by Blue Saffire
I made sure to tell Terry to mention that we’re heavily guarded. I want to insure they send as many men as possible. I plan to send one big fucking message to whoever is sending them out.
I don’t want to tell Victoria, but I sent a Ghost to Florida. Once we’re done here, I want it to be more than clear that I mean business. It will be clear that my father and Venny are child’s play next to me.
It’s going to be a long day. I wished I could just lie in bed with Victoria in my arms all day. If we didn’t get up in the next twenty minutes, Maria would definitely be knocking on the door looking for us.
One of the reasons I don’t want to move was because I knew when I did I’d have to tell Victoria everything that is going on. At least the parts she needs to know. I wanted to keep my baby innocent for a little while longer.
I’m not sure what all of this is doing to her. I never saw her give a second thought to the two guys she murdered at the vineyard. That worried me, but I never knew how to bring it up to see how she felt about it.
“Lo,” Victoria whispered, as she began to caress my chest.
“Yeah?” I murmured.
“If you need to talk I’ll listen. I mean about what’s going on.”
“We’ll talk. Right now, we need to get up. Maria will be waiting.”
“Okay, do you want to go first, I can wait?”
“No, you go. I need to check my phone.”
Victoria stood up out of bed to stretch. I wanted to tell her to come back to me, but I had a lot to do. I got up to head over to my cell phone.
First thing I needed to check was if Chris had returned. He’d gone to his parent’s place this morning for a few things, since he’d be following us from now until the wedding.
Next, I wanted to know if they finally had answers for me. I needed to know where the guys from the trap house were from. I didn’t believe this all was coming from Florida. One family wouldn’t act alone like this. When I find out where the others are from, I’d be sending them a little gift as well.
I paced the room lost in my thoughts, sending my messages, when I heard a tap on the door. I guess we weren’t moving fast enough for Maria. I wanted to finish what I was focused on first, so I gave my cell phone a few seconds to give me a response before answering the door.
Chris was the first to reply. He was back and downstairs eating breakfast. Figures. Another tap came at the door, before I finished reading his message.
“Hold on a minute,” I grunted at the door.
My second response came in. Atlanta and Phoenix had just made my hit list. So be it.
I went to the door to answer. I opened the door to find Matt on the other side. I was a little shocked. He and Martina weren’t supposed to come in until next week.
As I looked over his face, I found anger and frustration. I took him in fully to see his nostrils flaring and his fists balled up. I lifted a brow, I wasn’t sure what his problem was.
As I stood there in my sleep pants and no shirt, I knew he couldn’t have a problem with that. Finding me in Victoria’s room couldn’t have been his issue. Matt had come to the apartment before. He knew we slept in the same room.
Whatever his problem was, I didn’t have time for it. I hoped he would make it quick, so I could get to more important things.
“Hey, Lorenzo,” he greeted me, sounding as frustrated as he looked.
“What’s up, bro? What are you doing here? Thought you were coming next week,” I cut straight to the point.
“Yeah, I thought so too, until my dad called me last night. I’m a little pissed it took that long for someone to call me. Vic and Ang mean the world to me. I would have liked to have been told they were in danger when this all started. There’s no way I would’ve left,” he grumbled.
“I kind of think that’s why no one said anything. We wanted to try to remain as normal as possible,” I informed him.
“Yeah, Lo, but I kind of thought you and I had become friends. I thought you of all people would understand how I feel about those girls, especially Vic. I’ve been protecting her since I could talk.
“Is she okay? How is she taking all of this?” He said, I could see how hurt he was. I kind of felt bad, but it wasn’t my call to tell him.
“Matt, I was only doing what they asked me to. Victoria is okay. You know her, she’s dealing in her way. I’m not sure what to think about that sometimes, but I think she’s going to come through this fine,” I admitted.
“Well, I just wanted you to know I’m here and I plan to do whatever it takes to take care of this mess. They’re my family, Lo, and I really do see you as family too. I didn’t think I would be so cool with Vic or Ang having boyfriends, but you and Chris are the best choices they could have made.”
As Matt’s words sank in, I truly thought about it. He was the only other person besides Chris, I knew I could count on to protect Victoria.
“I’m glad you’re here, Matt. I’ve come to see you as family too. It’ll be good to know I have one more person around that I trust with Victoria’s life.”
Before my thought was finished, Victoria ran pass me squealing. She pulled wrapped around Matt in a hug. He hugged her back so hard, I could see how much he meant his previous words.
I could totally understand Matt being hurt that no one thought to tell him what was going on. I learned how close he and Victoria really are over the summer. During the time, he spent at our place.
Even when Victoria and I weren’t speaking and she wouldn’t talk to anyone else, Matt was always able to light her face up when he would show up. I think he stayed away when he did because he doesn’t like any drama that hurts her if he could not control it.
He saw her melt down as something having to do with the drama in her family. We had talked one time and he told me that he felt bad for me. He thought Victoria was closing me out because of the Venny, Lakeaisha, and Maria mess. He read into the scene at the party as the cause of Victoria’s shut down. If he knew it was really because of me, I probably would’ve had to fight him.
“Hey, Vic, how are you, Princess?” he asked gently.
“I’m great, Matt. What are you doing here? You shouldn’t be here ‘til next week,” Victoria chimed.
“I’m here to make sure there is a next week. Vic, you should have told me.”
“Told you what, Matt? There’s nothing to tell you. You need to go back to school. I’ll see you and Martina next week,” she said quickly and turned to walk back into the room.
“Oh, no, you don’t, Vic. I want to talk to you. My father told me everything that’s been going on. I know about you and Lo planning to be Bonnie and Clyde,” he said, reaching for her arm to bringing her back to him.
“All I want is to help and make sure you’re really okay. You’re going to talk to me. I’m not going anywhere until I know you’re safe.”
“Lorenzo, tell him, no. I don’t want him here. We’ll be fine. He doesn’t need to be here,” she looked up at me and begged.
“He’s not the boss of me, Vic. Besides, Lo understands why I’m here,” Matt argued.
I didn’t have time for this and I didn’t want to be in the middle of it either. I did understand where Matt was coming from. Me telling him to leave would be like someone telling me I couldn’t protect Lucie. That shit would never happen.
Victoria struggled to break free from Matt, while looking at me for help. I didn’t want to fight with her this morning. This wasn’t what I needed. I tried to figure out how to get out of this without pissing her off.
Honestly, I kind of hoped she’d would let Matt talk to her. She needed to talk to someone. I know there are things she won’t say to me. Maybe she’d say them to Matt.
When Victoria saw I wasn’t going to interfere, she gave up. She crossed her arms across her chest and wrinkled her nose at me.
“Lo, you won’t help me?” she asked, in a tiny disappointed voice.
My heart hurt to not give her what she wanted, but I couldn’t deny Mat
t what he wanted. Not as a man that understand where he was coming from. I gently kissed her on the cheek and turned to head for the bathroom.
As I walked away, I felt something hit me in the back of the head. I turned to see Victoria’s eyes narrowed at me. My eyes shifted to the floor, and next to my feet set a little stuffed bear that had been sitting on her desk. I chuckled at her, shaking my head, before turning for the bathroom again. She’d get over it.
I was in and out of the shower quickly. I had wasted too much time with Matt and Victoria at the door. I found the blue suit and white shirt, Victoria placed in the bathroom for me. I smirked, my baby wants to be such a good wife. I have no doubts she will be.
As I dressed, I could hear her and Matt talking on the other side of the door. I tried to be as quiet as possible, I wanted to hear what they were saying. Thankfully, Matt was getting answers to questions I had.
“Vic, I heard about the vineyard. My dad has been bragging about you since I got in. What happened? I mean, are you okay with what you did?” he asked.
I was so grateful to this guy. That was exactly what I wanted to know, it was one of my biggest concerns. I instantly slowed down getting dressed to hear her response.
I went to the door and tried to crack it a little, hoping they didn’t hear. Once I had it opened, I leaned against the bathroom counter, folding my arms across my chest and listened.
“I did what I had to, Matt. I guess I’m okay with it. I mean…Matt, you promise not to tell anyone,” she ordered.
“Okay, Princess, I promise,” he teased.
“I never thought about it again, not until Ang was missing. That was the first time I cried about it. I don’t know.
“I didn’t cry because I was scared just because I know what I did and I wouldn’t have a problem doing it again. That felt a little weird, but I know I did it to protect us. Does that make me a bad person?”
“No, Vic, if you didn’t do it, then you or Lorenzo may not be here,” he assured her. “Remember that time I wouldn’t speak to you or Angie for like two months?”
“Yeah, I remember that. I was so hurt. I didn’t know what I did to you,” she replied.
“You guys didn’t do anything,” he explained. “That weekend before it started, I had been with my dad and Uncle Venny.
“Some guy was heading for your dad with a gun, but they weren’t listening to me when I tried to tell them. I grabbed my dad’s gun and shot the man. That was my first time. The first time I took a life. I was pretty messed up about it. I couldn’t talk to you guys about it, so I didn’t want to talk.”
Hearing Matt tell Victoria his story made me hate this fucking lifestyle even more. I know the feeling Matt is talking about. I had once been there too. It was a feeling Victoria had no business feeling. Yet she had experienced the same thing we did. Only difference was, she wasn’t half as bothered as we were. I wanted and needed to understand that.
“Matt, we were so young. I didn’t know,” I heard Victoria say. “I’m sorry you couldn’t tell me. But Matt, maybe it’s because it was my life and Lorenzo’s I had to save. I really don’t think it bothers me that much,” she sighed.
“I was a little worried about how Lo felt about it. He gets this look on his face whenever he sees me around a gun. Sometimes, I think he doesn’t like me because of what I did. It’s like he wants to forget it happened. I just wish he would understand I meant what I said about keeping anyone from harming him.”
Hearing her words hurt and angered me. Victoria is always way too worried about protecting me. I was never upset with her because of what she did. I was upset she had to. I just hated to see her with guns because it wasn’t her place. That’s what I meant about her maturing in some things too quickly.
The main thing she shouldn’t even know about was the one thing she took to as if she belonged. Why didn’t it bother her? Was she that much like her father?
I did want to forget that day happened, if it meant she would go back to being oblivious to what’s happening around her. I knew Victoria meant every word she said about protecting me, and that’s what drives me insane. I could just see her stepping in harm’s way thinking she was protecting me.
“Vic, I don’t think Lo could ever not like you because of anything. He just feels the same way I do. We know what all this adds up to and we don’t want to see you involved in that,” Matt explained.
In that moment, I was so glad I didn’t help Victoria put Matt out. He was like a brother, and understood exactly what I wanted to say to her. Matt said all the words I didn’t know how to say.
“You should be a princess the way we see you. I know I joke with you about that, but that’s the way I see you. I’ve always been taught to protect the princess. Sure, I let you fight some of your own battles, but those were the little ones. The big things like this belong to us, not you.”
“I think I understand what you mean, Matt, but that confuses me because my father has always said to protect my family and my name,” she replied in answer. “All my life I was taught that I didn’t use the name because I had to protect it and my family.
“Now everyone wants me to take a back seat when protecting my family and my name has become most important. I can handle myself. I know Lo is worried about me showing off and getting hurt, but I can do this. I can stay safe for him and watch his back, to make sure he is safe for me.”
“Vic, I don’t think that’s what he wants. I think he just wants to keep you safe,” Matt said sincerely.
“Yeah, I know, but that’s asking too much of me, Matt,” she said with an edge in her voice. “If I don’t at least keep myself aware of his safety and know that I’m ready to protect him if he needs it…Matt, if I don’t and something happens to him…then what? I love him. I won’t ask him to risk his life for me if I’m not ready to do the same.”
“I guess I understand that,” Matt offered.
“And that’s why I need you to go back to school. Matt, you’re like my big brother. I can’t worry about you if I want to stay safe for Lorenzo and protect him,” she demanded.
“And that’s why I’m here. You don’t have to worry about me or Lo. I’ll have his back, so that he can keep you safe,” he said and chuckled. “Vic, I heard you know a lot more than you should, so I guess this is okay to tell you.”
My skin began to prickle. I hoped he could put her at ease with whatever he was about to say. I just had no idea what the hell he was about to say.
I didn’t think Matt would tell her anything that I would be upset for her to know. I tried to listen harder anyway, to make sure he didn’t.
“My dad is like the guardian for the family. He knows all about all those guns, he taught you about, because he was trained when he was little for what he does. That’s his position and Vic, I’m one of his apprentices. When he steps down, it’s my job. You understand? Just like Lo is next in line for his dad and Venny’s spot.”
Right there, that was too much. Victoria didn’t need to know what I was in line for. I slammed the door shut to get him to shut his mouth.
I was tempted to let my hair go without touching it, but I wasn’t going to walk around all day with bangs. My hair had gotten a little too long with all the running around I’d been doing. I grabbed the gel and fixed it as fast as I could. I still tried to listen to see if they were still talking.
I walked out of the bathroom and could see them sitting on Victoria’s little sofa. They both looked like little kids caught with their hands in the cookie jar. I think Matt understood he said just a little too much, but I knew he would’ve told her more if she wanted. That’s what we do for Victoria. We gave her what she wants and what makes her happy.
I tried to keep the frustration off of my face, as I walked over to Victoria and kissed her forehead. I thought about what I needed to tell her and I figured Matt being here while I did wasn’t a bad idea. Not since he needed to know. It would keep me from having to say it twice. Although, I’m sure Uncle Frankie filled Matt
in quite enough.
I looked at my watch and sighed. I hoped I could get through this before Maria came looking for us. I could see I wasn’t hiding the stress well because Victoria looked up at me with that look. The, how can I fix this, look. I just winked at her hoping that was enough to get her to relax.
“I need to talk to you both. You’re going to need to know what’s going on,” I started.
“Is this about where you were yesterday?” Victoria asked.
“Yes,” I said, nodding. “I was with the team I brought in for this. Matt, I brought in the Twins and ten Ghosts.”
Victoria may not have understood this, but I was sure that Matt did. The way his eyes lit up I knew he did. The Twins and Ghost were legendary.
“We move into the location tonight. We’re still deciding on the final plan. Our extra guests are here to limit the risk we’re all taking.
“Victoria, I need you to rest as much as possible today when you’re not busy. When we get to the estate you won’t really have time. I need you to learn how to work with the Ghosts to stay out of their way if it comes to that.”
“Cool, I always wanted to see a Ghost at work,” Matt said with a huge grin on his face. “I have a question though. How are you so sure they’ll come? They’ve missed three times now and lost their men each time.”
“That’s exactly why I know they’ll come,” I hissed. “They won’t stop ‘til we stop them or they get what they want. We can’t just sit and hope to hide until the wedding.”
“Got it, my Dad said Vic can handle pretty well, but I don’t want it to come to that. So where you two are is where I’ll be,” Matt ordered.
I didn’t dream of arguing with him on that. I could see in his eyes it was final. I nodded my head in agreement, as I watched Victoria curling up in pain.
I knew what Uncle Frankie’s job was and I knew that Matt had to be trained well if that was his calling. Hell, to be trained by Frankie was to be trained by the best. Usually, Uncle Frankie would handle something like this himself, if it wasn’t so out of control.