass, Charlie. I won't be the one to save you this time, this move will cost you, more than you know."

Just as Williamson was going to leave in his show of power and confidence, Charlie clapped as if watching an opera performance. Right here was that moment of never tempting fate, Williamson did so just now and he knew it. Trying his power play was something that not many did with Charlie and he forgot how much he missed it, living with it, he was getting back to the basics with a smirk twitching at his lips.

"Listen here Williamson, I think you have yourself mistaken, this business, this life is not yours. You do not make the calls, you do not say whether or not that it costs me, I do. I've saved your ass more times than I can count, don't grow too big now. Remember I know many things about you and your family, your lover, your father in New Orleans. I know plenty of things that can ruin your life and your career, remember who it was that allowed this chance to leave with some dignity, hm?"

Williamson walked away, paler than he had been before and knew that he had poked the former Don of The Tops division. He was scared but managed to keep his head held high as he entered his car.

'And so it begins.' Charlie thought with glee in his eyes, it was time to return things to the way they were before, with him in business, Ring-A-Ding. Let the good times roll.

Charlie sat in the Hotel Dupree, sitting in an ornate chair that looked over the city of brotherly love. This was the day everything was going to change, the DiBan would be no more and so would begin his own rise in the underworld. He had plans but first Tony Gigante would need to be removed, Sam stood at one end of the room, clearly anxious as he believed this plan was going to fail and if it did, they would be dead. A full-scale war was not what they could handle right now.

"If this fails Charlie, you know we're all fucked, right? This deal you made, are you sure Williamson will go through with it?"

The general consensus was that Williamson would fuck them all over, Charlie knew the man, he valued family above and those he wished to protect. It would be a stupid thing for him to betray their agreement, it was why Charlie seemed calm at the moment like these. It was Sam that pushed for this to happen, now he had to bear with the waiting for his answer. Charlie motioned for him to come forward, clearly wishing to have a word with him that everyone would be able to hear.

"You pushed for this Samuel, do not forget that. I wanted us to stay focused on controlling the Bank Trucks but you wished for bigger and now we have that. Patience is something that you must have in these moments, pushing for their deaths was a move you pushed for. Right now, this is completely different and we will need to gather your courage or you find it! Cause I will not allow someone so nervous and uncertain to sit at my right, permanently."

Charlie stated his words that were a message to all the men that had pushed for this. It took time and the necessary needed to be talked about. Suddenly the phone rung out, Sam walked over, picking it up with a much more authoritative voice than he had before that was filled with nerves as if Charlie had lit a fire under his ass and made him toughen up a little.

"Yes, he's here. Thank you and we'll be seeing you I have no doubt. We are gracious for your assistance in the matter, we wish to continue this friendship. Charlie will be pleased for what you've done for the family, goodbye."

Sam turned back to face Charlie who continued to have an expression of reflection before he deliberately coughed.

"It's done. The DiBan Outfit is no more and the remaining Captains are warring amongst themselves around the Old City area, should we go pay them a visit?"

Charlie sighed, placing a smoke in his mouth before setting it alight without another word, puffing, and exhaling. He relieved his stress without realizing, he needed to make sure that this was the best move going forward. He decided to contact a couple of cops on the take, knowing that rounding up the Capo's with the most authority would be a good thing for now.

"Call Tom, Kingston, and Umber. I want all the Capo's who hold enough reputation to be rounded up and then driven to a location of our choosing. Make sure that it's secluded, I'll go deal with the fallout for now, get these rogue soldiers and Capo's under control of the new power in this beautiful territory of ours."

Charlie smiled, taking a couple of his armed guards as Sam stayed back, making the calls as he realized that they had just risen in power within a number of days, maybe this was just fated. The Cat always did have a way with playing the game.

Charlie and his crew had parked their cars outside the East Cat Cellars. This was where he would be making the final stand, all those that wished to join him in this new adventure. He knew this was the way, it was going to be a new beginning for those who wished to come to join him in the new ways of doing business. He would need to get some organized first but then he could truly start with his business, for now, he entered the former established of Godfather Jack Mezzo who had fallen on that fateful Christmas night.

"Why do we have to work with this old-timer? His ways are dead, they were killed, their ways are done. We could all walk out of here and still be alive, he promised us safety, the only reason I'm here is to see if the rumors are true. To see if Charlie Pavanno did raise up and suddenly come back to life like some fucking Zombie in this fucker, if so, then be warned, he ain't a cat to be messed with. Already he placed our boss in jail, what does that mean for us? If we disobey, what happens to us, hm?"

Charlie noticed one of the braver men that had come here, still supporting Tony Gigante and his former regime that was being gathered as the duck continued quacking and not paying attention to his surroundings, Charlie's boys had taken positions all around the room, guns in hand looking at everybody.

"Well I do hope that this is not all of yous fabulous opinions on me, I have been away for some time but now there is something that needs to be said and business that needs to be talked about right now. You know who I am, what I've done and what I will do for those under my care and protection but also for those I love in this business."

Everyone went silent before them was a man rumored to be dead and buried in the ground. So many people had gone to his funeral it seemed like a waste of time at this time, he was just another soldier in their eyes but he was someone that rose up. The big thing about Charlie was that he assumed the mantle after his boss had moved on, leaving the throne to his trusted Left-Hand.

"If you do not know me, then here it is. My name is Charles Pavanno, former owner of the Ultra-Luxe and Tops Casino. I once worked closely with men that ran these streets, they worked day and night, to this day, I still have that respect for them. That will never be forgotten, ever, I will carry it with me like a weapon. I am here to extend an offer of business and integration back into the old ways."

There it was, Charlie could see the fear in their eyes in the old ways, something of becoming the boss of bosses. The Capo Di Tutti Capi. Charlie smiled at that, he would never have taken such a position, it would have been a bigger headache than anything else but he knew it was necessary for these smaller crews.

"You will all work for me, I will grant you connections, favors, reputation and most of all, money. The power that I hold at my fingertips is nothing to brush off, this is not a brag. I could have you all locked for conspiring to commit murder right now but I do not, I wish to extend my hand in an offer of working for me. Do this and I will make sure that you become richer than ever before, this is your chance to become more than a silly outfit of men. It's your choice to be bosses in your own right."

Every former member of the DiBan Outfit stood there as Charlie Pavanno wished to declare himself boss, the boss of his own Outfit. Now without any of the former upper structure left, it would leave the remaining Capo's, those of which all but disappeared, nowhere to be seen. They knew that Pavanno had something to do with it but without enough backing, they could hardly try to force him out and so the first soldier stepped forward, kissing the knuckles of Charlie Pavanno with some reluctance and joined his ranks.

Many soldiers knew that they had no backing, they would have to start fresh with Charlie and his gang but they were willing. So overall, Charlie gained fifty members of his new organization. The others did by proxy who were already under by association, it was done, a new era had begun for Charlie but the night had hardly finished yet. So begun the promotions that Charlie had to give out, who would be given what and who would become his newest Advisor.

"Gentlemen, the territory must be established and so should business, belonging to the Gerlino Crew, The Policy. A gambling operation that brings in five-hundred grand a month, I want you boys to run it professionally as it needs be. I will grant you the startup capital soon enough once that has been sorted out with the proper channels."

Charlie raised a glass to his lips, noticing how many other people now waited for the news that they might be getting a promotion and a sweet kickback soon enough. This was going to be the greatest movement since the old guard days, it all started here though, with pure strength and determination. He would need to have his iron will, men would challenge him, they would wish to see if he was worthy of being called Boss.

"To the Masera Crew, I grant you the operation of The Tops Casino, Philly Branch which will be started in the next month. You will be joining forces with Benny down in Detroit to work out a program soon enough, I hope you all enjoy your time there none the less. The business I have in store for some of you though is that you will be turning a profit of two point five million per year, you would have the entire high-class society at your beck and call. Do well Hector and make me proud amigo."

Charlie noticed the other looks and cheers for Hector, people supported the choice for bringing him into the business, others clearly not so much. They wanted their own floor of heaven in the works that he was doing, it was quite nice to see that this business was going to be all up in his face soon enough but for now, he was working an angle. Over fifty members and now they wanted something from him, he found it to be funny.

"Gentlemen, I notice that you are all eager and ready for the next stage of our business but do not worry, every one of you has a role to play. I have not forgotten your roles back in the DiBan Outfit, I do not mean to diminish your roles here with me but you did not earn your places with me. You earned them with Tony Gigante, it's different with me, all of you go to Winston or Hector for a job. If you're looking for something bigger, stop by the Hotel Dupree and talk with Samuel, my advisor."

Charlie raised his glass in the air, followed by the other men and new Capos of the Pavanno Outfit that had just been established. A small crew but still, it was going to work soon enough, they would start raking in the cash.

"Salud! To our new future and friends!"

Off The Beaten Path

Two car lights shined down at four men bound and gagged as well as blindfolds. It was clear that they were not here by their own choices as they struggled to try to escape being watched by Samuel Aliona of the Pavanno Outfit, clearly enjoying their struggles as he sat on the hood of his Rosevelt.

"You won't escape boys, you were brought here because you're a threat, this business is not what you think it is. Sometimes old faces gotta make a reappearance here and there, I work for Charles Pavanno. That man is fucking crazy but he's my boss and I respect him, he works hard and plays hard, people recognize talent, they will recognize him."

The men stopped struggling and they knew what was coming, they were making peace in their heads. It was true and they all knew, they would not be leaving this place alive. Once they heard that name, it was all over, they had stopped as if making peace with an Angel to deliver them to the golden gates of Heaven itself. Charlie Pavanno was a man who got what he wanted, right now he needed power, he wanted it and he would get it.

"Now you understand, you know the saying boys, you know why we do this and why it happens. You had a good run, you lived long and you lived hard. You ruled rural Philly for some time before it had to settle, now someone else has come to take your crown, I will give you a few moments before the end."

Samuel waited and he heard a car pulling up, he knew it was the boss, Charlie Pavanno had arrived with two new fresh faces among him. It seems he had now met his newest capo's to be controlling the inner workings of the soldiers and such, it was nice to see that he was not placed there and was valued as a friend to the Boss.

"So, Hector and Winston, this is Samuel Aliona, my advisor and head of operations regarding the legal side of the business. He's the one that you will be working with most of all in regards to the Gambling and Casino moments in the future, as you can see, these were your Captains, these men you worked under, they are here to face the end of their days."

Hector looked down at each of the men with a cold gaze that would almost look like he didn't care but if someone looked deeper, there was a flash of sorrow in his eyes at the fact this needed to happen. The young Capo understood why this needed to happen, heck he would have pushed for it but these men, they had given him the chance in the life and now to kill them was something that he seriously disliked.

Winston had been more or less the same, he understood it and would have pushed but it did not mean that he had to like it. This business was simply that, an escape sometimes, people forget that the bonds they forge do not mean they are protected from harm all the time, it just means that it will hurt the person more for doing so. This life was a curse and a gift, they had power and riches but it often meant having to kill your friend in cold blood to simply rise through the ranks of what you might deem yours.

"I understand the hurt you're going through, I have done the same thing. I have also fought the same thing, I've been through this multiple times and it does not get easier. You have to find your courage, grip it tight and never let it escape. This is your time, this is your fight. You're captains now, you are responsible for your crews, they look to you and they respect you now. This is the choices you must make, fight or die, is an everyday decision."

Winston and Hector looked at one another, nodding as if they spoke of a new brotherhood between them. They looked back to Charlie who could clearly see the shift in personality, there was still some reluctance in their eyes.

Charlie turned back to face the bound and gagged capo's whose blindfolds had since been removed.

"Gentlemen, a new era is approaching, we do not have space for you in this new era that is coming about. We know fo your deeds, we wish you to find the gates of heaven and be with your family. It's the end of the line boys, time to say goodnight to the DiBan Outfit."

And so it ended, collective pistols fired at the Capo's as they fell back into their already made grave as Charlie watched on with a smile twitching at his lips. This was it, the beginning as he knew that his crew could only rise from here and gain some attention from the other gangs in the area, they would soon make history with the robbery of the Fifth Street Savings Bank Trust.