Synopsis
A chilling and suspenseful tale of Mafia life drawn from characters the author knew as a child in the Sonoma Valley of California. Others were drawn on relatives in San Francisco, Berkeley, Petaluma, and Pittsburg, California; including the Northern California Coast. Having spent thirty-five years in Las Vegas and other parts of Nevada, he became familiar with the settings and people of that unique state to write this book.
Professor Florio Treponte is told he has inherited his deceased Mafia uncle's Empire. Jolted, he refuses to believe the executives who bring the news to him. Despite his protestations, he is advised "it's an offer he can not refuse". His uncle, Don Quattro has had him under protective surveillance for the past two years. He must now move to his uncle's Villa on the edge of Las Vegas.
Attacked at the Villa; dodging assassins; avoiding arrest on false charges of murder, Florio flees to the mountains with his aide Huicksi, a Hopi, who protects him.
Florio undergoes a painful epiphany. A change occurs in his perceptions and character while grappling with the challenges and obstacles he's faced. He skillfully masterminds and puts into motion events crushing the Families who have sought his demise. He emerges from being an idealistic professor to a tough, decisive, Draconian, but compassionate Godfather who earns the "respect" of all other Mafia Families.