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Part Five: Chapter 25: Ifs

Jack had the remaining men from Maroni's operation assembled in his warehouse. He stands above them on a platform watching them watch him. His red hood disguises his face. There is no comrodery between the men. His own stand tall with lowered machine guns, just waiting to use them if they have to. Jack takes a step forward. He folds his hands behind his back.

"Welcome," he starts, "You've all been brought here tonight because your boss, Salvatore Maroni, is no longer in a position of power. Everything he was, everything he had, is all mine now." Jack watches as they all start to whisper and look around at one another. "As you can see, I had a very modest operation. You're all hereby merged into my organization. However, if your loyalty can't be persuaded, now would be a good time to tell me." Jack looks out and can hear a pin dropping. "That's very good thinking on your parts. If any of you would have stepped forward you would now be joining Maroni in hell right about now. But since you all agree to follow me, well, I just want to tell you as I've told my other men, I have but one rule and it's an easy one. Don't cross me. That's it. That means you do as I say, when I say. It means you will be loyal to me. The penalty for treason and betrayal is death. Feel free to ask the men you see in clown masks how seriously I take those offenses." Jack watches the fear flash on their faces. Jack smirks behind his red hood. "You will not contact me under any circumstances. Only my most loyal men have access to me. You're all left in a position to prove your worths to me. If you prove yourself worthy, you'll no doubt be moved to a higher position of responsibility and pay. Now, are there any questions?"

Again a pin could be heard dropping. Jack patently waits for a response but there isn't one. That pleased Jack just fine. He didn't like being asked questions anyway. Jack looks down at all the new men, his men. There must have been close to three hundred now. Jack thought of which family to take over next. It wasn't going to be Falcone. Jack didn't have enough men to take over Falcone's operation just yet. But by the time he does take over Falcone, he is sure to have an army.

Jack lowers the platform and crosses over to Ace and Frost. They both nod at him, knowing they had both been given orders to follow. And that was gathering the name of each of the new men and running traces on every one of them. Jack wanted the results as soon as possible. Jack exits the warehouse. He gets in a car and drives a few blocks to his apartment building. He stuffs his red hood in a backpack and gets out of the car and walks into the building.

Jack steps into the elevator and slowly hums along with the tune playing. He straightens his clothes and straightens his hair. The elevator opens and Jack fishes in his pocket for his keys. He pulls them out and is about to stick it in the lock when the door flew open. All Jack could see was the fear in Jeannie's eyes instantly turn into relief.

She flies into his arms and pounds her lips into his, hanging on to him for dear life. "Oh Jack," she cries out. Happy tears pour from her.

Jack holds her close and strokes her hair. "I told you everything would be fine."

She pulls away and looks at him, "And Maroni?"

"Well, things didn't go so well for him," Jack shrugs with a smirk.

"He's dead?" She asks.

"Unless he's got a spare brain and one hell of a doctor," he almost chuckles.

Jeannie smirks back, "You're such a clown." She playfully hits his chest.

"Owe! Gunshot wound, remember?" Jack places his hand on his shoulder.

"Oh I'm sorry are you ok?" She carefully looks him over.

Jack smiles down at her. "I'm playing, you didn't hurt me baby."

Jack dips down and brings Jeannie into his arms. Their lips find one another. Jack sits her down close to the kitchen table. Lifting her did hurt his shoulder a bit. Jack cups her face and kisses her deeply. Jack always feels as though he should be able to kiss her more deeply than what he actually does. She deserved everything he could give her. He can feel Jeannie unbutton his shirt and push it down off his shoulders. It tumbled to the ground around his feet.