Seattle, Pavanno Safehouse 

"We've done it now and some of this shit is done with. We can't keep focusing on two different things pops, we need an answer here and now, do you want to go at The Firm or are you looking to do something different...we need to know now."

Charlie sat there, his mind was in shambles as he thought about everything that was going on in these past few weeks. There were moves and then there were rumors, the F.B.I, the rumored white-haired woman, and now The Firm. His guys wanted to know what they would be doing soon. It was becoming a known fact that Charlie had taken a step back with his prominence throughout his business dealings, becoming more lowkey and his appearances were all over the place. 

"Calm down Michael, we all want what-"

"Do we really!? You have Devlin off in Chicago being the liaison for a fucking Casino, you got me preparing to meet a woman who has yet to make an appearance. We're getting heat from the F B-Fucking-I of all people and supposedly rumors of a white-haired woman right here in Seattle. So tell me Pops, just where is this in what we want, hm? Cause I sure as hell know this isn't what we wanted or what we even bargained for."

Charlie did not even have the strength to slam his fist on the table, he gave his son a look and he knew then that Michael was not even angry at the Maldonado situation. His son hated being cooped up, he didn't like it and it showed right here, he wanted to do something and maybe this was the moment where it happened. Maybe his son would finally step up and be the man that he needed to be in order to lead the family. 

"Then tell me, who do we deal with first? The Firm, Casino, F.B.I or the rumors?"

Michael stepped back, going over to the bar that was located in the corner of the room. Pouring himself a glass of scotch, seemingly. Before he walked back with one glass and slid it over to his father, already noticing how he seemed to be a bit stressed out. His father needed a rest and he knew what he was doing but Michael was not going to argue, he was going to see what he could do and how he could do it. 

"We deal with the F.B.I first. They wanted you to meet with Putlova and Medellin. Seeing as how I killed two of them and we are currently on bad terms with the Cartel that puts us at a strong disadvantage. Then again, there is the business with Putlova, we would need to buy some guns or allow them to sell their wares here in Seattle. Provided they cut us a bonus, now I had Freddie organize that and I'll have you informed after this all goes down, make sure it all goes well, alright? We can do this Pop, trust me."

Michael Pavanno never knew how bad it would be to stand here in front of all these high-level people. Now clearly there was some anger and deep-seated mistrust between himself and the Cordelia Cartel. Luckily enough, there were three reps of the Medellin Cartel. Two of which he had met on his travels and had gained their allegiance in the short time he had been in Mexico. 

Victor Aburra and The Rodriguez Brothers were two of the remaining powerful Cartel bosses that had ties to the Italian Mob. Through him, Michael gave them access to ports, warehouses, and shipments. It was a friendship that no one knew about but people speculated and some were not wrong, the three business partners made a lot of money and there was a lot to make with a Pavanno at your side helping the funds along. 

"Ladies and Gentlemen, some of you may know me. My name is Michael Pavanno, I am taking the lead of these talks due to other circumstances that require my father's attention. Make no mistake, my words are my father's, as well as his being mine. I am here to propose an alliance that sees plenty of money coming to our respective organizations. This is to bring about a new era and to found a new peace treaty between the three of us and stop the mistrust that we may have had in the past."

Michael pointedly looked towards Julio Cordelia. This one was not a member of the main branch considering it died out since the last members he killed...yeah that was kind of awkward for the young Underboss but he moved on anyway. 

"I wish for all of us to bring our collective resources and bring about a new era...a golden age for organized crime. The past should remain that, the past. And in honor of the past, I wish to bring something to the table, this is going to be proof of wanting to bring friendship and peace to the table."

All his men had brought forward some envelopes, placing it in front of the respective leaders at the table. All of them looking a bit suspicious before opening their respective slips of paper. It granted them fifty percent ownership of their own race tracks with the Asian organization. 

"Gentlemen, this is all but the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Opening our territories to one another and allowing for further profit. This is what we all need and this is what gives us a much bigger influence in the world, no one would dare touch us. We will give these other organizations a thing to worry about, this is our rise and I hope that I have put your minds at ease. I hope to the high heavens I have given you all something to think about for the future of our businesses and what they can do for one another."

Michael lifted his eyebrows at each of the men as if daring one of them to go against him and gladly, none of them did. He knew none of them would. They all wanted the same thing, in the end, to make money and live to tell the tale.

"You did quite well so I hear, some are even calling you a prodigy at this type of thing. Even if you've had more experience than most heirs your age, this type of thing will never grow easy. I just think you should know, son."

Charlie leaned against the window, his eyes looking down at the bustling streets of the Emerald City. It truly was one of a kind, sometimes, he could not believe where he was. This was the type of thing he would have to go through now, just to make sure that his plans went the right way. 

"Oh I know, we have a lot to deal with soon. Maybe we should just end it there, hm? Keep us out of this for a while, you did make a promise. Such wondrous people, those people were, sometimes I wonder, did you do the right thing?"

Charlie chuckled, his son never let that go. So they had been less vocal here for a good while, deciding to keep themselves busy with Chicago, Seattle and a whole lot of other projects that had taken up their time. To say that it had been worth it would have an understatement. 

Charlie enjoyed his time traveling for a good while, he would never forget it, now he knew what he wanted to do and what he could do. Now was the time to keep the Agent down, soon he would have to deliver on his promise and make sure that the bastard remained down. Nothing else would have been better.

"Oh trust me, I did and like I've said, I enjoyed myself. Still, we both know that there is no rest for the wicked, we have to move forward and continue with our plans. Have you found anything out on our resident fan?"

Michael sighed, walking over to his desk and pulling a folder off of it. Handing it over to his father, considering the news of this agent. It was a surprise that no one wanted to kill him, he had not exactly been keeping a low profile. He was a wanted man as well as a dead one if his father got a hold of him. 

"Here it is, he's not even an agent anymore. Nor are the people who are working for him, he's something else and he seems to be against you, father. I say it's time we pay him a little visit, get him to see what he doesn't want to. Maybe he should see that we are no longer playing his game." 

Charlie nodded, it could have been that simple, yes. It still was and he knew that was just the beginning. This agent wanted something, there was no other way about it. He needed this, Charlie would need to bring this little pain in his side to heel, he would not have another person thinking they could press an advantage with him and then use him. 

"Maybe he should, call him and tell him to come here. Let's talk with our resident impersonator, time to see if he has some balls of steel."

His son had since gone to collect those phony fuckers. He needed to deal with situations at home, Now was the time, he could not leave it anymore. Charlie knew that he needed to extend his businesses, drugs, and booze would only get him so far. The Casino was in its beginning stages, was the time ready for him to expand? What other business was there going to be for him? Certain things, they were often taboo in the honored society. 

Only Charlie had a code if it made money and if he agreed with it, he would be ready to bring it into the fold. Prostitution was one such avenue that he had left for the people of Seattle to fight over, this was now his chance. People were scrambling for money, was it time for him to breakthrough? Did he need to begin his own stage of women? Many others had seen the benefit. 

Charlie leaned against his window, his eyes glinting with curiosity. This...it held potential to backfire on him, now the time was ready for him. Things were in a straight line, he walked towards his liquor cabinet, pouring himself a drink and sighing. Things had been easy once upon a time, now not so much. He would have jumped at such a chance, now he was questioning his own morals. Bitterness flowed through him as he laughed, once upon a time, that would have never happened. 

"Time is changing."

Charlie whispered, bringing himself to walk back to the window. Maybe it was time to finally say goodbye, was it even his time anymore? He didn't know and he needed to figure that out, soon. 

"Let the good times roll or let them end? A question I ask myself everyday."

Charlie did not know how long he had been questioning himself anymore. He watched Seattle for what it was, a beautiful city. One that housed memories that had long since buried with his old self. A younger self that had perhaps done too much for too many people perhaps spent too much and wished to become a glorious one in the space of that era. His standing had been forgotten, his life had changed and he was a father. 

A new perspective, not one that many think about. It was there, only he had it in the form of a powerful young man who did not believe himself ready to face the business that was being a leader. Now he was out there, gathering soldiers and commanding on a daily basis. The men still looked at him with nothing but respect, still they knew a shift in power with their lives. 

Michael Pavanno was since taking the role of being the boss, even if he did not notice it. His father had been pushing him, slowly and surely. He saw his son, the power in his eyes and when he commanded a room. A true sight to behold, a true power to be backed and supported. It was all Charlie wanted for his crew. 

He smiled to himself, his son was a great man, someone who worked in LA under the infamous Zoom at the time. A strange friendship with Ralph Lombino and an odd pairing in the form of Itachi Uchiha. His son had made his bones, becoming a Pavanno and son of his mother in his own way. 

"Maybe the future is not as bleak as he makes it out to be. This life, you only get one chance. He has to see that...this business, this life, it turns you inside out. Friends become Enemies, Lovers become Betrayers. It's the game we play and the life we've been given, he has to learn that, now."

Charlie sipped his glass of scotch. His eyes still on the city as he kept his thoughts to himself, believing that his growing empire would be kept in good hands. Only the phone rang and he rushed to pick it up, not knowing that he would get the call that would spark his old blood and turn it young again...

"Dad...fuck! They set me up...they're not fucking cops...or feds, they're a bunch of thugs...they...got me pretty good."

Charlie's eyes had set alight with such a fire that his blood was beginning to boil. He was pissed, for good reason, these fuckers were after him. Now he had enough, they were going to pay, it was time to make sure of it. No longer were they going to be spared, they wanted him to be the killer once more. Fine, they would get just that. Chuck knew they had targeted Mael for a reason, they wished to spark life into him again, they wanted him to slaughter them all.

"What the fuck did they do? Tell me everything and I don't give a fuck if they've bugged this fuckin' call, imma kill every last one of those cockroaches."

Charlie heard his son chuckle, now wondering about this, where was Mael? It seemed like he escaped, that made him a bit better. His son must have guessed the reason for the silence because he soon followed it with an answer. 

"I'm fine pop, don't worry. Just pay these fuckers back and oh, you should know. I got a call, from the Maldonado's.."

Charlie raised an eyebrow, wishing to take this curiosity forward. Only then, the call had cut and he swore to himself. Only now was not the time, he would deal with his son later.

It was time for action...

Charlie stood with a drink in hand as he watched over the warehouse, guns, and drugs in one place. This was where this alliance had brought him, a boatload of product and he knew this was going to bring some eyes onto him. Especially with his son taking the hit of a bunch of bitches. This was the moments where he feared for his family. The times where he was happy that they were left in England, nowhere else, nothing else. This was not going to be something he wished to bring up but it was there. 

"It's all there, ready and bound for Chicago. We sure that Emily-Renfroe is willing to bring this type of heat upon her people?"

Charlie did not really care for the Lady of Chicago at this point in time, she was a not of an issue right now. She had her own business to worry about, the Casino would be ready in time and so would the product. They would need to pack it, break it down, a whole lot of fucking parts. Charlie knew he could do it, he had too.

"She doesn't matter but she was okay with it. Speaking from a perspective of what I learned from the gala and then speaking with Cocaina Catalina. I doubt they have problems with moving this kind of weight, onto other issues, how many men did you bring with you to the states Viktor?"

Putlova sighed, he understood where Charlie was going with this. Now he and his crew were not exactly the best with how they organized themselves. Only with support from Charlie, they understood their roles in terms of hit squads, who were assigned where. It was thanks to the Italian Mob or in this case, Pavanno, that they were a much more credible threat than before.

"About fifty, Mael, they wouldn't hur-"

"Shut up...they've hurt him already and it won't fucking stand. They're going to die, every last one of those fuckers. Even if I have to kill a Police Chief."

Charlie walked the warehouse before waiting for Viktor to catch up. Which he did, albeit with a glare in place of the smile before. 

"We'll follow you, Charles, just cool it down. Remember, I am a boss in my own right and you are simply a left-hand running a crew under your boss. We're doing this for Michael, let's get this started."

And so it began, systematic beatings, bombings, anything, and everything to draw the attention of the so-called Agents of the F.B.I and it happened. 

Charlie knew this was not going to be the best, only he wanted this, they needed to pay. Someone, something needed to pau and he knew. Those agents were going down

"Charlie, we've got a hit down. Asians are looking for their cash, we've placed all this effort and we don't have enough to pay them. Now, I am going to recommend something that seems a bit fishy, the guns. The Russian hardware, we could use it to fend them off for a while. The Asian gangs do not have that kind of deep pockets."

Charlie sat down in his hideout apartment in Waterfront, while he was not exactly the greatest in reputation right now. He knew that those crooks and whoever else supported them would back him, not to mention the business with the Asians, hmm, he could use this though. Charlie had the money to pay the Asians and mayhaps gain a new buyer of the Russian hardware.

"I have the money, all of it. This will not be a problem, tell the Asians that I wish to supply them with guns. They can do whatever the fuck they want with them, only not turning them against us, the Russians or the Mexicans. This business is sensitive, alright?"

Kidd nodded, already understanding and he went on his way. Leaving his boss to think about the future of the gun business, as well as the possible buyers in the Asians. 

"Will the good times begin?"

Charlie whispered to himself with a tight smile, believing that he was finding himself in terrible luck of late. Maybe this was what he needed.

Charlie was resting up, his business with the Asians had reached a new level. Surprisingly, they had accepted the offer of the guns. It had created a new cash flow and allowed for a smoother movement of the Russian products. The Cops were left with there minor payback, being told to look the other way and people were happy. Times were good. 

Charlie was not alright with leaving his son to deal with the problems that were the fake agents. Those group of people had made it difficult for him to move his product, it created a problem. It did make him seem like a rat in some ways, now he was going to end those fuckers. Now he just needed a location, gladly, some of his own men were working on that shit. 

"Fuckin' eh."

Charlie stumbled, getting up from the couch and pouring himself a glass of scotch. It was a better way to start his day than anything else, he was hitting the drink more than anything right now. His son was at risk of being killed, laying low while he kept his own people searching. He wondered, how long would they have to do this?

"Until the bloody business reaches our doorstep."

Charlie settled. His eyes hollow before pouring himself another drink, willing to drink himself into a stupor until more news came the rogue agent's whereabouts.

Charlie sat in his home, his men scoured and finally, they had found something. It had been a week and what a week it had been, that was for another time and right now he needed something else. His son was still laying low, only his moves were being noticed now. The Russians and the members of the alliance knew this was in their best interests to find the poor bastard. He was the one that brought them all to the table, no matter the bad blood held between all of them.

It was not the time to trade fists, Charlie had been happy and waited all day for a call or something. Yet he got it, the call instead of the courier and he wondered what had taken so long. Maybe it was the differing times or maybe the work that they had done, it was something that had taken them a while and they needed to rest up.

"We've got a lock on these bastards, surprisingly, they've been right under our noses for some time. Ever since the traveling we've been doing, they hid out in Philadelphia for a while, want us to send in the squad?"

Charlie hummed for a moment, it would save him a lot of time, something that he didn't have to spare right now. His son would be able to move about freely and he could put this terrible ordeal behind them, his business could stop failing. Maybe it was time to change tactics and take more of a backseat role, allow his son to rise up in his place.

"Yeah send them in, I want them alive, alright? They're not getting away with it that easily. Go."

The man on the other end hummed, stating that he understood as he shouted some orders. Telling Charlie that he didn't need to worry, they had this under control, it was all up to them now. 

"May the odds be in your favor, we will get out of this boys. Whole as ever and ready to bring our family to new heights."

"Here they are Charlie, these are the ones who were ready to betray you. So-called Agents of Law."

Charlie watched. His men had brought in four people, three men, and one woman. All of them looked at him in fear, these were the people who played a part in his little blackmail scheme and tried to kill his son. 

"You stand here as so-called F.B.I Agents. Now I could give you a few things, I could tell you that I am a man of my word. What could I do for you? Nothing? Something....no...no"

Charlie walked around, his mind going a mile a minute, thinking up ways to torture them...to kill them...bring them to new heights of pain. Yet, he held off. All of this would not be necessary right now. 

"You got greedy, I always wondered, why take a bribe? You saw the power and money. You're all nothing more than a bunch of up-jumped hoods who gave me more money and for that, I thank you."

Charlie stated mockingly, his eyes held some hate towards them, maybe hate was too strong. It was more disappointment in some form, they had played a good game. They had pulled something on him, for that, he would have allowed them to live and perhaps earn a little. 

"Only, you did something I cannot and will never forgive....trying to kill my son."

He saw their eyes flash, they were scared. They knew what he could do, Charlie Pavanno, a man possessed and ready to become much more if his family was threatened. 

"Tell me, do you know what I will do to you now?"

They all shook their heads in fear, they would wish to kill his son and take his life's work. He had no other children, his family had no other members. It was nothing, it was nothing but bullshit...this game, the one they played. It got them all killed in the end. 

"I'm going to give you the same exact sentence that you were going to give my son...a life for lives. It seems only fair, blood calls for blood and you wished to spill mine...it ends here."

"It's done...we're no longer threatened, enemies are gone for now. What would you have us do?"

Charlie stood in front of the four bodies. He felt hollow, nothing felt the same anymore. His life, all of it had changed with certain moments, the moment he had taken certain strides and led to certain people getting caught or killed. 

"Prepare, the Maldonado Crime Family will arrive in the coming months. My son is to be made ready and to prepare to join our families together, he should not be distracted, nothing."

Charlie stood over the bodies before turning around, his eyes holding some kind of sadness to them. He didn't know what it meant to him now, only he saw what it could do. The means to end a life, it was one of the greatest powers that one got in this life. 

"Understood, your son, has he accepted his role in all of this?"

Charlie scoffed. His son fought, well enough and would try to get him to see reason. Only he knew, their family, it would only survive so much. They had no ties to any other family, the old blood. The Maldonado Crime Family, those men of honor, they were the last and now, it would mean something to this family. The Pavanno's, the last of a dying breed. 

"He will, he has too, otherwise, our empire ends here. Nothing remains the same, for Michael to do this, he will have ensured our family's survival."

Charlie stated in a calm tone to his two bodyguards, walking out of the abandoned building. Now was the time for peace and prosperity, he would make sure that nothing else happened. It was time for some family business...