Return to New York, Planning in the City of Sin

Two days later, Luke, dressed in the formal uniform of a Commodore, disembarked from the ship surrounded by a retinue.

Stepping onto the soil of Palermo's port, the open space on the dock was crowded with Mafia members who had come to welcome him.

A group of fierce-looking thugs, all dressed in sharp suits, lined up neatly. Alessandro stood at the forefront.

Eisenhower's Anglo-American Allied forces had already taken over Italy and were conducting mopping-up operations against the Fascists attempting to make a comeback, much like Mussolini had purged the Mafia back in the day.

The tables had turned, and now it was the Mafia's turn to seek retribution.

"General..."

Glancing at Luke's shoulder insignia and the entourage behind him, Alessandro cautiously changed his address.

The Mafia boss maintained his humble demeanor, appearing even more respectful than before.

Following Luke was possibly the most correct decision he had made in his life.

Just two weeks prior, the man had only been an Allied Captain, and now he had been promoted to Commodore.

This rise in rank was as fast as riding a rocket!

Moreover, Luke was now a universally recognized War Hero among the Allies, a legendary figure who had led the conquest of Italy!

Such world-shaking achievements would be talked about for centuries to come.

Alessandro felt that being a part of it was no different from being recorded in history.

What an honor it was for a gangster to receive such distinction!

"Mrs. Marlena is still at the original hotel. Upon hearing that you had returned to Sicily, she was preparing a welcome reception for you."

Alessandro bowed slightly, knowing that times had changed. Even his attitude towards Marlena had become respectful.

"Why didn't she come to the port?"

Luke looked up, gazing at the crowd outside the dock.

Many people were eagerly anticipating a glimpse of the legendary figure whom Roosevelt and Churchill had called "Superman."

"Mrs. Marlena said it would be inconvenient for her to appear in public with you, General."

Alessandro replied, looking down.

Luke's eyes flickered, and a smile played on his lips as he said softly, "I understand. Cosa, are you satisfied with your current life?"

"I am very satisfied! The Magistrate assigned to the town treats me with great respect, and the Governor of Palermo visited me yesterday. All of this is thanks to you." Alessandro nodded.

He had already obtained power and status.

On Sicily today, everyone who saw him would take off their hats and address him as "Your Excellency."

Even the boss of the Camorra Family did the same.

Luke surveyed the scene, looking at the fierce-looking Mafia members, and said as he walked, "I can give you another choice. After the war, the Allied Nations have differing opinions on how to handle Italy."

"America believes Italy should be placed under UN trusteeship, while the British are only interested in overseas colonies and want to swallow them up. The Soviets think joint trusteeship by the three powers would be more stable. For now, no one can convince the other."

Alessandro frowned in thought. The future of the country would determine the path of the Mafia.

As Luke settled into the car, he continued, "Regardless of the outcome, Mafia families are destined for decline. You are merely a product of unstable times; once order is restored, the nation will crack down on you. Just as Mussolini, upon taking power, used you as a scapegoat to gain popular support."

"Cosa, I acknowledge your capabilities. Therefore, you can choose to stay in Sicily, continue to enjoy life, and be a manager of the family..."

"Or, you can accompany me to the North American continent, where there are more opportunities."

After speaking, Luke closed his eyes, as if resting, or perhaps waiting for a reply.

Alessandro pondered for a long time, his expression shifting.

There was silence all the way until they reached the hotel, when he finally made his decision.

"General, it is my greatest honor to follow you!"

Luke, stepping out of the car, simply smiled without saying more.

Luke returned to New York with the Howling Commandos. This time, he didn't have to stay in the old house in Brooklyn.

Instead, he was warmly welcomed by a host of dignitaries and high-ranking officials, and moved into a luxurious suite at the Waldorf Hotel.

This was the world's first skyscraper hotel and had a rich history.

Upon its completion, President Hoover had even delivered a congratulatory speech in his White House cabinet office.

As he had said, the Waldorf Hotel was a landmark of New York, consistently favored by heads of state from various countries, and had witnessed many significant historical events.

For example, after World War II, representatives of the four victorious powers – America, Britain, France, and the Soviet Union – signed the "World Peace Agreement" in a suite in its tower.

That tower itself had quite a pedigree, having hosted the King of Monaco, Queen Elizabeth II of Britain and her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, as well as the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, among others.

Now, Luke had the honor of residing in a tower suite at the Waldorf Hotel, just like countless celebrities.

"This is truly..."

Marlena gazed up at the bright, dazzling crystal chandelier and the luxurious, grand furnishings, feeling as though she had fallen into a dream.

She had never imagined that she, from a village in Sicily, would one day live in a house like this.

The happiness came so suddenly that Marlena could hardly believe it.

Furthermore, no man now stared at her with undisguised greedy eyes.

All of this was because she was Luke's lover.

Power and status provided a shield for a pitiable woman who should have had a tragic fate.

"You'll settle in here for now. Cosa will protect your safety."

Luke leaned back into the soft sofa, and Marlena sat on his lap.

Alessandro, along with about three hundred men, had followed him from Sicily to the unfamiliar continent of North America.

Their countrymen had already integrated well, frequenting various high-class establishments and socializing with politicians and Hollywood stars.

"I never believed in gangsters, but they can help you do some dirty work sometimes. The Mafia who crossed the ocean to America have no other support; they can only cling tightly to me."

Luke sniffed the subtle fragrance of the mature woman's hair and said leisurely.

He was now a Commodore, and after defeating the Axis Powers and Hydra, he might even advance further to become the youngest Rear Admiral in federal history.

But status wasn't everything; it required capital, connections, and deeply entrenched interest groups to support it.

The Mafia could serve as a cornerstone during this special period.

Luke had his sights set on Las Vegas in Nevada, a gold mine waiting to be tapped.

Years earlier, America was in the midst of the Great Depression. To stimulate the economy and overcome the difficulties, the Nevada state legislature passed a bill legalizing gambling.

Since then, Las Vegas had become a gambling city, though nowhere near as famous as it would be in later times.

Luke, who had previously mingled with the Irish Mob, had no desire to get involved in the lucrative businesses of smuggling and drugs.

That would bring a lot of unnecessary trouble, and eventually, it would lead to the awkward situation where he would constantly have to clean up messes for the Mafia.

However, Las Vegas's gambling, hotels, and security industries were all areas where the Mafia could make a significant impact.

By getting involved before the gambling city developed, he should be able to achieve unexpected results.

In the original timeline, Las Vegas was paved by Benjamin 'Bugsy' Siegel, a fellow Mafia member, who raised six million US dollars to build the Flamingo Hotel and a large casino, thereby attracting wealthy tycoons from all over the world.

"You always see so far ahead."

Marlena said admiringly, and was soon laid down on the sofa.

Her dark, wavy curls spread out like lotus petals, and her beautiful face was flushed.

"It's daytime..."

Marlena said weakly.

"Don't misunderstand, I just think this sofa is very soft and wanted to test its quality."

Luke said with a serious expression, but his hands moved skillfully.

Outside the hotel's floor-to-ceiling windows, the faint sound of car horns could be heard.