Filed to story: Bring It On My Mafia Life Novel (Rhea & Lukas)
With Natalie marrying Eric, that means Rhea was now a Draven, at least half of it. In one word, Eric had a huge role to play by influencing and convincing his wife Natalie to give him a chance to prove himself to her. Not to mention that if things go right between them, he would have to call Eric, father-in-law?!
Lukas gritted his teeth because the thought never crossed his mind until now. He had to be careful in his dealing with Eric since it could affect his marriage plans with Rhea. Well, if push comes to shove, he had the other option of kidnapping her once again and taking her to a place where they would get married and no one would be able to stop them.
“Fine, let’s hear it now. What’s your conclusion? What does your family want in exchange for not going to war?” Eric was down for business.
Lukas didn’t answer immediately, rather he poured himself a drink and swallowed it down before placing the glass on the table.
Lifting his head, he said to Eric,
“The East End Waterfront,”
The instant Lukas mentioned the name, Eric’s brows slightly arched, disturbed. He had a feeling that Lukas would set his sights on the port and he didn’t prove him wrong. The young man had an eye for lucrative business ventures.
“Your family runs the docks and controls the port, we want in as well. A share of the ownership. You can think of it like a partnership. With the Luciano family also working as its caretaker, who would dare to cause trouble for you?” There was a glint in Lukas’s eyes as he proposed business to him.
Aside from his affection for his loved ones, the second thing close to his heart was making money, and would never give up on such a lucrative opportunity.
Eric didn’t answer right away and poured himself a drink too, gulping it down before asking, “Is that all?”
“There’s one more.”
His eyebrow quirked, “What is it?”
Lukas leaned closer to the table and holding Eric’s gaze with him, he announced, “I want a seat in the council.”
“What?!” Eric’s expression shifted.
Even Jason, his second in command, wasn’t able to control himself and shared in his shock.
“That’s impossible.” Jason turned it down right away even before his boss could make the decision.
Victor answered him, as both men face off, “While each crime family has its own territory and operates independently, nationwide coordination is overseen by the Commission, which consists of the bosses of each of the strongest families. The Luciano family is one of the five main crime families yet we don’t have a seat in the crime family. Doesn’t that sound prejudiced?”
“And whose fault is that?” Eric asked him calmly yet Lukas could see beyond that facade. His future father-in-law was not calm at all.
Of course, it was all Daniel’s fault. You don’t go about causing trouble and expect to be acknowledged by the higher-ups. While Daniel could have been offered a seat in the commission after his grandfather’s sacrifices for this family, his callousness and impetuosity were considered a liability. Daniel was a ticking time bomb and they couldn’t wait around to see it explode right in their faces.
Thanks to him, the Luciano family has been operating independently and misses out on some of the privileges other families enjoy from being part of the commission. Although Lukas has answered a few summons in his place from the commission over the years, it was still not enough to earn him a seat there until now.
Lukas can’t let go of this opportunity now.
Trusting Eric
“Put me on the commission,” Lukas requested.
“No,” Eric rejected right away.
“Why?”
“The Luciano are no good there and I have worked so hard to put things together, I wouldn’t watch my efforts crumble right before my eyes.” He said firmly.
“It’s me, not my father.”
“Yes, I know, Lukas. You are a fair, ambitious, and hardworking young man and though your father might not control you any longer, the consequences do.”
However, Lukas would not give up on this and was set to convince him, “I deserve that position. I have worked hard for it.”
“I’m sorry, Lukas. But you would have to request something else.”
“There’s nothing else to request but the both of them,” Lukas reminded him,” It’s five lives versus two requests, Eric and from what I see, you are the one gaining. Your brother took lives that can never be returned.”
…..
Eric’s face was set in a frown as he was deep in thought. And when he didn’t answer right away, Lukas told him,
“And let’s be honest here, you need this more than I do. You talk about preserving the commission, but you do know that there would be nothing to preserve when the head of the commission who is supposed to be propitiative is involved in a war himself. Do you think you would be able to keep that position?”
“Or perhaps, I can take advantage of that opportunity and collide with the rest of the crime families and crush the Luciano family once and for all.” His eyes darkened as he dared Lukas, “Don’t threaten me, young man. You might be smart and calculating, but I have years of experience on my side, not to mention the support of the other crime family, unlike your father who has been a thorn in their side. Between the both of you, who do you think would win if we go to war?”
Lukas smiled at him, saying,” Of course, you would win. But then…. “His voice turned serious,” Would it be worth it though, losing Elijah, your brothers, or even…. ” His gaze met his,” Your wife?”
Hearing that, Eric’s jaw was clenched tightly knowing that Lukas was painfully right. He had promised Natalie a safe environment, not to mention his daughter, Rose. The mafioso tends to strike where it hurts the most and there was no doubt both women would be their priority.
His head rate evened out and his pounding heart decreased. He looked at Lukas and said, “I’ll think about it.”
A smile slowly curled Lukas’s lips to the side, the fact that he was willing to think about it meant that the deal was as good as finished.
Lukas bowed his head in respect, “Thanks for seeing me today. I’ll be taking my leave now.” He was close to standing up to his feet when Eric shouted,
“Wait -!”
Lukas halted at once, looking at him in confusion, and wondered what was next.
“What?”
Eric sighed with difficulty. After the threat from the kid, he should be kicking his ass out of here. But then, he could not allow his grudges to cloud his judgment.
He said to Lukas, “Natalie wants to meet you.”
“W-what?” Lukas nearly slipped from his crouching position. He just never saw that coming, it completely took him by surprise.
“Don’t make me regret having her give you a chance,” Eric told him seriously. If Lukas ever does anything to hurt Natalie or her daughter – anything that hurts Rhea hurts her mother – war or not, he would kill Lukas himself.
At once, Lukas’s expression lit up and it didn’t matter anymore if Eric fed him another round of his torturous spicy foods, he would take it all. He finally had a chance to impress Natalie and that alone was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Lukas was so happy that he was close to engulfing Eric in a hug, thankfully he was able to control himself on time. Amid the tension between the both of them, Lukas could see he and Eric were on the path to a great relationship as in-laws.
While Victor should have returned, he insisted on going with him. His dear cousin still had those claims that the small fly Richardo or whatever he called himself, was after him.