Chapter 242 - 242. Mourning
"So what properties are you interested in, Mr Armstrong?" Michael finally got to the point and spoke respectfully, instead of talking in his Godfather persona.
Bobby put down a map, "Well, these were requests from Magnus. He wants to buy this whole dock section that the Bonanno family currently runs. They don't use it for anything except smuggling drugs and weapons. Now, I can simply deal with the whole gang, involve the police too. But, it will then take too long.
"Then we wanted to buy this whole warehouse and land in the industrial area, which is owned and run by the Gambino family. They mainly use it to store their counterfeit goods.
"Then Genovese family that owns this whole block of the street. I want it. It will be turned into the most luxurious location to live in.
"Lastly, I also want to buy around 127 shops, large and small that you all own combined." Bobby put forward the request. He was planning to use these shops and open FutureTek stores later. There could also be other stores belonging to countless other consumer-based companies that he or Magnus owned.
Michael, meanwhile, was gobsmacked after hearing the request. He started this meeting hoping the deal would be about a few plots or houses, but here these men were after the whole city.
"Umm... I am afraid this much we can not do, Mr Armstrong, you need to understand that even my hands are tied. If I come after their interests then they would kill me." Michael nervously said.
"Come on, they are going to kill you anyway. Do you really think you can live a legitimate life and still rule over the 5 families? The moment they realise you are using your legitimate money to strengthen your mob family they will strike.
"Besides, I am not asking you all to sell me, I am giving you an offer, a ticket to exist for a little longer," Bobby said nonchalantly. He was dealing with a Mob boss of bosses, of course, he was not going to be a good little boy and just ask. He was going to push and if need be break some people. The business world had taught him enough, but that's actually much worse because, in the business world, you never find out who even hit you and you just lose everything.
Michael and Harrison completely understood the meaning behind the words. This was a simple and open warning or a threat to them. Sell him what he wants or he will wipe them off.
But Michael tried to instil some fear in Bobby, he was not a Godfather for nothing, "Are you ready to let your men die for this? Just for this property?"
"HAHAHA... that was a good joke." Harvey laughed suddenly. "Do you really think you will be able to fight an army of wizards who came prepared to fight muggles armed with guns? No matter what you throw, grenades or bullets, nothing will hurt us. And as Mr Armstrong said, your time will be up."
"Is it coming from you or MEDA?" Harrison questioned in a scornful voice.
Bobby replied this time, "No, this was a direct threat from Magnus Grant Emrys Pendragon. You know, some of you might actually survive if it was just us who came after you. But, once I tell him you all rejected his deal, he will come personally and let me tell you, not even wizards can stand against him, what are a few men with guns?"
Arrogant, crazy and most likely narcissistic. That's what Michael and Harrison thought about Bobby and Magnus. But, they truly felt terrified thinking about it.
Only Michael knew about the power of a wizard as he had seen it in the war. The Japanese used strange weapons, their katana swords were somehow blocking bullets and cutting people like a hot knife on butter. Only after he became the Godfather and found out about the magical world did everything start making sense.
The two gulped their saliva and looked at each other.
Bobby for the last time spoke, "Look, the golden age of Mob is coming to an end. In the near future, there will be no places for people like you and mob families. Then you will all be nothing but wanted criminals, hated by society. This is your chance, grab my hand and I will pull you out of the gutter, or keep mingling with the sewer rats and I'll just watch you get washed away with the filth of the city."
The double meaning was well understood by Michael. If he kept close with bad work and other families, he'll get purged along with them when the push comes.
Michael nodded with a sigh, "I can try, but can't guarantee. I will try to persuade the other families but it's entirely their wish if they want to sell it or not."
"Just tell them what I told you today. If they reject. Sooner than later, we will come after everything they own. The current government administration may be weak and worthless but that won't always be the case. Anyway, it was nice meeting you, Mr Corleone. We can discuss your benefits after you persuade the families. Until then, take care." Bobby waved his hand and proceeded to leave.
...
They came down from the building and boarded the car. He completely laid back quickly, relaxing himself.
"Sir, would his majesty really have come?" Harvey asked in the car, it was clear by now he was a fan.
Bobby chuckled and answered, "Hehe... I just played a game with them. Magnus never told me about fighting a war, I was just using his name to threaten them. But, he would have surely come to wipe them off, he hates all the gangsters ever since that Oscar child kidnapper incident. He hates all things related to organised crime.
"This time, he has given them one last chance. By taking away their property, he will be taking away their revenue stream, crippling the families. Then the police will push in and get them all. All families like Coreleon, if they truly take up the good legitimate path, they will be spared."
"But sir, won't buying land from them would also be like giving them cash to expand their illegal operations," Harvey pointed out.
Bobby smirked, "Hah, for this, Magnus did tell me a plan. He said the money will reach each family, but it will be charmed to be a portkey."
Harvey and Daniel had their eyes widened. They were truly crippling the Mafia.
...
Magnus' Mansion,
"AAACHOOO... Argh... who talking about me now? CHAD? ARE YOU CURSING ME?" Magnus asked the smart-looking cat, sitting by the window and looking outside.
Chad confusedly shook his head. He raised his paws and pointed at Ragnar, who was sleeping on a couch. Magnus nodded, "Yeah, he's probably having some stupid dream."
"HORRR..." Summer flew in with a letter. She probably intercepted it from another owl.
Magnus opened it, it was from Rita Skeeter. "Your Majesty, I would like to go to the United States and see what people think and feel about you. Umm... can I have some funds to go there?"
Magnus agreed with her decision. He needs to become Mr Worldwide if he wants fan-following everywhere. So he wrote a reply, "The accountant will contact you soon. Go to France, Japan and Russia too."
The last day was coming. His holidays were very amazing this year. He got to meet Nicolas, learn so many new things and many more. He loved it. But, good things never last forever.
*Sigh*
...
The next day, when Magnus came to the breakfast hall, he saw Ragnar dressed in neat and clean clothes, his hair neatly combed as well. This was rare.
"Where are you going today?" Magnus asked.
Ragnar calmly replied, "Somewhere very important."
Magnus immediately had some ideas. He looked at Ragnar's face and felt something, ~This bastard. He's still hiding his emotions.~
"I will go with you then. Got nothing to do anyway. Chad, you can come with us as well." he decided and quickly went to his room to get ready.
Ragnar didn't reject it and just ate his breakfast silently.
...
An hour later,
Magnus and Ragnar arrived at a small garden behind a very large building. The building looked old but was still neatly maintained.
"I used to play on that tree when I was small. It used to grow apples on them, magically forced, so now it's nearly dead." Ragnar gave a small tour of the property.
Magnus could feel a hint of melancholy in his voice. It was depressing but Magnus couldn't do anything about it, as this was something Ragnar would have to do himself. But his mental scars might not heal until Ragnar has avenged his family.
After a while, they came to a corner of the garden. There were about 20 big and beautiful marble tombstones. Ragnar went to put flowers in front of each of them. His eyes were dark and sad at the moment, only the whistling of air was telling them they were not standing in a silent room.
Magnus followed his brother around the garden, he read the names on each tombstone. And all 20 of them had one thing in common, they all had the surname "Oroborus."
Ragnar at last came in front of one tombstone and silently sat down in front of it. This was... his mother's tombstone.
Magnus did the same. If Grace can be Ragnar's mother then Ragnar's mother was also his mother. And he will also get them avenged.
The two brothers silently sat there, nobody knew what they thought, but the two had one thing in mind, that to avenge the family, and many wars still needed to be fought. For how long will these peaceful days go on? Nobody knew.
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