CLAIMED - Chapter 22: Chapter 22

Lorenzo
"Well I don't give two fucks if he wants to see me or not. I just know that he is in some deep shit and I have to know what it is" I seethed to the officer who sat in front of me, looking scared for his own life. Uncle patted his back for comfort, but it didn't seem to help his situation.
"Look, I came to Italy for a reason. I have a business back home and people are depending on me. I know that my familia is capable enough to find him alone, but I have called you here to tell you that our men will enter Milan and to let them enter peacefully. There will be no chaos as our mission is quite harmless", I explained the situation as I rubbed my beard. The police in Milan had always had tight connections with the family and knew about our business. However, after the family split a few years ago, we moved to different places in Italy. We had to, in order for the business to grow. My father, The Mafia King, went to England to sell the drugs made in Italy. After his passing, I was crowned the next leader and forcefully had to settle in England too. I had a brother, Marco, who was supposed to be the heir of the family. Things didn't go as planned in England and we all had thought that he died along with my father. It was exactly eight years ago, that I was sent a letter from someone anonymous with a picture of Marco. He was older and I could clearly see the similarities between us. I wondered why he had escaped from the family to never come back home. He hated the business and our lifestyle, but he didn't have to abandon me. He was my big brother, not the other way around. Since a really young age, I had been exposed to violence. My father training and beating the shit out of me to be the best and hardest man ever. He had been the leader and knew what it took to make one. In the past eight years, I grown up to be a monster, but I still sent my men to search for Marco all over England. It was the day I heard the mention of Marcos death that I hastily decided to visit home. The family bond was strong in Italy and every cousin and uncle gathered in Venice to make the plan of sending their men in the cities they were responsible for, to search further. The women in our families were held away from the things we did, due to the cruelness. Death, beatings, drugs and that was nothing they wanted to be exposed to either.
It had currently been two weeks since I had been in Italy and Milan was the last city left. I was beginning to lose hope, visiting the gym every day to let out my anger and frustration. I had talked to Scar and ordered him to catch the driver of the missing van. It was now one week since that phone call and I hadn't got any update yet. I was growing frustrated. Even if I knew that one van of drugs wasn't that serious, I still knew that in our world, it's a big deal. Its defeat and loss. And Lorenzo Moretti doesn't lose. Ever.
"We can make that a deal, Moretti. No fighting, guns, bombs or gang violence in the streets of Milan. I am an officer by law and can loose my job over this" the officer said looking at me, to which I nodded.
"I knew I could count on you" I heard Uncle say from beside the officer, knowing too well that I wasn't a man of nice words. Unless they were for Bella.
The officer stood up as uncle walked him out. I leaned back in my chair as my thoughts wandered. Bella. Just thinking about her made me soft. The time here in Italy made me reconsider my actions in England. She was scared and I can understand why. Heck, I had nearly killed her friend in front of her. Not saying that what I did was wrong, it just shouldn't have happened in front of her innocent eyes. I just wasn't that good with ladies. They were pure and...soft. And I am the opposite. It feels as if I will break her when I touch her. not even that, but she doesn't like me. Why doesn't she like me? I can be violent, but then again she hasn't given me a chance to be different. I had asked her out and she declined.
"Thinking about your lady, son?" I heard the same familiar voice utter, to which I shook my head.
"Diego told me everything. He said she's beautiful and funny. He told me that they are friends now, he hangs around her and her friends. I must say that I am happy for you son. Your aunt will be so excited and relieved at the thought of you having someone dear"
"She isn't mine" I mumbled back, hoping that he didn't catch what I said. I would usually never utter these words in front of someone else. I was too much of a possessive man to ever do that, but there was no point of lying to Uncle. He was a wise man and could probably tell me one thing or two.
"Well, have you taken her out yet?" he asked, handing me a beer while taking a chug of his own.
"No, she declined" I said sternly as I fisted my hands, looking at Uncle who had raised his eyebrows. "I don't have time for a lady in my life. I am here for something more important. My mind shouldn't even think about her"
"Son, patience and persistence is the key" he said smiling. Creaks made their way on his skin as he squinted his eyes. he looked at me almost adoringly, before I cut the eye contact. The feeling being too much for me.
"Hmm" I hummed in response, not wanting to talk about her anymore. I didn't want her to occupy my mind, just like she had occupied my cold heart. When I go back home, I won't talk to her. I will let her free and pretend I never met her. She is too good for me.
"Son, I said your phone is ringing" I felt Uncle shake me as he smiled at me wildly, chuckling. I looked up at him in confusion before seeing the caller ID. Scar.
"Lorenzo"
"Boss, we found him. Marco" was all I heard before I stood up abruptly. My eyes were wide, my heart beating so hard that it could fall out of my chest. I felt sweat ooze on my hands, my throat completely dry. Uncle stood up as he saw my shocked state right in front of him. He looked worried, but I couldn't care about anything else other than the one sentence I had been desperately chasing after for eight fucking years. They found Marco. I could feel the salty liquid make its way to my eyes, blurring my vision. I sucked in my breath, as I turned my back to Uncle to not show him the emotions I was feeling.
"I am coming home" I said, my voice stone cold and firm. I ended the call as I straightened my back. this is the moment the whole family has been waiting for. I have to stay strong for my familia who have helped me in searching for Marco. I have to stay strong for my uncle who has experienced watching the brutal murder of his brother and Marco go missing. I have to stay strong for the gang who see me as a leader. I have to stay strong for Sara and Diego who has treated me as family. I am built in this position for a reason. England, Moretti is coming home.
"Uncle tell the officer that we won't enter Milan. Marco is found in England" is all I said before uncle rushed out the room screaming orders to his servants excitedly. "TELL THE FAMILIA THAT MARCO IS BACK HOME!! CALL EVERY PERSON IN ITALY!! MAKE SURE EVERYONE KNOWS THAT MY FAMILIA IS ONE AGAIN"
And in a brief moment, my lips twitched before I snapped back to my intimidating self. I am a leader and leaders don't soften for anyone.
Bella
I looked at myself in the mirror to check if my outfit was good enough. I was wearing a red flowy dress that went down to my knees. It had bell arms, which I was unsure if I liked. Diego had invited me and James to a "house party" as he called it. He didn't even give me any details about why we're getting invited to a family function. His only reply being; "You are family". It was nice to know that he liked being with us. We had been hanging out a lot after Lorenzos "departure". Casually of course, with him calling me his sister every other sentence. It was weird, it still is. Diego was a nice boy, but his humor was really deadpan. I had learned that his jokes were harmless after some time of talking and joking around with him.
I huffed as I took down my hair from the bun. It looked nicer down. I had put some makeup on and finished by putting on some red lipstick. My phone ringed as I ran to the kitchen to pick it up. "Hiii" I dragged out as I supported the phone to my chin with my shoulder as I ran around my apartment to grab my bag and a jacket. "Hey, we are outside" he said before I told him I would be outside in a minute. I wore my heels quickly and locked my door, before I turned around to see Diegos car. He smiled as he saw me and I smiled back at him and James who was sitting in the back. I sat inside the car as I turned to the guys. "should I change my shoes?" I asked and James leaned further to see my heels. Diego chuckled at James as he started driving. "No wonder you are called "pretty boy" he muttered as he chuckled. I punched his shoulder lightly as he raced down the streets to scare me. I screamed out loud but could hear James laugh in the background. Well, at least one of us is enjoying this.
"I AM GOING TO DIE DIEGO" I screamed at the top of my lungs.
"YEAHH BOY. SING IT PRETTY BOY" he screamed back as he used one hand to put on music. I closed my eyes shut tightly as I heard them laugh and sing out loud. It was funny really, to listen to the difference between they're voices. Diego had this deep voice, while James was making his voice lighter to hit the high notes. I opened my eyes several times and shut them tightly again, but I didn't miss the big smile on Diegos face. He was happier than usual. I wonder what Lorenzo looks like when he smiles like that.
After a scary ride, Diego slowed down in front of an unfamiliar house. We got out and walked behind Diego who ringed the bell. I looked at James and saw him being just as confused as me. Before we could ask Diego about where we were, the door opened to reveal Sara smiling wildly.
"Where have you been?! Does it take that long to get the lady of Lorenzo?!" She scolded Diego, my face flushing red as I registered the last line. James laughed at my reaction as Sara hugged him and me after. "Stop it Sara" I whispered to her. She snickered and welcomed us in. I was shocked to see so many scary and handsome guys at Saras house. I smiled awkwardly to which some nodded and others smiled. Why was I the only girl here?! It felt so uncomfortable.
"Bella, this is the gang. Boys, this is Mafias Bella" Diego said with authority laced in his voice. The attitude in the crowd changed and I was met with some small smiles and greetings. Some even cheered. If felt weird.
"Diego, stop that" I hissed at him, but he ignored me completely.
"Enjoy yourselves boys, this day is a celebration for brotherhood" he said loudly raising his glass, that was handed to him by another guy in the crowd. Everyone got the memo as they raised their glasses and chanted "brotherhood". I looked at James who seemed to have fun chanting alongside the men as he flashed me a big smile. He looked so cute and tiny amongst these large, tattooed and intimidating guys. I chuckled at the thought.
"HE IS HERE!" Sara screamed as she ran inside the living room, hushing the men. Suddenly everyone froze and the lights went shut. I was about to talk until I felt Diegos hand cover my mouth. I heard some voices outside the door, one voice too familiar.
"Say you're mine"
OH. MY. GOD I looked at Diego in shock as I saw a smile spread on his face. His eyes twinkled as I continued to listen closely. Could it be him?!
"Yeah yeah I am here. I will. Yeah" I heard his voice as the door opened to reveal the man I had been awake thinking about. The man who constantly was on my mind. The man who had me addicted to him. Lorenzo Moretti.