Chapter 3: Lorenzo

"Have you lost your absolute small mind, Lorenzo?" My sister's voice snaps me out of my stupor of making sure my weapons are reloaded.

"What is it, Sophia?"

"I've just had Pops on the phone telling me my flight is booked for Italy"

"Yeah? And what's the problem?" There is no problem. She hasn't been home in months and refuses to tell us why. She moved here a few years ago, leaving her friends and everyone behind, but never gave a specific reason as to why she left, so I made the choice for her.

"Yes, there's a bloody problem, Lorenzo. I'm old enough to make my own choices and I don't need you making them for me," she snaps. She's definitely got the Italian anger. It rolls off us all in waves.

"I know and I'm sorry. Grammes and mom have been in about you not visiting, and it kind of made me feel bad for having you here and working you to much" It was a blatant lie, but she doesn't need to know that.

"Don't bring your pity party with you, will you" she says as she huffs and sits down.

"Care to share?"

"No"

"Then go pack your bags and Lucien will take you to the Airport. I have some things I need to take care of and I don't want to be worrying about your strops all day," I say as I get up and grab my jacket.

Shipments keep coming in, and they are what keeps me going right now.

I'm halfway through going through some supplies in the garage and going over the Wednesdays plan to raid Silas and his mockery of a gang when one of my trusted men and close friends come in looking worse for wear.

I know by the look on his face that somethings off.

"What is it" I demand when he closes the door. He doesn't look at me, though. He keeps his back to me and then speaks but his voice is raw. There is a lot of emotion in it when he finally does speak.

"Boss, I need to leave asap"

"Cody. What the fuck is going on?" I ask again.

"My sisters just phoned; my aunt has passed away and my cousin isn't taking it so well"

"Shit." I understand the meaning and pain he has behind those words. Family is everything to me and to him. Each month he makes sure his family is taken care of and that's just the sort of person he is so I know this is going to hit hard for him.

"I'm sorry to do this now... especially with the Polish clang trying to strike, but I can't be there for them. She's not had it easy over the years," he says and he's now rambling because he thinks I'll say no.

"Say no more. Get your things from your penthouse and bring them all up here. Pack what you need to take, and I'll drive you to the airport with our men. Your cousin and sister can stay with you once the funeral has been arranged and you've paid your respects if you feel that's needed." I tell him, which earns a grateful nod.

"Cheers boss," he says. Cody is a light-hearted, happygo-llucky kind of guy. Not a lot drags him down so this has got to be the worst thing he's had done to him or to his family.

➿

As one week turns into two weeks and two weeks passes by quickly into three weeks and so on, we find ourselves in further chances of putting the Irish and the polish on their asses.

Over the four weeks, more shipments get pulled in, more enemies get pretty pissed off with my men sneak attacking, and my bank accounts get higher. Id say my days just get better.

"You ready?" My brother Dante asks from the door. Casually leaning over the threshold with a grin on his face.

A grin I hate so much.

"Please tell me the lady left with a smile as big as yours?" I ask as I stand and put my suit jacket on.

"Of course. I aim to please brother"

I reply with a snort and get greeted by a punch in the arm by my brother on the way out.

"How did you become me of us? You punch like a fucking girl," I snide back when actually he punches really well. I just won't give in and tell the fucker that when his ego is as big as his forehead.

"Pfft. Please tell that to Carlos Vanesia," he says and the only question on the tip of my tongue is,Who the fucks, Carlos Vanesia?"

"Some tosspot who thought it would be clever to switch some shipments over at the docks for a bit of extra cash. It's safe to say... the fish are probably enjoying their tea"

"Nice. Let's go. I need to stop of at the café for a coffee"

"Yeah. Diesel is driving," he says as he checks his phone with a shite-eating grin on his face.