24. Bay
TWENTY-FOUR
bay
Lorenzo Black.
Said to be Emilio Wildes’s right-hand man, the previous king of Wharf Bay, and a man who has run and formed the Forsaken Crew like a newborn child, making it flourish and, let’s not forget, rivaling my hometown.
Yet, Levi reminded me that no qualms have been started by the man who birthed such a feat. He only formed and nursed it to life while Emilio orchestrated its future.
However, it doesn’t give me a warm and fuzzy feeling inside when Ozzy flanks my right and Cairo my left, guiding me through the all-stoned mansion, and inside are the most beautiful light brown floors that shine off the immense lighting on the inside.
In the foyer, hangs a beautiful crystal chandelier and a large staircase, and even though the place is bougie as all hell, it’s inviting and warm. It’s had a woman’s touch because nothing dark or menacing is designed through these four walls.
I don’t want to be here.
After talking to Levi over the phone—since he’s out doing crazy shit—he told me to go since Ozzy would be with me.
I don’t see how it changes anything.
However, Levi’s point was to see what Black wanted and that I could use all the support that I could possibly get.
“Lorenzo is an alright dude,” Levi says. “Used to be homies with Roger.”
“So?” I press back. “What does that have to do with now?”
“I’m curious.”
“I’m not.”
“Black ever say anything to you before about meeting his dad?”
I scoff. “Cairo barely says anything to me.”
Levi hums, waiting a few beats before saying, “Do me a solid and go. Take my Glock. I really don’t want you to, but Ozzy will be there. He won’t let anything happen to you.”
“Why do you trust this guy so much?”
“I just do.”
The clicking and clacking of heels echoing somewhere in the house draws me back to reality, as Cairo stops and turns his body slightly, peering down at me with a remorseful expression. “I’m going to apologize now for?—”
“Sweetheart, did you bring her?” A sweet, sugared voice fills the space as Cairo returns to my side, revealing a woman with dark brown hair with tints of copper.
She’s beautiful with high cheekbones and a perfectly straight nose. Her light brown eyes are kind and excited as she locates me immediately and smiles.
No, her smile is the most stunning part of her because slowly my anxiety begins to dwindle, and I’m caught in awe of the tenderness that drawls off her voice and sweeps across my skin.
“Bay.” She says my name like she’s been dying to say it for years, continuing forward, but at a cautious pace. As if she’s scared I might pivot and leave right out the front door behind me. “You’re absolutely beautiful. Like your mother.”
My heart tightens, arresting in my chest because that’s still a person I know zero about. That I’ve still never bothered to get answers about because what’s the point?
If she was perfect in every way, what is that going to change for me? It’s only going to get me more upset, more into my feelings about someone who couldn’t be a monumental character in my story. That could help fight against Emilio in a way that no one else could since he was the one who spawned me.
But maybe she wasn’t so wonderful after all.
What kind of woman falls in love or lust with a monster? My birth mother could’ve been stunning in all ways that could get her whatever she wanted, but that does nothing for me and my family at the end of the day. She could’ve been just one more person to work against me, Levi, and everyone else I love—something I don’t need right now.
“Welcome.” The woman stops a good distance in front of me, keeping that warm and approachable smile on her face. “It’s so good to see you.”
I don’t know what to say.
I just want to get this visit over with and see what the mighty Lorenzo Black has to say to me and why I’d want to hear it.
“Bay, this is my mother, Avena.” She takes Cairo’s introduction and extends a small hand with perfectly manicured red fingernails.
I’m quick to take it and drop it, my words still clogged in my throat that this woman knew my mother and everything she was.
Avena steers her attention to Ozzy, who hasn’t moved or spoken a word since we all left my house. “My darling, how have you been?” She ambles forward, stopping in front of him and placing two palms on either side of his face, shocking the ever-loving fuck out of me. “You haven’t come to dinner nor have you come to see me. I was starting to think you forgot all about me.”
He doesn’t move, nor does he flinch, and it only hammers in the prospect that I’m the problem.
“I’m sorry,” he whispers like a small boy who’s actually contrite for his actions.
Avena only brushes her finger once along his cheek and gives it a light tap. “It’s all right, you’re here now. You’re staying for dinner?” He nods, and she releases him. “Good.” Her light focus comes to me. “My husband is ready to see you when you’re ready. Would you like something to drink?”
“No…thank you.”
She gives me a curt nod and meets Cairo’s gaze, giving him the silent go-ahead to chaperone me to the reason I’m really here.
Cairo follows her order, walking in front of me while Ozzy flanks my back. We enter an enormous living area with beige couches, a white stone fireplace, and more chandeliers hanging perfectly from the ceiling. A pair of French doors lead into an even more spacious backyard with an underground pool, receiving a bunch of natural sunlight to enter.
Along the far-side wall to my right is a door, contrasting the lightness of the room because it’s a dark brown and it’s the one Cairo stops at.
I expect him to open it, not turn and face me.
“Fair warning,” he mutters, those dark pools latching on to me as if commanding I pay attention. It’s hard not to. His black inky hair is aimlessly styled, but in that casual, I-don’t-give-a-fuck way. I’ve seen glimpses of his tattoos before, but it’s his eyes that command my every ounce of focus. Like he’s training me for the biggest battle of my life when Levi has warned me of it a million and one times. “Code word is Pizza Planet.”
“What?”
He points at my shirt, causing me to glance down and see it’s a Toy Story replica of the famous pizza place in the movie. A movie I played on repeat over and over again while Dad watched it with me. I even had a Buzz Lightyear doll for one of my birthdays. “If you feel uncomfortable, we leave. If you want to just go, we’ll go. Do you understand me?”
“Yes?”
One of his brows rises questionably. “You high?”
“I could only wish right now. You’re making me believe this is a bad idea again.”
“What made you change your mind?”
Nice try.
“Should I?” I challenge back. “You let me know.”
“No one is going to hurt you here.”
“I’ll believe that when I walk out of here unscathed.”
He stares at me for a moment, before uttering, “Fair enough.”
Turning back for the door, he opens it, leading the way inside the study, plastered in dark wooden walls and warm lighting. The space is well decorated but not overly done.
And even though it’s the complete polar opposite of what I’ve seen in the house so far, it still has a woman’s touch to it. Especially the small vase of red roses on one of the bookshelves and the black throw pillows on the leather furniture.
“Miss Astor.”
My eyes slice to my right, finding Lorenzo in all black standing behind a dark wood desk, but his expression matches his wife’s.
Kind, chill, and happy to see me.
“I’m thrilled that you’ve agreed to come.” He begins to round the desk and gestures politely for me to take one of the leather chairs.
A large hand barely presses into my spine, urging me to move when I don’t and take a seat.
“I’m sure you have a million questions.” I find Lorenzo in front of a mini bar, his back to me as he pours himself a drink. “Can I offer you?—”
“I’m good.”
I impatiently wait as Lorenzo takes his time. Out of my peripheral, I notice Ozzy standing a few feet to my right, blocking the door, and Cairo takes the opposite side of the couch, making sure to keep several arm lengths between us.
Away from any stray bullets.
Nonetheless, I trust Levi’s instincts. He wouldn’t have me come here if he’d be worried out of his mind for my safety.
“I called you here to talk about your position with your father.” Lorenzo pivots and faces me, standing at the head of all of us at his desk. “You know how vital a Titan seat is, I’m sure.”
“Which father?”
“The one that you, unfortunately, share some DNA with. I’m told he wants you to take The Landings seat.”
Ah, so this is what we’re here for.
Levi with South Shore and me possibly holding The Landings. It sounds like Wharf Bay will be lacking allies.
I continue to stare at Lorenzo, pending his next comment, because I have nothing to say on the matter. I don’t even have the headspace to conjure up a lie because I’m not going to be here to see it through.
“I’ve never been enemies with South Shore.”
I hum my indifference because I’m not impressed with him trying to convince me otherwise. “No, but you’ve been sleeping in the same bed as Emilio for decades, haven’t you?”
“To protect my family.” He brings his glass of dark liquid to his lips. “Whether you find that to be cowardly or plain stupid, you’d be half right. I did what was best at the time and played my part until my son was old enough to take over and restart this generation.”
“And you want me to play nice?”
“I was hoping you would. Emilio is so desperate for you to take over and for your affection that something sounds fishy, and I’m not entirely buying it.”
“That would make two of us.”
Lorenzo leans against the edge of his desk. “I know you don’t trust me, and I don’t expect you to. However, as I mentioned before, this isn’t the first time you and I have met. I took you in as a little girl when Roger was separated from your stepmother, Paisley. You lived with me and my wife while I sent my daughters and son away in case Emilio discovered the truth that you were still alive.”
“And why would my father send me away at all?”
Because that makes zero sense.
“Emilio threw a hit on Roger. And The Nameless were still getting on their feet. Your father hadn’t fully developed them. So, in the meantime, I protected his most precious asset while I assisted with beefing up his army.”
Damn, I wish Levi was here.
He’s better at this than I am. All the politics and backstories. I’m still learning everything, and I have nothing else but to trust Lorenzo isn’t feeding me a line of bullshit.
But if Levi knew, so would I.
“You’re telling me that you helped build The Nameless.”
“Some of it,” Lorenzo confirms. “Though, Roger did most of it. I was only there to make sure Emilio didn’t take over South Shore.”
“But you built him the Forsaken Crew.”
“To the naked eye, yes. But I remained in control of it. If I ever had to use it against Emilio, it was always mine to unleash. And now that Cairo has won his Titan seat, Emilio is building The Void. He lacks trust in my son and that he’ll continue to support him.”
I steal a glance at Cairo, who has a leg crossed over his knee. “And why would Emilio not trust you? You’re Torin’s boy.”
“Because I’ve never fed into his line of bullshit about how we’re all brothers and should stick together.” Cairo doesn’t spare me a glance, looking off at the wall. “They are my brothers, yes. But I’ve seen firsthand what the man is capable of.”
“And that’s utter destruction,” Lorenzo tacks on. “You’re not safe. It doesn’t matter what he feeds you. Emilio will require you to fall in line, and everyone is disposable.”
Tell me something I don’t know, old man.
“I wish you could confirm all this,” Lorenzo continues. “But unfortunately, Roger isn’t with us anymore.” He reaches behind him as my stomach aches from the constant reminder. But I’m not able to focus on it long because Lorenzo strides forward and presents two photos. “These are of you. Avena was obsessed with you. Especially after your mother was taken.”
I pluck the two photos from his grasp and look down at them.
Dark hair, the same blue eyes.
The same woman who just greeted me at the door but a bit younger.
It’s me.
I’m in a pink dress but with dirt on my knees. I was never one who kept my clothes in pristine condition, and it was one of the many reasons why Paisley couldn’t stand me.
I haven’t thought about that woman in eons.
“I don’t anticipate you wanting to throw your guard down and believe anything I say,” Lorenzo proclaims as I continue to stare at myself. “What I am asking you to do is consider Cairo an ally when you do take The Landing’s seat.”
“Why?” I solicit, keeping my feelings for the boys out of this whole conversation so I can think rationally. “Because it’ll be two against one?”
Lorenzo grins at me and it’s not a sinister, cocky smile but one that appears slightly amused. “I’m not worried about us being ganged up on. I have enough assets to hold us over in case that happens.”
“What’s in it for me?”
“Peace.” That one magical word. It almost sounds too good to be true at this point. Almost unattainable with everything that’s happened. “And Matteo De Leon’s head on a spike.”
My body goes slightly rigid as I lift my chin against promises I’m not sure he’s willing to keep. “Why would you do something like that?”
“Because I know what’s going on between the two of you. I am also fully aware of the hurt he’s caused. I promised Roger after he had his stroke to look out for you. I’m in charge of Levi Wallace as well.”
Good add-on.
And Lorenzo Black is either the best liar in the world, or Dad made sure to see this shit through.
“These are all pretty words,” I emit slowly. “But I don’t know you.”
He bows his head in understanding. “I get that. You’d be a fool to lay down your guard and trust someone you don’t remember. So, that’s why I’m giving you all this information to do with what you will. Also, Cairo will be assisting with anything you may need to take Emilio down.”
My eyes narrow. “I’m told many have tried, and no one has succeeded.”
“Yes,” he confirms lightly. “But you never had me.”
“And why haven’t you done that prior?”
“Because Roger wasn’t ready. And you weren’t supposed to be found.”
“But you were,” I argue. “You just told me you had assets to take down anyone who tried to come for you.”
“I’m a tired, old man, Miss Astor. Cairo was always supposed to take my place, and I had hoped Torin would take The Landings. You weren’t supposed to be in the equation. You were supposed to live your best life without knowing how much of a monster you were spawned from. You were always supposed to know Roger as your only father.”
“He is my father.”
“He is. However, things need to change, or it’ll always be chaos. I want my son to reign peacefully and my daughters to not live with a target on their backs. I also would like to see you and your sisters thrive. Wallace can also live without having to be on guard against war all the time.”
“And you planned to have all of them take out Emilio?”
“Together would bond them. There’s no reason why Wallace should hate Torin and vice versa.”
“You must have not been keeping up.”
Lorenzo tries his best to hide his smile behind his glass. “Eh, male egos. They get the best of us. However, Cairo and I, as well as Ozzy, are a hundred percent committed to helping you take down Emilio. I’ll even let you pick the way you’d like it done.”
“I want something else.”
“Name it,” Lorenzo replies instantly.
“I want the video Matteo holds of Judah Wildes.”