Chapter 3 - Money over roles

Caspian was held tightly through the journey and when they alighted, a chopper was before them and he followed the men into the chopper.

The next destination was a mansion and he stood in awe as he was ushered into the sprawling mansion after the exhilarating chopper ride. Me? An owner of a conglomerate? He asked himself.

It was the largest and grandest mansion he had ever laid eyes upon. As he glanced at the fleet of luxurious cars parked in the garage, he could tell that they were worth a fortune and a sale of one would change his life forever.

Walking alongside him were several men, impeccably dressed in black suits. Each sporting an earpiece while some stood at attention with their hands crossed over their groins.

The sight of these well-groomed, earpiece-wearing individuals only added to the air of mystery surrounding the place and Caspian leaned towards the man closest to him and asked, "What is this place?"

The man glanced at Caspian and replied, "This is DiMarco's stronghold, where you will lead."

Perplexed, Caspian furrowed his brow. "Lead? I highly doubt that," he retorted, shaking his head in disbelief.

Entering the mansion, Caspian found himself surrounded by sleek and stylish interior decor, unmistakably imported and of premium quality.

The ambience exuded an air of sophistication and power. Just as Caspian began to take in his surroundings, a female medic approached him.

"Mr DiMarco," she said in a soothing voice. "I am Doctor Monica Lewinsky, I'll treat your wounds and clean you up."

She was a pretty woman with a petite body. Due to her height, she lifted her head as she spoke to Caspian.

Caspian followed her as well as the team that brought him. He took his bath and then settled onto a bed, wearing only his boxers and a furrowed expression on his face.

The leader of the crew that had brought him there stood beside him. "Baron," he addressed Caspian, his voice filled with respect. "My name is Andreas Motta. I am the captain of the mob. I'll be your mouth to the mobs and they will do whatever you asked of them, through me."

Caspian looked at Andreas, his expression sceptical. "Don't call me Baron. You took me against my will and expected me to be a part of your enterprise? No way!" Caspian's tone was firm, emphasizing his refusal to conform to their expectations. "I am only here because you have guns and can hurt me. I know nothing about this household and the names you gave as my father and my grandfather!”

Andreas let out a sigh and spoke, "Sir, I understand that you need more persuasion and I cannot give it. But there is something that will shed more light," Andreas said and then waved to one of the guards standing in the medical room. "Bring me the tape."

Caspian watched with curiosity as a tape was handed to Andreas and then was shown to him.

"In this tape is a locked film that would only be unlocked by your fingerprints. This is another proof that you are meant to be here. Your DNA is the only thing that is required to drive this household forward," Andreas explained.

"My DNA? Could this be true? Is this really planned?" he asked himself.

Andreas tried his fingers on the censor and nothing happened. "Your turn, Baron," he said and brought the tape to Caspian.

"Don't call me Baron!" he said in a harsh tone and Andreas nodded.

Caspian hesitated and then placed his thumb on the censor. After he removed his hand, a clicking sound happened.

"See? That's proof," Andreas said.

With a slight grin, Andreas inserted the tap into the player and pressed the play button. In the respite that followed, a scene unfolded before Caspian's eyes.

It revealed the figure of GrandBaron Mathues DiMarco, Caspian's grandfather, on the television screen. He was seated on a chair. Beside him was Andreas Motta, the other suited man who handed Andreas the tape, and a lady as well.

The room fell silent as everyone listened intently to the message he had left for Caspian as well as the household.

"Hello all, and my dear Caspian," the aged voice of his grandfather resonated through the room, "I hope this message finds you well. Most especially, my grandson, for there are important things I must share with you."

Caspian fixed his eyes on the screen, noting that the faces on the screen were all around him in the room. This seemed true.

"If you're seeing this, it means that I am dead and you have been found. You should be surrounded by families at the moment and I'll give some insight. If he isn't dead, Andreas Motta is the long-haired guy, and the two lads behind him are twins, Riqui and Raquel Desjardins. All of which are your cousins."

Caspian looked around at the faces. He wasn't expecting any future collaboration but these were families, and he had the same grudges as he had for his grandfather if this were all true. How could he have emerged from this household and yet, lived so poor?

"Doctor Monica Lewinsky might be there as well. That is if you were found with injuries and need any medical care. Caspian, if there is any other face in the room, you are not safe and you will join me soon," he said.

Andreas smiled.

Grandfather DiMarco continued, recounting the tragic story of Caspian's father, Sean, and his mother, who had been killed by the Yaaz Canopy when Caspian was only three years old.

It was then that the truth was revealed - Caspian's estrangement from the household was a measure taken to ensure his safety. "To keep you safe, you had to remain far away, disconnected from the household," his grandfather explained, "Nobody would suspect that a struggling and jobless man in the outskirts of Burry had any connection to the great DiMarco family. We made you believe you were an orphan to protect you."

The weight of the revelation hung heavy in the air as Caspian absorbed the truth. He knew he had a history with a wealthy family, but had no idea what it was. He thought it was his foster parents, or it was a dream – but now, before him was a revelation.

The nurse beside him continued her diligent work of cleaning and bandaging his cuts, Caspian feeling slight pain, acknowledging that her soft tone was just like her soft hands.

"Lead the household, Caspian. If you don't, they will die and the family treasures will rot away. Every true DiMarco has the spirit. You have it in you and you'll feel the aura when you get to the office. Avenge your father and your mother, live to fight, don't die in fear," he charged.

Caspian began to wonder, but the thoughts weren't as deep as he had vowed from the beginning not to be involved in it, no matter how true it seemed.

He wondered why he should take revenge. "Why didn't you?" he asked himself. His father, Sean DiMarco died when he was three. Now he was thirty-three. The grandfather had thirty years to do it and he's telling him to do it now?

"I am wandering the otherworld. I don't have rest and I won't until you avenge your parent's death and return the order of the DiMarco - No one kills our own and lives. But I have faith in you, and I will hope for your presence in the household. Andreas will lead the army under your command. Riqui and Raquel know the business connects and brokers, they will take care of it under your command. With the three, the hot and smooth deals of DiMarco will thrive. DiMarco; forever!" he said and landed his fist on his chest, in the place of his heart.

Andreas, Doctor Lewinsky, Riqui, and Raquel did the same.

The video ended and Andreas spoke, "Baron, please lead us," he said, bowing before him along with the others in the room.

Caspian said nothing. The reality dawned on him, the truth was revealed. He was kept away to be alive, and now, he was expected to regain all that he had lost. But as a mafia boss, no!

"No! I cannot be a part of this," he said.

"There's another tape, Baron, one that tells of the family's treasure. I'll play it now," Andreas said and the tape was brought to Caspian who placed his finger on the censor as before.

The scene depicted a group of individuals, dressed in similar attire to Andreas's crew, engaging in high-stakes negotiations, exchanging words that carried weight and power within the criminal underworld.

Among them was Grand Boss Matheus DiMarco, Caspian's grandfather. After the negotiations, he proceeded into his office and opened a briefcase which contained raw nuggets of gold.

Another scene unfolded and it revealed the deposit of the nuggets into a vault where there were numerous nuggets.

"DiMarco stores her wealth in gold. This," Andreas said, gesturing towards the screen, "is the life you can have, Baron. It is also a life that we can have as well, under your leadership. We need you to access the wealth of DiMarco, to control it. You possess skills and qualities we need, and within this organization, we will go through it all with you."

Overwhelmed, Caspian stood to his feet and let out a weary sigh. "So, this is a mafia household, isn't it? It is not just a conglomerate," he asked, seeking confirmation from Andreas.

With a solemn nod, Andreas acknowledged the truth. However, he refused to let Caspian walk away by standing in his path. "Baron, if you order me to step away, I will. But we need you to lead the household, only you."

"Andreas, you are a cousin, a true blood," Caspian asserted, "You too can lead."

"Baron," Riqui called and stepped in. "By true blood, we mean a direct link from the GrandBaron. Not cousins or any other. You are the only one and the dais is meant for you."

Caspian shook his head adamantly, feeling the weight of his newly discovered heritage. "I cannot be involved in this," he declared again.

"Please, sir," a soft voice came and it was Raquel. She pleaded through her tears, "Only a true bloodline descendant like you can access the DiMarco family vault. If we do not have you within three days, we will run out of supplies, we won't be able to access the arsenal and fund our outposts. Also, news of the boss's death will be revealed, and we will be under attack. We need you." Her words struck Caspian deep in his heart.

His mind racing, Caspian needed time to consider his decision. "Give me time to think about it," he finally replied, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

He motioned for Andreas to accompany him as he walked out of the medical room. "Take me back to Wallows Square, I have something to attend to," Caspian instructed, his mind filled with countless questions and conflicting emotions.

As they made their way toward their destination, the weight of his family's history and impending responsibility weighed heavily on Caspian's shoulders.

He was called to be a mafia boss, to live and lead a life of conflict. However, twenty million dollars was waiting somewhere, with which he need not carry a weapon nor lead a gang.

"Who cares about the household? I'll get my money, get Sonya and get the fuck out of this country," he said silently to himself.