<P> Later in the novel, Vito's youngest son, Michael Corleone, learns that years earlier Brasi murdered an Irish prostitute hours after she bore his child . He then forced the midwife, under threat of death, to put the live infant into a burning furnace . The distraught woman, who described Brasi as an unholy demon, sought Vito's protection . Don Corleone intervened, covering up Brasi's crime and gaining Brasi's undying service and loyalty . </P> <P> Brasi is honored and grateful to be invited to Vito Corleone's home on the day of his daughter's wedding . To show proper respect, Brasi personally presents the Don a large cash gift for his daughter Connie's bridal purse, purportedly the largest sum given . During the reception, Michael's girlfriend, Kay Adams, notices Brasi and asks Michael about him . He tells her how his father once helped his godson Johnny Fontane's singing career with Brasi's assistance . Don Corleone had offered bandleader Les Halley $10,000 to release Fontane from a personal service contract that unfairly exploited Fontane's rising fame . When Halley refused, Don Corleone returned the next day with Luca Brasi to make Halley an "offer he couldn't refuse ." Within an hour Halley signed a release for only $1,000 . As Brasi held a gun to Halley's head, Don Corleone assured him that either his signature or his brains would be on the contract . In the novel, the circumstances and tendered amount differ somewhat . Accompanied by Brasi and Consigliere Genco Abbandando, Vito Corleone held Halley at gunpoint after initially offering the bandleader $20,000 . The Don then paid $10,000 after forcing Halley to sign the release . </P> <P> To draw out rival mobster Virgil Sollozzo, Don Corleone orders Brasi to pretend he is switching allegiances . Brasi hangs out at Bruno Tattaglia's nightclub, beds a waitress working there, and openly complains that he is underpaid . When that information filters back to Tattaglia, he offers Brasi a meeting . Brasi arrives, wearing a bulletproof vest . Sollozzo, after promising friendship, a job, and $50,000, has him subdued and garroted to death . Sonny Corleone, Tom Hagen, and others in the family learn of Brasi's demise by receiving a dead fish wrapped in Brasi's bulletproof vest, indicating he "sleeps with the fishes", meaning that Brasi's corpse was thrown into a body of water by Solozzo's and Tattaglia's men . </P> <P> Brasi's role as personal enforcer / bodyguard to the Don is later filled by Al Neri . Following Neri's initiation, Corleone family consigliere Tom Hagen tells Michael that now he has his "Luca". </P>

What does luca brasi sleeps with the fishes mean