CLAIMED - Chapter 24: Chapter 24

Lorenzo
I clutched the steering wheel tightly, my knuckles turning white. The frustration built inside me as I punched the wheel, hearing James shriek in a pitched voice beside me. I turned my head to him as I brushed through my damp hair with my fingers. Fear was evident in his eyes by the way he was looking around as if he was planning an escape. I placed my finger in front of my mouth to indicate for him to shut up. This dude is scared of everything!
"You there?" I heard my cousins voice through the speaker
"Yeah, but I have company. I will call you later" I said, already regretting my decision to put this conversation on speaker in front of James.
"But what about the money the news is asking for? You can't just kill someone outside a fucking-" I cut the call without any hesitation as I continued driving. James was completely trembling from both fear and the cold, but that wasn't my main concern now. According to him, Bella is at Alis place. Thank god he told me that before he heard my conversation with my cousin. The news channel idiot is asking for a large amount of money to erase the video footage of me killing the guy outside the café. He doesn't know who he is fucking with. I will have to pay him a visit later and erase the situation completely.
The silence in the car blossomed a thinking stream in my mind. I need a plan for today. I have to bring Bella back, pay news guy a visit and set a plan for Marco. So much to do in such a tight schedule. I sigh lowly as I think back to all the work that has to be done. I need to have a gang meeting tomorrow. The stress and jet lag is clearly catching up to me, but work comes first. I just arrived back and dealing with mess yet again. Is it so hard to function without me for a damn day?!
"Are you married?" James voice silenced my thoughts with a question. I chuckled lightly finding humor in his question. He was scared, yet he wasn't done asking me stupid questions. I shook my head as a reply, lighting up a cigarette. James furrowed his eyebrows as a response, not quite satisfied with my answer. No words were uttered from his mouth, as he turned his head away. Now I know why he and Bella are friends. Both are equally as curious and irritating.
"What?" I snapped at him, still looking ahead as I rolled down my window to blow smoke out.
"Nothing, just thought that you may have a family" he muttered, his cheeks flushing red. I coughed from the sudden statement as I furrowed my brows at him. "Well I don't, not my thing" I said looking at him before diverting my attention back to the road. It was a long drive and just imagining Bella walking this distance, made me even more angry than I already was at her. Maybe Damon drove her, fuck, she is in a lot a trouble
"oh" was the only thing he said, looking everywhere trying to avoid my gaze. I slowed down as he told me we were close and before I knew it, I was standing outside the apartment. James was stood behind me, inspecting my every move. I could tell that he was scared after my conversation about killing someone. He had gone back to being terrified by me. Good
I lifted my fist and knocked on the door, to no avail. I pressed the ring button, no avail. I pounded on the door, still no avail. I looked back at James who was looking at the ground.
"Call her name" I whispered to him, giving him space so he could stand in my place.
"Bella, its me! Open the door babe-" he started before I punched him hard on his shoulder. He screamed out in agony.
"what was that for?!" he hissed at me, before looking down
"Step aside" I said as I pushed him lightly to the side before getting ready to break open the door. I used all my strength as my body came in contact with the door. James gasped each time until the door was broken open. I walked in, hearing James footsteps following me from behind.
No words were uttered as we both separated in the flat, to check every room. I walked in, what I assume, was Alis bedroom. It was colorful and full of pictures, completely opposite from mine. My eyes inspected each photo, until I saw my amore. She was sitting in a café, pretending to drink something. She looked.....cute. I could taste the unfamiliar taste of the words that I had never connected to a lady. Cute
"Lorenzo" I heard a whisper from behind me. I moved away from the picture quickly as I turned around to see James standing by the door. "Yeah" I breathed out as I rubbed my forehead. My head was starting to ache badly, and sleep was calling my name. "In the living room" he whispered before walking away. I followed him and was soon met with the sight of my amore laying uncomfortably on the couch. I took off my blazer as I walked towards her to cover her exposed legs. Her chest was moving up and down by each intake. Her brows were knitted together making wrinkles appear on her forehead. I had to hold back from caressing them away with my thumb. I was in a trapped in a trace before I heard James cough awkwardly.
"what now?" he said in a low and hushed voice, to avoid waking up the sleeping girl.
"Now, it's time for punishment" I said louder, indicating who had the last word in this conversation. I moved forward to pick her up in my arms, gracefully. She stirred in her sleep, before snuggling closer to my chest that was getting more and more exposed by her fisted her hand in my shirt. I looked down at her in my arms, as I felt relief shoot through my body. my knees felt weak again, reminding me that I need a doctor checkup and sleep. I started walking towards the door as James footsteps could be heard from behind.
"You can't do that. I will call the police on-" he started trailing before the ringtone of my phone blasted loudly. I hissed from the sudden voice, that just felt like a kick to my head. I swear, I will faint soon.
Belle stirred in her sleep, her ocean like eyes blinking several times before fully shooting open. I hushed her immediately before she could freak out as I walked back to the couch and laid her there. I picked up the phone as I looked at James hugging and scolding Belle.
"Lorenzo" I snapped in the phone, catching their attention. I turned my back towards them, not wanting them to listen to yet another conversation.
"O God son, did you find the sweetie pie?" Saras concerned voice answered back.
"Oh, Sorry aunty. Yeah, she is fine" I said as I turned around to see Bella and James listening to my conversation closely.
"I don't believe you. Put her on speaker" she continued. I denied her as I picked up my blazer before putting it on.
"What?! I will call her from Diegos phone" Sara threatened, to which I immediately put the phone on speaker and handing it over to Bella. She hesitated before grabbing it, whispering a "Hi".
I stared at her intensely, angry at myself for not being able to pull back from her. I had far too important stuff to take off, rather than being her cuddled up with a girl. Even if that girl is her. However, I had given that a try in Italy and it didn't seem to work. Heck, it was even worse. I had lashed of at her in front of family because of her fucking boy toy. She was like my cigarette box, but far more addicting then that.
"Yeah, I am fine Sara....No, there is no need for that. Sara....you wont take no for an answer. Bye" I heard her conversation from one side, as she had set the speaker off, covering the conversation from me. She pulled back the phone and handed it to James as her conversation came to an end. He handed it to me, smiling pitifully. I snatched it from his hand and made my way to the bar, grabbing several bottles on my way out. I had to see the news man first and have my priorities right. This girl is too stubborn.
"Lorenzo" I heard her soft voice breath out in a rush, stopping me in my tracks. I hummed without turning around. Her footsteps could be heard coming closer to me, before she continued; "Can you drive us to Saras?"
I didn't turn around still before muttering: "Ask Damon" I was about to open the door and storm outside until I felt a hand intertwine in mine. I shut my eyes knowing too well that I wouldn't be able to resist her if she continued touching me. I pulled back my hand as I turned around to see her pained face. Leaving me confused. She was giving me different signs. First, she has a new boy toy and tells me to leave her alone and when I do, she reacts like this.
"James was worried about so, so I –" I started off explaining until I was cut off by her yet again. "You are married, aren't you? You just want to play me like a doll" she whispered, her cheeks flushing red as she brushed away a black hair strand away with her fingers. Her words registered in my brain, leaving me dumbfounded. "You think that low of me? I wouldn't chase you like a dog, ripping random guys throat apart if I wanted to play with you. I care about you" I seethed back, inching my face closer to hers, as my eyes screamed frustration.
"Why did you leave then? First, you tell me that I am yours and then you disappear like thin air. Why didn't you call huh? If you weren't busy with another lady of yours?" she asked louder, not pulling her face away from mine. My hands were occupied by the beer bottles, or else I would have traced her beautiful lips with my rough hands.
"Heck, I don't know who gave you the idea of me being married, but I am not. Fuck, I don't even look at girls Belle. Have you ever seen me with a female? No and let's clear this up. Did you call me? No. You didn't even think about me, too focused on licking Damons ripped chest, right?"
"What? Lorenzo, you are just too... ugh, possessive. You honestly just scare me" her words felt like poison to me.
"I am possessive over what's mine. I told you that the first time I met you. But since you enjoy your time without me so much, you enjoy your time with fucking Damon, yeah?" I spoke through gritted teeth. she gasped as she banged her fist on my chest bandages that were covered by my shirt. I clenched my jaw, from the stinging sensation, my head throbbing even harder.
"Well, at least he doesn't kill people for a living-" she started off before I threw a bottle on the wall behind her. the loud noise earned a shrieked from James, who I had forgotten was in the room. Belle shut her eyes tightly, sucking in a deep breath. I cursed at the sight of her bare neck and plump lips. My anger was somehow louder than the lust and occupied my mind completely.
"Fuck, if only my heart didn't desire you so much, I would kill you and him. To show people what the consequences of neglecting me is" I spit out looking down at her. I could tell she was scared, but that reckless mouth of hers had plans on its own.
"And you say you care about me. I don't want such care that costs the life of the people I love" she uttered, staring deeply into my soul. "It seems to me like mother didn't learn you about women"- Enough. The beer bottles fell from my hands connecting with the wooden floor, spilling the drink everywhere. The rage in Belles eyes wasn't even a drop according to mine. My hand fisted in her hair as I pushed her closer to me. She gasped and I am sure I heard James gasp my name too.
"Never ever utter my mothers name with your sinful mouth"
Bella
The car came to a stop in front of Saras home. I immediately unbuckled the belt and ran towards the door. James followed, muttering some words to Lorenzo in the car. I sighed in relief as I saw the door open with Diego standing there. wanting someone to console me, I ran up to him and hugged him tightly. Sobbing loudly in his chest. He caressed my hair, mumbling comforting words as he sat me down on the couch. Sara followed with a glass of water, forcing me to drink it up. I did and it didn't take long before I calmed down. James came into my view with a blanket, covering my trembling body.
"Wanna take a warm bath, dear?" Sara said looking at me with care. I almost cried again, by seeing her pure care for me. I didn't have the time to answer her as Diego answered for me; "yes, take a bath. I will fix you my special tea" he said seriously. I shook my head feeling like shit for making them worry. "No, it is fine. I should go home with James now. You must be tired Sara" I explained myself. Surprisingly, she only laughed lightly as she caressed my hair "Dear, trust me, you wont be a burden if that's what you are thinking of. I am used to take care of Diego and especially Lorenzo like this" she said.
The conversation from earlier flashed in front of my eyes. "Never ever utter my mothers name with your sinful mouth". He was right, I shouldn't have said anything about his mother. The anger and rage in me made me say things I didn't mean. I wanted to hurt him as much as he had hurt me. It sounded so stupid and having in mind what Diego told me about Lorenzo having a hard life, didn't help the situation. Truth to be told, he had shocked me completely when he told me to "fuck off" with "Damon". The feeling of him letting me go, didn't set well with me. Before he went to Italy, I couldn't be happier if he forgot me. But sadly, I only became more infatuated with the thought of him. His dark and rough demeanor was so addicting and luring.
"Bella" James shook me lightly. "Are you okay?" he asked softly. I nodded, diverting my eyes to Sara. I needed answers.
"What does Lorenzo do? as in a career?" I asked her specifically. I could see the clear shock on everyones face, seeing as they were not expecting me to ask such questions.
Sara looked down at her lap, before looking back at me. "Horrible things. Killing, drug loading, street racing, fighting. Everything" she breathed out as her eyes started to water. Diego put his hand on her shoulder as a sign of comfort. My heart raced at her answer, making my every theory real.
"But you have to know something Bella. His dark and rough aura hides the tenderness of his heart. He won't tell you himself so I guess I have to. Lorenzo is the heir of his families gang. After his fathers death, his brother ran away from England. He went into hiding because he didn't want to take the legacy of controlling the gang. That lead to the young and joyful Lorenzo entering the cruel gang life in such a vulnerable state in his life. He had lost everything and the new changes, changed him completely. Killing, using and selling drugs, fighting and that became his new life style. He hasn't always been like this Bella, he just doesn't know how to act with softness" she explained as she held into my hands. The conversation felt personal and so emotional. Sara was on the verge of crying and Diegos tensed body revealed his hidden emotions. I thought back to all the times I had seen Lorenzo behave differently, from making me sit into his lap to nearly killing Caleb in the café. His gang reputation clearly had affected his daily behavior making him act like an alpha male.
"But he likes you. I can see it in his eyes. The way he lets you speak back to him and neglect him. the way he runs after you, even though he is angry at you. He has never been with a girl seriously and to be honest, I think he is scared" she chuckled, making me laugh out lightly.
"I hurt him Sara. I didn't know and I just said too much. He will be so" I started to explain, feeling bad that I had made so many assumptions before I knew facts. Everything seemed to make sense.
"Oh, I will take care of that. Don't worry your pretty head" she said, smiling lightly.
Diegos phone started ringing, catching our attention. He muttered "Lorenzo" before picking up. "Whats up?....What? now?.....you good?....okay, see you there" we heard his conversation silently. He put his phone back in his pocket, standing up. "Well, Moretti has called for a gang meeting at this hour, so I must take my lead". We nodded as Sara said something to him in another language, which I guess was Italian.
Saying farewells to Diego, I showered and stepped out into the guest room I had used on my last visit. Having no other clothes than the uncomfortable dress, I opened the drawer and used a random shirt which was way too large for me. I laid down on the bed, thinking about the man my heart had starting to take a liking to.