Tainted

Business

He happily ran into his stepmother though, a woman who brought light into his life, right after Marcella.

"Grazie Elena, anche a me, dov'è papà"?

(Thank you Elena, me too, where's dad)

His stepmother pointed towards the stairs with a knowing look before she kissed him on the cheek and walked off to the kitchen.

He nodded as he let her step away, creating his own path to make way towards his father's whereabouts.

Franco Mateo had been an unforgiving man in his son's childhood, a crude one who held no mercy, not even for his children.

Mateo had already made his peace with it but it didn't dissipate the attitude he'd gather every time he would have to communicate with the old man.

He knocked roughly on the door, awaiting a response.

A blaring 'come in' resonated from the other side, Mateo obliged as he entered.

"I had a feeling you'd be visiting me soon".

Franco sat by himself as he played a game of chess, participating as both opponents.

He considered himself a man of culture, ignoring the other heinous titles that his reputation had garnered.

"I guess that means you've heard about my little problem"?

Franco chuckled as he signaled his son to step closer, Mateo was reluctant in doing so but he wasn't there to cause any problems, he just needed answers.

"Sit".

He sighed, moving towards him as he now sat across from his father who was resetting the chess board.

"Let's play".

"How about no, I only came to figure out what the fuck you did in your lifetime that ended up biting me in the ass now".

His father stayed silent, making the first move on the chess board.

The old man kept his gaze down as Mateo stared sternly at him, finally giving in by moving one of his black pawns.

As said before, Franco enjoyed chess, he was a man of culture and he made sure his children followed the bloodline.

Mateo had first started to play at the age of five, quickly becoming a prodigy as he grew older.

He stopped playing when he left his childhood home, rebelling against everything his father had taught him, especially chess.

"Do you have an idea of who could have done this"? Mateo asked as they continued their silent game.

His father stayed inaudible .

"If we're just going to play chess then I'll just fu-

"I knew a man back in Mexico". Franco interrupted.

"He helped me understand the business a lot better than my father ever did, that's why the Russo's grew stronger under my command".

Mateo listened intently as he focused on the game in front of him.

"I gave him shares and he continued to help me grow, we became like brothers".

"Checkmate"

Franco looked up, giving his son a sly smile before resetting the game once again.

"You haven't lost your touch my son, always the only one with the ability to beat me".

"Continue". Mateo urged as they began another round.

"Long story short, I stole from him, properties, supplies and suppliers, even slept with his wife".

Mateo's eyes widened. 

"But loyalty-

"Loyalty to the Russo's only". His father said with a stern glare, his face softening just as quick.

"His name is Fernando Aguilar, also knows as El Matador, he won't stop until he's done with you so you might as well get to him first".

Mateo stood up abruptly, anger running through his veins as he looked down at the only man he's ever hated.

"This is your fucking mess and now I have to fucking fix it"!

Franco shrugged, grabbing a small box from his left side where he took out a cigar to light.

"I'm too old to do anything about it, you want to keep your business with the Mexicans? Then fix it".

Mateo slammed his hand on the chess board, pieces flying left and right before walking out as he slammed the door behind him.