It is important for a man to have a strong family around him. Who knows this better than the Mafia, TitusFlavio asks himself, knowing the answer already for TitusFlavio knows many things. But family comes in many forms, this is true. For most this comes from a marriage between man and woman, children, raised in a loving home. I know this and I also know that for others it is from a community, generational warmth, grandparents, trusted elders and the like. Occasionally, I have heard, as with the mighty Toretto bloodline, family can even be born in the heart of grand theft auto. 

TitusFlavio, hello, I am just a simple man. A simple man with a strong jaw and a patrician nose which plebs everywhere would sell their mothers to possess and although I've acquired more than one matronly hanger-on that way, those are stories for another day. For today. I want to tell about how I found family. For TitusFlavio, family was forged in the crucible of a raid in the company of the finest of animals.

Nothing sinister, my friends, no, no. This was just a bond of souls and not of appendages, human and equine kindred spirits, for I had always had a love of horses right from when I was young man working the fields of my family farm in Italy. TitusFlavio was fortunate enough to acquire a fine beast, 17 hands, with a coat that glistened under the Michigan sunshine and a striking auburn mane when I came to these shores with my family fortune and it was a sound investment. Dave he was called, a proud name, certainly, just not befitting the magnificent gelding who could cite Rominze as a dam and Faustinus as a sire. Or so I have been told.

Anyway, one evening I was riding Dave through the 12th Street borough of Detroit, as I was want to do in those days, when a young fellow with spiky black hair and a pointy chin kindly asked if I would assist him in raiding a local trucking depot. I gently patted Dave as I considered this proposal. Dave seemed unperturbed and he was an excellent judge of character. I was new in town and I would definitely benefit from wetting my beak among the local gangs although I did not know these people at all. Still, TitusFlavio did not become TitusFlavio without taking a chance here and there, so I agreed.

Dave whinnied longingly as I left him to take part in the operation and I was tempted to return to him. Thankfully, I ignored his belligerent calls and took my position near the exit to the depot. My job was to be lookout, you see, as TitusFlavio has eyesight that would make a hawk peck his own eyes out, however despite my gift, it was increasingly difficult to concentrate with Dave yammering away. With a sigh, I turned to see what the fuss was about, and I discovered that Dave's shouts had not just been because he was missing me, no! Dave was warning me. Dave was a mafia horse. He knew our business that night, somehow, and he had alerted me to the presence of police officers nearby. 

With a prayer to the Gods, I whistled, signalling my companions to stop their raid lest we were discovered. Nervous moments ensued for TitusFlavio and crew, but Dave had sagely fallen silent. We all held our breath. Several minutes went by before Dave gave a triumphant stamp of his hooves and I knew the coast was clear. The police had moved on. Dave had done his job and I had done mine. 

A score of $10,784 came the way of TitusFlavio and I was delighted my friends, undoubtedly. Dave, I knew, was delighted too. I shook hands with the man who had masterminded the operation, learning he was called Yaoyorozu, and was actually kind of a big deal despite his goofy look. I thanked him. I offered him half of my take as payment for the introduction. He nobly refused and I knew this was a sign from on high. Dave nodded at me, he knew it too.

I told the man I would name my favourite horse in his honour and he informed me that he would be honoured with this honour. From that day onwards, yesterday, Dave became Yaoyorozu, my glorious gelding who assists me in my tours of Detroit. I owe everything I am to him. And that is what family is. Everything. 

A man and his horse should never be separated, TitusFlavio was taught this early on his life. My mother said to me, "TitusFlavio! Where is your horse?!" and she beat me blue when I could not point to him beside me in the orchard. Never again. That was when I knew, horse, man, together. Entwined. And from that day to this, I have not let young Yaoyorozu out of my sight and it has always paid dividends to me. I have already shared the glorious naming evening that TitusFlavio and Yaoyorozu gelding shared, and now today, sadly, we are joined again mourning the loss of his namesake.

Outside of that organized crime, which, lets face it, Yaoyorozu (horse version) did the majority of the heavy lifting in, I didn't know Yaoyorozu (person version) at all. I can't share any anecdotes about his life or his achievements. I'm sure there are some. Meanwhile, TitusFlavio has two fabulous businesses; thriving things, taking over Chicago and Detroit. This made me think that Yaoyorozu probably had some interests somewhere and as his successor in title due to naming a horse in his honour, I have commandeered those businesses, which seems only fiar.

Assuming I survive this conflict, TitusFlavio will be opening up more businesses in Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Despite my huge wealth, I am always interested in acquiring partners for such a venture and TitusFlavio will be sitting here, in this road, to discuss your proposals.