CLAIMED - Chapter 20: Chapter 20

Lorenzo
I was sat on Saras couch as I pressed the phone to my ear. She looked at me with worry as she leaned forward grabbing my hand. my heart was hammering in my chest, a lump was formed in my throat. I had been through this process countless times, but each time I was equally as nervous. Nervous for my heart to shatter once again, after hearing the same reply; "We don't have any updates". I looked in Saras eyes, as she smiled lightly clutching my hand for support.
"Boss" was heard from the other line as I bit my lips harshly waiting for the news. I hummed in reply, not wanting anyone to hear how broken my voice was. "Sorry, but we don't have any updates on the matter still". I shut my eyes tightly as I felt a wave of sadness reaching my body. Sara kissed my hand softly, murmuring soft caring prayers. I was about to cut the call before hearing the man on the other side speak again; "There is no way we will find him Boss. It has been eight years. He could be dead". I threw the phone to the wall, breaking it. Sara flinched before cupping my face in her hands. I clenched my jaw tightly as I looked down, despite Sara trying to lift my head up.
"its okay to cry, sweetheart" I heard her motherly voice whisper, making me even more emotional. I took a deep breath in and exhaled, my chest rising and falling at the action.
"I deserve this pain Sara. I am a killer! I am a Mafia! I don't even deserve death. That's why I am living like this" I whispered as she kneeled in front of me shushing me. I looked up to see her watery eyes, looking at me with love and sadness. How could she love me? I am a monster.
"I am going to leave for a while Sara. I have to go back home and find him. He is in trouble, I know" I whispered my voice cracking. Sara hugged me as I felt her cry silently against my chest, wetting my white dress shirt. I held her closer, resting my head on her head. This is probably the first time we have shared a moment like this, and it felt nice. As if she was my mother. I felt comfort in her embrace.
"Each night I wait for him Sara. I wait for him to ring the fucking bell so I can run to the door and open up. I hear him scream my name every day and I see the disgusted look on his face. He is ashamed of me. He is disgusted for what I have become. There is blood on my hands Sara!" I screamed as she hugged me tighter rubbing circles in my back. I could feel her nod against my chest.
"I killed that man outside the café that day Sara. He told me that no one can love a man like me. He is right. He is. And I killed him. I am a monster Sara, but I love him. I truly do. I just need to know that he is safe. This world is cruel, and they will kill him. What if he is in some mess?" I poured out all my emotions feeling light again.
"Tell Diego that I love him and will be back soon. I will take care of the gang through Scar. I will cancel the meeting for today and go directly to Italy. Don't tell them about why I am leaving, Sara. They will follow me. I don't need that right now" I started rambling on about how the system would change slightly as I stood up putting on my blazer. I lit up my cigarette before putting it in my mouth and taking a long frag, feeling every muscle in my body relax.
«Smoking kills you know? » I said and regretted my words immediately.
«It does? » He asked as if he already didn't know. God, why am I so stupid?
"What about Bella?"
Sara looked up at me as I stared ahead, knowing that she would read my eyes if I lied. "tell her that I'm never coming back" I uttered as she pulled back slightly looking at me confused as new tears build in her eyes. "I don't deserve her Sara. She makes me feel alive and happy. As if I'm just another guy next door. she isn't scared. She likes me. I know. But I don't deserve her. she can do better than someone like me" I said as tears welled in my eyes. Sara sobbed lightly, pulling at the strings of my heart.
"Promise me that you won't tell them my reason for leaving Sara" I said in a soft voice. She shook her head, looking at me angrily. "Follow me son. Take this. Its curry base already done. You only have to add the ingredients in, ok? And this is the sauce for when you have to marinate your chicken for the chicken tikka. This- " she rambled on giving me different species and jars filled with food. I held her hand and lifting her face to look me in the eyes. I could see the pain evident on her face as tears streamed down her cheeks.
"Promise me that you won't tell them my reason for leaving, mum" I whispered to which she sobbed loudly and nodded her head.
I kissed the top of her head before muttering a "bye mother" to which her sobs echoed in my head. I walked out the door, knowing that if I didn't walk out now, I never would. I didn't bear to see her cry. I dialed a number after clearing my throat;
"Scar, cancel todays meeting. I have some business to take care of first"
§
Bella
"He isn't my brother" Diego said as he chuckled.
"Oh, I thought I heard you mentioned something about a mom. So, I just assumed" I trailed of.
"Nahhh, I was talking about my mother. She loves Lorenzo like her own son. Maybe a little more" he said smiling lightly as he looked at ahead at our view. We were sitting in a park with the view of the ocean. It was truly breathtaking. Diego had been a gentleman and picked me up from home. He even surprised me with a pizza. I had laughed out loud at his lame attempt at a picnic. He was nice and gentle. Nothing like Lorenzo. Lorenzo was intimidating and harsh. He screamed danger.
"What about Lorenzos family?" I asked looking up at him before taking a bite of my pizza slice. He shrugged before mumbling a "Ask him". I shook my head and chuckled as he pushed me off the bench lightly.
"He is a nice guy you know?" he said taking a sip of his drink. I looked at him trying to hold in my laughter. He smiled knowingly as if he knew I would laugh.
"Well, then I have seen nicer guys" I said seriously. Lorenzo wasn't nice. I knew that. There is a reason to why he is feared, and I seem to have understood that now. Everything from the mysterious murder at the café to the fight with Caleb. He is involved with something bad; I just feel it.
"Those guys haven't gone through what he has" Diego said, closing his eyes as he enjoyed the sun. I nodded, even though I knew he couldn't see me. I was highly confused. I sighed as I copied Diegos actions. I could feel the sun hit my skin, making me relax.
"He likes you" I heard Diegos voice utter.
"I figured" I mumbled, enjoying the weather.
"I like you for him, you know? You are the polar opposite of him. He lives a dangerous life, Bella. A life where he doesn't know if tomorrow is promised. But he doesn't see that, he was born into this. Life hasn't been good to him at all. Tearing away everything from him, drop by drop. Sometimes I truly worry for him. And I pray that if he dies, I hope the killer kills him painlessly. It sounds fucked up, but it's the truth. Under that fucking monster is a gentle man, Bella. I see that when he is with you. He changes. As if he doesn't want you to see the real him. But that is the real him. Not the monster" he explained, his voice cracking slightly. I opened my eyes and turned my head to his side. He held his eyes shut as his forehead crinkled from furrowing his brows. I could see that he was trying not to show his vulnerable side. He liked to portray himself as the funny guy he was.
"He killed that man at the café that day. He sliced someone's mouth open a few days ago. He stabbed his own brother when he was younger" Diego said looking closely into my eyes. The carefree and relaxing atmosphere disappearing completely. "But he has never ever let anyone talk back to him like you do. I know it is a lot to ask for Bella and it probably sounds so selfish. But I only have one request for you" he whispered the last part, holding my hands in his. I nodded, too overwhelmed by the information. "Don't step on his heart. It's hurting already from all its scars". The words were delivered with such hurt, that I was sure my face showed all the emotions I was feeling. Sympathy, care and sadness. Something horrible must have happened to him, for Diego to react like this. Before I could answer, the ringing of Diegos phone interrupted us. I breathed out in relief, feeling so...conflicted. Lorenzo was a mystery that just seemed to be growing bigger. I knew that the purpose of Diego telling me this, was to give me the hint of either backing out from Lorenzo or being involved with his dangerous life. if Lorenzo was here, he wouldn't have given me a choice. I knew him enough to know that he wouldn't let me go. And in a weird sense, it felt almost good knowing that he was near. Taking care of me. I knew he wouldn't hurt me.
"What?!" Diego screamed into the phone, snatching my attention. He seemed to be shocked at something the other person on the line had said.
"I will be there in five, mum. Hold on"
Diego sprinted to his car, holding my hand tightly and dragging me away with him. He drove like a madman as I squealed the whole ride. Occasionally swatting his arm and scolding him for his horrible driving. He rushed out small "sorry" as he looked ahead of him. The car came to a stop after exactly five minutes after. He jumped out the car and I did the same, following to what I assume is his house? He jerked upon the door and held it open for me as he led me to the living room. There sat an elderly woman with red puffy eyes as she sniffled before her eyes met ours. She rushed to Diego, hugging him tightly and sobbing uncountably into his chest. He hushed and comforted her as he sat her on the couch, kneeling in front of her. Sara, his mother, wiped her eyes before looking up at us uttering the words that had my heart ache;
"My Lorenzo is leaving us Diego. He is leaving" her voice cracked before new tears were formed in her eyes. I sat on the couch beside her as I hugged her from the side. She smiled up at me as I replicated the action.
"Mum take a deep breath and tell me where he is" Diego said calmly, but we all knew he was worrying on the inside.
"I promised him that I wouldn't tell anyone, Diego. And you won't either" Sara said calmly as she wiped away her tears. I could finally see her resembles to Diego as she put her hair in a bun. She had the dark hair and dark eyes matched with their olive skin tone. Lorenzos skin tone was lighter and so was his hair. Even his eyes held that hazel tone that changed with his mood. Where was he? Was he hurt? Was he angry at me for saying no to him?
"My son is a brave man, and no one will step on him and hurt him. No one" she said firmly before walking to the kitchen. It was truly wonderful to see a strong woman like her. she trusted him and his abilities blindly.
"It's quite late Bels. You can sleep in the guest room upstairs. Lorenzo usually sleeps there when he stays over" Diego said turning to me. I looked up at him hesitating slightly before asking him; "Will he be alright?"
"For someone who doesn't care, you do ask many questions" he said before heading to the kitchen too. Suddenly Sara walked to the door frame and smiled up at me. "Come, I am making cupcakes"