Thirty five years prior.....

Antonio Esposito was probably one to the most feared mafia bosses in Europe alone. He had many rivals, with his biggest being the Sabino crime family. It was just a few years ago that his father had passed on, and Antonio had become head of the Esposito family.

He was a ruthless man, that many either loved, or feared. His money came from the blood of others, and failure from his men was never an option. Drugs, women, illegal stockpiles of weapons, it didn't matter. Anything and everything was for sale, as long as it turned a profit. This is where his family had made their fortune, and whoa to anyone who got in the way of expanding his empire.

A handsome man, he was bit of a playboy, and had no trouble finding women to share his bed. Yet he knew he was going to have to settle down soon. He had an underground empire to run. And just as he had been the heir apparent of his father, Antonio was expected to produce at least one son as well.

He was waiting in his office, for something special to arrive. While at a charity auction, he had purchased a rare statue. It cost him a lot, but to him it was worth it. He had the money, he might as well enjoy it. As he was waiting, there was soon a knock on his office door.

"Who is it? He asked as he kept his gun cocked, and ready. It was always better to be on your guard. Like many other mafia bosses, they all would have loved to take one another down.

"Mr. Esposito." The person on the other side of the door replied. "It's me, Vincent."

"Cone in!"Antonio ordered. Vincent Salvatore was Antonio's personal body guard, and right hand man. He was also his friend, and most trusted advisor. He was perfect for the job. A right hand man should always show little to no emotion, and Vincent had mastered it perfectly.

"The statue that you have been waiting for is here." Vincent informed him.

"Excellent!" Antonio replied. "Ever since I saw it at the auction, I knew I had to have it for my collection."

Antonio had always been a fascinated by gargoyles, especially the ones used in architecture. They were guardians, warriors that protected their domain. Many times if a building that had a few gargoyle statues on it, was being raised, he would buy the gargoyle statues before the building would be demolished.

But this statue was never part of a building. In fact it had just been discovered, recently. And when it was put up for bid at the auction, Antonio knew he had to possess it. This gargoyle seemed to be much more than a guardian, he was a leader. Antonio could tell by the look in the gargoyle's eyes, this sculpture was how always pictured himself.

As it was being unloaded, off of the delivery truck, Antonio and Vincent made their way over to it. "Careful with that!" Antonio exclaimed. "That statue worth more than all your worthless lives combined!" He immediately removed the drop cloth, and stared at his recently procured piece of art.

"It's amazing isn't it Vincent?" Antonio stated in complete awe. "Look at him! He's amazing, such power and raw determination in his eyes. A true king, no one would ever dare get in his way. But this is the first time I've ever seen a gargoyle statue, were he's holding some woman in his arms. A human woman in fact."

"She almost looks sad." Vincent replied, as he looked as stoic as ever.

"Perhaps." Antonio replied. "But look how he holds her. She is his, and his alone. He protects her, and cares for her. She belongs to him, and he will never let her go. She may fear him, but she knows he would do anything to protect her. He protects what is his, and no one knows that better than she does. That's why these creatures have alway fascinated me, they have a strength that mere man does not."

"Excuse me, Mr. Esposito." The driver said, as he walked over with a clipboard. "But you need to sign for the delivery."

As the man walked towards them, Antonio saw Vincent out of the corner of his eye. A worrisome look soon appeared on Vincent's face, as his eyes widened.

"Antonio, get down!" Vincent cried. All of a sudden, the driver pulled out a gun, which had been hiding behind his clipboard. As Antonio started to go down, he saw the other delivery worker shoot two of his guards. But before the driver could fire upon him, Vincent already had his gun out, and shot the driver right between the eye. Then before the other delivery worker had a chance to retaliate, Vincent quickly turned, and shot him dead as well.

"Are you okay Mr Esposito?" Vincent inquired as he stood over him.

"I'm fine." Antonio replied. The truth was the entire thing had frightened him, as he realized just how close to death he actually was. Yet he just calmly stood up, and dusted himself off just as nothing had happened. Even after an assassination attempt, fear was a sign of weakness. He wasn't about to show it.

"My guess is that they were members of the Sabinos." Vincent said. "They must have ambushed the original delivery men. I doubt they are still alive. Two of my men are also dead."

Antonio's blood began to boil. "Someone fucked up somewhere! Find out who, and have them dealt with, immediately!"

"Right away sir." Vincent replied as he bowed. "I shall also see to it that this entire—mess, is cleaned up."

"See to it Vincent!" Antonio ordered. He then look at the statue. Fortunately it had not been damaged, but it was covered in blood. He was about to order Vincent to have it cleaned immediately, but he changed his mind. It actually looked better to him that way. He then placed his hand on the gargoyle's stone cold arm.

Antonio couldn't help but smile, as he stared into the gargoyle eyes. You and I are so much alike, my friend.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Antonio was covered in the blood of the security guards, that had failed him. They were so pathetic as they begged for their lives. That only made him relish in their misery even more. Not only had their failure almost cost him his life, but they were obviously cowards. He had no room for cowards in his organization, and all of his men needed to be taught a lesson. Lessons learned was one of the most important aspects of his organization, and failure was not an option.

He had gathered many of his guards around, to watch their former colleagues being slowly tortured to death. Although this was usually the grunt work, that he left for someone else, he was that who was personally responsible for their horrific demise. And he enjoyed every minute of it.

"Do you think they all understand?" Antonio asked Vincent.

"If they didn't before, they do now sir." Vincent replied, as he handed him a towel.

"Excellent." Said Antonio as he did his best to wipe off all the blood. "Now find out exactly who was responsible. They shall too pay for what they did."

"Of course, sir." Said Vincent as he bowed. "I will see it right away."

"Thank you Vincent." Antonio replied. "You truly are worthy of your position. You have proven your loyalty time, and time again. Even above lessons being learned, loyalty is essential most of all."

"I have pledged my service to you, as well as my life." Vincent told him. "And I shall continue to do so. Only a fool would betray you. I shall also personally make sure to find a new transport for your statue, as soon as you have decided where it is you want it to be located." He then bowed, and walked away.

Speaking of he statue, Antonio decided to look at it once again. It being covered in the blood of his enemies, made it that much better. He couldn't help but smile, as he headed back to the room where it was located. It was now more than just a piece of art, it was now a trophy.

However, when he go to the room, the statue was gone. Where the hell did it go? He looked around the room, but it as nowhere to be found. He was becoming furious, he did not give permission for it to be moved.

"Vincent!" He exclaimed into his two-way radio. "Did you order the statue to be moved!"

"No sir!" Vincent replied back.

"Well someone moved it without my permission!" Antonio growled.

"I will look into it right away." Vincent told him.

"See to it that you do!" Antonio angrily exclaimed. He then looked around the room, but it seemed to have vanished without a trace. Then, all of a sudden he heard some rustling behind some crates. He remained calm, as he slowly removed his gun from his holster.

He had to be careful, it might have been an assassin waiting for the perfect opportunity to attack him. Cautiously, he made his way over to the crates. His gun, was cocked and ready. Perhaps, they weren't assassins? Perhaps it was someone who helped steal the statue, but got left behind by their partner.

The tarp from the statue was actually covering the crates. This only made him believe, even more, that one of the thieves was hiding back there. What fool would steal from Antonio Esposito? That statue had cost him a small fortune. Whoever was hiding would pay. With his gun in hand, he immediately threw back the tarp, and had his gun pointed at the perpetrator.

But to his surprise, the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, was staring back at him. Better still, she was completely naked. Her frightened teary eyes brought out her inner beauty. She could have been a Roman goddess.

"Please don't hurt me!" She begged, as she trembled in fear before him.

"Where is my statue?" He asked.

"I-I.." She kept rambling, but could not seem to come up with any words.

"Cat got your tongue, my dear?" He asked. "Now, I'm going to tell you what I think happened. You and, whoever your pathetic lover is, decided to steal from me. After you somehow were able to get my statue, my personal property, out of my warehouse. I guess that the two of you were so excited to pull one over on me, that you decided to celebrate. I myself have celebrated by having sex, so I understand. Although I wonder why you just couldn't until you returned to, whatever poor excuse for a hovel it is, in which the two of you reside. Although by looking at you my dear, I can hardly blame him. But he left you behind, he must be insane."

"No, please!" She cried. "You don't understand!"

"Oh I understand!" He exclaimed in anger. "You stole from me! And as soon as I get my hands on your pathetic excuse for a lover, he will pay dearly!" He then grabbed a fistful of her hair, and jerked her head back aggressively. She cried out in both fear and pain, as she continued to to weep profusely. His cocked hardened as he looked into her terrified eyes. His complete, and utter power over the beautiful goddess, aroused him even more.

"Now then." He growled through his gritted teeth, as he brought her terrified face close to his. "In the mean time my dear, I shall get some of my compensation, out of you. But what to do with you? Sell you? I might even be able to make back the money that I spent on the statue, with a woman like you. Or perhaps I should keep you for my own, as a another priceless work of art, or as my personal whore. I have time to decide. But in the mean time, let's find out how much you're actually worth."

He then smashed his lips into hers, as she struggled within his hold. But he knew he was much more powerful than her. He was not going to release her form his advances, until he was ready. Then all of a sudden she bit his lower lip. He screamed in pain, as he pushed her away.

He took his thumb and ran it across his lower lip, as wiped away some of his blood. As he looked at it, he looked back at her, she seemed to have a determination in her eyes. He became amused, by her boldness. "You like to play rough, sweetheart? Well so do I. Let's play rough!"

"No!" She cried. "Listen to me! He's dangerous! He'll kill you!"

This only made him laugh even more, as he hungered for her. "I assure you my dear, no one is more dangerous than I!" Like a hungry cat, that had cornered his helpless prey, he was about to pounce one her. All of a sudden, he heard what sounded like a lion's roar. Then out of nowhere, he had been aggressively grabbed from behind.

"GET YOUR HANDS OFF MY QUEEN!" A powerful voice roared, as Antonio had been violently pulled off of her. Whoever it was, they had actually taken him by surprise, as he was slammed to the ground. After the initial shock of being jerked up, nad thrown on the floor, Antonio was livid. Who would dare treat him like common garbage?

He turned around, ready to destroy his attacker. But as he did, he couldn't believe his eyes. Standing over him, was an angry gargoyle. Antonio could feel his own body begin to tremble. It was the first time, since he was a small child, that he ever felt so afraid. He was left speechless, while the gargoyle stared him down in a look of anger.

"HOW DARE YOU PUT YOUR FILTHY APE HANDS ON WHAT IS MINE, HUMAN!"