Chapter 2 ONE

"Come on now, Marco. You promised to pay last week. You didn't pay and now you're asking for extra time. Not gonna work, buddy. You're racking up those interests as it is," Lorenzo said as he turned a chair backward and straddled it.

"What do I do to you?" He asked with a tsk.

"I'm sorry. Business isn't moving like it used to before. I don't have any money at hand or I would have paid. Just please forgive me," Marco pleaded as tears and snot streaming down his face.

"This isn't good for business and you know it. Can't have people disrespecting us and thinking they can owe us and go scot-free," Lorenzo said as he stood from the chair, kicking it to the side.

He held Marco's hand to the table before smashing a bat over it. The sound of crushing bones filled the room. He hit several parts of Marco's body until it saturated his white shirt with blood.

He would have felt pity for Marco, if not because the man was a liar and a deceitful man. They had found him blowing over fifty grand at a casino a night ago knowing that he owed the De Lucas fifty grand.

"Tomorrow, I'm putting a bullet between your eyes," he spat before walking out of the bakery. He pulled out a joint from his back pocket before lighting it up.

He dropped into his car just as his phone began ringing. It was one of his brothers, so he picked up the call.

"I'm on my way home. Got the job done," he said before ending the call. He was tired and in dire need of a shower.

His skin was caked with Marco's blood and which he didn't like. It was just another night in Lorenzo De Luca's life.

*********

"You called for me, Father," Lorenzo said as he stepped into his father's study, with his elder brothers right behind him.

"I called for you hours ago," Antonio said with a sour look on his face. There was certainly no love lost between father and sons.

Antonio had only given birth to them so they could continue his lineage and rule over his empire.

"Say nothing stupid," Emilio, the eldest son, warned Lorenzo under his breath.

"I was on a job you sent me to," Lorenzo replied making sure he emphasized the 'you'. "I only got the message two minutes ago after I finished the job so I came here immediately."

"And why did you have to bring your brothers? Never mind anyway. Brio already got the job done for me. You can all get out of my sight," he snapped, waving them off. "Bunch of pussies," he mumbled as they filed out of his office.

"I'm glad he got Brio to get the job done. I'm wiped out. I need to sleep," Lorenzo said with a yawn as they all walked to their wing of the house.

"Enzo, you need to stop riling Father up. He's a mean son of a bitch when he's really pissed. We won't always be there to help you," Santiago said worriedly. "Get some sleep. I and Alessio will go check on things with Brio."

The two sauntered off after that. Nicolo, Lorenzo, and Emilio walked into the kitchen in their wing, grabbing beers from the fridge.

"Drew said his father is doing something shady, and he's sure it involved our father," Lorenzo informed his brothers, tipping his bottle backward.

Drew was an Esposito and the only son of his father. He was best friends with Lorenzo. He had an older sister that would have gotten married to Nicolo, but a few years ago she ran away and they haven't been able to find her, even though the older Esposito told everyone he had her killed for her crime.

It was all appearance to him. Like Lorenzo's father, he had no care for anyone except himself.

"Good. I hope it gets them killed," Nicolo spat out. "They're better off dead than alive."

"Shut the fuck up, Nic," Emilio bit out. "The walls have ears, plus Father is untouchable. He can't get killed easily. He might be cruel, but he's smart. Also, when do we even not get involved in something shady? It's the norm of the lifestyle we were born into."

"I used to wish I could be normal, but this lifestyle is all I know. I can't ever get out," Lorenzo said, scrubbing his hand down his face.

"I'm happy to hear that you've accepted it. In this world, we're supposed to be the kings of this empire. No showing of fear to the enemy, even when you're scared. Never forget that," Emilio advised, clamping his hand down on Lorenzo's shoulder before leaving the kitchen.

"School starts tomorrow for you. Get some sleep," Nicolo said with a little smile before he also left the kitchen.

Lorenzo let out a loud groan, placing his head on the table in front of him. He really hated school, and he had escaped for two weeks, but it was time for him to resume.

**********

"Get your ass out of bed, you fat cow," was the first thing Roxy heard as the duvet was yanked off her body, making her awake from her sleep.

"Story of my life," she said under her breath.

"What did you just say, young lady?" Garcia said with a scowl.

"Nothing Aunt. I just said good morning," she lied as she moved to her bathroom door. "Could you please close the door on your way out? Thanks."

She didn't wait for her aunt's reply as she rushed into her bathroom, but she heard her aunt's scoff of displeasure as she slammed the door on her way out.

Minutes later, Roxy was heading downstairs for breakfast in the dining room where her uncle, her aunt, and her cousin were already having breakfast.

"Hey Gigi," she said to her cousin as she plopped down on the chair next to hers. "Oh, my God, this tastes so fucking good," she said with a moan of delight.

"No wonder you're so fat," Garcia said with a look of disgust. "No one wants a fat bride. You should go to the gym and skip some meals. You need it."

Her uncle Rocco snorted. "You're just jealous that she actually has an ass to grab onto. Right Roxy?" He asked with a wink.

"Right," Roxy replied with a giggle.

"Rocco," Garcia whined, slapping her husband's chest. "Don't indulge her. Men don't like overweight girls. He needs to be able to carry her on their wedding day. With her size, I doubt any man would be able to."

"Don't body shame her, Garcia. It was at those times that men wanted skinny ladies. Nowadays, men want women with curves they can sink their fingers into. They like thick girls. Roxy isn't fat," Rocco said with a hard glare at his wife.

"Dad is right," Gigi pipped in. "Roxy's ass is a bit on the big side."

"A bit?" Garcia asked, folding her arms and leaning back in her chair.

Gigi threw her head back in laughter. "Okay, maybe a lot. But it's not a bad thing though. I wish mine was like that."

"You're perfect the way you are, Gigi. Don't change for anything or anyone. That said, are you done? I'm full already," Roxy said, pushing back her chair.

"I'm done. Let's get going."

The two girls rose from their chairs, placing a kiss on Rocco's cheek while they just waved at Garcia, who waved them off.

"Be safe girls. Remember, I have guards tailing you, so you don't have to be scared about anything happening to any of you," Rocco said with a smile. "Have a great day at school today."

"We will," they chorused as they went to the door that led to the garage, slipping into the new car that Rocco had gotten Roxy.

"I still can't believe you're the owner of a Lamborghini Aventador S Roadster. This car is so beautiful I want to stay in it forever," Gigi said with a sigh as she shut the door to the past side.

"Me, too. Let's stop at Marco's bakery to see what treat we can buy to eat later," Roxy said as she pulled out of the house.

"Woohoo!" Gigi whooped as the breeze coursed through their hair. "This is so fun."

"Yeah, and your hair is all messed up," Roxy said with a smirk. "Better fix it up. I'm sure you wouldn't want your crush seeing you like this."

"You're a bitch for pointing that out. Also, I'm over this whole crush bullshit. This is a new school year and it won't affect me one bit. I'm going to live my best and be happy," Gigi said, sticking her tongue out at Roxy.

"Good. I like this new you. We're here." Roxy pulled up in front of the bakery named Marco's but stopped short when she got out of the car and saw a closed sign. "Strange. Marco is usually here by seven in the morning. It's twenty minutes past the time."

Gigi turned the handle of the door and it opened. "Let's go in and see if anyone is inside."

The bakery was empty. None of his workers were in, so they both went to his office, where they found him passed out on the floor with bruises all over his face and his body. His shirt was stained with dried blood.

"Oh my God," Roxy gasped as the two girls dropped to his side. They tried to shake him awake, but he didn't respond. "Call 911," Roxy said, as she checked for a pulse.

She let out a sigh when she found one.

Marco's eyes blinked open. "Gigi? Roxy?"

"What happened to you?" Roxy asked, holding his face in her hands.

"The De Lucas," was all he said before he passed out again.