The sun rose over the dusty sicilian hills, basking Tayes home town in it’s warm golden stroke. It was a typical town for this area set on the side of a small hill. Small, white, square dwellings ran up the side of the hill and atop the hill a large villa. Like most towns here it had all the things you would expect, children rolling hoops down the street, old ladies sitting in the shade of there porch, talking about the youth of the day. Men hard at work, tending the vineyard that ran adjacent to the town, the odd stray dog scrounging for food or maybe chasing a cat, and of cause, the mafia. That old sicilian heritage, the law of the area, the only real profession, one that had brought many men to an early and untimely grave. As everyone knew, and you can probably guess, the heart of this, sat atop his throne at the top of the hill in the villa, looking proudly at his life’s work.

The town had flourished under their don. Phil Guspatchi was his name, well respected, loved, and feared. No one had more respect or love for this man than Taye, Taye il Lupo, translated to Taye the Wolf. 

The two of them had grown up in the dust and the streets together, always dreaming of a day they would make something of themselves, be the big men on top of the hill, and it would be different when they where there. For once, childhood dreams came to fruition, and things where different. They over threw the old Don, a mean, embittered man. Power had twisted him, turned him crewel, and the burdens of his actions weighed heavy on his mind. He had lost his son in a feud and never recovered. The people where all too happy when the young men took their chance for change, as where the other families. All except one, the DeVani family, who had a close relationship with the previous Don. So, as you might well expect, a long war had resulted. Never too aggressive, but each side still lost a few people each month. 

 It was on this predictably sunny morning there was a certain buzz around a villa, and it was now that Taye had been summoned to see his old and trusted friend, compadre, and leader. Walking up the large marble stairway of the hall, he nodded the odd sign of respect to a rushing worker before pushing open the large double oak doors into Phil’s main office. A large room, at the far end large windows which stretched all the way to the ceiling, allowing the golden bake of sunlight to flood the room. Two men stood armed with rifles ether side of a large wooden desk, behind which was a large comfy leather chair. Phil stood at the window, looking over his town, before turning, slowly moving to his chair and sitting down. 

He had a serious face, the burdens of leadership showed, he had seemed to age ten years in the last two. His brown frantic hair was being tamed by no small amount of grease, his dark eyes set deeply into his head had a look of great sorrow in them. Looking up at Taye the memory of a smile flicked across his face. With a nod and a wave of his hand the two armed men left the room, shutting the doors quietly behind them.

“Take a seat brother” He said, pouring two glasses of whiskey and sliding one across the desk. Taye did as he was asked and took a slug of the brown liquid.

“Ahh, say what you like about the Irish, they got one thing right!” Taye grinned at Phil, and Phils face broke into a broad smile and the two of them burst into laughter. “Do you remember” Taye continued between chuckles, “When we found that bottle one of the men who used to work here dropped when we where young?”

“I remember the old don dragging him about by a pony to try and find it again.” Phil responded, the memories of childhood flickering in his mind’s eye like a slide show.

“We got so drunk we could barley stand up!” By this point the two of them where in hysterics, Taye carried on, through gasps for air. “Your poor sister, Phil, Had to sneak us into the house and cover for us.” The two laughed, but Phil’s face seemed to drop slightly.

“Ah, yes, my sister.” The Don’s face seemed to ease back into that stressed frown, which had been worn all to often of late. “She is coming to visit.” Taye’s face lit up at the news, he had always had a soft spot for her.

“Cattalina, she’s coming here? Well thats brilliant news, we shall give her a home coming that the pope couldn’t match!”

“Yes, well, I hope she like what i have in store for her, anyway, she will be arriving soon, I would like you to meet her at the town gate.” Phil said the words, but it was clear something else was on his mind. Taye paused his enthusiasm and looked at his old friend. Phil met his gaze ad shook his head.

“Go on, go meet her, you know what she’s like if you keep her waiting.” He tried a smile, but it wasn’t very convincing. Taye stood and bowed his head before finishing his whiskey, turning and walking towards the door. “Oh, and Taye,” Phil called after him, Taye turned back to him. “You know,” his voice seemed strained, as though the thought of what he was saying brought him great pain. “You know, I’d never do anything to hurt her, or you. Not if there was anyway to avoid that, you know that right?” Taye let a smile crack wide across his face.

“Of cause not, I’m not worried about myself, I could beat you about the place as a kid, and since then you’ve just been getting fat behind that desk!” Phil laughed at the cheek of his old friend. With that Taye left the office of Phil and trotted down the stairs and outside into the sun.

He couldn’t help but be worried about Phil’s parting words, but he knew better then to pry on his thoughts, knowing he would be the first too know if anything was happening. Besides, he had an old friend to meet. Lazily strolling through the streets he greeted the bows of respect with his normal grin and nod of his head. He was always kind to the towns people, helping the old where he could and keeping the youngsters in check, and the town repaid him with his due respect. 

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The sun was getting high in the sky and the heat would of been unbearable to someone not used to the scorching climate. Taye was standing in the shade of the gate arch, leaning confidently against the upright, smoking a cigarette, when a car pulled along side. The back window rolled open and inside, the picture of latin brown skinned beauty gazed out at him. Her large brown eyes glinting in the sun, the odd bead of sweat rolling  down her chest. 

“My my, haven’t you grown Taye.” Her voice sweet and enticing, a voice you’d gladly follow in the dark 

“You’d better believe it.” Taye replied cheekily, managing to find his normal confidence after a moment of awe at the vision in front of him.

“Well, I suppose you’ll be wanting a ride won’t you.” A smile playing on the corner of her lips, showing her perfectly white, straight teeth.

“A ride? With you? Yeah, I wouldn’t say no!” Taye smiled and sat into the car.

Starting their long drive up the hill, it was apparent the car was not in the condition it had started the journey in, let alone when it had rolled out of the workshop. After a few moments of silence Cattalina turned to Taye.

“So how are things here. I hear things, about my brother, I hope your looking after him Taye.”

“I do what I can, but you know your brother, you can only help as much as he let’s you.” Taye paused for a second before continuing, “Still, all things considered, he’s doing good. This war,” Taye scoffed, “well, more, this long continuing series' of skirmishes, with DeVani seem to be taking their toll.” Cattalina looked worried, this wasn’t the news she wanted to hear, but was the news she had expected. “Don’t worry yourself too much Cattalina, your brothers a strong man, and smart, he’ll figure a way to fix it.”

“Yes, but at what cost.” Cattalina replied quietly, almost to herself. Taye couldn’t help but feel there was something he wasn’t being told.

                                                                                                             ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The sun began to set behind the villa, causing a stark outline that could be seen from all along the valley below. An imposing sight of power, and at the same time, a reminder of the dark ways this island nation had come to adopt as their own. However, inside the villa a different story was being told tonight, a story of warmth, happiness, and rejoicing at the return of the don’s sister. 

The banquet hall was full, friends and associates from all across the land had gathered to celebrate with Don Phil Guspatchi. At the head table sat only the most trusted of the familly. In the center The Don’s mother took her normal place on his left, and on his right Cattalina took Taye’s normal seat, moving Taye one seat more to the right. Phil had offered to give his mother her own table so that Taye could sit next to him, however Taye wouldn’t hear of it, saying “It’s your mother, she carried you for nine months, show her some respect” Taye was the only person who could get away with telling off the Don about the matter of respect. In truth though, Taye was happy to be sitting next to Cattalian. It seemed like so much had happened since they last saw each other, still whenever he saw her, he felt young again, all the weights of the world lifted from his shoulders. She had a way of doing that, even though she was a few years younger then Taye and Phil she had always taken care of the two wherever she could. Calming them at times they would have other whys got too hot headed and done something stupid. 

                                                                                                                        ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It had been a nice evening, Don Guspatchi had given a heart warming speech about his sister, and had recalled a story about when the siblings and Taye had stolen a chicken from one of the farmers pens, only to be chased out of town and have to live in the valley together for a week, catching whatever food they could. It was getting late and most people, including the Don where quite drunk. Cattalina was fairly together, but then again, she always handled herself. As for Taye, well, he was renowned for being able to hold his drink. Placing her hand on his leg Cattalina whispered to him that it was time to leave them to it. Taye smiled and nodded in agreement. Saying their goodnights to the table they left, the don shouted something about behaving but Taye and Cattalina where already lost in their own bubble.

As they walked down the hall, Cattalinas arm linked to Taye’s, they seemed content to be silent for a while.

“Your brother, despite the drink, seemed troubled tonight.” Cattalina simply shrugged in responce. “Ha, fine, have your secrets.” 

“Let’s not talk of troubles tonight, there is much good and fun that can still be had, while we have time.” Her soothing voice would calm the soul of a hell hound. Reaching the door of Taye turned to her.

“Well, goodnight then.” Cattalina simply laughed in response. She looked at him, her deep brown eyes seemed to peer into his very soul.

“And here was me thinking we would carry on from last time.” Cattalina smiled at him, Taye didn’t have to be asked twice.

“Well, if you insist.” With that he grabbed her by the waist, pulled her into the room and locked the door.

                                                                                                                             ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The morning sunlight came in through the window all too soon for Taye as he lay in bed, the naked figure of Cattalina cuddled up to him. His eyes squinted as he streched for a glass of water by the bed. He tried to take a sip without waking the sleeping beauty but instead only managed to dribble some down his chin and onto her forhead. She awoke with a start.

“Cheers.” She said sarcastically, before resting her head back down. The two lay their for a while, before she continued, “what are you thinking?” Taye lay still for a moment.

“Why haven’t we got married?” He finally responded, he felt the air in the room tense up.

“The time was never right I guess.” Their was an awkwardness in her voice.

“So why not now?” Taye queried. Cattalina was quite for what seemed like an eternity. Finally she sat up and turned to Taye.

“We wanted to tell you before, but we both felt you, we, should have this last time together, before...” She trailled off, Taye was starting to get annoyed. 

“What? Tell me what?” Cattalina turned to Taye, tears in her eyes.

“You see, it’s just...”

                                                                                                                                ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The doors to Don Guspatchi’s office flew open, a very pissed off, half dressed, Taye stormed in.

“You son of a bitch Philip Guspatchi, I’m going to fucking kill you.” One of the armed guards stepped forward and raised his rifle at Taye, only to have it snatched from him and receive the butt of the gun connect with his jaw and knock him clean out. The second guard fired a shot at Taye which skimmed past the infuriated man’s ear, giving it a small nick. Then a second shot came, from Don Guspatchis pistol, hitting the guard in the back of the leg. the guard fell to the ground, giving a shocked look to his Don. Guspatchi stood up and glared at the man. His growl of a voice opened up and shook the guard to the core.

“If you ever, dare, shoot, at my brother, Taye il Lupo, again, I will have you strapped to the side of the hill to dry like a prawn while the vultures peck out your eyes. Now leave, and take your idiot friend with you and tell him what happens to people who try to harm The Wolf.” The guard nodded, and half hopped, half crawled, to the now only slightly conscious  first guard and shook him awake before the two retreated from the room.

“You had better start talking, right fucking now.” Taye was livid, his eyes where popping, his face red.

“I didn’t want you to find out like this, but I don’t have a choice.” The Don sat down, the weight off the world, once again on his shoulders. 

“There must be another way, I’ll kill every one of them, anything, just not this. I can’t stand by and watch you let Devani’s son marry Cattalina.” Saying Taye was angry, would be like saying the sun was slightly warm. He was more then angry, he was outraged, livid, words could not describe. 

“I know you won’t stand by, that’s why I’m sending you to America.” The Don said slowly, and quietly. Taye suddenly fell silent, and collapsed onto the chair opposite Guspatchi.

“No,” His voice a harsh whisper now, “no, thats not right, my place is here, with you. None of this is right”

“Of cause it’s not,” The Don snapped, for the first time Taye felt anger from his life long friend towards him, “Of cause it’s not, but this fighting can’t continue, we have lost five good men this month alone, we must stay strong, restock, this will bring peace. We need it, the people need it.” Taye sat quietly, a million thoughts racing through his mind but unable to catch hold of a thread of one.

“Ok, ok” He conceited finally, “but sending me away will weaken you, you’ll need me more. As my Don I respect your decision of what must be done and will stand by and not do anything.” Phil smiled at Taye,

“As your Don, I know you would, but as your friend, your brother, I could not ask it of you. I couldn’t ask you to stand by and watch. Besides, with you in america it would give me strong support from across the water, more trade options, a stronger hold then many other Don’s here have. It will guarantee my position more then you staying here shooting people at my daughters wedding.” Taye nodded, he understood, but he hated it.

                                                                                                           ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So, this is how Taye ends on a ship to New York, a chain round his neck with a locket on it, a reminder, that whoever the law thinks she’s married too she will always be his. The ship passed the statue of liberty on a rough sea and grey clouds swirlled around. “How fitting” Taye thought to himself. 

He had been in new york barley one week when a man by the name of Axe stopped him after he had pick-pocketed someone and offered him work with The Thoroughbreds, under a man named Stallion. Taye accepted, it was time for him to begin his new life, in this new land. He had no idea how long he would survive in this new world, starting again. It reminded him of when he was a child on the streets, back in the dust and the dirt. Only this time, no Phil, no Cattalina, he wondered if he would survive.

OOC And thats my story of coming to New York, feel free to comment.  Finished it off when I was tired so might be some silly mistakes but hope it isn't too bad. Enjoy.

Hulk put down the story and sipped his glass of milk. It was one of the best stories that has ever reached the shores of the mafioso and Hulk Hogan was proud to have read it.

Good job dude! Im sure you will make your don proud brother!

cheers buddy, thinking about it probably should of put this in parts to make it more deal-able with!

T-Man sitting in the park when reading taye fascinating story. He was glad he read it and thought it was one of the best storey he had read in a while. 

Thanks for the storey it probably took you ages to write it but it was worth it.

Cheers man. It wasn't too bad, a few hours but had to do it in a couple of sittings! Starting to come up with ideas for a new story if anyone has any suggestions of what you'd like to see him get up too. I'll do the next one in parts I think to make an easier read!