After the death of Tomas Malone and the public humiliation of his wife, the Irish family was in disarray—but Giovanni knew revenge could come swiftly. It was only a matter of time.
However, one matter remained unresolved: Malone's youngest son—the true culprit behind the kidnapping and humiliation of Giuseppe Rinaldi's daughter—was still at large.
Giovanni gathered a small group of his most trusted men. With intel obtained from infiltrated contacts within the scattered gangs of East Broadway, they tracked the young Irishman to an abandoned warehouse near the docks.
With stealth and determination, the raid was swift. Giovanni led the operation himself. His men stormed in from every entrance, leaving Malone's son with no escape. Wounded and surrounded, he was captured before he could do more than put up futile resistance.
That very night, Giovanni personally transported the prisoner to the Moretti family's central compound.
There, in front of Giuseppe Rinaldi, Giovanni handed over the young man with firm respect."This is what you asked for, Giuseppe. Justice for your daughter," he said gravely.
Giuseppe, unshaken, took the man into his custody—ready to make him pay for his crimes against his blood.
The alliance between the Moretti and Rinaldi families was growing stronger not just through conquered territory, but through a code of honor Giovanni had learned to uphold and enforce.
Rinaldi's Oath
After Giovanni handed over Malone's son, Giuseppe Rinaldi stepped toward the prisoner slowly, his eyes filled with a mixture of restrained fury and wounded pride. The tension in the room was heavy; everyone present knew what was at stake.
Giuseppe raised his right hand, locking eyes with Giovanni, and spoke in a solemn, commanding tone:
"Giovanni, today you've shown that the Moretti family knows how to protect its own and deliver justice. I swear, before this family and before the spirits of our ancestors, that as long as the Rinaldi family is respected and protected by the Morettis, our loyalty will be unbreakable—until the very end."
Giovanni nodded with respect, understanding the weight of that oath.
"The Moretti family honors its word, Giuseppe. Together, we are stronger."
A heavy silence filled the room, followed by murmurs of approval and nods from the gathered men. The alliance was sealed—not just by convenience, but by honor.
Consolidation of Power
With Giuseppe Rinaldi's oath of loyalty, Giovanni felt the balance of power tipping in his favor across the Lower East Side. He had not only avenged the insult to the Rinaldi family, but also secured a steadfast ally, strengthening his position.
In the following days, Giovanni focused on organizing the newly conquered territory. He divided the streets between Moretti and Rinaldi loyalists, ensuring every block was under efficient and firm control. He personally oversaw the reopening of gambling dens and nightclubs—this time under stricter management, run only by trusted men.
He also reinforced the extortion and protection rackets, establishing a weekly payment system that allowed his soldiers to maintain loyalty and cover their operations. Revenue grew steadily, fueled by the constant cash flow from illegal betting houses, organized prostitution in his clubs, and the still-thriving contraband trade.
Giovanni implemented measures to improve the image and order of the streets under his control: shopfronts were painted and maintained, the streets were swept regularly, and hygiene was enforced in the nightclubs—a sign of power and respect toward clients and allies, including corrupt police officers.
At night, payments to these officers were made inside the clubs, where, through clever schemes, they were subdued with drugs and women, ensuring their silence and cooperation.
The combination of a firm hand, tight organization, and strategic bribery allowed the Moretti family—under Giovanni's direct leadership and with his father's backing—to consolidate a solid grip over the Lower East Side. Rival gang threats diminished, and trust among the capos grew.
Yet Giovanni knew this calm was only temporary. The remaining families watched with suspicion—and were surely plotting. That's why he kept his men on alert, ready for whatever storm might come.