Siempre Mío

f o u r t e e n

"So Javier is dating someone. Yeah, he finally decided to settle down with someone but I'm not sure how long it will last. I haven't met her yet but she might come to the Masquerade in a few months."

I nodded and listened as Antonio filled me in with all the information from Italy.

"Don wants to send out the invitations for the ball as soon as your back so people can RSVP in advance like usual."

"Well, my work here is almost done. I just need to deal with a few minor issues, then we can head back together and Javier will hopefully be ready to introduce us to this new girl of his."

"Forget that for a second. How are you, Lorenzo? We haven't spoken in a while after the whole Oscar situation, which is resolved now. But, how are you?"

"I'm good actually. This work is a huge responsibility and I need to finish it before we make our way back to Italy."

"That's understandable. Do you need any help here?"

"Not really, I just have to speak to one more gang leader who situated his gang on the outskirts of Mexico City."

"Okay. Oscar wanted me to join him for a party later tonight, and I was wondering if you wanted to come? It's just a bunch of their gang members, some drinks and music, and whatever food they decide to cook up. You interested?"

"I'll come for the food, I stopped drinking remember?"

"Ah yeah, my bad."

I shook it off and let him leave to help his brother. The hotel room was looking as clean as it was when we first arrived, besides the odd clothing items I had hanging up.

The masquerade was coming around the corner, and I couldn't remember the last time we had one.

The dress code was the usual, suits and dresses. I always enjoyed these events, but the one thing I didn't appreciate was the men who would only talk business.

I understood why, but it was tedious. They only wanted to know our secrets and stick their noses in our business, as if trying to insinuate that they knew of our illegal doings, which they knew nothing about.

A knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts and I went to open it.

"Esa jevita está enterita, tiene tremendo." Nicky sang as he walked in.

"Culo!" I replied, laughing at his antics. "Come, we better get going now so we can finish the job early and get back."

"You're right, let's go."

I locked the door of the hotel room and we went into the elevator, ready to find the last gang leader.

He was the one that was defacing gang territories. At night, his gang and him would terrorise people with creepy masks and use spray paint to spray their logo on any and all surfaces in Mexico City.

Nicky took the aux before I could start my music, and began playing Pop Smoke and other drill artists.

"I don't have time to listen to American drill songs, and you always pick the music so let me do it for once."

I rolled my eyes but let him play his music. The car started up and I sped down the road, swerving past other cars as we went.

"So, who's this guy you said you found?"

"You know the logo that got sprayed on your car the other week?"

He nodded in answer.

"Well, I found the guy responsible. Him and his gang are located outside of Mexico City but they're trying to move into this area with the little territory they have."

"Oh right. Well, they owe me money for that, 'cause it's so expensive to fix up cars these days. Damn assholes." He said, shaking his head.

"Tell me about it. Anyways, this drive shouldn't take long and we have to get back before the evening. Oscar's throwing some sort of get together with his gang and wondered if I would join them. You want to join along?"

"Eh, why not? Ain't got much to do tonight anyways."

We fell into a comfortable silence and I continued to drive as the sounds of one another's music taste filled the car.
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Wen we arrived at the house, the first thing we heard was the music. Blasting from the inside of the house was the sounds of Safaera by Bad Bunny, and the outside of the house was covered with spray painted art. Bottles of booze littered the grass and a worn down couch was situated on the side of the lawn with two people sitting on it, laughing and talking to one another before one of them noticed me.

"Go get Luis. Ahora." The taller one said, the other guy leaving us three outside to go get Luis. "¿Puedo ayudarte?"
[translation: can I help you?]

"Yo quiero hablar con Luis. Is he here?"

"He'll be here."

Just as he said so, a man walked out of the house. He wore a plain t-shirt and shorts and had a visible gun print on the side of his waist.

"¿Hay algún una problema aquí?" He spoke.
[translation: is there a problem here?]

"No, solo quiero hablar contigo."
[i just want to talk to you]

"Come inside, let's talk."

He led us inside and the strong smell of alcohol and weed hit me instantly.

"Sorry, it's a bit messy but in my defence, I wasn't expecting visitors."

"I wanted to talk to you about your gang's appearance in la ciudad. You're trespassing on gang territory with your gang almost every night with new sprays coming daily. A lot of the main gangs there are wondering if you are planning on entering Mexico City- but if you aren't, they want you to back off."

"And if I don't?" He said, leaning back on the sofa, a joint between his fingers.

"They'll declare a gang war on you, whether you're ready or not. They don't care if you have the supplies or members for it, they'll just come for you."

He blew smoke into the air and looked up.

"You're not from here, so why are you warning me?"

"I don't have to explain myself to you. Just do what's asked of you or leave. Take your gang elsewhere or remain here and stop trespassing. You'll get killed for it if you get caught."

"Who are you?" Luis said; he was getting irritated and I could tell. The one thing I didn't want was for a shootout to begin here.

"Lorenzo Martinez," I answered confidently, "the underboss to the Don of the Italian Mafia. I used to lead a mafia here until a few years ago, and I'm giving you advice. Take it or get yourself and your gang killed."

Just as I finished, the guy reached for his gun.

I whipped out mine and suddenly, the door burst open.

"Your men are surrounded pendejo. Drop your gun or die." Said a familiar voice.

With my gun still cocked and aimed at Luis, I turned to see Antonio and Oscar at the door.

"I'll explain later. Deal with these guys first." He mouthed.

"Now, you gonna agree with me or no?" I said, tilting my head and smirking at him.

"Asshole."
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Winter or Summer? Or any of the other seasons?