33. Lucas
CHAPTER 33
Lucas
T he late city night rushes by in a blur of neon lights and faceless strangers as I walk briskly down the street. My expensive suit feels stifling, the red silk tie an unwelcome pressure against my neck.
As I stand in front of my pride and joy, my boxing gym, a pang of bittersweet emotion washes over me. Memories of times before the blood on my hands, times when Serafina was still in my life, and before I embraced the very life I strived to keep kids away from. How fucking ironic.
Now that my business with the Mancinis consumes most of my time and energy, Alex has stepped up and taken over in my absence. He's done such a great job that I’ve decided to make this a permanent arrangement.
Maybe it's time to let go of my dreams and accept my fate.
"Lucas!" a familiar voice calls out just as I'm about to set foot in the gym.
I turn to see Nora waving at me from the corner cafe, her blue highlights glimmering like a beacon in the crowd. I haven't seen her since everything changed, since my world turned upside down. Despite the unease in my stomach, I make my way toward her; she does the same.
"Wow!" She stops in her tracks a few feet away from me, surprise evident on her face. "I never thought I'd live to see this day."
Remembering that she's never seen me in a suit, I tug at the blazer to straighten it out and extend my arms out to invite her for an embrace. "Needed a change."
"You look good," she says, closing the gap between us and wrapping me in a tight hug. Her leather jacket creaks as she squeezes me. "I've missed you."
We walk inside and stand in the lobby. As we stand across from one another, she studies me, her astute eyes taking in the designer suit again; then I notice her focus on the shadows that rim my eyes. "Lucas, what's going on with you? You haven't returned any of my calls in over a month. I haven't seen Serafina in even longer. And your aura - it's darker."
"I'm fine. I've been busy," I shrug, adjusting my cufflinks. "And as far as Sera goes, it didn't work out." My heart tightens at the lies.
She raises a skeptical brow. "Bullshit. Don't lie to me; you know that I can see right through you. Something's going on with you."
I sigh heavily, pinching the bridge of my nose. Keeping secrets from Nora feels wrong, a betrayal of our years of friendship. But the truth is dangerous, a Pandora's box I'm not sure I should open.
"It's complicated, Nora. It's better if you don't get involved. Trust me."
Hurt flashes in her blue eyes, and I hate myself for putting it there. But I'm neck-deep in this mess, and I'd never forgive myself if she got sucked in too. Some things you have to face alone.
Her hand covers mine, warm and comforting. "Lucas, please. Whatever it is, you can tell me. I'm here for you, always. No judgments."
I meet her gaze, seeing the sincerity shining there. She's not just my childhood friend; she and Alex are the only family I have left. If I can't trust her, who can I trust?
"Okay," I relent, my shoulders sagging. "But it's a long story. And it's not pretty."
I tell her everything, the words spilling out like a confession. About Serafina's true identity. The Mancini family's offer, a devil's bargain I couldn't refuse. The Fallen Angels Cartel involvement, another complication I never saw coming. And now, being caught between the Mancinis and Fabiettis, two warring factions ready to tear each other apart.
"My god, Lucas," Nora breathes, her eyes wide when I finish. "Mafia ties, cartels... you're in deep."
"I know," I mutter, dragging a hand down my face. "There's no way out now."
Her expression softens and she reaches out, cupping my cheek. "Hey, listen to me. You're not alone in this, got it? I'm right here, and we'll figure this out together."
I lean into her touch, letting her strength bolster mine. "I don't want to drag you into this, Nora. It's too dangerous."
She smiles, a glint of steel in her eyes. "It's good that you know the best criminal law attorney in San Francisco then, right? I've got your back, Lucas."
She pulls me into a fierce hug, and I cling to her, my face buried in her shoulder. For the first time in months, I feel a flicker of hope. Maybe, just maybe, I can find my way out of this darkness.
But the glimmer of hope is short-lived.
The moment shatters as a hail of gunfire erupts around us, the sound deafening in the quiet room. Instinctively, I tackle Nora to the ground, shielding her body with mine as glass rains down on us from the shattered windows.
"Fuck!" I curse, my heart pounding in my chest. "Stay down, Nora. Don't move."
She nods, her face pale but trusting. I scan the room, trying to locate the source of the attack, but the shooters are well hidden. Another burst of gunfire sends splinters of wood flying from the furniture, and I know we're sitting ducks if we stay here.
"We need to move," I hiss, grabbing Nora's hand. "On my count, we make a run for the back door. Ready?"
She squeezes my hand in response, her breath coming in short, sharp gasps. I count down silently, then yank her to her feet. "Now!"
We sprint across the room, bullets whizzing past us as we weave and dodge. My mind races, trying to figure out who could be behind this attack. The Fabiettis? The Mancinis? Some unknown enemy I've made along the way?
But there's no time to dwell on it now. All that matters is getting Nora to safety. We burst through the back door and into the alley behind the building, the cool night air a shock after the stuffy interior.
"This way," I urge, tugging her down the alley.
I hear distant footsteps behind us, but we keep running until we reach a side street where my car is parked.
I unlock the doors and help Nora inside before jumping in myself. Adrenaline still courses through my veins as I start the engine and peel away from the scene.
"Who could have done this?" Nora's voice shakes.
"I don't know," I admit, my jaw clenched. "But whoever it is has made a grave mistake."