Free Luzo: Reign of a Mafia Don by S. W. Frank

in fact he was a member of the secret group referred to as the International Board of Directors. The organization wielded power over the country. The members were high-ranking officials in government, business and the military. Their identities were unknown by low-ranking members of organized crime. Meetings were for members only and never revealed to the head of families unless a clan leader was summoned to attend. Usually, when this happened, the person was escorted directly to the location.
    The only member of the Board known to the families was Umberto Cigliari. He served as the spokesperson and intermediary, so to speak. The Board usually did not intervene in minor skirmishes or petty squabbles. They expected families to resolve their issues, but in the event these matters escalated and interfered with commerce or put a spotlight on criminal activities, well then the hammer of power struck. Death was a disappearance of entire clans. Thus, this simmering flame set by Carlo Dichenzo if not handled properly could lead to many fatalities.
    He glared at his Consigliere. “Dig until you pull up worms on this Luzo Palazzo and Carlo Dichenzo, capisce?”
     
     
     
     
     
     
    ***
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    The rich may live in understated opulence or grandeur. The chandelier with multiple sparkling crystals hanging from the dome shaped ceiling inside the reception room spoke grandeur. Men in tux, women in expensive ball gowns gliding across the floor or sitting a round circular tables holding martinis were members of high society. In the crowd, a European starlet mingled.
    An unaccompanied blonde guest in a fitted gown ascended the wide stairs of the heavily fortified estate. She gave her name to the gentleman at the door, and he nodded without checking the guest list and she was gestured inside. Luzo and his companion were on her heels, inhaling her floral scent.
    Luzo gave his name. There was a skeptical inspection of the finely dressed couple, before the guest list was referenced, Luzo’s name was found and then a perfunctory nod. “Entre,” the doorman said.
    The blonde floated up the long corridor toward the open French doors where people and music were. Luzo walked leisurely across the soft Persian carpet admiring her derrière with a smirk. The young woman on his arm held tightly, nervous jitters easily detected in her speech.
    “This is so exciting. I have never attended anything this elaborate. Grazie.”
    “That is hard to believe. You appear right at home,” Luzo replied to boost her confidence. “I am sure we will have a wonderful time. Do you dance?”
    “Sí.”
    “Bene, we will dance.”
    Helena gave him a smile of adoration. It was somewhat unsettling. He did not want her to fall in love. Maybe, he should have chosen another woman, one who understood an evening together was not to be misconstrued as a pledge of eternal fidelity.
    His eyes were on the woman who had given her name. Signora Gina Bocelli. A bold and confident donna. He observed how easily she moved about, charming other attendees her dazzling smile when she entered the ball room. Luzo became intrigued, that is how it begins. Something interesting captures his attention; the self-assured way a donna glides or a witty comment that brought a grin and even a sultry voice may send warmth through his body. The sensation was inexplicable. But, when he thought of happiness; he thought of the musicality of his mama. Maybe…he sighed…it was okay to talk inside…there was nobody to hear his inner thoughts. No one could reprimand a man for the truth of his heart. Inside the sheltered doors, sealed by iron and forged with steel was a boy simply missing the love of his mama…a boy missing family…a boy unable to find his way home. There were snippets of home in the women he bedded, but in the morning the comfort dissipated and then he moved on.
    He hoped his brothers were not saddled with this affliction, this inability to love a