TONY: Book 1 of The De Luca Brothers Series [COMPLETED]

9:

I set off at 20:30, taking my time during my walk to calm down my nerves. However, my heart doesn't listen. It's thudding against my rib cage either from excitement, fear or both. Like Toro said, I'm wearing fully black: a tee, jeans, converse and hoodie. My hair falls above my brow and is swept to the side, the curls voluminous from being brushed. Is it weird that I actually put effort into my appearance? No, I just don't want to look scruffy. That's it.

I reach the bridge at ten to eight and awkwardly shove my hands into my pockets, leaning against the railing and taking in the dark night. The moon is out, however the stars can't shine because of the city life and fumes.

"What are you doing here kiddo?"

I turn and take in Big Al's rugged appearance. His green beanie contrasts with his red cheeks as he sucks in air whilst placing his hands on his knees.

My brows furrow, "I could ask you the same thing."

"Going out for a-a jog," he heaves. "Fuck."

Only then do I hear the pounding of footsteps. I glance at him, "What have you done?"

"Pissed off some bikers," he grumbles awkwardly.

I sigh and shake my head, "You just have to get into trouble don't you?"

"I promised one of them a quarter of that weed you burnt last night. He's pissed," Al grumbles, preparing to sprint. Only I grip him by his elbow and shake my head.

"You're not running," I command before standing in front of him. He's slightly shorter than me, but certainly wider.
Three muscled men bound towards us and abruptly stop in front of me, about a couple of inches from my face. My Adam's Apple bobs up and down as I stare up at the leader, hiding my sudden fear and regret in defending my friend. What is with me and bad decisions lately?

The man scoffs, revealing his yellowed teeth, sunken eyes and flabby skin. He has ratty brown hair that is thrown in a loose man bun that doesn't compliment his rotten green eyes. The stench of cigarettes and alcohol resonate from his body like a virus and it takes all my will power to not gip. I hate smoking.

"Is this Al's bitch? Is this why yer wife left ya? 'Cause yer gay?" Says his gravely voice.

"No," I snap. "His wife left him because she was a bitch, now you're gonna leave too if you know what's best for you."
He tilts his head back and lets out a scratchy, throaty laugh, spittle flying out, "This kid's funny. Now move aside."

"No," I ground out. "Leave my friend alone."

The man sighs and shakes his head, "I don't have time for this." He grips my shirt with two hands and easily lifts my skinny body off my feet. I thrash out, kicking him in his house jewels and landing a pathetic punch on his nose. He drops me and groans, grabbing his prized possession with two hands. Muttering a curse, he signals his two larger friends and they instantly drive forward, colliding into me and sending me sprawling onto my back. My back connects with concrete and I hiss, one of the guys send a kick into my stomach and I cry out in pain. I force myself to roll out of the way of his boot, onto my knees where the guy proceeds to roughly grip my hair and pull me backwards. He reels his hand back, only for a booming voice to stop him snort:
"Enough."

My opponent pauses and looks up, instantly releasing me from his hold. I fall forward onto my hands, my chest heaving and my mind whirling. Glancing up, I notice Al loosening his chokehold on the other dude, paling as his eyes widen. Instantly letting go, Al backs away slowly, glancing at me with his hands raised.

"Kiddo, what the fuck did you do?"

Toro materialises onto the bridge, walking out of the darkness dressed in black and looking mysterious and sexy, a hint of danger and power in his very strong presence. The main guy curses under his breath, "T-Toro, my man. What are you doing here?"

"Fuck off H. Go back to whatever sewer you came from," growls Toro, his eyes flashing.

H nods and dashes off, not before glaring at me with hatred and loathing. His two friends both follow after him, their entire demeanour tired but afraid. Apparently they know Toro as well.

Speaking of him, he silently stares at Al and I, waiting, listening

"I best go," mumbles Al. As he passes, he grips my arm and presses his mouth close to my ear, his putrid breath causing my nose to wrinkle, "Meet me next week. You have explaining to do."

Swallowing, I nod. Big Al leaves after readjusting his green beanie and clearing his throat. Scurrying away into the darkness, he blends seamlessly into the eerie night, letting the darkness take over.

I freeze on the spot and can't seem to find the balls to reach Toro's eyes. I can feel his cold stare on me and the hot anger pulsing from him in waves.

"What were you thinking?" He says in a scarily quiet voice.

"I wasn't," I reply after a pause.

"Have you seen yourself in the mirror?" He snaps. "You're too scrawny to even fight. Here you are picking on not one, not two, but three bigger guys. You're useless to me hospitalised, or have you forgotten our little arrangement, bitch?"

I close my eyes for a second before shaking my head, "You can't just expect me to let my friend get hurt because of my mistake."

"And you can't just dive into trouble to get yourself hurt instead."

I glare daggers at him and take a step closer to him, "Don't you dare say shit like that, Toro. We agreed to meet, here I fucking am. If you're here to lecture me, then stop wasting my time."

He takes a step forward. Another one, one more and finally, the last step to make his chest a centimetre from my face. His chocolate gaze looks down at me, stripping me of my strong facade and leaving me bare and vulnerable. I hate the fact that he has this power over me, it's strange.

Stupidly strange.

He leans in as if to kiss me, his breaths fan over my face, warm and enticing as his eyes flicker with something. "Don't talk to me like that ever again or else I might have to meet Morgan."

My eyes widen in shock and suddenly my lungs empty. He steps away, his eyes not leaving mine before he nods backwards, "We have places to be."