"Young Master Martin was murdered. Mr. Bonanno heard news and ended up like this."
Luca kept his head down, face full of guilt.
He realized his report likely triggered Old Martin's current state.
Sonny Black's jaw dropped, completely disbelieving.
"What the fuck! Who? Which motherfucker did this?"
Because his voice echoed so loudly, nurse stepped out of operating room and glared at men in black suits.
"Keep it down! Don't interrupt doctors trying to save patient!"
"Sorry, I'll keep quiet!"
Sonny Black quickly apologized, then lowered his voice to ask Luca.
"Mr. Pastore, know who did it?"
Luca didn't answer. Half consumed by guilt, half doubting Irish Mob actually killed Little Martin. Things just didn't add up.
Francis answered Sonny Black, tone leaving zero room for doubt.
"Sonny, it was Irish."
Sonny Black instantly raged, but remembering nurse's warning, kept his voice low.
"Fuck! I'm going to wipe out Irish right now!"
Just then, man around Luca's age stopped Sonny.
"Sonny, we haven't confirmed Irish actually did it!"
But another man same age fired back.
"If not Irish, who else? Didn't Luca say they left Irish Mob marks at scene?"
These two older men, like Luca, were underbosses for Bonanno family.
"Antonio, are you brain-damaged? If Irish did it, why leave their own mark? Scared we wouldn't find them?"
This reflected thoughts of several inside Bonanno family.
Some saw obvious red flags; others simply didn't want war with Irish Mob.
Right now, Irish Mob was significantly more ruthless than Mafia. Many made guys had grown accustomed to comfortable lives, completely losing their edge.
"Felice, what the hell do you mean? Don't you want to avenge Young Master Martin?"
Two older men argued like nobody else was there. Sonny Black and Francis couldn't stop them at all.
"Quiet! If you can't shut up, get out!"
Operating room doors opened again. That same nurse instantly shut Antonio and Felice up.
To prevent another argument, Luca quickly stepped up to play peacemaker.
"Now isn't time to fight! Bonanno family is at its most vulnerable, and you're arguing? You want outsiders laughing at us?"
Antonio and Felice glared at each other, both letting out cold snorts.
Luca felt exhausted. Old Martin usually handled this shit, now it fell on him.
"We will definitely find out who killed Young Master Martin. But right now, top priority is keeping family stable. Before Mr. Bonanno wakes up, absolutely nothing happens!"
Dozen mobsters in hallway fell dead silent.
Suddenly, one capo spoke up.
"What if Mr. Bonanno doesn't wake up?"
Francis immediately tore into capo.
"Angelo, what the fuck are you saying! Godfather will absolutely wake up! God will protect this devout man!"
Knowing he fucked up, Angelo immediately shrank back into corner.
Just then, operating room doors opened. Doctor walked out.
Sofia quickly rushed over to ask for results.
"Doctor, how is my husband?"
"Not looking good. Prompt emergency care stabilized Mr. Bonanno's vitals, but his stroke shows zero signs of recovery right now."
"You mean my husband will stay in coma long-term?"
"Yes, barring absolute miracle."
Finishing, doctor escorted Old Martin, lying on gurney, to ICU.
Mobsters in hallway pressed against walls, bowing heads, clearing path for Bonanno family boss.
Sofia followed her husband. Her face showed complex mix of hatred, joy, and total confusion.
Clearly, this dark-haired woman's marriage to Old Martin wasn't nearly as perfect as outsiders thought.
After Old Martin was wheeled away, Luca finally spoke again.
"Bottom line, everyone return to posts. Do your jobs. Watch out for potential moves from other crews. We wait for updates on Mr. Bonanno. Dismissed!"
Most capos left hallway looking highly anxious. Left behind were three underbosses, Francis, and Sonny Black.
Sonny Black stayed because he still had shit to report.
"Sonny, why are you still here?"
"Mr. Pastore, regarding job Mr. Bonanno assigned me earlier, got some leads, but..."
Luca rubbed his temples.
"Right. Wait outside. I'll find you later to handle it."
"Got it, Mr. Pastore."
Sonny Black turned and left.
Four men standing in hallway were current top brass of Bonanno family.
Luca spoke first.
"Everyone sees situation. No idea when Mr. Bonanno wakes up. We need someone acting as boss to handle family business. Let's vote. I'll oversee and won't vote. You three pick someone."
Luca never had ambition, which earned him Old Martin's absolute trust. Everyone knew he was standard peacemaker, easily accepting his neutrality.
Francis, Felice, and Antonio's eyes started darting around.
Might just be acting boss, but with Little Martin dead and Old Martin stroked out, this position practically held absolute power of Don.
After few minutes of silence, Felice nominated himself.
"Gentlemen, I'm oldest guy here. I believe only I can shoulder this burden. I cast my vote for myself!"
Francis narrowed his eyes, subtly glancing over at Antonio. Right on cue, Antonio looked back at him.
Brief eye contact, then both quickly looked away. Antonio spoke up.
"I believe this burden belongs to younger generation! High time Bonanno family got younger blood, otherwise we fall behind times! Plus, Francis constantly helped Mr. Bonanno manage affairs. He has solid experience. I vote for him."
Felice stared at Antonio like he was seeing him for first time.
"Antonio, what kind of bullshit are you spewing?"
But Luca backed Antonio's play.
"He's right. Family needs younger blood. Us old bones retiring soon anyway, better to groom next generation! Francis, for time being, you act as boss and run family."
"Understood, Mr. Pastore."
Just like that, massive upheaval struck Bonanno family—a reigning powerhouse in LA underworld.