BASIC INFORMATION:
NAME: Emilio Morelli. AGE: 55. PLACE OF BIRTH: Naples, Italy. AFFILIATION: The Rutherford Family. OCCUPATION: Soldier. FACE CLAIM: Mark Consuelos. AVAILABILITY: OPEN.
BIOGRAPHY:
Brixton was kind to few, but in the beginning, it was especially unkind to him. It’d been just shy of his twelfth birthday when his family inexplicably decided that Italy was no longer the place they wanted to call home. The streets of Naples were all he’d ever known—all he’d ever wanted to—and thus the adjustment expected of him when they’d arrived in London was immense. Whilst his mother had been sympathetic to his plight, however, it destroyed his already difficult relationship with his father. In the beginning, he’d felt like an outsider. María, his older sister, had always looked out for him, but similarly to Emilio, she was not happy with the move. At twenty-one—barely a year after settling into London—she moved back to Italy to marry her childhood sweetheart. In her absence, Emilio lost the only friend he had. The area in which they lived was predominantly populated by people of Central and South American origin; handy for him, when his Mexican mother had at least bestowed bilingualism upon her two children. Not being able to speak a lick of English didn’t seem to matter too much in Brixton, but it certainly didn’t mean he was accepted, either. If Emilio had been fooled into thinking immigrants would stick together, he soon learned that the communities weren’t exactly welcoming to outsiders; particularly when they didn’t really see him as Mexican—just another European. Never feeling like you fit in was enough to make any kid angry. Emilio’s temper had always been bad, but the circumstances only stoked the flame that often burned brightest out in the streets of Lambeth. Frankly, he lost count of the number of beatings his father dished out in response to his son getting into yet another fight with kids twice his size. It never changed him, though. It didn’t ever fix his behaviour or subdue his fury. It just made him resent his father. Just made the chip on his shoulder that bit heavier. To say he had any loyalty to Brixton was laughable when they had done nothing but grind him down. Beating the shit out of Puerto Rican gangsters was never about cleaning up the streets like it had been for Vidal and Mateo, and in the beginning, when they’d first crossed paths going after the same drug dealers, he’d looked down on them for that. Thought they were foolish and naïve imbeciles, lucky to know what acceptance felt like. Yet, an unexpected friendship developed quickly between the three young men. And perhaps for the first time since leaving Italy, he realised he didn't have to be alone. That was something worth fighting for.
Over the years, his resentment toward Brixton lessened. Emilio began to understand why they closed themselves off to the rest of London, and why they looked out for their own. It was because no one else would. Whilst he would never have the same feelings of loyalty—the same sense of responsibility to ensure the wellbeing of the people there—he could at least begin to understand why his friends did. And if it meant he got to tag along and beat a few guys senseless? Well, that sure fucking worked for him. When the Rutherfords came into the picture, Emilio was the least hesitant about joining their ranks. Whilst Mateo and Vidal’s primary concern remained the future of Brixton, he was a little more concerned with his own. They would have protection they’d never had before. Money beyond what they could loot from whichever smack dealer they’d targeted that week. Rutherford presence in Lambeth would keep the streets cleaner than they'd ever been, and present the trio with opportunities to grow they’d never find anywhere else. What was there to hesitate about? Vidal had seen sense immediately, but despite Emilio’s best efforts, Mateo was not to be persuaded. It caused some friction between them to start, but perhaps it was then he realised how much Vidal and Mateo really meant to him. Because no matter what his friend chose, Emilio knew he would always have his back. Even if he was an idiot. Back then, even with the endorsement of the Brits, he’d never been particularly ambitious. But when he met Reyna, that sure changed… Emilio had only been a member of the Rutherford family for a few years at that point, but his work had changed little—keep the gangs of Lambeth subdued. In this particular instance, that'd meant finding a group of Puerto Rican drug dealers and reminding them that if they didn’t want to pay the Rutherfords, they didn’t get to work in their territory at all. What he hadn’t expected to find upon entering their safe house was a fiery little law school student giving them all a piece of her mind as if they weren’t vicious gangsters who could rip her to shreds. Turned out they had dragged her older brother into their ranks to pay off his drug debts. Kept him hooked so he’d never actually be able to work his way out from under them. Nasty bastards… Emilio had beaten the three men senseless—one to within an inch of his life. Whilst he usually rampaged beyond reason, when she’d shouted ‘not that one, that’s my brother!’ he’d actually listened. Calmed down. Picked his ass up off the floor by his shirt collar, and dropped him in front of her like a sack of shit… “Nice to meet you,” Emilio had offered, slightly breathless and bloodied. “Nice to meet you, too…” she’d replied. And the rest was history. Emilio had started to get his shit together after that. Thirty years old, but better late than never, right?
The two were married three years after their initial meeting, and Emilio decided that if he was going to be the kind of man she deserved, he couldn’t keep running around after low-value gangsters in Brixton. It was at that point he began to lean more into the Rutherford family, whilst Mateo and Vidal continued to prioritise their home. It never interfered with their friendship, but he could tell that his brothers worried about him. Worried about what becoming closer to the Rutherfords might turn him into when he was already a loose cannon… Unlike his friends, Emilio never felt as though the higher-ups looked down upon him. If anything, they seemed keen to give him more opportunities to prove himself, and he was more than willing to take them now he had a family of his own—a wife, and eventually two beautiful sons—to provide for. Instead of his presence remaining solely in Lambeth, he was soon being requested across the city; by lieutenants he would eventually call friends. When Johnathan Parsons returned from Porto Velho, Emilio’s reputation was so respected, and in some cases, feared, that Emilio found himself called upon by him, too. Whilst Vidal may be the one formally recognised as a lieutenant, Emilio is arguably more involved and connected with the higher-ups in the Rutherford family, even having a relatively good relationship with Andrew Rutherford. He simply prefers to be hands-on rather than running a crew of his own, hence his constant rejection of the title for himself. Now, he operates as one of Johnathan’s right hand men, and has graduated from teaching petty gangsters a lesson to defending his family against much more significant threats to their interests. More violence, higher stakes. To see him now—all designer suits, high powered friends, and well-spoken English—is such a far cry from the man he once was, he isn’t sure he even recognises himself. And honestly? Emilio is just fine with burying the rejected little kid from Brixton. Now, amongst the Rutherfords, he really has found acceptance.
SOCIAL CONNECTIONS:
RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Reyna Fuentes (wife) FAMILY: Leonardo, Santiago Morelli (sons, unplayable), Giovanna Palazzolo (niece) CONNECTIONS:
Francisco Vidal: Best friend. One third of the formidable trio, and truly considered a brother to him. Both being involved with the Rutherfords from the start gave them a bond that Mateo missed out on slightly. Vidal was best man at his wedding. Reyna is very close with Vidal's partner, Kathleen. Their two families are basically inseparable... Emilio is immensely proud of Vidal for all he has achieved, particularly accepting title of Lieutenant, and will always support his future ambitions in any way that he can.
Mateo Herrera: Best friend. The second third. Like Vidal, there is nothing Emilio wouldn't do for this man. They are family, regardless of their standing within, or opinions toward the Rutherford family, and Emilio always makes sure he knows that. Mateo was usually the level-head that kept Emilio's temper in check, and that still holds true. Emilio knows he wouldn't be where he is today without him.
Johnathan Parsons: Good friend. Whilst he may have been wary of the man at first, Emilio quickly realised that they're two peas in a pod. As his own dedication to the Rutherford family grew, so too did his relationship with Parsons. They're both hot-headed and rough around the edges, but instead of clashing due to their similar personalities, they tend to get on like a house on fire. If these two are coming at you together? Better fucking run.
Jordana Velásquez: Good friend. When they first met, the two immediately clicked; something of a rarity for him when he's usually distrustful right off the bat. They are both equally dedicated to the Rutherfords, and as such, she quickly became his go-to person to discuss work related matters. It's not that he doesn't trust Mateo and Vidal—he does, more than anyone—but he is also aware that their priorities are different, thus doesn't want to burden them. With Jordana, he doesn't have to worry about that.
Giovanna Palazzolo: Niece. When María eventually moved back to London, Giovanna was the first of her children born in the UK. Emilio didn't have much of a chance to bond with the four who came before, so she definitely got some special treatment. They are very close. Emilio worries about her connections to the Italians, and regularly tries to get her to come over to the Rutherford side, instead. When the Russians kidnapped and tortured her, it was the only time he'd considered going against Rutherford orders—the fact they are still technically allied with them, a growing point of contention between him and leadership.