The Mafia King's Tigress

The sun casted shadows over the small gathering in the cemetery. The dirt was freshly piled up next to my father’s tombstone. His tombstone read his name, but beneath it was the inscription that truly captured who he was:"Beloved father and feared boss"

Today, we buried Salvatore Moretti, the former boss of the Moretti mafia family. Today, we buried my father. The only one who cherished me in this brutal world.

“Te extraño tanto, papá,” I whispered, my voice trembling. I miss you so much, Dad. I could almost hear his laughter echoing in my mind. He had always been —powerful, commanding, feared by everyone. Now he was gone, and I was left to hold the family together.

Around me, people I recognized filled the air with their fake sympathy. I could see it in their eyes—their fake sorrow barely concealed their happiness. These were the people my father supposedly trusted, he even considered them to be allies.

But looking at their faces, I realized they were nothing more than vultures who were waiting to feed on our family's demise. They probably expected to pick at the bones of our empire soon.

They were dead wrong if they thought I was going to let them get away with it. I wasn’t some little girl. I was Salvatore Moretti’s daughter, and I would not let his legacy die with him.

“Vivienne,” a soft voice said. It was Rosa, my father’s loyal housekeeper. She had been with our family for as long as I could remember. Her face was filled with sorrow. “I’m so sorry for your loss.”

“Thank you, Rosa,” I said, forcing a smile that felt fake my face.

As the priest finished his final words, people started stepping forward to pay their last respects. I stood by watching every movement. I wanted to see who was really with me and who was just waiting for a moment of weakness.

Marco approached me. His bald head shined in the evening light. He was one of my father’s oldest associates, and I never trusted him. He had been circling over me ever since my father’s health started failing.

“You should take time to grieve, Vivienne,” Marco said, his voice smooth but empty. “Your father wouldn’t want you to rush into things.”

I felt my fists tighten, anger swelling inside me. How dare he stand there and pretend he cared.

“Don’t pretend you knew what my father wanted,” I said sharply," The Moretti family isn't going anywhere, and I’ll make sure of that.”

The group around us fell silent, eyes looking between me and Marco. He wasn’t expecting that, but I wasn’t about to let him or anyone else walk over me. I saw another associate of my father,Antonio standing behind Marco. He looked at a me with sympathy. They thought I was weak. They were wrong.

“Vivienne, with your father gone, we need to discuss the future of the family,” Antonio chimed in “We need strong leadership—”

“I am the leader now,” I cut him off.“Anyone who doubts that is welcome to try me. But I promise, it won’t end well.”

Murmurs rippled through the crowd, they all seemed in disbelief . I could see the doubt and hesitation in their faces but I wasn’t interested in their approval. They would respect me soon enough.

I turned my back on them, not waiting for their response. I didn’t need to hear their empty reassurances or see their fake concern. My father had taught me better than that. He had shown me how to wield power, and now it was my time to use it.

As the last of the mourners left, I made my way to the car waiting for me at the cemetery gates. My father’s office awaited, and I needed to plan my next move. This wasn’t just about family anymore—it was about survival.

               ---

Back in my father’s office.The photographs on the wall, pictures of me as a child with my mother, only reminded me of how much had changed. I wasn't an orphan. Life was simpler then, easier.

I sat down in the chair, trying to calm down for a moment. But there was no rest. Not anymore. The Moretti family was under my control now, and I had to act quickly. Enemies were circling, waiting for me to make a mistake.

I opened one of the desk drawers, hoping to find something of my father’s that would guide me. My fingers brushed against an old leather-bound journal. I pulled it out and flipped through the pages, filled with his notes on leadership and loyalty.

“Power is not given; it is taken,” one entry read. “You must be willing to do whatever it takes to protect what is yours.”

I felt a fire ignite inside me. My father had spent his life teaching me to be strong, and I wasn’t about to let anyone take away what he built. I would fight for the Moretti family. I would fight for him.

A sharp knock on the door interrupted my thoughts. Rosa stepped in, her face filled with concern. “Vivienne, they’re talking about dividing your father’s assets. The men don’t think you’re ready.”

“Let them talk,” I said coldly, rising from the chair. “I’ll show them who’s in charge.”

Rosa hesitated. “I know you’re strong, but be careful. These men, they’re dangerous. They’re not your friends.”

“I know exactly who they are,” I replied, grabbing the gun from the drawer and tucking it into the waistband of my pants.

Rosa’s eyes widened, but she said nothing. She knew better than to question me when I had that look in my eyes. I wasn’t my father’s daughter for nothing.

I left the office and headed downstairs where the men gathered around the table their voices loud as they argued over who would control what. As I stepped into the room, silence fell and their eyes shifted to me with doubt.

"Enough" I said.

Marvo glanced at me smirking " we were just trying to---"

Without a word, i grabbed the gun from my waistband and slammed it down. my finger hovering near the trigger as I aimed it straight at Marcos head. The smirk vanished.

"You think this is a game" I hissed. "Do I look like someone you can toy with?

Marco's eyes widened, panic flickering in his eyes "Vivienne,we're just trying to... "

"I don't care what you were trying to-" I interrupted, my eyes never leaving his. "One more word and I'll put a bullet between your eyes. This isn't a negotiation. You do what I say or I'll bury you next to my father."

Silence gripped the room, Marco swallowed hard, his confidence was definitely shattered. The others watched not daring to intervene.

I pressed the barrel against Marco's forehead. "Do you understand me? I am the leader now, You are not to discuss anything without me. "

"Yes" He choked out, barely able to breathe. I slowly lowered the gun, my gaze sweeping over the rest of them.

"If anyone thinks they can challenge me, step forward now, I'm ready."

No one moved, no one spoke.

"That's what I thought. You're all a bunch of foolish old men" I smirked, stepping down. "You follow me or you are nothing, remember that."

Turning, I walked out the room without another glance, knowing well they were too terrified to cross me. They'll learn soon enough, betray me and you won't live to regret it.