chapter Twenty-Seven
Rise To Power
Victoria
I awoke to a loud crash coming from the living room. I realized I was in the bed, still in my t-shirt and shorts. I hope Chris and Lorenzo aren’t horsing around breaking up the furniture.
I sat up and could hear Lorenzo roaring in a rushed tone. I could tell something was wrong. I scanned the room for my bag in case the danger was close. I didn’t see it, so rolled to Lorenzo’s side of the bed. I reached under to grab the gun he keeps there.
After that loud sound, there was no way I was sitting here to wait for answers. I sprung off the bed, as quietly as I could, heading out the room. I hugged the wall in the hall, as I made my way to the living room. Lorenzo’s voice was clearer to me now. My head was focused and I could make more sense of my surroundings.
“I didn’t think it would be a problem,” he groaned out, pain in his words. “No, how long ago did they find the car? There was no trace of her?”
What car? What was a problem? No trace of who? I was confused, what was the crashing noise? I didn’t hear Angie or Chris out there with him.
I turned the corner to see Lo on the phone, standing where our coffee table used to sit. There was glass all around him and the metal part of the table was tossed across the room. His face was filled with hurt and rage.
I ran to get to his side, not thinking about the glass on the floor. When he saw me, the pain in his face deepened and he crossed the room to meet me. When I got to him, I put my free hand on his face and looked up at him.
“What’s wrong?” I mouthed.
He reached down, pulling the gun from my hand, which looked like it upset him further. He grabbed me tightly, hugging me against his chest. He didn’t answer me as he continued to listen to the phone.
“Venny, I’m so sorry. I’m on my way,” he said. I looked up at him anxiously. I needed to know what was going on. Was my mom okay? Was it Maria, I needed some answers before I lost it. “No, Victoria doesn’t know yet. She fell asleep before she left.”
Oh, no Angie! What happened to Angie? I could feel my panic rising.
“Okay, I’ll bring her with me. Maybe we should stay with you guys for a while. I don’t trust being here anymore,” he hung up the phone, hugging me tighter.
“Lorenzo, what’s going on? What happened to Angie?”
“I’m sorry, Victoria. I wasn’t thinking I gave her your truck to go home in. I didn’t think about it. She’s missing, Baby, they took her. I’m sorry,” he strained to get out his words.
“They took her,” I repeated.
“Yes, it’s my fault.”
“No, Lo, this is not your fault,” I said and pushed away from him.
I walked back to the room. I went straight into the closet and started to pack Lo’s things into a trunk I’d brought here with me. I worked as quickly as I could, but I still wasn’t frantic.
I had his shoes, some suits, shirts, some jeans and t-shirts, some things for him to sleep in, and his gun hostler. He would need that. I knew he didn’t like it because he felt like Alfonzo and his goons with it, but he would need it now.
I grabbed some of his accessories and under clothes and went to the bathroom for his toiletries. He stood in the middle of the room, watching me with the same pained look on his face. I just walked back into the closet and put the things in the trunk.
When I was done, I went to drag it to the room, but Lorenzo appeared and grabbed it for me. I grabbed a pair of jeans, a sweater and a pair of flat boots, before returning to the room. I was so focused on my thoughts, I didn’t pay attention to the fact that Lorenzo was in the room when I stripped down to put my clothes on.
I had no time to think about things like that today. I grabbed our laptops, phone chargers, and a few things I thought we would need. Ready, I raced for the door.
Lorenzo had the trunk, following me, only stopping to collect a few guns from our stash. We had our coats on and were out the door in no time. Neither of us said a thing. I had grabbed the keys to his Austin Martin the car we hardly ever drive.
Lorenzo loaded the car and I got in the driver’s side. I needed to be in control of something, and Lorenzo looked like he could use the time to think. Once he was in the car, I pulled off heading to my father’s at top speed.
I watched the mirrors for a tail, like I was taught. No one was following us. Lorenzo spent the time sending someone text messages, but I didn’t ask any questions. We didn’t say one word to each other the entire time.
We made it to my father’s house to find top security in place. They let us in the gate and I raced to the house. When we got there, I stopped for no one. I made my way to my father’s office, Lorenzo was on my heels.
When I entered the room, my father was at his huge ebony wood desk. Alfonzo was in a red chair on the opposite side of him. Uncle Sal and Uncle Frankie were standing behind my father. While Uncle Mike and Uncle Fredo were in the corners across from the desk.
Everyone stopped the moment we entered the room. Alfonzo stood and offered me his seat, as my father stood to greet us. My father gestured for Lorenzo to take the seat to my right. Alfonzo went to stand next to Lorenzo, placing a hand on his shoulder.
“Are yous kids okay?” my father asked.
“I’m okay, but I think Victoria is terrified,” Lorenzo said.
My father looked at me with pain in his face. Was that what Lorenzo was thinking? I’m terrified. I was far from terrified.
I needed to get here to get Angie back. I was a lot of things, but terrified wasn’t one. I wasn’t raised to be terrified, not when family needed me. I shook my head frantically.
“Terrified? I’m not terrified. I’m enraged. This is about me. She was in my car. They don’t want her, they wanted me. I’m a La Marcello. La Marcellos don’t hide from anyone. I don’t run from anyone.
“This mole he hasn’t been found and as a result they have Angie,” I spit out. “Well, I think it’s time we smoke him out. We know it’s someone that knew enough to know my car. What else do you know?”
“You were in that car yesterday at your party. They had to know about the party,” Lorenzo said.
“Okay, so they only know my car because of the party. No one followed us to the apartment or came there since last night. Where did they find the car here or New York?” I asked.
“Here in Jersey. It was at a light between here and her house,” Lorenzo replied.
“So, they don’t necessarily know where we live. They must have been looking for the car. Let’s start with this room. I trust everyone in here.
“Each of you knew where to find me and have watched over me in the past five months. So, the mole is not in this room. Who has access to information like the party, outside of this room, that doesn’t know me well?” I pondered.
“Personal, Kid, I think it’s coming from Terry’s camp, which is sad cause Ang is his daughter. He’s the one with the leak if you ask me,” Uncle Sal offered.
“Yeah, I was thinking the same thing, Venn,” Uncle Frankie said.
“Yeah, I know guys. Terry has a big mouth, all you have to do is listen and he’ll give up what you need with patience. That’s why I’ve been limiting his access. It would make sense, I couldn’t hide the party from him because Angela and Joann would be there,” my father mused.
“So, fine, we know where the leak is. Now I want to catch the rat,” I said through my teeth. “Daddy, I have properties all over Jersey. Uncle Terry is going to set some bait. You bring him in and have him give each man in his team a different time and location to find me.
“The one with the time and location that gets hit looking for me, is the one with the rat you’ve been looking for. I want anyone that appears looking for me finished and before that rat is exterminated, he’ll lead me to Angie.
“Now, as for what this family or these families are looking for. They want me, let them come and get me. Again, I don’t run from anyone.
“When you find this rat, he’s going to bring them to me. They’re going to find out just who Victoria La Marcello is and when they do, they’re going to wish they didn’t. I’m going to show them why my family is the first family and why when I am a Botticelli the second will be no different than the first.
“They will fear to speak my families’ names when I’m through. Daddy that house, the estate you were holding for me, is it still vacant?”
“Yes,” he answered.
“Good, that’s where they can find me and I will finish this. There is going to be a wedding, but there’ll be a whole lot of funerals,” I demanded.
As I looked around at the faces of the men surrounding me, I could see proud grins and blood thirst in every face but one. Lorenzo looked at me with fire in his eyes and a coldness I’ve never seen on his face before. He reached out and touched my face.
“Just because I don’t get involved doesn’t mean I don’t know how. They’re doing this because they think I’m the weak link, that the families will loss power with me as the chosen son. They’re wrong,” he growled through his teeth. “She’s right, we will not hide, but I will handle this my way.
“This house, this estate she’s speaking of, it will be guarded by every loyal man in each of our families. But that’s not enough. Victoria will not take a single hit, not even to a bulletproof vest.
“Dad, I want the Twins and a few the Ghosts brought in. They’ve always been loyal to our family. Frankie it’s time Victoria learns to handle something a little more than that glock she has.
“She’s the only one I trust with her life other than me. That’s the only reason I’ll allow her next to this house she’s speaking of. I will be the one to end this, but I will not let her out of my sight.
“As for this mole and Angie, we will find them both. We will find Angie alive. Chris is like my brother and he is in love with her.
“Tonight, I had to tell my brother that I messed up and put the girl he loves in danger, when he would give his life for the woman I love. Victoria is very right, they will never speak or challenge our name again.”
I sat stunned. Lorenzo was sounding and looking exactly the way he never wanted to. Like one of them.
Like the men that surrounded us. He could say what he wanted about my temper. Lorenzo was as far gone as I was.
I heard the door behind us open, but I was locked on Lorenzo’s face and the change in his whole demeanor. I was only able to pull my attention away when the person that entered the room stood at Lorenzo’s right side.
It was Chris. I didn’t understand. Did Chris know about our families? Why was he allowed in this room?
I knew he was Lorenzo’s best friend and Angie is his girlfriend, but I was sure this wasn’t a casual meeting where an outsider should be. It only became clear to me when I saw Uncle Sal and Uncle Mike step forward. Chris was to Lorenzo what they were to my father and Alfonzo, Lorenzo’s right hand. There was no calming down and turning away from this. Lorenzo had made his choice indefinitely.
I felt a sense of pride rise in the pit of my stomach. Lorenzo meant every word he said, he would bring Angie home and he would end this. I knew that for sure, but I also knew I would be at his left side if Chris’s place is at his right.
Whoever this was that was after me and my family would know Lorenzo isn’t to be tested, and neither is his wife. I understood that I was finished in this room. It was time for me to play my wifely role and prepare a place for Lorenzo to lay his head when he was done.
I rose from my seat. Lorenzo stood with me. I reached up on my toe to kiss him.
“You come to me when you’re finished,” I whispered and turned to leave the room.
I stole a glance in Chris’s direction and I saw the same look Lorenzo wore on his face. Yes, he would do, he would protect Lorenzo and be loyal to our family. He loved Lorenzo and Angie.
Chris would do anything for the two of them. I learned that over the summer, when he would race me on the track, just to make sure I was okay. He did it just so he could report to Angie and Lorenzo. I knew what he was doing that’s why I wouldn’t speak to him on days when it hurt the most. Chris was perfect to guard my Lorenzo.
“Victoria,” I heard my father call, before I made it out of the room.
“Yes,” I answered, as I turned.
“You make this family proud. You make me very proud,” he said.
“Yes, Victoria,” Alfonzo added in. “I was thinking the same thing. You and Lorenzo show the truth of your blood. The elders would be proud.”
“I only do what I’ve been taught. Uncle Frankie, I will be downstairs in the morning,” I said and turned to leave.
I left the room and headed for the door to have one of the guards help me get our things out of the car and upstairs. The one at the door was very helpful, bringing the trunk to my room. There were plenty of rooms Lorenzo could’ve had, but I wanted him with me. My bed here is smaller than the bed in our apartment, but it would do.
I had the trunk taken into my closet and made room for Lorenzo’s things among my things I’d left behind. I took out something for him to sleep in and placed it in my bathroom. I realized I had forgotten his robe in my rush, but he wouldn’t need it here. The bathroom leads to the closet for him to get dressed.
I put his toiletries in the bathroom and then headed for the shower, so I would be out of his way when he came up. Once I stepped in the shower and let the water hit me, I allowed myself what I wouldn’t allow in front of Lorenzo or any other men downstairs.
I cried so hard it hurt. Angie was my best friend and my cousin. I had been keeping all of this from her to protect her and now she was right in the middle. I had been so mean to her today. All she wanted was time with me.
I had never thought about the two men I kept from killing Lorenzo and me until this very moment. I cried about what I had done, what I had to do that day. Then I cried because I knew I would do it again. I cried because Lorenzo was changing and I wasn’t sure what that meant. Would this new Lorenzo still love me? Would I love him?
When the tears were done, I washed my hair and finished my shower. I would never have to shed another tear for what I had done or what I was going to do. I would get my best friend back and I would do my best to help Lorenzo.
I got dressed and towel dried my curls. When I stepped out of the bathroom, Lorenzo was laying across the bed, looking up at the ceiling. I went to stand in front of him.
“Lorenzo, are you okay?” I asked.
“As okay as I can be,” he grumbled. “I don’t know how I messed up. That could’ve been you. They wanted it to be you. I knew that party was going to be a problem, but I didn’t see this. I only had them watching you.”
“Lorenzo, this isn’t your fault and I’m not going to let you stress over it. If it were me, I would have taken care of myself. Angie’s going to be fine.”
“I don’t like this, Victoria. I don’t like what it’s doing to you.” He sat up and wrapped his arms around me. “It’s fine if this is what I have to do, but it’s like you’re becoming a mini Venny.”
“Lo, I only want you safe. I’ll do whatever I have to for that,” I said, as I cupped his face.
“That’s what I mean, Victoria. I don’t need you worrying about me. It’s crazy that you’re even involved in this, but I don’t know how to stop it.”
“Maybe you shouldn’t try,” I said softly. “I know when I don’t need to be involved, but I know when you need me. Trust me, Lo. We can fix this together.”
“Baby, I do trust you. That’s what’s driving me insane,” he argued. “I picked Chris to stand with me, but it feels like you should be taking the other place and that’s wrong. I don’t trust anyone the way I trust you and Chris. There are no cousins, no friends, no one. This is all happening right now because someone didn’t check the people around him. I won’t do that, not with your life at stake.”
“Lorenzo, if you need me, I’m here to help. Don’t push me away. Let Chris do what he needs to for everyone to see. I’ll be what they don’t see.” I was starting to understand what was happening. I wanted to let him know I would be there if he needed. “Babe, don’t be afraid of what I am to you. Our Grandfathers said I was special. Take advantage of what you have.”
Lorenzo stood up, lifting my face to his. “You don’t know what you’re saying. I won’t put you in danger like this. Do you know what Uncle Sal and Uncle Mike are?
“Do you know what Uncle Fredo does? Do you understand why I asked Uncle Frankie to teach you and not anyone else?” He was almost angry. “Being like this is so natural to you, but do you know what goes on when you’re not being targeted because of a marriage? Do you know why our families are on top?
“You never asked me why I didn’t want this. There is a reason the wives never know the truth, but you are so eager for it.”
“Lo, I only want to know what you want me to. If you feel I don’t need to know something, I’ll trust you and I won’t argue. If it means you’re keeping me safe, I’ll understand, but when you need me to know, I need you to understand that I can handle it,” I said doing my best to make sure it was clear.
He sighed. “I don’t want to think about this right now.” The aggravation was clear on his face and I needed to help him relax.
“Then don’t,” I said, as I stroked his cheek. “Let’s think about something else.”
He pulled me up on my toes and kissed me more passionately than I was expecting. I grabbed a hand full of his hair and threw myself into the kiss. He locked his fingers into a bulk of my curls.
I let out a soft moan, which only made him pull me closer. I could feel the frustration running through him, causing me to want to kiss him more. I wanted to make him forget it all.
I pulled away, moving over to the bed and laid back on it. I reached out for Lorenzo and he didn’t resist. He climbed onto the bed over me, looking into my face. He placed his hand on my thigh and began to kiss me. I tried not to be nervous or scared of what was happening. I just let him kiss me and I kissed him back.
“Victoria,” he breathed out, placing his forehead to my chin. “I love you. I promise, I won’t let anyone hurt you. Promise me, you’ll do the same, don’t make me regret having you in that house.”
“I promise, Lorenzo, we’ll both leave that house alive. You won’t regret having me there,” I said letting him hear my determination. “I love you too.”
“I know. Get some sleep. I’m going to take a shower, I need to think,” he sighed, as he kissed my nose and moved off the bed, towards the bathroom.
I climbed in under the sheets, but I couldn’t sleep. I had too much to think about. Lorenzo asked me if I knew what our uncles did, if I knew why Uncle Frankie teaches me to shoot? If I know what went on with our families?
He said there were reasons the wives didn’t know these things. Lorenzo was trying to protect me from so much more than I knew. He was upset about more than I knew. I wanted to know what was really going on with him, but I wasn’t sure how to ask or if I should.
I laid there playing with my thoughts, trying to sleep, but I couldn’t fall out. Lorenzo was in the shower for a while. When he came out, he climbed in the bed with me.
I curled up next to him and put my head on his chest. He played in my hair and rubbed my back, which was very helpful. I was able to relax and fall asleep.