Marvel: Impregnation System

Chapter 148 - 143: Taking Care Of A Problem, Mobster Style

[Mission received: Madame St. Clair

Difficulty: Medium

Character Sheet: B

Description: Stephanie St. Clair aka Madame St. Clair is one of, if not the most, notorious individual in the entirety of Harlem and is well respected. Her underground and activist activities keep her busy which has made relationships almost impossible.

Objective: Fill her lonely womb with a plentiful serving which will knock her up.

Main Mission: 100,000 (Completed)

Missions Received:

Impregnante Stephanie Once:

Choose: 200 Gacha or The choice of Madame's skills

Impregnate Stephanie Twice:

Rewards: ?????????

Additional Missions:

Cum inside Madame after she bears her soul to you(Complete)

Reward: Epic Grade skill coupon

Willingly Impregnate Madame(Complete)

Reward: +7 Dexterity

Bonus Missions:

Take Madame St. Clair's Anal Virginity

Reward: Legendary Rank-Up Familiar Coupon ?????????????

?????????????

?????????????

HUFF

HUFF

Stephanie lay collapsed on his chest, her breath coming in heavy gasps, as filled with exhaustion as her body was filled to her brim with his cum.

"Another round?" Ricky joked, glancing down at Stephanie's drenched face as he gently brushed her hair aside to get a better look at her fluttering eyes as they rolled.

"You're an animal," Stephanie murmured weakly, pushing at Ricky's smirking cheek with her limp hand as he caught it, pressing gentle kisses to her palm.

"I can't help it; you just rile me up," Ricky laughed, pulling the tired and exhausted Stephanie into his embrace.

Ricky wrapped his arms around her, gently stroking her hair as she rested her weary head against his chest. They sat there in silence for a while, and Stephanie couldn't help but feel an aggrieved smile creep onto her face as she pressed her forehead against his pec.

"Alright, you're ready," Stephanie suddenly said, looking up at an enthusiastic Ricky who was about to toss her onto her back.

"T-That's not what I meant, down boy," Stephanie quickly stopped him, her hand pressing against his chest as he frowned in disappointment.

"Then what am I ready for?" Ricky asked, clearly not entertained by anything that wouldn't involve breaking off a piece of this kit kat bar in his arms.

"Do you remember before you left, asking about some potential boxers?" Stephanie asked, her hands gently traced the lines of his muscles.

"Yeah, no, why?" Ricky agreed before straight out telling her he didn't remember at all, completely forgetting about the subject entirely.

"Listen Ricky, I found this cat down in Mississippi who has the makings to be something great and-"

"And you want a cut, right?" Ricky kissed her forehead, smiling as she shrugged her slender shoulders, not bothering to deny it.

"Ten-"

"Five percent-"

"Deal," Stephanie chuckled, raising her lips to Ricky, who met them eagerly. They sat there, their lips intertwining in a slow, lingering kiss.

Eventually, Stephanie broke the kiss, her fingers gently stroking his chin as his smile reflected in her eyes.

"Now that you've already been in my pants, did you mean what you said about-"

"Yeah." Ricky snuggled into the bed, closing his eyes and promising it without even having to think.

"But what about if-"

"I really meant it." Ricky assured with a tired mutter, his hand stroking the back of her still wet hair as she felt extremely calm when those words registered in her ears.

"What if I end up-"

Sigh

"Listen baby, just listen." Ricky sighed, opening his eyes to Stephanie who felt as if she needed to work out some sort of deal, some sort of an arrangement that would work out for the both of them.

"I'm not scared about anything cause I know ain't no one gonna rock your world like me." Ricky showed a cheesy smile, arrogantly proclaiming as she inherently let out a small scoff. "But don't be afraid to lean on me and I know in the past you couldn't but now, just trust me because I got you." Ricky never really knew how to say what he meant, but it was as if Stephanie knew exactly what he was trying to say and leaned up, kissing his cheek before peacefully resting her head against his chest.

"Okay, I'll try."

Next day,

Whistling a pleasant tune, Ricky was strolling down Brooklyn with a glow that screamed 'I just got laid suck it'.

Walking towards Italiano's, Ricky whistled softly, pushing open the door to face his mountain of paperwork with an egregious sigh. His shoulders slouched as he made his way to a booth and sank into the seat, the brief quiet offering little solace.

Moments later, the door swung open, and Frank entered, a rolled newspaper in hand. He glanced around before spotting Ricky, already buried in the paperwork and without hesitation, Frank walked over to join him.

"C'mon Frank, I just got here." Ricky sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose at the guilty Frank who chuckled, strolling over to him.

"Sorry, Slick, but we've got a slight problem," Frank said, handing over the newspaper as Ricky raised a brow, taking it from him and laughing as he read the headline.

'PROSECUTOR JAMES MCMANUS HAS CHOICE WORDS FOR RICKY LUCIANO, MORE SPECIFICALLY: THUG!'

"It's like Deja vu." Ricky laughed, skimming the words with an increasing smile plastered on his face.

However, when Ricky looked at the paper, there was no surprise in his eyes as he was already aware of the issue while lounging in his booth within the desolate Italiano's.

"This guy can't be bribed, Slick. We've tried, plenty," Frank said, sitting down across from Ricky, watching him put the paper down and meet his gaze.

After things had just started to settle, with Ricky tightening his grip on New York's underworld, these people began appearing in droves, yapping incessantly at the surface of the city he owned.

It was just that James McManus stook out like a sore thumb, the type of guy that could really make others flock to him like birds.

"What I'm thinking is that you-" Frank had a smile, about to get to the point only for the door to slowly open.

"Is that trouble brewing I hear?" Elias asked, ever the lurking shadow, slipping into matters that had nothing to do with him as his telepaths followed silently behind him, their presence adding an eerie weight to the room.

"Ah geez, not this guy," Frank scoffed, turning away as he wiped his mouth, clearly not fond of Elias.

Putting aside the fact that Elias could speak into his mind, the guy practically screamed bad news in a world where it was always rampant.

"Oh my, did I stumble in upon a conversation and-"

Gasp

"Is this about that fellow James McManus?" Elias poorly hid his intentions, holding his shadowy hands onto his nonexistent cheeks as if he didn't already know everything.

Though they had only just settled into the Tri-State area, Elias was already methodically placing his eyes across the city, quietly weaving his influence.

"If I might be so bold, wouldn't it be beneficial to finally start your plan of integrating mutants into the family? This could be a perfect opportunity to gain their trust," Elias spoke from the side, his eyes narrowing into crescent moons as Frank scoffed.

"Listen, Slick, if you pass this off to the mutants, it'll be seen as favoritism by the guys. Pick a high-ranking officer already in the family." Frank waved Elias off, then turned to Ricky, who wore a pondering expression.

This was the conundrum Ricky now faced as the new head of the Luciano crime family: the sudden shift in power.

Traditionally, only pure-blooded Sicilian Italians, vetted by high-ranking members, were allowed within the family. Even then, you had to know someone to get in but Ricky was turning that tradition on its head, making it clear that he intended to pull mutants into the ranks, giving the family an edge over any other crime organization in America.

The problem, however, remained that if he handed this task to a mutant, the men who had already sacrificed everything and put in countless hours would feel alienated.

Then there were the mutants, waiting in the wings, seemingly eager to prove themselves to Ricky but the problem was, they were all firmly in the palm of Elias.

It was essentially planting spies within his own family, and that didn't sit well with Ricky. This was his empire to control in every aspect, and the thought of giving Elias even the slightest foothold made his skin crawl.

"Ricky, remember, the one at the top doesn't have to choose one or the other. If they can make it work, they can have both but one wrong move and that decision will break." Alexander offered, his voice steady as he knew from experience how troublesome it could be to pick one faction over another, especially when both had their merits.

Snap

Ricky snapped his fingers, a sudden realization hitting him as he gestured for Frank to come over, and Frank side-eyed Elias, who simply rolled his eyes in response.

"Well, there's a lot of guys eager to prove themselves-...but if I had to pick one off the top of my head, it'd have to be Johnny." Frank gave his honest opinion to Ricky, who raised an eyebrow in response.

"Frank, just give it to me straight, of the guys who are still low-ranking but know the ropes, who's the most determined, hungry, and loyal?" Ricky asked, his tone focused as he had a semblance of an idea brewing, but first, he needed the right catalyst to make it explode.

"Well, there's a lot of guys eager to prove themselves-...but if I had to pick one off the top of my head, it'd have to be Johnny." Frank gave his honest opinion to Ricky, who raised an eyebrow in response.

"Ezmeraeda's kid?" Ricky asked, knowing that their live-in maid's youngest was named Johnny.

"The kid's younger than his brothers, who are still enforcers and haven't even made captain yet, but the kid's loyalty is above even the guys under me," Frank explained, knowing how fiercely determined Johnny was and Ricky, too, was familiar with the kid, having ordered him around quite a bit during the battle.

"Originally, his mentor was under Genovese, but the kid used all his strings, not to spare his life, but to honor him by taking him out himself. That's why he's kind of lingering around now," Frank ranted, explaining everything Johnny had done for the family, both within its scope and beyond it.

This went on for a good hour, with Frank almost preaching about Johnny, clearly determined to make his case. The entire reason being that he didn't want this task going to a mutant, and he was making sure Ricky understood why Johnny was the right choice.

"Bring him here," Ricky nodded to Frank, who stood up with a smile and as he walked out, Frank flashed a smirk at Elias, clearly enjoying his side being chosen over him.

"Are you sure that was wise-"

"I know what I'm doing, just keep your end of the deal," Ricky pointed at Elias, who shook his head before walking away to carry out his report.

Soon after, a very nervous and anxious Johnny was escorted towards Ricky, who was calmly chowing down on a slice of pizza, his demeanor relaxed despite the tension in the air.

"Good morning, boss!" Johnny yelled out enthusiastically, almost bowing at a full ninety degrees as Ricky gestured for him to relax.

"Come and have a slice, I insist," Ricky beckoned, and Johnny nodded, glancing at Frank, who gave him a thumbs-up as he went to sit down next to Ricky.

"Frank's been telling me a lot about you, and I gotta say, I'm really impressed," Ricky began, wiping his hands on a napkin while watching Johnny, who nervously took the smallest slice.

"He says that you've not only got potential but also the drive to reach higher within the family," Ricky gestured toward him as Johnny gulped down his mouthful of pizza.

"Boss, I swear if you give me the opportunity to prove myself I won't let you down-"

"Do you mean that?" Ricky's tone suddenly grew cold, his eyes pulsing green in curiosity, causing Johnny's entire face to turn pale.

"Would you really do anything?" Ricky hummed, each syllable making Johnny's body tremble further as it felt like a weight was pressed on his head, forcing his gaze down.

Nothing was exerted upon Johnny, but the weight of Ricky's words made him duck his head as his tone carried a question, probing just how far Johnny was willing to go for him, his boss.

However, Johnny finally managed to gulp down the lump in his throat as he nervously met Ricky's intense gaze.

"Y-Yes?" Johnny stammered, almost asking, as he closed his eyes for a moment before cautiously opening them to see Ricky grabbing another slice of pizza.

"Good. I need a problem taken care of, and I need it taken care of now," Ricky said, throwing the newspaper in front of Johnny while plastering James' angry face before him. Johnny quickly swiped it off the table and looked at the headline, his eyes scanning the page with growing tension.

"The guy's a prosecutor, and Frank says he can't be bribed. That means one thing, he's in the way," Ricky said, pointing at Johnny with a finger gun before pulling the trigger with a playful smirk.

"Take care of it."

Meanwhile outside Italiano's,

Johnny slowly walked outside the restaurant after the meeting, still in a daze from everything that had just happened. Moments ago, he had been enjoying his morning espresso when Frank suddenly yanked him by the collar and dragged him here and now, with Ricky's task weighing heavily on his mind, Johnny struggled to process the whirlwind of events.

It wasn't fair to say that Johnny was entirely in a grey zone within the family or the doghouse after everything that went down with Genovese. Loyalty was crucial to any organization, whether criminal or legitimate, but politics always played a role in everything. Johnny had burned many bridges by essentially pleading to be the one to take out his mentor, knowing it was the right thing to do. Though his actions were driven by honor, they left him in a precarious position, straddling loyalty and isolation within the family.

Until Ricky came along and wiped the board, giving him an opportunity that people in the family can only dream of.

"Listen, Johnny, this is your chance." Frank slung his arm around Johnny's shoulder, looking up at him as Johnny still held the newspaper in his hands.

"Slick's looking for fresh blood, young blood, and he's handed this to you on a silver platter. You gotta go above and beyond, alright?" Frank patted Johnny's chest, reassuring him as Johnny nodded, determination settling in his eyes.

"Aye Frank, thank you so much for everything-"

"Hey, hey, hey, don't thank me yet." Frank waved his hand with a smile, gently pushing Johnny forward. "But Johnny." Frank's words stopped him from taking a step forward as he turned to the old man that had lived the majority of his life in this world.

"This is your last chance." Frank's tone shook Johnny to the core as he ducked his head, the old man giving him a look of pity.

"That stunt you pulled, going behind the noses of some of the capo's, it f*cked you." Frank shook his head with a heavy sigh, looking at a kid that was everything the family need but making one small mistake.

"You smoothed it over with some favors, but you shot yourself in the foot." Frank held up a paper bag, Johnny slowly taking it to feel a revolver inside of it.

"There won't be anything after this, you mess this up, you'll never be more than you are right now," Frank essentially told him, making it clear that Johnny couldn't afford to mess this up or he'd be forever stagnated in place.

"So take care of this and you can buy me lunch," Frank waved at Johnny, who nodded and started walking toward his car.

"Remember, Johnny, ya gotta make it look like an accident!" Frank shouted after him as Johnny got in, slamming the door shut. Slowly, Johnny started driving, but soon the weight of the task pressed on him, and he couldn't take it anymore. It was as if it all hit him at once, suffocating him to the point where he pulled into an alleyway, parking the car and taking a deep breath, trying to clear his mind before the storm ahead.

It was just too much for him, and he needed to breathe as he let out a shaky exhale as he hit his head on the steering wheel, trying to steady himself.

It wasn't far-fetched to say that Johnny had given his entire life, his everything, for the Luciano family. Being the youngest of three of Ezmerelda's kids, he grew up with a firsthand experience of struggling to make ends meet, always fighting for a place in the world, for a chance to prove himself amidst the older kids.

He remembered how his father walked out on them, leaving his mother to fend for herself while working three jobs just to put food on the table for him and his brothers. But even that wasn't enough. Having to watch helplessly, as the mobsters took half her pay for a mere 'protection' back in Sicily, a cruel reminder of the life they were trapped in, unable to escape.

His mother would do an honest day's work, clocking in 56-hour workweeks, only for someone with a crappy attitude and a gun to take half of everything she made. But Johnny didn't grow to hate mobsters; instead, he learned from them. These events morphed his perception, in a way that he saw that honest work just didn't pay, not in the world they lived in. However, even with his change of sight, the protection fees only continued to rise, and eventually, to the point where it became so unbearable that they emigrated to America. But even in this new land, the suffering never truly ended. The same shadows loomed, the same struggles persisted, and Johnny realized that the only way out was to get in deep, where power and control could be seized rather than handed over.

By the time Johnny was six, he was already working the corner, shining shoes for a nickel.

While other kids laughed and played, Johnny came home every night covered in black smudges, clutching a mere fifteen cents.

But it was the weight of his mother's struggles that made him endure, for nothing could weigh heavier than her persistence and no amount of grime on his hands could compare to the burden she carried.

Then, as if it was out of a fairytale, their life changed in the span of one day.

It was on that day, when his mother's life changed, that his own life took a turn as well, having gotten a job as the live-in maid for none other than the mob boss, Lucky Luciano.

The transformation was like night and day as Johnny watched in awe as his mother, no longer struggling to make ends meet, not only provided for them but could even buy them things. He and his brothers were given toys, better food, nicer clothes, and, for the first time, an actual childhood, all thanks to the Luciano family.

It was one of the reasons his eldest brothers ended up joining in the first place as they got a taste of what the Luciano family was offering and didn't want to go back to the hardships they'd known before.

But Johnny was different.

It wasn't that he didn't want to go back, it's that he couldn't.

His eldest brothers never really had a childhood, too busy helping their mother just to survive.

But Johnny, he lived through both sides, he experienced the dirt-poor days, but also got a taste of what it was like to be well off.

Unlike his older brothers, who were already in their teens by the time their lives took a turn, Johnny was still just a kid. He got to experience both sides, the struggle and the sudden shift into something better, allowing him to step into the world with a glimpse of both the darkness and the light.

His brothers had to live the way they did to escape that life, but Johnny didn't have to. He had the choice to shape his childhood into something different, something better, and pursue whatever he wanted. But Johnny chose this path. He couldn't go back to the life of an honest schmuck, working day in and day out like his mother.

That shift in perception had already taken root within him, testing his resolve with the comfort he once longed for. But that comfort had become repulsive to him. Johnny wanted more, more than a life of simplicity, more than just getting by and it was with that he craved power, status, and the chance to control his own destiny.

But the only way through the Luciano Family, the only path to climb the ranks in this tightly-knit organization, was through its rules and unwavering loyalty. It was a brutal game, one where only the most committed survived and that's where he found Gino Vinchenzo, his mentor. Gino wasn't just any soldier; he was a man handpicked by Lucky Luciano himself after Johnny proved his worth. Gino became more than just a mentor to Johnny, he became a father figure. He taught him every facet of the brutal, intricate world they lived in, guiding him through the twisted corridors of the criminal empire. But it wasn't just about the jobs or the deals. Gino instilled in him the most important lesson that would shape Johnny's future as a mobster: loyalty was everything. In this world, loyalty wasn't just expected, it was demanded and betrayal just wasn't an option, because once you gave your word, it was your bond, reiterating this sentiment through one saying, over and over again.

'There are rules in this line of work, but above all, the boss's words were always right.'

Gino's voice echoed in Johnny's mind, an unshakable mantra that had shaped his every move since he first stepped into the world of the Luciano family. Those words weren't just advice, they were law. Gino taught Johnny that no matter the task, no matter the circumstances, the boss's decisions were absolute. To question the boss was to question the entire foundation of the family, and that was a sin in their world.

But those same words broke his heart.

The reason Johnny took Gino's words so seriously was because, after everything, he loved Gino like a father, and it was because of that the reveal of his true colors really shattered him.

Gino wasn't just the mentor he idolized; he was a rat for the government, a turncoat who had betrayed the family. In this world, just like Gino always taught him, once you turned on the family, there was no coming back.

This sudden realization that Gino had been playing both sides to prop up Genovese really shattered Johnny's perception of loyalty and trust in a way he couldn't ignore. Accruing enough favors, enough power, and enough leverage to get a final conversation with Gino, to confront the man who had shaped his early years in the family.

He called in every favor he had, wiped the slate clean, and set up the meeting. But it wasn't about helping him; it was about putting a bullet in his head, because those were the boss's orders, and the boss's orders were always right. Johnny had fully committed himself to this family, and there was no turning back, that single moment solidifying his resolve into something unshakable, something that wouldn't let his mentor's death be in vain.

So it was why he lifted his head, his eyes burning with determination as he turned the keys in the ignition. Ready to carry out Ricky's order, he knew deep down that this was the way it had to be. The boss's orders were always right, and Johnny would follow them without question.

5 hours later,

"James hear me out-"

"No!" James swatted away his colleague, pushing him back as he took a step away.

"Rich, this is wrong, this entire situation is wrong!" James shouted, his voice rising in frustration as he glared at Richard, who slowly withdrew his hand.

"James, this isn't someone who guys like us can mess with-"

"So what? We're just going to let it slide, all that destruction he caused, just let it slide!" James yelled, pointing at the window with anger and disbelief, his voice trembling with frustration, his hand gesturing to some of the scorch marks left by the residue of Ricky's wrath.

James McManus was a federal prosecutor and one of Dewey's former colleagues but unlike the others who had been deterred by the example of Dewey's death, James remained determined.

What he saw when the Luciano family took over New York wasn't just crime, it was madness, something that shouldn't exist, yet there it was, right in front of his eyes.

The place where he was born, the city he grew up in, burned.

All because of one man, claiming that the city was his but James would be damned if he let Ricky get away with it.

"I'm filing the lawsuit tomorrow, whether I get the backing from the guys above or not. I just can't let it go." James looked at Richard, who held his breath at this death sentence.

"Don't you feel the same? Don't you feel that Ricky Luciano, this self proclaimed hero, needs to be revealed for the monster he really is-"

"James, I have a family, we all do." Richard gestured around, his eyes flicking to the others who were quietly watching, watching James' eyes turn to them before they all ducked their heads, hanging them in shame.

"Aren't you sacred-"

"I'm supposed to be someone my son can look up to, not someone he looks down upon." James muttered to himself, his voice thick with emotion. He turned his back on his supposed co-workers, grabbing his briefcase with a sharp motion before storming out of the district office.

Walking towards the car, James hesitated for a moment, his hand hovering over the ignition as he closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and turned the key. The engine roared to life instead of the explosion he feared, and a sigh of relief escaped his lips.

But that moment was brief as his gaze hardened, determination flooding back in as he gripped the wheel, preparing for what lay ahead.

Driving to his house, James noticed a car in the distance, its headlights flickering, steadily tailing him. Unaware, James eventually made his way towards his suburban home, a smile crossing his face despite the tension creeping in as he loosened his tie, eager to see his family, and jingled the keys in his hand.

As he neared the front door, the weight of the day pressing on his shoulders, a sudden shadow loomed behind him.

Before he could turn around, he heard the distinct sound of a metal pipe swinging through the air.

TWACK

Just as his hand found the key, everything went black as darkness swallowed his senses, his consciousness fading into nothingness. When his eyes finally fluttered open, everything felt surreal as his vision was blurry, hazy, disorienting.

But eventually, his eyes rose above the tired weights pressed on his eyelids and he saw it.

His family.

Tied up with their faces filled with terror, their eyes locked on him, wide with fear and desperation. The sight of their cries wrenched his heart, but before he could react, a drop of blood landed on his face as there was a slight gnash on his head.

Then, his surroundings suddenly snapped into focus, the reality of the situation sinking in as he tried to move, only to realize he was tightly bound, unable to escape.

"W-What the hell are you doing?!" James roared, his eyes wide with disbelief as he watched the man behind all of this, watching Johnny turn the stove to its highest setting. Johnny then opened the oven, and a blast of heat surged out, intensifying the already hot area in another surge of heat.

"I-I'm sorry," Johnny muttered, turning back to face the family as his eyes flickered to the little boy and the mother, both pleading for mercy, but he couldn't bring himself to meet their gaze.

In fact, he lowered his head at what he had to do, what had to be done.

"But I gotta show the boss that I'm willing to do whatever it takes, and go beyond," Johnny said through gritted teeth, his voice thick with emotion. Johnny wasn't like Ricky, in fact, he wanted to absolutely cry at this moment for what he was about to do.

But he knew that if he wanted to prove himself to Ricky, he had to surpass even the most gruesome expectations.

"Y-Your one of Ricky Luciano guys right, listen, just listen-"

"I'm sorry," Johnny muttered, his voice barely audible as he turned his head, steeling himself as he moved quickly, setting up everything to make it look like an accident. The ropes, he knew, would burn when the fire ignited, just the way it had to look and it all made him take a deep breath, his hands trembling, but there was no turning back now.

"MY FAMILY, PLEASE-"

"I'm sorry." Those were all the words Johnny could manage, unable to meet James' gaze as he began cleaning up his mess. Johnny loosened his collar, the heat becoming almost unbearable but he preserved through his task. James, though, couldn't keep still while his mind raced, and panic surged through him as he struggled violently against the ropes, desperate to break free, unable to let this happen to his family.

However, his efforts only seemed to throw off his balance, and he collapsed onto the ground, still tied to the chair. Even then, James continued to struggle fiercely, desperation burning in his chest, but it was no use. His movements were frantic, like a fish out of water, but no matter how hard he fought, the ropes held tight, leaving him helpless.

Huff

Huff

"Why are you doing this? He's a monster!" James huffed, his voice thick with both rage and desperation, struggling intensely against the ropes. His wife and child sobbed in the corner, their cries echoing in the room as Johnny's gaze flickered briefly toward them, guilt twisting his insides.

Bam

"YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT A REAL MONSTER IS!" Johnny snapped, his voice laced to their brim with anger and pain, his past haunting him with every word and in a burst of frustration, he kicked James in the face, the impact sending a sharp sting through his own chest. Without hesitation, he turned the gas stove higher, the sound of the hissing flame filling the air as the heat in the room grew unbearable.

"You don't know what real suffering is! Scraping by for mere pennies of all your hard earned dollars because of the fear, those f*cking horrors that would abduct you into the shadows if you didn't cough up even half of it!" Johnny's voice cracked, guilt lining his face as his eyes teared up, fighting to keep going.

"Ricky Luciano might not be a good person, but he's fair." Johnny showed his view of Ricky with them, seeing his actions not as righteous but fair.

Sniff

"You could've lived, you could've lived a good life that so many people would kill for, but you got greedy." Johnny resolved, steeling himself with every passing second, bracing himself for what he was about to do.

"And this is what greedy gets you." Johnny turned away, walking toward the door as James's eyes widened in realization.

"PLEASE WAIT I-" James yelled out only for his words to be lodged in his throat, watching Johnny turn back with a single match and speak the two words he always seemed to repeat.

"I'm sorry."

The words escaped his mouth as he flicked the match, tossing it into the furnace. Immediately, he bolted out the door, and a tear slipped from James's eye as he turned back to his family, offering them an assuring smile.

"It's going to be okay-"

BOOM

The fire erupted like an avalanche, sweeping through the house in an instant, reducing the family of three to charred remnants. The explosion shattered the windows, sending a towering plume of smoke into the air. Johnny was thrown backward, skidding across the road, but he didn't hesitate and with a grimace of pain, he picked himself up, clutching his shoulder, and limped toward his car.

The neighbors poured out of their homes, horrified by the devastation in their quiet suburban community. Johnny, his face twisted in anguish, slowly drove away, tears streaming down his face.

In reality, Johnny was just twenty-one, still a young man with a soft heart, someone who cared deeply for others. The weight of what he had just done tore at his soul, the weight of the realization that he had killed a mother and her son, and the memory of their faces would haunt him forever.

He wasn't soulless, he wasn't unfeeling, he couldn't separate his emotions for his work, some people couldn't.

But even then, through all of it, he followed through, he followed orders.

Hic

Sniff

Johnny rubbed his eyes, his gaze locking with his reflection in the rearview mirror as the sadness hit him like a wave, but he refused to let it consume him. His tears streamed freely, but his resolve remained unshaken as he wiped his face with the back of his hand, the weight of his actions hanging heavy, yet he didn't falter. His eyes, now steeled with determination, stayed fixed on the road ahead as he had made his choice and there was no turning back now.

"I'm sorry." n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

The Next Morning,

"Atta boy, Johnny!"

"That's how it's done!"

"YEAH!"

The applause erupted from Johnny's fellow mobsters, all of them gathered in anticipation for a special announcement from Ricky. But before the big reveal, they swarmed around Johnny, clapping him on the back, patting his shoulders, and offering congratulatory words as the buzz in the room was palpable.

The news had come in the earlier morning, a headline flashing across the city: 'Tragedy Strikes, James McManus' House Catches Fire Due to Gas Leak; No Survivors Reported.' The story was clean, neat, and tragic, parading it as a gas leak, an accident. But it was only when the truth came to light within the family, that Johnny had orchestrated the event, that his status soared above that stagnation.

Now, with this fact clear in the Luciano Family, Johnny had become the residential hotshot.

However, Johnny looked worn down, dark circles under his eyes, his exhaustion evident as he hadn't slept a single second all while he stood there, lost in his thoughts, before Frank walked over.

"Make way, make way, give the kid some space!" Frank shouted, the other recruits flinching and quickly dispersing, leaving Johnny standing alone in the center of the room.

"Aye, Johnny, you did good." Frank said, his arm draping over Johnny's shoulder as he gave him a firm pat on the chest. Johnny sniffled, his emotions barely contained beneath his tough exterior as he wiped his eyes at the memory replaying in his mind.

"That little boy and his mother-"

"Johnny, listen, words of advice from someone called 'The Exterminator' within the circle," Frank said as he pulled Johnny aside, his face showing remorse, knowing all too well what it was like to be in his position.

"I know that at first it's hard, to close your eyes and not see their faces because trust me, I couldn't sleep a wink the first time," Frank said, his words sinking deep into Johnny's thoughts.

Johnny looked up at him, watching Frank stare into the distance, as the memory of the first innocent he ever killed on a hit flashed before his eyes.

"People say don't think about it, but sometimes, out of nowhere, their faces just flash into your mind, and then you're left reeling with what you've done, what you've become," Frank said, his gaze drifting to his hands, once soaked in blood which clenched tightly, as if trying to rid himself of the haunting memory.

"What I do, when I can't get their faces out of my head, is think of those who mean the most to me, the very same people I'd do anything to make smile," Frank said, his voice steady, yet laced with the weight of his own experience as he turned back to Johnny, whose head was lowered, his body trembling slightly as the words sank in.

"I think about my darling family, the people I'd do anything, and I mean anything, to make sure they live a life that I never got to," Frank's words hit Johnny deep, stirring something in him as he slowly lifted his gaze, his eyes now glistening with a mix of pain and understanding.

"Does it make it go away-"

"No, it makes it tolerable, it makes you stronger." Frank's hand shook slightly, patting him before looking to the side.

"You're gonna make it, Johnny," Frank's words hit Johnny with a force he hadn't expected. His eyes widened, as if a weight had lifted from his chest. For a fleeting moment, he saw Gino in Frank's smiling expression, the same reassuring look he had once received from his mentor and slowly, Johnny nodded, feeling a little at ease.

"Thanks Frank-"

"Yeah, thanks Frank. Can't believe I overlooked this polished gem," Ricky said, draping his arm over Johnny's shoulders as he froze at the words, his body tense as Ricky's laughter echoed in his ears.

Johnny seemingly didn't even recognize he was there before slowly turning to Ricky grinning wildly at him.

"Boo."

"AH!" Johnny flinched, stepping back as Ricky's laughter filled the air. His hand instinctively pressed to his chest, trying to steady his racing heart. The other mobsters erupted in laughter, pointing at Johnny, who felt his face flush with embarrassment.

"Come on, guys, don't pick on him too much. At least he doesn't scream like some chick," Ricky joked, his laughter echoing as the others joined in and Johnny, initially tense, let out a deep sigh before cracking a reluctant smile. Slowly, he joined in the laughter, shaking his head at the absurdity of it all as it wasn't the first time he'd been the punchline, but for some reason, this time it felt a little easier to laugh along.

"Alright, let's get to the meeting."

1 hour later,

This was one of the initiatives Ricky began implementing in his new position, holding meetings regularly. On the surface, they were framed as Ricky gaining insight into the current state of affairs in the city, but in reality, he had ulterior motives.

Ricky genuinely wanted to familiarize himself not just with the city, but also with the high-ranking members within the family. They were all Lucky's men, and Ricky had yet to truly make the family his own as he was focused on understanding how it all worked, trying to get a genuine feel for the dynamics at play.

Throughout the meeting, the high-ranking mobsters briefed Ricky on the current state of affairs in New York, each update bringing them closer to solidifying their grip on the territory for the family.

First on the agenda was the progress with the coven, especially after Ricky had handed them control of operations in Staten Island.

At first, Ricky wanted to give them Long Island but after the entire thing with Profaci, he decided he wanted to one day give it to his and Maria's son, Carmine Luciano.

The coven had expressed interest in one of two options: they wanted to remain under the Luciano family's umbrella, but they also insisted on having their own space to truly establish their influence.

Ricky was open to this, however, there was one issue that had yet to be resolved as the coven was supposed to send a representative to act as a bridge between their organization and the family.

This would remain until young witches and warlocks were integrated, alongside either Johnny or Zatanna, to ensure their place within the family's operations.

However, Agatha was being incredibly picky, refusing to select any women for the role for obvious reasons and the men had to meet the coven's strict standards, which had led to an extremely rigorous selection process.

Until then, Big Tony was handling the operations within Staten Island, temporarily until he could go back to Manhattan.

"There ain't no problem with those witches, Slick, it's just they can't hold a conversation," Big Tony sighed, rubbing his receding hairline while looking at Ricky, who also let out a frustrated sigh.

"Tell me about it," Ricky sighed, glancing at Big Tony, who was clearly stressing over the situation, knowing full well how difficult it was to talk to a witch or a warlock.

"They're like a bunch of nerds with their heads stuck in books. I mean, one of those elders didn't even look up from his damn book for the three hours he was supposed to be helping me," Big Tony vented, clearly out of his element as he was trying to make it work because Ricky had personally asked him to handle it, but it was becoming a frustrating mess.

"Just hang in there a little longer, Tony. Your replacement for looking after the witches will come, and I'll make sure to reward you personally," Ricky said smoothly, slicking his hair back as he caught Big Tony's hesitant glance, but the older man nodded, knowing there was no point in arguing.

"How's the drug route and the-"

Cough

"About that Slick." Little Tony, Big Tony's older brother, coughed out with slight embarrassment since although this was his field, he was actually struggling.

"Ever since you got back, the Gurrea family has actually sent word that if the cooperative relationship continues, you need to come back and 'make things right,'" Little Tony said, his hands tied as he spoke directly to Ricky as the other mobsters scoffed, some slamming their fists onto the table in frustration.

"Who the hell does that beaner think he is?" Mickey 'Mouth' Tori yelled out, his voice dripping with anger as he directed his frustration toward Juan in a racist way and Ricky raised his hand, signaling for silence before things escalated further.

"I knew this would happen. Tell him I'll be there soon," Ricky said, pointing at Little Tony, who gave a slight nod as Mouth shot him an incredulous look, clearly puzzled by Ricky's calm response.

"Slick, don't give into that dirty-"

"I wouldn't, but I did kinda sleep with his sister then dip." Ricky leaned back, shrugging as Mouth closed his own before nodding.

"Alright, that does kinda make sense when you put it like that." Mouth muttered, glancing around as the other mobsters, who shared the same thoughts, nodded in agreement.

Sigh

"C'mon Slick, really?" Frank pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing heavily at Ricky who shrugged again.

"Sorry?"

"Anyways, I've got a special announcement," Ricky said, adjusting his tie as he scanned the room. All eyes turned to him, including the soldiers and enforcers in the back, who straightened up and focused on his every word.

"I know a lot of you have been wondering about me being the new head and what changes are coming, so let me be the first to say it, the Luciano family will change," Ricky announced, his words making the room fall silent as the family members hung on his every word, waiting for him to elaborate, all eager yet cautious, resisting the urge to jump to conclusions.

"But that doesn't mean we're going to change what the core of the family represents, what each and every one of us represents," Ricky continued and almost immediately, a wave of relieved sighs swept through the room, as many of the mobsters understood that their roles and place in the family weren't at risk, and they wouldn't be replaced.

"I'm not pushing any of our members out, nor will I neglect them like soured milk. I recognize those who prove themselves, just like my pops did." Ricky patted his chest, telling them all that their dedication towards the family would never be pushed aside.

"That's why I want to not only recognize someone within the family, but acknowledge their efforts." Ricky then turned towards Johnny, who suddenly paled, realizing that he was barely an enforcer.

"Johnny, come up here for a second." Ricky gestured towards him, and the high-ranking members all nodded, acknowledging the young Italian man who was finally getting the recognition he deserved, the irony settling in alongside the anticipation.

"Johnny here cleaned up a budding mess, but not only that, he's been loyal and, most of all, respectful to the family," Ricky said, patting Johnny's shoulder with his words making the other members nod in agreement, recognizing that he always played by the rules and never argued with an order.

"It's why, here in front of all of you, that I am personally promoting him to Capo," Ricky said with a toothy smile, gesturing towards the high-ranking members who all widened their eyes.

It was safe to say that it didn't just catch them off guard, it left them speechless. From what they had heard and had come to believe, thinking Ricky would supposedly promote either a mutant or a witch to Capo first, but instead, he had chosen Johnny. "ATTA BOY!" Frank stood up, his voice booming with pride as he clapped loudly, refusing to let the moment pass without giving it the recognition it deserved. His enthusiasm sparked a ripple through the room, and soon, other members followed suit, their applause filling the air as they acknowledged Johnny's promotion.

Some enforcers, feeling a flicker of jealousy for being passed over, exchanged glances but kept their thoughts to themselves. Despite the sting of not being chosen, they found some solace in the fact that it was another Italian being promoted, one of their own. There was a sense of pride in that, a reminder of the loyalty and heritage that tied them all together under the same banner.

"Come find me later, we need to talk." Ricky whispered while clapping for Johnny, the new Capo nodding as he pushed him forward in the next seconds.

Then, the others swarmed around him, congratulating him with hearty slaps on the back and words of praise before he was swept up into the celebration.

Later that night,

"Boss, you called for me?" Johnny slowly entered the dim and empty Italiano's. The only light was the lone bulb above Ricky, who was swamped in a mountain of paperwork as he looked up as Johnny stepped in, his expression unreadable and a little scared but for some reason, a tinge of excitement loomed.

"Yeah Johnny, come over and sit." Ricky gestured, his eyes still glued to the budget for the Cotton Club.

Johnny, holding his new fedora, walked over with his black trench coat and sat down across from Ricky.

It was safe to say that Johnny chest was swirling with pride since not only was he the youngest Capo within the family, but he was also the first Cap between him and his brothers who were still soldiers.

But the biggest reason he was late wasn't because of getting fitted for a new suit and clothes, it was because his mother couldn't stop crying, overwhelmed with pride, as she hugged him for the last two hours.

Now, Johnny was sitting across from Ricky, knowing he had received the approval he needed but feeling an intense desire to go above and beyond. He wasn't content just with the promotion; he wanted to prove that he was worthy of the responsibility that came with it.

"As you probably heard from the rumors, I'm going to start not only funneling mutants into the family, but also witches and warlocks," Ricky said, setting down his pen and meeting Johnny's gaze who was caught off guard by the legitimacy of the rumors, blinking desperately in surprise.

"Now you're probably wondering why I promoted you and called you here. It's because you're not only the youngest guy to hold these values close to your heart, but you consistently show it," Ricky said, pointing at Johnny, who nodded his head vigorously.

"But even if we take a different approach in recruiting, I want the core values of the family to remain intact within these new recruits, regardless of how many horns they might have," Ricky continued, trying to make Johnny understand the direction he wanted his era of the Luciano family to take.

"Now you're probably wondering why I promoted you and called you here. It's because you're not only the youngest guy to hold these values close to your heart, but you consistently show it," Ricky said, pointing at Johnny, who nodded his head vigorously.

"I need someone like you, someone young enough to relate to the younger guys and kids, but old enough to really get a grip on what it means to be in the Luciano family," Ricky said, propping Johnny up as if he had planned this for a while, rather than making an impromptu decision.

Ricky wanted to use someone like Johnny, someone he could trust to carry the weight and the values of the family. The thing was, it didn't necessarily have to be Johnny, it just had to be someone like him.

"Because your job is going to be the most important for the future of the Luciano family, you're going to be the first family member to be in charge of mutant runners." Ricky had put a lot of thought into how he would integrate mutants into the family, he saw it as an opportunity to elevate them, pushing them above the current level and building on the strong foundation that Lucky had already set.

To put it simply, Ricky planned to place young mutant kids under the care of people like Johnny, individuals who were so loyal and committed to the family that their values and tendencies would inevitably rub off on the kids. They would grow up within the Luciano family, learning its ways, before eventually becoming part of it themselves.

And sure, not all of them would really grow into what Ricky had set out for him, but he only needed a couple.

A couple of mutants who would grow up in the family under Johnny's values and mirror them themselves.

Then, he would, in turn, place them in charge of mutant runners, creating a cycle that would repeat over and over again, building a network of loyal, capable mutants who were deeply ingrained in the Luciano family's values.

Ricky was determined to build a crime family on steroids, one that retained all the core values of a traditional mob family, preserving the loyalty that Lucky had worked so hard to establish for the Luciano name, while also wielding a power that ordinary people couldn't even begin to imagine.

But Ricky needed to test whether this ambitious plan could actually work. To quell the unease among the high-ranking members who feared being replaced, he promoted Johnny. By putting Johnny in a position of responsibility, Ricky wanted to see if his drive to prove himself, combined with the core values he held, could produce the results he was hoping for. As Johnny's demeanor shifted into something more serious, Ricky watched closely, ready to assess whether his gamble would pay off.

If not, he would wipe the board clean and try again, with someone else.

"This ain't a game, Johnny. This is gonna happen, and it has to. The Luciano family needs to go to the next level, and I need you to make it happen." Ricky's gaze was steady, his tone sharp as he locked eyes with Johnny, who nodded vigorously, fully understanding the weight of the task ahead.

"Any questions?"

"No boss, if those are your orders, then they are absolute." Johnny thumped his chest with conviction, a fire in his eyes as he steeled himself for the challenge.

"Alright, soon you'll be given a bunch of runners, but under the guise that you'll be in charge of delivering messages, packages, and training the next batch of couriers," Ricky explained, handing Johnny the details of where he needed to report. Johnny took the paper and pressed it close to his heart, almost if it was a symbol of his dedication to the task ahead.

"I won't let you down, boss, I promise!" Johnny exclaimed, bowing slightly before hurrying off to start planning what he was going to do.

"You know what, I kinda like the guy." Ricky chuckled, leaning back as he poured himself a drink, his gaze shifting to Shadow Broker, who was seated right next to Johnny that entire time.

"What do you think? Do you like him?" Ricky asked, taking a sip as he raised his glass, offering a silent toast to his Stand, which hovered lifelessly in the air.

"Thought so."

Meanwhile at Elias new Residence,

"So he's finally come around," Elias muttered, setting the note down as he glanced to the side. One of his subordinates nodded in response, understanding the weight of the situation.

It was then that he opened the door, and a dozen children slowly walked in, lining up before him. They all looked up at him, their eyes filled with a mix of curiosity and caution. Among them, a young boy stood out, his gaze hardened, reflecting the image of Elias within his eyes.

"Now children, how would you all like to do a favor for me?"