CLAIMED - Chapter 32: Chapter 32

Lorenzo
I sat in my car, as my hands shivered. I patted my blazer when I felt the gun in my pocket. I was parked outside a creepy little house, which my men had seen Marco enter several time. It was at this exact time and day. I breathed in and out to calm myself down. It was now or never. I looked at the rear view mirror as my eyes spotted the familiar face. I waited for him to enter the house and I had my heart in my throat just by looking at him. he looked different now. His head was shaved and he had a full on beard. He really went down the macho Italian road with his look. That was for sure. I waited for him to disepear from my view and into the house and I stared at the clock. I had five minutes to do this.
I jumped out of my car and fixed the mask I was wearing as I hid under his car. I pulled out the pocket knife from my pocket and cut the cord that was meant to control the break. I really didn't have any other option at this point. I looked back at the door and scurried away fast. Running back to my car and hiding the knife. Just in time, I saw him walk out the house to the car. Now that I could see him closer, his face looked fucked up. He had cuts and bruises as if he had been beaten. The mere thought of someone hurting my family, made my anger boil. I shut my eyes tightly as I soothed myself with the thought of coming back and fucking killing all of them. I saw his car drive away and I followed. I drove fast so my car was right beside him. I rolled down my window and pulled out my gun, shooting at his glass window. Suddenly I felt back in my element as a feeling of adrenalin hit me. Marco flinched as his head whipped to me. His eyes went wide and he muttered something under his breath. He kept on looking at me, his eyes glistening. I pushed back the sentiment and shouted loudly; "YOUR BRAKES ARE CUT OFF. IF YOU WANT TO SURVIVE, JUMP IN". the roof of my car opened as I had shouted the sentence I was dreading. "WHAT THE FUCK?! ARE YOU INSANE?" he shouted back. I could see the motorway end soon and I shouted back louder; "LOOK AHEAD BROTHER. THE MOTORWAY IS ENDING. TIME IS RUNNING OUT". Realization dawned upon him as I watched as he jumped to the passenger seat still holding the wheel in one hand. with the other he opened the door and looked at me with frustration. I drove my car closer to him and held out my hand. "3...2....1...JUMP!" I screamed out as he jumped holding the roof and having his feet dangling out. I held onto his legs and pushed him in and took a right on the first turn as I heard a thud in the backseat. I closed the window as I watched his car crash a tree, from the rear view mirror. Marco saw it too and turned around to me; "Lorenzo mother fucking Moretti" he gritted out before punching me straight on the jaw. I cussed out as I felt it sting badly. I touched when I felt liquid pour out, and saw blood on my hands. I glared at him as I continued the drive to the ware house. "The boys are waiting" I spoke out after a few minutes of silence. Marco nodded and looked outside. "I- Lorenzo, I cant stay man" he muttered, not looking into my eyes. I furrowed my brows as I felt a lump in my throat. "Lets meet everyone before we talk yeah?" I suggested, even if it was an order. "Lorenzo-" he started off before I cut him off "The gang is the only familia I have. Everything that is to be said, will be said in their presence. I trust them with my life". That seemed to shut him off, by the way he didn't speak for the rest of the ride. I drove the similar streets to the warehouse, and if I wasn't mistaken, I even saw Marco smile lightly. He looked like the big brother I had before.
I parked my car outside the warehouse and was shocked to see the boys standing outside. Their faces showed worry and some were even pacing around the place. They stopped when they saw my car and waited for me to come out. They knew better than to invade their boss's privacy. I looked at Marco, who seemed to be shocked at the reaction of the boys. "Still here, huh?" he asked and chuckled. I leaned back my head and nodded. "Still here" I whispered back. "Nothing changed, brother. Other than your relationship status" he spoke, confusing me more. I looked at him in question, to which he pointed at...Bella. She was standing amongst the tall and buff men, in nothing but a flowy dress. It was both sleeveless and to her knees. Too much skin on display, for my taste. Why was she wearing that in this cold? I nodded at Marco and stepped outside car, watching Marco do the same. Everyone looked shocked and no one reacted. They didn't know how to approach the situation. Just as I was about to speak out, Charles walked over to Marco and embraced him. Charles was the eldest in the gang and had been a friend of my father. Marco obviously recognized him and hugged him back. after that, he was met by the whole gang who greeted him with love. I walked over to Bella, occasionally nodding at the men who greeted their capo. I took off my blazer and looked over to Bella who was smiling. Her smile fell when she saw my glare. I draped the blazer over her shoulder as I scolded her lightly "What are you doing here?! Its too cold for you to wear this" I said as I gripped the light dress. She laughed as she flicked me away, stepping around me. "Sorry, do I know you? I have guests to meet" she said before poking her tongue out at me and running off to the crowd around Marco. I looked at some of the boys who were watching me intently. They smiled brightly at our interaction and I looked away. I heard Charles make a whipping sound as I walked away from them to Marco, but I pretended to not hear it. I am fucking whipped.
On the brighter side, I knew that the gang would be happy for me. They had waited a long time for their boss to find a loved one that I could call family. Now I had both Bella and Marco. Not quite, but I will have them soon. Unlike other gangs where jealousy and revenge reeked in the air, my father had taught us the values of familia and love. And even if they didn't tell me themselves, I know that they had my back like I had theirs. They would protect Bella and love her as much as I do. I just wasn't used to the affection and care she provided me. And the care and affection I held for her. But, I would do it for her. I would do everything for her.
My thoughts made my eyes drift to the crowd, in search of my amore. It wasn't really hard, having in mind that my eyes only saw her. she was standing amongst the boys, chattering away in her bunny shoes and flowy dress. She looked even smaller, standing with the tall and built guys. She was looking up at them and sassing away. The boys turning to school guys, laughing and giggling? Fuck, no. I walked over to them and could see the boys straighten up. They stopped their sentences midway, but amore didn't. she had her back to me, not being able to know that I was standing right behind her.
"You can't call him fat. That's just rude" she defended, I guess Pablo, who looked up at Sila proudly. Sila looked down at Bella, a small smile lingering on his face. "I am sorry, miss.." Sila spoke, hinting for her last name. "Moretti" Pablo interrupted with a mischievous grin, looking straight at me. I nodded at him, seeing Bella turn around before her eyes went wide. Unexpectedly, she traced her fingers on my chin and jaw. It tempted me so much to close my eyes and have her trace me like that. However, I knew better than that. And I knew that I was amongst the boys.
"What happened?" she asked, with worry evident on her face. It warmed my heart to know that she cared for me. "Are you hurt?"
I shook my head at her, chuckling lowly. "its just a bruise amore" I answered, bending down to hug her. I didn't realize how much I had missed her, until she wrapped her arms around me too. "Does it hurt?" she whispered in my ear, knowing too well that I wouldn't say yes in front of the guys. "Will you kiss me if I say yes?" I whispered back in her ear, noticing her body go stiff. I rubbed her back, kissing the side of her head.
"Fratello" I heard Marcos voice utter. Bella let go of me quickly, turning around to see him. "Starboy!" she squealed, reaching out her hand to him. He smiled and took her hand in his. "Well, starboy it is. May I know your name, babe?" he asked back, smirking at her. the interaction didn't set well with me, so I took Bellas hand in mine, pressing her to my chest. Marco laughed, along with the boys who were looking. "Il mio" I said to him seriously. "You look like someone" Marco spoke, ignoring me. Bella looked up at me, pressing herself closer to me. I smiled at her actions.
"We have something to talk about" I spoke with power, watching Marco nod. I walked to the warehouse, holding Bellas hand tightly. I saw as Marco, Charles and a few boys followed. I tapped Diegos shoulder before telling him to drop off Bella. I knew she was going to protest so I did the only thing I could. I shut her up with a kiss to her plump lips before walking in the warehouse, closing the door. Hearing whistles behind the door.
§
What the fuck? Was the only thought running around Lorenzos mind. He didn't understand anything his brother was mixing up in that little brain of his. His story had too many gaps.
"Liar" he calmly said as all the men stood in the warehouse. None of them had taken a seat, the nerves too much to handle. Lorenzo hadn't moved an inch, looking at Marco with a glare. He was in serious need of venting about what was happening. Fuck, where is Amore? His thoughts gave away.
"You believe what you want to Fratello. You know that I didn't want this business, so why would I steal the van if I knew it was yours?" Marco asked frustrated, too hurt that his brother didn't believe him. Lorenzo on the other hand was holding in the tears, screams and cussing that his younger self was doing in his body. However, the elder and wiser Lorenzo didn't let that show on his face.
"Oh believe me Fratello, I know that you didn't want this" Lorenzo spoke, mocking his brother and belittling him.
"Son, give me a recap please. These old ears didn't catch it the first time" Charles spoke, interrupted the boys. He had seen them grow and knew them by heart. He had watched the day the police barged into his friend, their fathers, house and shot him. the house they were staying at was burned and he was incapable of helping his friend. he didn't have the chance to tell his friend, but he told himself that he would lead Lorenzos way. The old man had also seen Marco escape from the house, but didn't bother to stop him. If an egg falls from its nest, its bound to fall, he thought. However, he had never told Lorenzo that. Wanting to keep his heart together, even though he knew it was shattered.
"of course. So, after I ran from the house I lived on my own with the money I had. Worked on some low paying motel and earned whatever that could help me through the day. One day, this guy turns up. Seemed like a Persian or something. I don't really know. He had many men and told me to go with him. I did, having in mind that I didn't know what else to do. I couldn't escape, they were too many. He told me that he would need me in the near future, and before I know it, he appears again a few weeks back. tells me to steal that van and send a card in my writing that says "Revenge is bittersweet". What the fuck am I suppose to do with that?" Just as the more detailed explanation left Marcos mouth, he saw his brothers head whip back at him. Marco continued; "I stole the van and before I know it, he is fucking trying to kill me!"
The whole room went silent. Lorenzo looked at Charles, who had a sad expression on his face. He knew what this meant and had waited for the murder some years ago to come and bite them in the ass. Lorenzo laughed. His rich laughter booming in the whole room, shocking everyone.
"If that boy thinks that he can kill me, he is highly mistaken" he spoke before laughing again. Charles watched as his eyes got teary eyed. The sight in front of him reminded him of his father. Juan Moretti. A family man with a heart that only beat for his family.
The unbearable pain in Lorenzos heart, made him laugh. He had to pour out some of the pain. "His father snitched on mine! He was an undercover cup! My father treated him as familia and he betrayed him. Father died because of him and guess what? Guess what Marco?" Lorenzo asked Marco, pulling out a knife from his pocket. He spinned it around his fingers skillfully. Marcos heart pounded as he looked at his fratello that had changed completely from how he remembered him. he looked.....animalistic. Marcos silence, urged Lorenzo to continue; "I killed him. I barged in his room and fucking slit his throat and shot him so many times that even God couldn't make him live."
"What about the wife?" Marco asked, scared for what his ears were going to listen to. The evil grin that plastered on his face, was enough of an answer for his brother. Lorenzo pointed the knife to his throat, making an indication for slitting his own throat and laughed. He didn't have to verbally say it for them to understand that he had killed the mans wife too.
"What now, Capo?" Scar asked, from behind.
"Now, its war. We will send Marco back as if nothing happened here. Pretend like he did his business. Next time you see the guy, you tell him that Moretti wants a meeting. Face to face. Familia against familia. After this, its either him or me"
Lorenzos intimidating voice, shut everyone else in the room up. No one dared saying anything against him. it wasn't only seeing blood dripping from his hand on his knives that worried them, it was the fact that he looked like he had done in the depressed times. The time had had went on a killing spree alone, almost killing a whole other gang alone. He was severally injured, not expected to wake up again. But again, it was like Lorenzo said. Even hell didn't open its door for this monster. So he had to wake up in this world.
He took long and confident strides to the exit, getting ready for war.