Luca was strolling through the dusty roads of Black Bottom. It was an early evening, and the sun has started to move towards the horizon. There was a mild breeze blowing through sweeping the dust. Luca enjoyed these long strolls. He would generally be accompanied by his wife, but since he was on a business trip here in Detroit, he was walking alone.

He was thinking about the business meeting he had in the morning. He was happy about the way things were going at the moment. He suddenly noticed a couple of guys standing around a car parked near a tree. They were looking worried, and seemed to be discussing about the car. Curiosity got the better of him, so Luca walked towards them.

“Hi Guys. Are you having some issues with the car ?”

The older of the two spoke first.

“Hi, yes it doesn't seem to want to start. We were riding along fine then suddenly it jerked, the engine died, and rolled to a stop. We have been trying to start it since then.”

“Mind if I have a look at it?”

“Sure no problem. It would be great if you can fix it!”

“Let me look at it first.”

Luca popped the bonnet, and started checking the plugs. Soon he identified the issue, and fixed it. He then got into the car, and turned the key, and the engine sputtered to life. He got out of the car, and took the waste cloth that the younger guy offered.

“Thanks. Now it shouldn’t have anymore issues, but you might want to get it checked at your garage.”

“Thanks a lot sir, We were having no clue as to what happened. We don’t have any good garages around anymore, and most of the mechanics have joined the car manufacturing factories because the pay is good there. Are you a car mechanic?“

Luca smiled then shook his head no.

“No, I am business man. I owned a garage before, so I know a thing or two about cars.”

“ If you are heading towards town, we can drop you.”

“No Thanks, it’s fine. I just wanted to walk because it helps me clear my mind.”

Both the guys got into the car, and drove away thanking Luca once again. Luca started walking back towards his hotel in town. Today’s incident gave Luca a new idea. He can start a garage here in Detroit. With the car factories around, the car sales in this part of the country will be high, and he can also use it as a cover for his smuggling business.

He needed to discuss this with his wife, and set the ball rolling. Luca reached his hotel, and started the preliminary plans for opening a Garage. He immediately prepared a list of things to be done.

• Get the permission to set-up shop from his family and the ruling family here in Detroit.

• To meet with Roberto, and arrange to get the paperwork for the garage started.

• Meet his old team in Jacksonville, and convince them to join his garage in Detroit.

• Start looking for a nice location for the garage.

• Start looking for a supplier to supply spare parts.

He looked at the list, and was excited to get started. He then pondered on a name for the garage, and decided to let his wife come up with the name. It was already 1:00 AM, and he had an early start in the morning, so he laid down on the bed, and drifted to sleep.

Luca woke as the sun rays fell on his face. He pulled his wallet open, and looked at his beautiful wife’s picture as he opened his eyes smiling. Luca then climbed out of the bed, and went to shower excited about the day ahead. He started for New York after breakfast. He had a long distance to travel, but the excitement of opening the garage made Luca enjoy the trip.

On reaching New York, Luca drove straight to his home, and the moment he entered the home, he smelled the sweet smell of baking. Luca immediately knew his wife would be in the kitchen baking some muffins for him. He loved muffins, and his wife Violetta was an expert in baking.  As soon as Luca reached the dining room, he hollered for his wife.

“Honey, I am home.”

He then embraced his wife, and kissed her cheek.

“Baby, I love you. I am so excited now. I have an idea for a new business.”

He then explained to his wife about what happened on the trip, and how he wanted to start a garage in Detroit. They discussed about it excitedly for a long time making plans on how to get it started. Luca and Violetta retired to their bedroom for the night. Just before falling asleep Luca looked at Violetta, and spoke softly.

“Violetta honey. I want you to suggest a name for the garage.”

Violetta had returned home yesterday from a business trip to Chicago after settling the two businesses she recently acquired there.  Her husband was due home tonight as well from his traveling.  Luca would be starving as soon as he arrived, so since today was a lazy day relaxing, Vi decided to make him a special treat to welcome him home.

She thought back to the recent events over the past few weeks, and how drastic their lives had changed in an instant.  Violetta was already in the process of searching for a few business ventures to handle, so the transferring of proprietorship of her cousin’s bakery and caffe wouldn’t be a hard adjustment.  She was prepared for the challenges should any arise.

Vi prepared the second batch of muffins while the first one cooled off on the wire rack.  She enjoyed baking sweet treats as much as eating them.  Her favorite was anything Italian of course, but she did explore other ethnic foods as well.  As she closed the oven door, Vi heard her darling husband calling out for her.

She turned around just in time to be pulled into his arms for a gentle kiss on her cheek.  Smiling at the enthusiastic expression Luca had on his face, Violetta wondered what was going on.  

“I love you darling.  You look very excited I can tell, so what’s up?”

Luca launched into detail about opening a car garage in Detroit.  She smiled softly knowing he was always tinkering with his old car when we were at home and relaxing from work.  She gave him a blank look when Luca suggested she come up with a name for his business.  She smirked and wasn’t gonna do all the thinking for him, so Violetta softly told him her idea.

“How about…..’Di Salvo Auto Service’?”

“Di Salvo Auto Service. It’s got a nice ring to it. I have decided that will  be the name of our garage honey.”

Luca liked the name, and wanted this to be one of the best garages in this part of the country. He then went about getting the permission from his family, and the ruling family in Detroit before setting up. With blessing of both the Dons, he travelled to Detroit to look around for a suitable place. He wanted a place that was not to far from the highway, nor from the city.

He was shown few locations in Black Bottom & Corktown, where finally he came across a location in that he liked. It was long patch of land on the Russell Street and Trombly Street. It was close to the railway lines and the Edsel Ford Freeways. Once the location was fixed he started construction of the garage.

Luca next bought his old team from Jacksonville to Black Bottom. They were people he trusted, and with him since he started the garage in Jacksonville. He wanted them to grow along with the new business. They were a 7 member crew in Jacksonville, but more than a crew, they were a family. They supported each other during the ups and downs of life.  

John Edwards - John is a veteran when it came to tuning. He was an old school guy who was in the army until he was discharged after his foot got injured in the war.  He was an expert in tuning engines, and due to his age he also doubled as the foreman in the garage. John was an arms expert, and his hobby was collecting guns.

Pietro Collins - Pietro is an expert in foundry works. Metal objects just listened to him when he went about his work. He could make a car as light as possible, but still strong and robust. Luca respected him a lot, and Pietro could make people do things for him.

Ray Spencer - Ray is Pietro’s assistant, and prodigy. They respected each other’s talent, but they would be seen arguing always. Ray also was good at vulcanising. He is an expert race car driver, so when not working he could be seen in the tracks racing.

Phil Jackson - Phil used to work under John in army, and was an expert designer. If he had graduated from college, he would have been designing cars in one of the car companies around Detroit. Unfortunately he joined the army for the war, and had to skip college. He can make a car look completely different in a very short time. Many car owners have walked past their car without knowing it was theirs.

Jeffrey Richards - Jeff was youngest of the lot. He was an educated kid who handled all the electrical and electronic works. In his free time he works on building radios that can work from a car. He is passionate about electric motors, and he always dreams of building a car that runs on electric motor someday. His team teased him saying a truck has to follow the electric car with batteries.

Erico La Barca - Erico was Luca’s best friend, and the manager at Di Salvo Auto Service. Erico was good with carjacking. He can get into a car at will, and start it without a key. He was also good at managing the business, and handled all the customers leaving them satisfied with the service. Luca completely trusted Erico, and was his confidante.

The construction did not take long, and soon the work was completed. It mainly consisted of a huge yard, where vehicles can be parked. Luca had bought some old cars from the car salvage, and piled them around in the yard.  The building was built in the center. A shed was erected next to the building to park the customer’s car.

The building was long, and had space to park 5 cars inside, and work around it without being crowded. There was a separate room inside for painting, and room for lathe machines. The tool room was opposite to lathe machine room. A metal staircase led to platform above the lathe room and tool room, and was used as a storage area. At the entrance was a small office room where the customers can sit until they were attended to.

“Erico, my boy how are the things progressing?”

“Luca, we have the garage completely built, and the spare parts and tools arrived this morning. The team is working on arranging it the storage and tool room.”

“Good.  I am depending on you to run the show.”

“Don’t worry about it Luca.”

“Erico, get some guys recruited as helpers, but make sure they are trustworthy.”

“I have spoken to a friend of mine here, and he has fixed some boys to meet me today in the evening. We don’t have to worry about it.”

“Perfecto. I know my boy will have everything in control. Let go out for a drink after you get these done.”

“Sure, Luca we better get out today. I am sure ViolettaDiSalvo and Gina won’t let us go once come they come here tomorrow”

Luca and Erico spent the remainder of the day taking care of all the final arrangements. They knew Violetta had to take care of some important work at Los Vegas.  They were planning on opening a Hotel and Casino there soon. After a long day setting up garage, Luca took the entire crew out for a drink.

“Guys make sure you don’t get completely drunk. We have to open the garage tomorrow.”

Luca woke up early in the morning because he wanted to make sure he was there at the airport to receive Violetta. Luca got ready then went to the airport with a bunch of flowers to surprise her. As soon as Violetta came out of the airport, Luca ran up to her with excitement offering the bouquet to her.

“Hey Beautiful! How was the trip?”

Violetta described all the meetings as he drove them to the hotel to freshen up a bit before the going to the garage.  Once they reached the garage, Luca was so excited and mesmerised at newly constructed garage. The name board on top of the garage shone beautifully, and he mentioned how Phil had worked his magic on the board.

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“Honey, shall we go inside.”

He showed Violetta around the garage with excitement.  He was thrilled at this new beginning. Luca asked her when the family members were arriving as he had entrusted that part to Violetta.  With a huge smile he announced,

“The Di Salvo Auto Service is open for business now.”

Luca and the crew asked Violetta to do the honors, and flip the open sign on the door.

Violetta and Luca arrived at the auto garage, and she met the rest of the crew.  She knew most of the from Jacksonville, but never really socialized with the gentlemen on a personal level.  Each one would always regard her as the boss’ lady, and treated her with respect.  Luca would come home plenty of times discussing how many jokes flew around the garage that day, and Vi would just shake her head in astonishment.

“Morning fellas.  Hope everyone is ready for the big day today.”

John Edwards was the quiet one who always smiled politely then went about his work.  Pietro Collins was the one who would talk ninety miles a minute when she was around.  She smiled softly thinking the man was just nervous around a lady.  Ray Spencer would be seen arguing with Pietro, but when Violetta entered the room checking on the commotion, both men would look red under the collar at being caught.

Phil Jackson always called her “ma’am” which made her feel slightly older than her 25 years.  Jeffrey Richards was the youngster, and when Violetta would come around the garage he would begin to stutter, and drop tools.  She tried not to giggle, but at times it was truly difficult.

Erico La Barca was a very familiar person to Violetta, as he was Luca’s best friend.  They did several business deals on the side of the garage, and he had been a trusted friend through and through.  Vi adored Erico, always inviting him over for dinner.  He would gang up with Luca, and tease Violetta all through the dinner.  She would threaten no dessert, but they kept on until she brought it anyways.

“We should have ordered doughnuts and coffee for opening day.”

Violetta frowned at the forgotten thought, but she has been extremely busy tending to the businesses all over the country, plus Family business, to home life.  She thought perhaps they could just take them all out for dinner that evening to celebrate.

“Luca before you get too involved with the garage, we need to discuss a few items.  I will be waiting in the office whenever you are ready to begin.”

Visas knew Luca and Violetta where connected with JohnHartman who ran a family out of New York so it made business sense to let them set up Shop in Detroit. This served two purposes it bought her family close with John Hartman and allowed a place to take certain autos to be stripped down refurbished and sold interstate.

Visas had made sure that the feds and Police gave the place a wide berth so her trade in stolen car parts and autos was a good money spinner for her and the extra kick backs that Luca and Violetta could send Hartmans way made the arrangement worth it.

Though Visas wasnt here for that nor was she here to check up on the place she needed her own car moded up with armour plating bullet proof windows and tires she knew her line of work was dangerous and wanted to make sure she was safe.

The guys were hard at work on a few cars today, and Violetta stopped by the garage to see if her darling husband, LucaDiSalvo-, would like to go out and grab some lunch.  She walked into the garage shouting a hello to John and Pietro since they were closest to her.  She didn’t see Jeffrey anywhere, and Ray and Phil had their backs to Vi.  She headed on into the office in search of Luca.

Erico was on the phone, and searching on his cluttered desk for something to write with.  He had notebooks strewn everywhere, a stack of inventory papers near the edge of the desk, ready to fall in the trash can at a moment’s notice.  Violetta shook her head at the scene before her.

Erico looked up at Vi with a stressed look on his face.  Apparently the customer on the phone was giving him difficulty.  She pulled a pencil from the front of the desk, and handed it to him.  Erico scribbled with speed on a piece of paper then assured the customer the part would be there the next day, and bid them goodbye.  He looked up with a heavy sigh towards Violetta.

“Tough day?”

“Don’t even get me started.”

“I can’t believe this mess you’ve made Erico.  Do you know where Luca is?”

Nodding and mumbling about a special V.I.P. customer, “Don Visas, or something like that.”

“Why didn’t you say so!?

Violetta tore outta the office in search of Detroit’s Don, and her husband.  She checked out back behind the garage, and found them in a discussion about Don Visas’ automobile.  Vi walked over quietly so she didn’t interrupt then waited til they paused their discussion to say hello.

“Welcome Don Visas.  Glad you stopped by.  I’m sure Luca is taking very good care of you, but would you both like to go out for lunch when you’re done with business?”