Anger, confusion, paranoia. All these emotions running through Uncle Joe's head. It had been a few days since anyone had heard from Jimmy Thompson. No one in the family had heard from him or seen him. It was like he had vanished in thin air. Had he become an informant, was he clipped by a rival crew, no one knew where Jimmy was and his crew was rudderless, money wasn't coming up the ladder and Uncle Joe had to act before things got worse.

Uncle Joe phoned his younger brother Gianni in Detroit and told him he needed him on the next plane back to Los Angeles. He went on to explain to him in their native Sicilian tongue that he needed him to come back and get his hands around the missing Jimmy Thompsons crew and rackets. Gianni assured his older brother that he would be on the next plane to Los Angeles. Uncle Joe could always count on family in his time of need.

Already in Los Angeles to pay his respects to Uncle Joe, Nuccio takes the opportunity to congratulate Gianni personally and wish him all the best for his operation in Downtown Los Angeles, his own former place of work.

At the same time, Nuccio mourns his former right hand man, successor here in Los Angeles and close friend, JimmyT. What could possibly be the reason for his sudden disappearance? As high as emotions can sometimes run, Nuccio understands Joe's immediate actions to ensure the smooth continuation of business in Los Angeles.

Ah, povero Jimmy... Vanishin' like that, it’s bad news, and we all know it. When a guy like him goes missin’, ain't no accident. Either he’s swimmin' with the fishes, or worse... singin' like a canary. Cazzo, that paranoia Joe’s feelin’, it’s justified. Ain't no room for loose ends in this business, especially when money ain't rollin’ up the ladder.

Gianni comin' back, that’s a smart move. Family always handles family matters best, and Joe? He’s got a good head on his shoulders. He knows better than to let things fester. Nuccio, you’ve seen it firsthand, you know how things run in LA—if Gianni don’t step in, it could spiral real fast. Keep your eyes open though, eh? Jimmy don’t just disappear without a trace. Somethin' ain’t addin’ up, and whatever it is, it’s gonna surface. Let’s just hope we ain't already sittin' in the storm before it does. 

Kenshina stood in the Shadows in disbelief at Jimmy going missing. He had bonded with Jimmy and they had their own race to see who climb through the ranks of the underworld the quickest. To see this friendly competition end abruptly with no conclusion hurt. Despite the pain he felt now he knew Uncle Joe had it worse. He was well trusted a key member of the family, and who spent so much time building bonds just gone with the wind. 
 

Just like with all the other tragedies that come with this life style he knew he needed to keep his head down and move forward and work even harder. This would not stop him from proving himself and carrying on what needs to be done. He will continue to earn, and become a vital family member. New goals needed to be set and new competition needed to be made but he wouldn't be stopped from this.

"For better, for worse...." Probably a lot of couples don't think too much about that particular phrase in their marriage vows. Then again, most couples aren't running underground organizations in one of the most dangerous ways of life out there. For people like Joe and Amira, all too often it seemed like they were getting too much of the "worse" end of the deal; but that's why they had each other. 

Not from a distance, Amira watched Joe grapple with the torrent of emotions that came after Jimmy Thompson's disappearance, and shared in them. Jimmy had become her family just as much as any of the Ligambi organization, and that meant far more to Amira than some mob colloquialism. Each of these people felt like flesh and blood to her, and loosing Jimmy hurt- especially with no answers. So, Amira could only do what she knew how to do; stood by her man. Though, when they weren't working together on something, she was forming a new plan. Azra was about to grow again, and @Nick Horn was about to get a major promotion.