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Our Thing: Part II: Empire Ascending
Paperback
Series: Our Thing, Book 2
Mystery & ThrillerGeneral Fiction
Publisher Price: $19.99
Publisher: Empire Quill Press
Published: Jun 30 2025
Pages: 346
Weight: 0.75
Height: 0.72 Width: 5.00 Depth: 8.00
Language: English
In the aftermath of World War II, Joseph Vitali inherits the criminal empire forged by his father, Salvatore. Charismatic, ambitious, and brilliant, Joseph sees the postwar boom not only as a chance to consolidate power, but to elevate the Vitali name beyond the underworld.
At first, his rise is seamless. Through clever alliances and a ruthless grip on labor unions, gambling dens, and political circles, Joseph positions the Vitalis as a dominant force in New York City's criminal hierarchy. But with success comes scrutiny. The other Four Families, the Lombardis, Navarras, Bianchis, and Morettis, watch closely and tensions begin to mount.
Joseph's bold expansion into Cuban casinos and Manhattan nightlife draws attention from both enemies and federal agents. A series of betrayals, some public, others buried deep, begin to fracture his inner circle. A bombing claims the life of a trusted ally, and suspicions turn inward. Joseph's consigliere, Claudia Voss, and fixer Ruben Katz struggle to hold the family together while secrets boil just beneath the surface.
Amidst the chaos, Joseph reconnects with Isabella Ferrara, an old flame harboring devastating truths, including a grand secret. Her return stirs personal conflict just as a violent war erupts between the Vitalis and the Navarras, ignited by the ambitions of Rafael Navarra and stoked by unseen hands.
Ultimately, Joseph discovers that someone has manipulated events for years, pulling strings from the shadows to weaken the Vitalis. This revelation culminates in a brutal final offensive. But even in victory, Joseph is forced to reflect on the darkness he's embraced and the legacy he's shaping.
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