27: The Uninvited Past

Lucca

"Now can you tell us why on earth did you ask us to meet you here instead of your study at home?" Francesco snarls at me with irritation clearly dripping from his tone.

We were at our club 'The Beast' and I have asked both my brothers to meet me here instead of our regular spot my study. For the last couple of days we guys usually meet in my study to discuss work related updates. The meeting usually last few minutes before Francesco says he he need to head back home to check on Eleanore or I would simply make an excuse saying my angel needs me.

I smile up at them as I incline back in my chair and rub my hands together in front of me.

"Omg he is smiling." Ciro says with wide eyes and I can't stop myself from chuckling.

"For god sake Lucca will you tell us why did you call us here??" Francesco says this time sounding more annoyed that before.

"Gentlemen," I say as I stretch both my hand out with the palm facing up "Please take a seat. I have something very important that I want to share with you guys. " I offer them the seats in front of me and they both huff out before doing exactly what I asked them to do.

"So as you both know I have found the love of my life, my angel." I start with a huge smile on my face and my tone too cheerful. But right now I didn't care. I wanted to share this news with my brothers and I could hold back my excitement. "You both know how much I love her."

Hearing my confession both their eyes grow soft and a small smile tucks on Ciro's lips but Francesco keeps his expression intact. But I don't fade, I keep the smile on my lips as I move my hand to grab the gift I got for the love of my life, my angel.

After talking to Ms.Isa and getting her blessing. I called the best jewelry store in Italy and booked an appointment with their best designer. I wanted to get something special for my angel, something that said she was all mine.

I carefully pull the jewelry box out of my jacket pocket. I slowly open the ring box and then turn it around before placing it on the table in front of me.

"Omg Lucca, it's perfect." Ciro beams up at me in excited tone and wide eyes.

I smile proudly at my choice. It was a rose gold ring with a three carat cushion cut diamond placed in the center. There was a line of small diamonds around the centre diamond making it look more pretty. The moment I saw the design I knew it would look perfect in my angel's finger. It wasn't too big or too small to go unnoticed. It was the right size.

I look at Francesco who too had a huge smile on his face but he hasn't said anything so far.

"Francesco??" I say waiting for his response.

He moves his eyes from the ring and looks at me. His eyes were soft "The ring is perfect Lucca, just like you guys." He says before standing up and coming around the table to give me a hug. I push back the chair and stand, welcoming my brothers love and support.

"I am so happy for you." He murmurs next to me as he gives me a tight side hug.

We three only have each other to depend on, to share happiness with and by marrying my angel. I would be welcoming her to my family to my circle of trust.

"I am so happy for you both." Ciro says from the side as he engulfs both of us in his hugs and we both start laughing.

"This call for celebration" Ciro says as he let's go of us and moves to make all of us drink.

Francesco and I move to the couch area in my office and take a seat opposite to each other. "So when are you planning to pop the question." He says as Ciro come behind him with whiskey bottle in his hand.

"On her birthday." I say enjoying the moment.

"That's like less than a week away." Ciro says as he starts pouring the warm amber liquid in the tumblr's resting on the coffee table in front of us.

"I know" I say as I shrug my shoulder.

"Isn't it a bit too early?" Ciro asks me.

It was a question that I expected Francesco to ask me but not Ciro. I was about to reply when Francesco chimes in before I could "When you know she is the one for you, it is never to early little brother." I look at Francesco. His tone was firm but his eyes were warm. He even had a small smile on his face as he looked out in the space around my office, as if thinking about something or maybe someone.

I nod "I agree when you know she is the one for you, you don't want to wait another minute without her."

Ciro looks at both of us with uncertainty. I know he doesn't understand what it means to find the one for you but when he does. I swear he would look exactly like us. The love sick puppies.

Francesco raises his tumblr and I follow his lead and so does Ciro "To Lucca and his future." And we all drink to it.

The warm amber liquid slide smoothly down the throat. I was excited to finally make my angel mine and only mine.

"I know this is not the right time," Francesco says as he empties his drink and looks at me "But you got any plans for Corbiniano."

Him, just thinking about that man boils my blood. The last couple of days I have been so focused in taking care of my angel that I didn't think about him.

When I remain quite Francesco clears his throat "I know Lucca you are going to start a new chapter in your life. And I will be more than happy to handle Corbiniano." His words were dripping with anger and hunger to destroy him.

I glanced up at him and saw his eyes were fearless. Corbiniano destroyed him. Corbiniano took the love of Francesco's life away from him for so many years. I don't know what I would do if any one even thing of taking my angel away from him. I would destroy everything.

"I am okay with it." I reply look at Francesco. We both share a look of understanding. I know getting his revenge from Corbiniano means a lot to him and I should respect that. Plus I was already too occupied to even think about anyone else.

Warning: The following part of the story contains some graphic and violence scenes. So if you are sensitive to them please skip this part.

V

Somewhere in New York City, United States of America.

"Boss Santo is here with some news." Diego my right hand man informs me as he comes up behind me.

I was in of one my warehouse beating the shit out of William, the rat in my circle. He thought he could come in and get all our secrets. Oh so how wrong he was.

William joined our gang almost an year ago and ever since then I have been keeping tabs on him. I knew something was up and I had my suspicious for keeping him under surveillance. But for almost eleven months he didn't make any move. Nothing. He did exactly what he was asked to do and kept his nose in his business. Fooling everyone except me cause I never make mistake in reading people. Never.

It was one thing I was gifted with or more like cursed with.

So for eleven months I waited, patiently letting William think he had fooled all of us, even me.

But I knew any day now he would get too comfortable and show his true color. And that's exactly what happened.

Last night one of our biggest gun consignment was supposed to be delivered here in the city. All our men's were ready and prepared but no one had the clue where they could ordered to go. To which port the delivery would be delivered. And exactly an hour before the delivery I ordered my entire solder's to head to the Red Hook port for delivery.

As predicted my entire soldiers were raided with hundred of  well trained FBI agents and police officers. But when they didn't find anything they had to release every single of my men with warning. Meanwhile I went to the real port site - the New York Port, alone.

I believe one doesn't need an entire army to win a war. He just needs a lot of patiences and the right time to make his move. And that is what I have been doing for the last twenty years waiting patiently for my time.

The first rule of the underworld is letting your enemy think they have outsmarted you. And when they get too comfortable or how I like to say - cocky. That's when you make your move, hitting the nail on the head.

I ignored Diego's words and continued to pound my bloody fist at the almost lifeless body before shooting him right in middle of his eyes and ending his life after torturing him for hours.

Nobody messes with me, NOBODY.

I move past the dead body and go to the sink that was mounded up against the wall on the right corner. I wash my hand and then wipe them clean with towel that Diego offered me.

"Where is he?" I ask Diego knowing my wait has finally paid off.

"He is waiting outside for you in the car Boss." Diego informs me. I nod and unroll the sleeves of my white shirt which was no longer crispy now. I button the sleeves before putting on my black suit jacket and checking my phone.

"Cleaners?" I ask Diego over my shoulders as I step out of the warehouse.

"On their way Boss."  I nod as I step out of the warehouse.

I inhale in the breeze of the city trying to calm myself. Winter in New York City always reminded me of the dark night when my maa and I first stepped in to this city. The night was colder than tonight and it was raining steadily just like now. We both were shivering from the cold and our clothes were drenched in rain. We had no place to go except take shelter in the underground train stations. My maa just had twenty dollar in total with her and we both were so hungry, cold and tired. But none of us complained. We were just thankful that we got out alive and are together.

"He is in the Bently Boss." Diego's thick voice pulls me out of my dark memory.

I shake my head and walk towards the car that was parked in front of the warehouse. But before I pulled opened the door I glanced at Diego silently asking him if he had checked everything. Because I have waited twenty long years for this day and if anyone was keeping eye on Santo my entire plan could fail and I can't let that happen.

"All the parameters are clear Boss and the area is secured." Knowing me too well he knows exactly what I am asking about.

"Good." I pull open the door to the backseat and slide in alone leaving Diego to guard.

"Hello boss, It is nice to see you." Santo says in a cheerful tone as I silently look him up and down.

Karlo Santo is a thirty plus years old man, whose life I spared four years ago when I came across some misconduct in one of my supply area. I wanted to kill him on the support but when be begged me that he would do anything and be loyal to me. I spared his life in exchange of  something very small but very important to me. I ordered him to spy on the entire Massimo family and to only contact me if there was anything important. We kept our personal face to face meeting to the minimum, only getting in touch via text and very rarely by call. But today he called and said he had finally found the lead that would destroy the entire Massimo family. The one thing I have been waiting for.

"So you say you have something that can clear your debt and even more." I ask him with a questioning gaze as I look at him straight in the eyes.

He nods his head up and down too with excitement. He was too proud of his achievement. People are too stupid they give away way more than they want to with their body language - just the santo was "I got something very big, Boss."

"Let me be the judge of that Santo. Now tell me what info you have on the Massimo's." I inform him still keeping my expression in control. I was getting annoyed and it has been a long day. I just hope whatever he got is worth this meeting.