Taming, Beating

As the last remaining Mafia boss in Sicily, a ruthless character even the Magistrate wouldn't dare provoke.

Alessandro held considerable prestige and influence within the family and in Palermo itself.

Furthermore, as time went on, his status and power grew daily.

Ordinary people had to address him as "Your Excellency" to show their respect.

As for the other family bosses, they were either won over or suppressed, gradually leading to a situation where Alessandro alone voiced his opinions and distributed benefits and territories during every meeting.

Although the Mafia wasn't as glorious as it once was, always worried about whether Mussolini would purge them again, Alessandro, who had risen to power by leveraging the situation, held steadily growing power, a fact that was undeniable.

This was why the Strategic Scientific Reserve had taken an interest in him and developed him into an informant.

However, Alessandro, who was respectfully called "Your Excellency" and deeply admired by his many enforcers, showed a hint of fear upon hearing Luke's indifferent tone.

Having lived through Mussolini's era of great purges, he had a deep psychological scar from the military, which was essentially a tool of violence.

If he offended this young captain, it would be like letting go of the Allies' leg, and he would eventually be targeted for liquidation after the war.

Even if he defected to Mussolini's government, given that dictator's temperament, he likely wouldn't fare any better.

Thinking this, Alessandro's hands trembled slightly, and a fierce look appeared on his fleshy face.

"Mr. Corleone, I apologize for Elio's disrespect towards you!"

He placed his palm on the table and, with a "swish," drew a dagger from behind his waist and cut it off fiercely.

"Ahhh! Ahhh—"

Painful screams echoed through the Copper Bell Tavern.

A thick finger, like a carrot stick, rolled onto the table.

Beads of sweat broke out on his forehead and the tip of his nose, dripping slowly.

Alessandro panted and said, "Mr. Corleone, are you satisfied?"

Luke released the hand he had placed on Elio's head and slowly shook his head, his expressionless face unchanging.

"I didn't ask you to apologize! Cosa, I want you to explain how the Mafia treats those who don't respect their friends."

"Mr. Corleone, I..."

"Still haven't understood? I want an explanation from you! Cosa, please tell me, how much is your Mafia's friendship worth?"

Luke's voice remained indifferent, but it put immense pressure on Alessandro.

He already knew that this young captain was not an outsider to be easily fooled.

Cutting off a finger was a common way for the Mafia to show surrender, yet it still didn't move the other party.

Alessandro glanced at Elio, whose face had turned pale with fear, and sighed inwardly.

"Carmelo! Drag Elio out and cut off one of his hands!"

Having the foresight and becoming a top boss in the Camorra Family, Alessandro possessed some courage.

Even though Elio was his nephew and favorite junior, he could still sacrifice him to quell Luke's anger.

It was all because he was too foolish!

Just like the former Mafia members, he was arrogant, thinking he was the true master of Italy!

For example, Francesco Cuccia, who had triggered the downfall of the Mafia, was such a fool!

He was both the mayor of Piana degli Albanesi and the local Mafia boss.

When Mussolini, who was then the "Great Leader," arrived, he questioned the latter with a rather arrogant tone about why he had brought so many police officers.

This was because Cuccia believed that on his territory, with the Mafia's protection, no one could pose a threat to Mussolini.

This almost disrespectful attitude angered the then powerful Mussolini.

A few months later, the dictator summoned four thousand mobile unit members and six thousand police officers to launch a heavy crackdown on the Mafia.

As for Cuccia?

He was arrested and imprisoned on multiple charges, including "insulting the head of state," "contempt of law," and "resisting the government."

Alessandro, who had experienced being wanted and nearly executed, would not make the same mistake as that fool Cuccia.

"Mr. Corleone, you are forever a friend of the Mafia, and anyone who disrespects you is equivalent to disrespecting me! Disrespecting the Camorra Family!"

In less than a minute, a burly thug named "Carmelo" presented a severed hand on a platter.

"Are you satisfied with this explanation? If this is still not enough, I'll have Elio sent to the slaughterhouse later."

Seeing Alessandro's terrified and almost subservient demeanor, Luke's indifferent expression melted away like snow in the sun.

He picked up the wine glass on the table and said, "Come! Let's toast to our friendship!"

His smile was gentle, showing no trace of his previous aggression.

This ability to change his demeanor in an instant stunned Dum Dum Dugan behind him, who thought, "The boss is truly a terrifying person."

The fierce and brutal Mafia seemed like docile sheep in front of him.

Amidst the lingering smell of blood, Alessandro forced a smile and drained the red wine in his glass.

"Get this done as quickly as possible, and the Allies won't forget your contribution."

Before leaving the tavern, Luke patted Alessandro on the shoulder and continued, "Your countrymen are doing very well in North America, in New York. They mingle with politicians in high-class hotels, with Hollywood actresses in their arms—Cosa, I appreciate you. You deserve an opportunity."

"Mr. Corleone, I will remember this personal friendship!"

Alessandro froze for a moment before reacting.

He slightly bent his body, lowered his head, and waited for Luke to extend his left hand.

This was the highest gesture of respect within the Mafia!

Usually, only figures like the "Godfather" received the boss's kiss of the hand.

"No need. I've already seen your respect, your attitude."

Luke's lips twitched. He didn't have the habit of having men kiss the back of his hand.

Leaving the Copper Bell Tavern, Luke and the Howling Commandos got into their cars and checked into Palermo's most luxurious hotel.

Along the way, Dugan, sitting beside him, had a look of suppressed eagerness to speak.

"Are you wondering why I treated Alessandro that way?"

Luke opened his eyes, which had been closed to rest. Manelli was driving in the front, and since there was no one else around, he spoke without reservation, "Dugan, you don't understand the mindset of gangsters."

"Although the Italian Mafia has always used family honor and blood ties as a means to guarantee loyalty, it doesn't mean they are truly a group of trustworthy thugs."

Dugan nodded thoughtfully. He remembered that Luke seemed to have close ties with the Irish Mob.

"To train a vicious dog, you have to beat it hard with a stick until it no longer dares to bare its fangs at you. It's the same with the Mafia."

Luke looked out the car window at the pedestrians on the streets of Palermo and smiled, "Besides, human nature is inherently complex. Perhaps Cosa harbored resentment towards me before, but due to my status and the Allies' successive victories, he didn't dare to show it."

"But when I told him that I would support him to become the Allies' representative in Sicily, and that he would receive generous rewards after the war, Cosa's heart might have been filled with nothing but gratitude, and he would have forgotten all about his unpleasant feelings."

"When you use harsh methods to establish unquestionable authority, and then give them the rewards they deserve, they will be even more grateful to you—that's the typical gangster mindset!"

PS: Update!

PS2: Thanks to [青山渐青丶] for the 1000-point reward, [灰色耀斑] for the 100-point reward, and [小蛟li] for the 100-point reward. Sending love!