Night was falling over the Lower East Side, dimly lit by street lamps and the reddish glow escaping from the windows of the Moretti family's central base. It was a special night, and the air hummed with the murmur of laughter, the clinking of glasses, and the low rumble of conversations heavy with power.
The grand party in honor of Giovanni Moretti had begun.
Don Salvatore Moretti, the godfather and head of the family, stood at the center of the room, his imposing presence dominating the scene. He raised his glass and, with a firm yet warm voice, pronounced the words everyone awaited:
—Tonight we celebrate not only the expansion of our territory but the courage of a son who has proven worthy to carry our name. Giovanni, for your bravery, for the blood shed, and the respect earned, I officially name you Caporegime of our family.
A roar of applause erupted in the hall, the members and soldiers of the Moretti family cheered fervently. Giovanni, barely 19 years old, felt a whirlwind of emotions: pride, responsibility, and the shadow of the lives lost to reach this moment.
The Private Conversation
After the celebration, Giovanni asked Giuseppe Rinaldi to accompany him to a secluded corner of the great hall. The music and noise were distant, and the silence favored the seriousness of their talk.
—Giuseppe —Giovanni began— I've been thinking a lot about how to strengthen this alliance between our families. You have been a pillar for my father and for ours. I want your brother Gerónimo to be part of my team.
Giuseppe looked at Giovanni, evaluating his words and the intention behind them.
—Gerónimo is a 24-year-old man, strong but sometimes feels out of place. I want to prevent him from getting lost or looking for fortune in other gangs —Giovanni continued sincerely—. If you take him under your command, with respect and clear responsibilities, it will be a bond that strengthens our family and avoids future disputes.
The capo nodded, recognizing leadership beyond the young man's years.
—You know you can count on me and Gerónimo. He will join your crew, and together we will make the Moretti family keep growing and dominating.
New Responsibilities
With his promotion, Giovanni named five of his most loyal soldiers as official members of the family. These men, who had proven their worth on the streets and during the confrontation with the gypsy gang, took the oath of loyalty and the responsibilities that came with it.
He also began recruiting 15 new associates to strengthen his group of soldiers, all with the goal of maintaining order, expanding control, and securing income from the territory.
The party continued in the hall, but for Giovanni, that night marked the true beginning of his power and the constant test to maintain the Moretti heritage and respect.
After the party and the oath of his new members, Giovanni retired to his private office inside the Moretti family's central base. There, he spread out on the table a detailed map of the territory under his command in the Lower East Side. His mind, now burdened with new responsibilities, mentally reviewed every corner, every business, every source of income.
The Territory and Its Businesses
Giovanni's territory, covering about one-third of the Lower East Side, was divided into several key sectors, each with a network of businesses protected and exploited by the Moretti family.
Gambling dens and nightclubs: At least five dens were directly controlled by Giovanni's crew. These places served not only as meeting points for the family but also as centers for illegal betting and adulterated alcohol sales. Monthly income from these locations reached approximately $7,000.
Protection rackets: A total of twelve clothing stores, small restaurants, and fast food businesses in the area paid monthly protection fees to avoid "problems." Each store contributed about $200 monthly, totaling $2,400 per month.
Gambling and betting operations: Besides the dens, several clandestine betting activities were organized at different spots around the neighborhood, with estimated income of $3,500 monthly.
Extortion and protection payments: With recent territorial expansion, Giovanni implemented new fees on transport routes and larger businesses, adding another $2,500 monthly.
In total, Giovanni managed around $15,400 in monthly direct income from his territory, a considerable sum for the time and the size of his crew.
Costs and Expenses
But managing a territory like this wasn't just about income. Giovanni knew he had to keep his men satisfied and loyal, pay for unexpected expenses, bribe corrupt officers, and maintain a secure communication network.
Payments to soldiers and members: Giovanni's 10 soldiers received an average monthly salary of $800 each, totaling $8,000. The five new members had a higher salary, around $1,200 each, totaling $6,000.
Weapons and equipment: The purchase and maintenance of weapons, ammunition, and security equipment consumed about $1,200 monthly. Giovanni preferred reliable weapons, and although they weren't easy to obtain, he had contacts that made it possible.
Bribes and payments to police: To ensure some immunity in operations, the family allocated approximately $1,000 monthly in bribes and favors to certain officers.
Miscellaneous operational expenses: Communications, transportation, and other minor costs consumed another $500 monthly.
Balance
Adding the main expenses, Giovanni had to spend around $16,700 monthly, a figure slightly exceeding direct income. However, the young capo knew illegal businesses fluctuated and that he could soon increase income with new strategies and alliances.
To balance the accounts, Giovanni withheld a small portion of the money collected by his men and encouraged the search for new associates to expand the protection and extortion network.
Despite the tight numbers, Giovanni felt confident. His men's loyalty and the growing reputation of his crew gave him the foundation to grow, control, and eventually overcome any challenge in the Lower East Side.
The Mission at "El Doble Seis"
It was a Tuesday afternoon when Giovanni gathered his ten soldiers in the Moretti family's central base. The mission was clear: collect the overdue protection fee from one of the most profitable dens in the territory, "El Doble Seis," a nightclub that also served as a clandestine betting center and whose owner had missed several payments over the last two months.
Preparation and Planning
Giovanni knew the owner of "El Doble Seis"—a man named Frankie Russo—was stubborn and had connections with the local police. So he didn't plan a mere intimidation visit: this would be a meticulously calculated operation.
He divided his group into three teams:
Surveillance team: Three men stationed on nearby streets, watching for suspicious movements or possible police help.
Entry team: Four soldiers would enter the den, ordered to act firmly but without excessive violence, seeking payment and a clear warning.
Backup team: Three men waited in nearby vehicles, ready to intervene quickly if things got complicated.
Giovanni personally led the entry team, accompanied by Salvatore "Il Padrino" Greco, son of Donato Greco and his right hand, only 22 but already a respected and feared soldier.
The Visit to "El Doble Seis"
As night fell, Giovanni's crew approached the den. The facade seemed calm, but tension was palpable inside. Frankie Russo, surrounded by his bodyguards, awaited them with a tense smile.
Giovanni stepped forward, his firm voice resonating through the room:
—Frankie, you know why we're here. The Moretti family takes care of this neighborhood, and that has a price. Two months without paying is not taken lightly.
Frankie tried to dodge the pressure:
—Giovanni, times have been tough... I couldn't gather all the money. Give me a little more time.
But Giovanni was not willing to tolerate delays:
—There is no more time, Frankie. You have until tomorrow noon. If not, we won't answer for the consequences.
Salvatore made a subtle gesture, and four soldiers secured the exits, making it clear there was no escape.
Results and Consequences
The threat worked. The next morning, the money was at the base, a total of $3,000, part of the overdue payment plus a fine for the delay.
Giovanni paid his men double their usual wage that week, thanking their discipline and efficiency. He also sent two more soldiers to protect the den, ensuring no further problems.
This operation showed Giovanni's growing influence and control, his ability to lead, plan, and execute with coldness and efficiency.
Owning the Clubs
After consolidating power from the successful operation at "El Doble Seis," Giovanni knew to strengthen his position he had to have his own spaces from which to operate his illegal businesses with total control.
Creation of the Clubs
In the following months, Giovanni invested part of his profits to open three nightclubs strategically located in key points of his Lower East Side territory:
"El Silencio" (The Silence): A small but exclusive club near a residential area, for select clients.
"El Paraíso" (The Paradise): A larger venue with a dance floor, located on a main avenue, attracting a more diverse clientele.
"El Nido" (The Nest): Situated on a side street, specialized in clandestine gambling and betting.
Prostitution Organization and Standards
In each club, Giovanni imposed strict rules on the prostitution business:
Impeccable appearance: The women hired had to maintain a neat image, subtle makeup, and elegant clothing. Giovanni understood first impressions were key to attract wealthy clients.
Strict hygiene: The venues had special areas where the women prepared and maintained high cleanliness standards to avoid sanitary problems that could attract negative attention.
Control and security: There were guards in the venues to prevent any disturbances and ensure the rules were followed.
Manipulation and Extortion of the Police
Corrupt police were a key part of the business. Giovanni organized the weekly protection payments exclusively in these clubs. But these "meetings" were more than simple money exchanges.
Giovanni used the following strategy to keep the police under control:
Drugs and alcohol: At every meeting, drinks and illegal substances were offered, disguised in cocktails. The goal was to intoxicate them enough to reduce their resistance and judgment.
Assigned prostitutes: He made sure key police officers were seduced and accompanied by the best women of the club. This created compromising situations Giovanni could use for blackmail.
Covert extortion: If a police officer tried to demand more or delay payments, Giovanni would bring up the secrets of their nightly encounters and possession of drugs, forcing compliance without protest.
Financial and Power Results
The nightclubs, together with organized prostitution and police extortion, generated monthly profits exceeding $15,000 just in protection payments, not counting money obtained from gambling and betting.
This money was enough not only to generously pay Giovanni's soldiers and associates but also to