Bab 156: Chapter 156: Terrorizing the Four Big Families
Before leaving the cemetery, Hardy took one final look at Siegel's tombstone and promised silently, "Siegel, I'll see your unfinished business and dreams through."
Back at the manor, Hardy and Bill discussed Los Angeles during their drive.
"Boss, Victor has contacted the Mexican gang. With the North Shore Gang's drug trade shut down, there's a severe shortage in Los Angeles, and prices have skyrocketed. Victor sold them 50 kilograms of cocaine. They trust him now and are eager for more. Victor's holding back to drive up their desperation," Bill reported, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"Once the deal is completed, it will likely drain all the Mexicans' cash. Afterward, we'll rely on the security company and the police to handle the aftermath. The Mexicans won't recover quickly," Bill continued with a smile.
Hardy nodded in approval. "We need to use the Mexicans as a warning to others. They can't grow too powerful or threaten our dominance in Los Angeles. We'll handle them carefully."
Bill's eyes sharpened. "Boss, are you considering expanding the Los Angeles Gang's influence into San Francisco?"
"Exactly. I don't want anyone on the West Coast challenging us. With the Selton family in San Francisco already hostile, other families might seize the opportunity to strike. We need to be proactive," Hardy explained.
Bill's eyes lit up with understanding. "I'll send a team to San Francisco to assess the situation."
"Ensure everything is in place before we make any major moves. We can't wait for problems to come to us before we act," Hardy advised.
Bill nodded. "Understood, Boss."
Hardy also decided to keep Rossi in Las Vegas. Rossi, one of the four chiefs of the Los Angeles Gang, was tasked with overseeing the Flamingo Casino's security and managing underworld activities in Las Vegas.
---
Over the next few weeks, Las Vegas was thrown into turmoil. The Corleone family's casino was raided and shut down, and the casinos of the other three major families faced similar fates—robbed and bombed into partial ruins. The ongoing violence left the city in a state of panic.
As fear spread, property prices plummeted. Landowners, eager to offload their properties, were forced to sell at a loss. Hardy seized the opportunity, instructing Andy to negotiate for these undervalued lands.
In just two weeks, Hardy's real estate company acquired over 6,000 acres of prime land—almost half of the future Las Vegas Strip's choice locations. The majority of the funds used came from the proceeds of the four major families' casinos.
To facilitate these transactions, Hardy secured a partnership with Wells Fargo, using mortgage loans to fund the land purchases. Despite the high cost, Hardy saw it as a necessary investment.
---
A week later, Las Vegas held a municipal meeting to discuss city development and a proposal to employ HD Security as a supplementary police force.
Director Steve emphasized the need for additional manpower and resources due to the city's growing population and increasing crime rates. He highlighted the limitations of the current police force and the need for expanded facilities.
When asked about the cost, Steve compared it to the expense of hiring HD Security, which was considerably lower. For $120,000 a year, HD Security offered a comprehensive package that included all necessary equipment and personnel, making it a cost-effective solution.
Most lawmakers agreed that hiring HD Security was the better option. Two days later, the agreement was signed, making HD Security an official supplementary force for the Las Vegas Police Department.
The estate where Hardy and his associates resided was purchased by the security company and would become the future headquarters of HD Security's Las Vegas branch.
During a tour of the facility, the police were astounded by the arsenal of weapons, including pistols, machine guns, and even heavy weaponry like M1919A6 machine guns and anti-tank rocket launchers. The sheer scale of the equipment made it clear that HD Security was prepared for serious confrontations.
---
Hardy's takeover of the casinos in Las Vegas sent shockwaves through the New York Mafia families.
Philip, head of the Tartaglia family, approached Basini with urgency. "Jon Hardy's alliance with the Corleone family jeopardizes our West Coast operations. We need to unite and eliminate Hardy."
Basini, always calculating, remained silent for a moment before responding. "I've received reports that Hardy has consolidated power in Los Angeles with both gangsters and HD Security. They're well-equipped and formidable. Even if we sent hundreds of men, it wouldn't be enough to challenge him effectively."
Basini had learned from Raymond that Hardy was a shrewd and dangerous opponent. With such a formidable force at his disposal, any rash attempt to confront him could result in severe retaliation.
Philip, frustrated, demanded, "So we just let him ruin our businesses and stand by?"
Basini shook his head. "Philip, we've suffered too much already. Sometimes, knowing when to step back is just as important as knowing when to fight."
"What's your plan?" Philip asked.
"I think it's time to call a Mafia Committee meeting," Basini suggested. "We need to resolve our differences and discuss our next steps."
Basini contacted the old godfather, Vito Corleone. Given the Corleone family's significant losses and challenges, Vito agreed that a meeting was necessary.
Vito, feeling the strain of ongoing conflicts and recent setbacks, told Hardy about the impending peace talks. "Hardy, the Pasini family wants to discuss a truce. They're proposing we come to the table and negotiate."
Hardy considered the offer. "Tell them that while I've taken back Siegel's casino and own significant shares in the Flamingo, I'm open to purchasing any shares they're willing to sell. If they prefer to keep their shares, they can continue investing in the Flamingo. I plan to make it even grander than Siegel envisioned."
He added with a hint of threat, "If anyone tries to undermine us, I will unleash everything at my disposal. Young people can be impulsive, and I assure you, I'm not afraid to act decisively."
Hardy's final words were a clear warning to the four major families in New York: any threat to his plans would be met with overwhelming force.
Bab 157: Chapter 157: Clash of Big Brothers
---
**Corleone Manor**
Vito Corleone stood before the mirror, carefully grooming himself. He combed his hair with precision and applied wax to ensure a smooth, controlled appearance. He was determined to project the image of the formidable Vito Corleone, despite his recent trials.
As he entered the living room, his children—Tom, Michael, and Fredo—were already there. Vito smiled at them reassuringly. "Don't worry. This meeting will be safe. They know better than to disrupt the peace talks; that would breach the fundamental rules of the committee."
"Tom, come with me," Vito instructed. Tom helped him into his suit, noting the old man's struggle with the still-healing injuries.
After getting dressed, Vito checked his reflection one last time. He felt a renewed sense of resolve. Despite the pain, he was ready for the meeting.
At the hotel arranged by Basini, Vito took a deep breath before stepping out of the car and walking towards the conference room.
Inside, the room was filled with over twenty family heads. Emilio Basini, head of the Basini family, greeted Vito with a warm smile. "Vito, long time no see."
"Yes, it's been a while since our last committee meeting. I expected you at my birthday party, but instead, you went to Cuba," Vito replied with a smile, his tone light.
Vito scanned the room. All the major players were present, including Philip, head of the Tatakilia family. The Corleone-Tatakilia relationship was marked by deep-seated enmity, making Philip's presence particularly charged.
Some family heads greeted Vito with nods, while others remained aloof or distracted. Vito knew this meeting would be fraught with tension and possible confrontation.
Tom helped Vito into his seat at the conference table and took his place behind him. Once everyone was seated, Basini stood up and addressed the room.
"We've all experienced losses recently, and the original purpose of this committee was to resolve conflicts between families. Today's meeting aims to address these issues openly and seek a resolution rather than perpetuate endless conflict."
Basini then turned to Vito. "Vito, do you have anything to say?"
Vito took a deep breath, spreading his hands as he spoke with a serious expression. "I don't fully understand how things escalated to this point. It's unfortunate and unnecessary. I was attacked and shot twelve times. The Tatakilia family lost a son, and I lost a son. It's been a tragic few months."
"We've endured significant losses in our conflicts. I believe it's time to put an end to this. Continuing the fighting benefits no one."
Vito looked at Philip, expecting a response. But before Philip could speak, Basini interjected.
"Vito, the root of our conflict is the drug trade. Every family wants a piece of it. The Corleone family controls New York's legal and political landscape, but you refuse to share. It's time to include everyone and make us all prosperous."
Basini glanced at the other family heads. Nicholas Silvera, the Mafia boss from Kansas City, stood up. "Mr. Vito, I may not endorse drugs, but the profits are undeniable. My men buy them for a few thousand and sell them for fifty thousand. The profit margin is too tempting to ignore."
Several bosses nodded in agreement, showing their support for the drug trade.
After Silvera spoke, the Boston City boss also voiced support for the drug trade. Other family members followed suit, indicating their willingness to engage in the business.
Tom, seated behind Vito, could sense the shifting tides. The Corleone family's refusal to enter the drug trade had led to widespread rejection among the other families. He looked at Vito, feeling a pang of concern for the man who had taken him in and raised him.
To Tom, it felt as though the old godfather was a lion surrounded by hyenas, all poised to strike.
Vito remained stoic, his thoughts inscrutable. The future of the Mafia hung in the balance, depending on his response.
After a tense silence, Vito finally spoke. "I agree to enter the drug business."
A wave of relief and satisfaction swept through the family heads. The old stubbornness had finally yielded.
"But," Vito added, "I have a few conditions."
"What are your conditions?" Basini asked.
Vito glanced at Philip and said, "Philip's son is dead, and Sonny is dead. Let this be the end of it."
"My second son and youngest son were both targeted. I need assurances that no one will harm them in the future. Should anything happen to them—whether it's a shooting, a car accident, or any other misfortune—I will hold everyone here responsible. The Corleone family will retaliate without hesitation, even if it means destroying the Corleone family itself."
His eyes flashed with intensity, signaling his resolve. Everyone understood that despite recent setbacks, the Corleone family remained a formidable force capable of retribution.
Basini signaled to Philip, urging him to agree quickly. Philip stood and nodded in agreement.
The two men shook hands, sealing their verbal agreement.
"Vito, what else do you want?" Basini asked.
Vito met Basini's gaze. "I understand you're willing to buy my support with money. I want the shares of the Flamingo Casino in Las Vegas."
The room fell silent. No one expected this demand. Vito's request was tied to Jon Hardy, who had aggressively pursued the Corleone family's rivals.
Philip, annoyed, interjected, "I invested 800,000 in that casino. You want it for nothing?"
Vito frowned. "Then you expect me to use my resources for nothing?"
Basini, showing a willingness to negotiate, said, "To demonstrate my sincerity, I'm willing to relinquish the Flamingo Casino shares."
He looked to the other family heads for confirmation. Kolobo, head of the Strache family, nodded in agreement. Philip, begrudgingly, consented as well.
Although Jon Hardy was not present at the meeting, his influence was felt strongly. The Corleone family's association with Hardy made them a formidable force, and the other families knew better than to underestimate them.
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