It had been like any other meeting with DoctorBoom - until the moment that he dropped the bomb. Black Bottom would shortly be moving to Chicago, where Maria was to take over a district of her very own.

Maria had been so surprised and shocked that the first thing she’d done had been to reach for the glass of whiskey that had sat on the table and knock back the lot, letting the fire clear her mind and slow down her excitement.

A district of her very own, and in a city that had been so kind to those of her blood? This was the stuff dreams were made of, and it had been more than Maria had dared to wish for herself and her family.

When DoctorBoom had asked her which district she wished to take, there had been little hesitation on Maria’s part.

“It will be North Side, if that fits in with your plans dear. North Side is a place where my blood has found home in the past and it’s a district with fantastic history. I shall only hope and pray to run it with the flair and vivacity of the late, great and downright beautiful Godmother Kelly_Kapowski, God rest her soul - the best Godmother the district has ever seen. I know that she and my great grandmother, my namesake, had a very close relationship, and although it pains me that I cannot follow in her footsteps as she was the last Godmother of the Suburbs, Chicago, I hope that I can do the memory of Kelly, Aliens and Space--Pole and bring prosperity and greatness back to North Side. Yes; Mano di Morte will find a new home in North Side, I think.”

From that evening on, Maria, along with VladimirLenin and Dexter had worked diligently to plan the move and to find suitable premises for Mano di Morte to occupy, and now, the day had finally come. Packing up their home in Black Bottom had been bittersweet, but now that the vans had been loaded and sent on their way and the trio had made their way from the airport to North Side to meet with their crew, there was only excitement in the air.

As the taxi drew up to the new headquarters, Maria took a deep breath. She smiled at the men with her in the taxi, men that she knew would be loyal to the family til their dying breaths if ever the day came, and muttered softly, “Welcome home guys.”

She stepped out of the taxi and walked up the front steps to the HQ, searching in her bag as she did for the small brass sign that would always adorn the wall of the family home. Quickly, she fixed it on, so that the building would be forever marked ‘Mano di Morte’. Turning to face the members of the family that were gathered around, eager to settle into their new home, Maria took the opportunity to say a couple of words.

“Welcome to our new home! I don’t want to keep you all from the business of settling in and breaking in the bar for too long, so please bear with me while I say just a couple of words. Firstly, I would like to thank DoctorBoom for giving our family the honour of taking over North Side as our home. I can’t wait to see what we can do with the place and to see the success that our family and our values of loyalty and respect above all else can do with the place. Secondly, I would like to thank Godfather SpikeS and the city of Detroit. Detroit has been a tremendous home for us and I believe that the friendships that we have made their will last for lifetimes. And thirdly; I want to thank all of you. Without you guys, Mano di Morte would be nothing. Let’s have a few drinks and celebrate tonight guys!”

Without further ado, Maria pushed open the doors to the new HQ in North Side and lead her family into their new home.

Paul had spent the evening unpacking his belongings after the move to Chicago. He'd decided to take a walk out to get some fresh air, and to explore the streets of his new home. As he turned onto the street where the HQ was located, he noticed a small crowd gathered. Curious, he wandered over to see what the fuss was about, to find his crew leader Maria announcing the arrival of Mano di Morte in Chicago. He of course decided to join the crowd, and cleared his throat to say a few words.

"Maria, Chicago is a city that holds a great deal of memories for my line. It is the place where my namesake started his family under your namesake all that time ago in the district of Suburbs. Sadly, the authorities have cracked down on organised crime in that area of the city now and thus is off limits to us. North Side does however hold a great deal of memories; my journals also recall a time when our ancestors had some  close friends here, whom you've already mentioned. It is an honour to follow in their footsteps, and I hope we can do their legacies justice, as well as those of our ancestors."

"This is a city that truly feels like home to me, and I just can't wait to get started and see what we can do here."

A few days had gone by when Vladimir had a note from one of Maria's security detail to meet her in her office, ensuring that Vladimir arrived on time and well dressed. Taking his ride home, he picked up his finest suit and met one of his own security details outside before heading down to Mano di Morte's HQ and to Maria's office in his black sedan. 

Arriving at Maria's office, Vladimir let himself in and embraced his leader. Vladimir knew this would be big news, as he had known her long enough that she pulls out the stops for only the biggest news. Taking his seat next to Dexter Maria spoke of her conversation with DoctorBoom and the plans to move our criminal activities to North Side, Chicago. This took a while to settle with Vladimir as reading his fathers journals and his forefathers, Chicago was a city very close to his heart. His forefather, Don Nighthawk, grew up in the Suburbs, Chicago before he was cruely gunned down taking a protection shot before. His forefather was also the Underboss of Godmother Maria, so the city is steeped in history of both their lines. 

Taking the taxi with Maria and Dexter and stopping outside Mano di Morte's new HQ, Vladimir decided it was his time to speak up:

Maria, Maria, Maria. We have finally ended up where our lines first started all that time ago. Reading my forefathers journals, he was your great grandmother's Underboss in the Suburbs and their close ties to North Side, which was then headed by Godmother Kelly_Kapowski, brings back fond, fond memories! This is an excellent opportunity for you to get to run your own district and to aid our old friend DoctorBoom to grow this once great city, steeped in our own lines history. We have longed for the return to Chicago and your time has finally come to spread your wings and make a stamp on this world of ours'

Taking a breath, Vladimir continued

'It's an absolute honour standing here as your Right Hand Man and I cannot wait to help you make our own history here in North Side. This city has been empty too long and we both want to see it booming with criminal organisations yet again. To Chicago and North Side, may this be the start of something special!'

Where do i begin? Maria, our lines have worked together an awful lot over these last few years and i have to say, hand on my heart my journals only speak highly of you. In every sense of the word, i love everything that you bring to this thing of ours. A bloodline that is always  looked upon as someone who is always at the forefront of things.

Its with great pleasure that i take this journey with you and all of the excellent household names that we have acquired. North side is a place close to my heart, as you have mentioned my linage has a history with it, feels good to be back. I know that this will be an exciting time for all involved and no matter what presents itself along this road, i know we will have fun.

much love

Insta.

My little Maria, I know that DoctorBoom loves you very much, and that you will help bring Chicago back to former glory. The trunked one is proud of you too.