Chapter 13: Does This Count as Supporting Me?

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Luca had anticipated it and was not surprised. Having lost the binding of his biological father, a stepmother and stepsister with no blood ties would hardly be able to control Matilda.

“Then, can you let go of your little brother?”

At a McDonald’s by the street, Luca watched Matilda devour her meal voraciously and wondered if she had barely eaten in the past few days.

“My brother doesn’t want to come with me,” Matilda said helplessly. “That old sow is his biological mother; she won’t let me take him away.”

Matilda gave a self-mocking smile. “Right now, I’m the only outsider in this family. They couldn’t care less about me... My brother is too young to understand anything. He won’t grasp how difficult my situation is.”

She picked up her cup of cola, her gaze firm. “Luca, I’ve made up my mind. I’m not going back to that cold household. From now on, I’ll arrange my own life!”

“Ambitious! Then I’ll wish you success in achieving your life’s purpose ahead of time.”

“Thanks.”

The two clinked their cups of cola.

“Luca, what exactly do you do?” Matilda fixed him with an intense stare. “You don’t seem like a normal office worker. You know how to handle knives and guns. Are you part of a gang?”

“Police have guns too.”

“You’re not a cop. Every policeman I’ve known has been selfish.”

“Hmm...” Facing her curious and expectant eyes, Luca smiled and told the truth. “Alright, you guessed right. I am part of a gang. More precisely, I’m in the Mafia.”

“The one with all Italians in the family?”

“Yes.”

“Cool.”

Matilda squinted slyly, like a big bad wolf spotting Little Red Riding Hood.

“I’ve heard your Mafia family protects every member, right?”

“You could say that, as long as you don’t break the family rules.”

“Can I join? I don’t want to go to school anymore. I want to join the Mafia.”

“...”

Pfft! Luca almost sprayed out his cola.

Normally, kids would be scared and stay far away from the Mafia.

Good grief! You’re not going to be a hitman? You’re going Mafia now?

“Isn’t that allowed?” Matilda asked. “I want the Mafia’s protection. I don’t want to be bullied anymore.”

It wasn’t entirely impossible... The Mafia did have women, but not through the usual channels. They entered as relatives or wives of male members, and these women sometimes took over managing their husbands’ or brothers’ businesses.

They were sometimes called... godmothers?

Luca joked, “Alright, just call me big brother. From now on, I’ve got your back in all five boroughs of New York.”

“Big brother.” Matilda smiled sweetly, obedient.

“That’s the spirit. You’re coming with me from now on.”

Luca snapped his fingers and suddenly changed the subject. “But to join the family, you have to complete family tasks.”

“Just say what you want me to do. What can I do for the family?”

“Good attitude!” Luca said with a smile. “Listen, your first task is to go to school—up until you graduate from college.”

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Matilda: “......”

“Don’t want to?” Luca smiled gently. “In the Mafia, you obey the boss’s orders. You pledge loyalty to the whole family! We don’t accept disobedient people.”

Matilda bit her lip, thought carefully for a moment, and reluctantly said, “Alright, deal!”

“Very good.”

“But I have one condition too, Luca. Tomorrow, you have to take me to school, okay?”

Seeing the hopeful look in her eyes, Luca nodded with satisfaction. “What time?”

Matilda grinned broadly. “School starts at eight. We can leave at seven.”

.......

Matilda was currently attending middle school at a private school in Manhattan.

Moreover, it was an all-girls school—Spencer School.

The school was not a boarding school, so to make daily commutes easier for Matilda, Luca brought her to one of his private residences in Manhattan.

This was Luca’s real base, never before visited by outsiders; Matilda was the first.

“Matilda, for now, you’ll stay here with me.”

Luca led the young girl into the room and casually tossed her a set of keys. “This place isn’t far from school. It’ll be convenient for your daily commute.”

Matilda looked curiously at the spacious, bright flat before her. Through the large floor-to-ceiling windows, she saw the lush greenery of Central Park not far away.

Used to living in the slums, she could hardly believe she would be living in such a wealthy neighborhood.

“Luca, is this your home?”

“Yeah, and it’ll be your home too.”

My... home? Matilda was slightly stunned, her gaze following Luca’s figure until he reached the open kitchen counter.

Suddenly, she felt this man held a different meaning in her life.

“So you’re really rich, huh?” Matilda said in surprise. “Then why did you move next door to my place before? That neighborhood was so shabby.”

“Of course, it was to meet you...” Luca said mysteriously. “It’s related to Mafia family secrets. You’re not an official member yet, so I can’t tell you.”

It was undoubtedly a poor excuse, but Matilda had no grounds to refute it, though her curiosity was piqued.

Luca showed Matilda around the house, then took out a thousand dollars and handed it to her. “Buy whatever you need. There’s a phone in the house. If something happens when I’m not around, call me.”

Matilda accepted the money and looked at Luca with a teasing gaze. “Luca, you’re so good to me. Is this like you’re keeping me?”

Luca: “......”

Big sister, I know you’re mature for your age, but this is way too early.

If you’re going to bully single old Leon, fine. But don’t come after me.

“This is big brother taking care of little sister.”

Luca rubbed her head irritably and messed up her hair under her coquettish look. “For now, you have just one task: go to school and study hard. Learn something useful.”

“Oh...” Matilda rolled her eyes dramatically. “School is no fun at all.”

Besides, there were a bunch of girls at school who often bullied her.

“Don’t reject school.”

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Luca crouched down in front of her and patiently said, “Actually, school isn’t important. The Mafia isn’t important either. What matters is that you learn to adapt in different environments. Knowledge, skills, vision, understanding, courage... You need these to arm your exterior and enrich your inner self. Matilda, dressing like an adult won’t make you mature, but learning can.”

Matilda gazed deeply into Luca’s eyes, trying to read the meaning behind them.

She nodded. “Okay.”

“Good. Study hard and don’t be afraid to spend money. Buy what you need, wear what you want, eat what you crave. If you run out of money, just tell me.”

“Okay.” Double nod.

“When the weekend comes, I’ll take you to experience Mafia life. I’ll teach you how to become an excellent, qualified member.”

“Okay! That sounds amazing!” Triple nod.

“I haven’t stayed here for a while. Now, let’s get moving and clean the house together.”

“Okay!” Quadruple nod.

Life is full of unexpected encounters. Luca, aiming to become a godfather, and the little girl not yet part of the family, began a beautiful new life.

[Bond: Close Friends]

......

The next day, Luca dressed in a sharp suit and styled his hair maturely, preparing to attend the family induction ceremony.

Matilda thoughtfully helped him straighten his tie and smooth the wrinkles on his suit.

“You look really cool in a suit.”

“Your compliment might make me conceited.”

“Hahaha.”

The tall and the small first went to school; Luca dropped Matilda off, then drove to Mariglio’s bar and got into the boss’s car.

The two spoke little on the way. Mariglio took Luca to a restaurant and introduced him to another family lieutenant—Paoli Cicero.

[Character Card: Paoli Cicero]

[Paoli: B]

[Origin: Goodfellas]

[Skill: Mafia Arbitration]

[Bond: Watching]

This guy was Jimmy and Henry’s lieutenant, but he was very cautious. He didn’t deal with drugs and forbade his subordinates from touching them. He feared that if his men were caught trafficking drugs, the harsh sentences would force them to betray him.

He had warned Henry multiple times not to get involved, but Henry pretended to listen and did the opposite.

Paoli knew about Mariglio’s shady dealings and knew Luca was Mariglio’s man. So, when facing Luca, Paoli was neither particularly warm nor cold—just businesslike.

Luca wasn’t in a hurry. Friendships must be made slowly; he had already reserved Paoli’s skill in advance.

[Mafia Arbitration: You gain +10% intimidation against family members of lower status; +20% combat power when executing members who violate family rules.]

[Learning Requirements: Bond level at least Friend; requires 50 skill fragments.]