Chapter 21
21
Lorenzo
The car ride stretches on. A strange silence sits between us. It hovers, filling the air. It’s heavy but not unwelcome.
I sit in the back seat, boxed in by the two people who just turned my entire life inside out.
My cousin, Matteo, grins. And my uncle is stone-faced.
I lean my head back against the seat, fingers drumming against my thigh.
She’s gone. Victoria.
Gone.
And maybe I should be crushed, but I’m not.
All I feel right now is numb.
Fuck that…
I feel angry.
The fucking bitch left me.
She didn’t give a fuck about me.
I gave her everything. And she shits on me.
Left like I was nothing because, as it turns out, to her, I was.
It was all a lie.
A painful truth I should have seen, but I was pussy-whipped and blind.
Now I’m not.
But I won’t mourn. Not now. Not ever.
Especially with my new family watching me like I’m a puzzle piece they’ve finally snapped into place.
“We looked everywhere for you,” Matteo says, his voice cutting through my thoughts.
I glance over. He’s leaning forward, elbows on his knees, watching me like he still can’t believe I’m real and that this is happening.
“You were like a brother to me,” he says, his grin softening. “My mom said we were inseparable. Then you were just… gone p>
I nod slowly, a memory surfacing. “You had the red bike p>
His eyes widen. “You remember that p>
“Yeah.” I shift in my seat. “You always wiped out trying to do wheelies p>
Matteo laughs. “God, I did. I have this scar right here”—he jabs at his elbow—“from that one summer we built a ramp out of plywood. You dared me to jump the fountain p>
“That was your idea p>
“You dared me p>
I almost smile. Almost.
It feels unfamiliar but not unwelcome.
“You were my best friend,” Matteo says, quieter now. Something raw flickers in his voice. “And then…” He shakes his head. “It’s fine, you’re here now p>
“Only because my boss sold me out,” I mutter.
My uncle glances at me, his voice as dry as bone. “Which worked in your favor. You’re lucky we found you when we did p>
“Lucky?” I echo. “For who p>
“For all of us,” he says. “Including you p>
He turns slightly, his gaze sharp as steel cutting open old truths. “We need you, Lorenzo p>
“Why?” I ask, even though something in me already knows.
“War is coming,” he says simply. “The other side of the family has cozied up to your father’s enemies in Boston. We think they’re going to make a play. We’ve managed so far to keep them down, but we need you p>
“Why p>
“Because your name matters. Your blood matters. It carries weight. And if what we think is coming… we’re going to need you with us. Not acting as a servant in a mansion.” His eyes narrow. “You’re an Amante. And you need to live like one p>
The name hits me like a door slamming. Amante. Sharp. Heavy. Dangerous.
A name people fear. A name people follow.
It tastes strange on my tongue, like something belonging to someone else.
Someone harder. Someone colder.
Someone who doesn’t waste his time getting into fights over stupid shit.
And most importantly, someone who doesn’t fall in love.
“I’m supposed to just… what?” I ask. “Pick up a gun and join the cause p>
“We’ll train you,” Matteo says quickly, leaning forward like he’s afraid I’ll bolt. “No one’s expecting miracles. But you belong here. You’re family. And we protect our own p>
Family.
The word hits something in me I didn’t know survived the years of running. Years of hiding. Years of pretending I didn’t need anyone.
I look out the window.
The world blurs past. Forests and fences. Miles of private land. A security checkpoint with men with rifles standing at attention.
This is power.
The kind Victoria’s world only pretended to have.
“Still,” I say quietly, more to myself than to them, “fuck it, why not? She left anyway p>
Matteo glances at me, sympathy flickering across his features. “Victoria p>
I don’t answer. I don’t need to.
He seems to get it anyway. “She’s an idiot p>
My jaw clenches so hard I taste iron.
The car slows as we round a corner, and then I see it.
Massive steel gates rise ahead of us, taller than anything I’ve ever seen. Surveillance towers on either side. Armed guards are on patrol.
Where the fuck are we?
Is this how they live?
Past the gates, I see a sprawling estate.
Holy shit.
“Home sweet home,” Matteo says.
My uncle speaks without looking at me. “Welcome to your new life. The life you never should’ve left p>
The gates begin to open. I grip the edge of my seat as the SUV rolls forward. I’m not the same person I was this morning. That boy is gone, buried beneath betrayal.
Everything is about to change.
This is the beginning of something else.
Something darker.