As their bodies pressed against each other, Lorenzo's heated gaze locked onto Deborah's. She could feel the bulge in his pants, her inexperienced fingers unsure but curious as she reached down to stroke him through his pants.
"Deborah… Are you sure about this?" he breathed, his voice thick with desire. His hands slid up her back, holding her closer as they stared into each other's eyes.
"We… we won't see each other for a long time after you leave for the war…" she trailed off, blushing crimson. "So… we can… do it…"
Lorenzo's genuine smile returned, but this time, it was tinged with lust. "You really love me, don't you?" he purred, his fingers tangling in her hair.
Deborah blushed even more, her voice barely a whisper as she asked, "Do you want it… or not?"
Lorenzo's eyes darted around the room, but he couldn't resist any longer. As Deborah continued to stroke his bulging erection through his pants, he reached under her dress and cupped her full breast, squeezing it gently. He could feel her hardened nipple against his palm, and she bit her lip in response, her eyes locked on his.
"Oh, Deborah," he moaned, unable to contain himself any longer. He pinched her nipple between his fingers, eliciting a soft moan from her lips.
Suddenly, he stopped, much to her dismay. "What's the matter?" she whimpered, her arousal evident in her voice.
Lorenzo chuckled, amused by her eagerness. "Unfortunately, my love," he said, "we are in your delicatessen's backroom. If we get too loud, we might attract attention from Fat Moe… or worse, the regulars."
Deborah's face flushed with both arousal and embarrassment. "Right…" she breathed, her body aching for more.
Lorenzo flashed her a devilish grin. "We still have a few more days together, Deborah. I'll take you to a private place... and we can pick up where we left off." He whispered the last part into her ear, sending shivers down her spine.
Deborah blushed even deeper, but her arousal was evident. "O-okay," she stuttered.
"Good," he purred, "I want you to think about it all day tomorrow... to build the anticipation." With that, he winked and sauntered out of the backroom, leaving Deborah alone.
As soon as the door closed, Deborah's legs gave out, and she collapsed onto the floor. Her hand drifted down to her drenched panties, fingers slipping inside to feel how wet she had become. She pulled her hand out, staring at her glistening fingers in disbelief.
"This... I need to wash up and change," she muttered to herself.
Though they had shared a few chaste kisses, nothing had ever escalated to this level of intimacy before. Tomorrow couldn't come soon enough.
---
After leaving the delicatessen, Lorenzo headed straight for the alley where he had agreed to meet Adam and Max.
"Adam, are you ready for your revenge?" he asked, eyeing his friend's newfound muscles. The past three weeks of training and their illicit activities had paid off in terms of nutrition and strength.
Adam's eyes burned with determination. "I've been waiting for this moment. I'm going to teach that Antonio and his goons a lesson they won't forget."
Lorenzo clapped him on the back. "Good man." He then turned to Max. "You've been tailing him, right? Any news?"
Max nodded. "Tonight, he'll be at the usual gambling den."
"Perfect," Lorenzo said, cracking his knuckles. "Then let's go teach that son of a bitch a lesson he won't forget."
***
Antonio was having the time of his life at the gambling den, surrounded by the sounds of clinking glasses and chips. A prostitute draped herself over him, giggling as he celebrated his latest win. "I knew it! Red was the lucky color tonight!"
"Damn, I should've bet on red," one man grumbled, sliding his chips across the table.
"Haha, looks like Lady Luck is on your side tonight," another said, handing over his winnings.
The door to the den flew open, startling everyone inside. The patrons initially thought it was a raid, but their panic soon turned to relief when they realized it was just Lorenzo, Adam, and Max.
"Whew, it's just the Lupo's gang," one man sighed, visibly relieved. "Almost gave me a heart attack."
The others in the den went back to their games, but Antonio's eyes narrowed. He nudged the man next to him. "Who are those guys?"
The man next to him shot him a warning glance before leaning in to whisper, "You've been coming here a lot lately, but if you don't know, that's the Lupo gang. They run these streets. I'd tread lightly if I were you."
Antonio scoffed inwardly, but he didn't want trouble tonight. He'd deal with them later. He had his goons with him, after all.
Just as he was about to return to his game, a vice-like grip grabbed his hair and yanked him backward. His eyes widened in shock as Lorenzo's fist collided with his face, sending him flying into the card table.
The sound of bone on wood echoed through the den, followed by Antonio's pained groan. The other patrons quickly scrambled away from the commotion, not wanting any part of the violence about to ensue.
"Who the fuck do you think you are?" Antonio spat, clutching his bleeding jaw.
"You're about to find out," Lorenzo growled, delivering another bone-crunching punch to his face.
"Ugh! Do you have any idea who you're messing with?" Antonio snarled through gritted teeth.
Lorenzo didn't dignify him with a response. Instead, he turned to Adam. "He's all yours."
Adam grinned sadistically and cracked his knuckles. With a primal roar, he reared back and unleashed a devastating punch that connected with Antonio's already swollen jaw. The thug's head whipped back, and he slumped to the floor, unconscious.
Adam continued to rain down punches on the helpless Antonio, who managed to regain consciousness long enough to reach for a knife. Before he could use it, however, Lorenzo's vice-like grip clamped around his wrist. With a sickening crunch, the knife fell from his hand, and he howled in agony.
"W-wait! Help me, you cowards!" Antonio screamed at his goons, who were cowering in the corner.
His goons exchanged glances, hesitating for a moment before deciding to intervene. However, it was too late. Lorenzo, Max, Patrick, and Philip were already upon them, their concealed pipes swinging mercilessly, leaving the thugs bloodied and broken on the floor.
Meanwhile, Adam continued to rain down punches and kicks on the helpless Antonio.
Antonio, through the corner of his swollen eye, could see his goons being mercilessly beaten back. Panic set in.
"W-who… are you… guys? Why… are you… beating me?" he slurred, blood trickling from his split lips.
Adam's face contorted with rage. "Don't you recognize me? I'm the one you beat up at the factory a few weeks ago!"
Recognition dawned on Antonio's battered face. He looked at Adam, and the pieces clicked into place. Terror filled his eyes as he tried to beg for mercy "P-please… I-I'm sorry… I didn't know it was you…" he whimpered, blood trickling from his split lips.
Adam showed no mercy, his fists and feet flying in a blur as he vented his rage on the helpless Antonio.
Finally, Lorenzo had enough. "Enough. Take them to our basement."
Adam, Max, and the others dragged the unconscious thugs, their broken bodies dangling limply between them. They might be beaten to a pulp, but they weren't dead… yet.
---
Early the next morning, Lorenzo made his way to the delicatessen. He had no intention of going to the arm factory since he'd already resigned, and his business and system task there was done.
There, he found Deborah, her cheeks still flushed from their intimate encounter the previous day.
"Ready?" he asked with a grin. "I've booked us a room at a hotel."
Deborah's eyes widened. "Lorenzo, that's too much! A hotel room is so expensive…"
Lorenzo chuckled softly, his fingers trailing along her skin, unconcerned about the risk of being seen as they are alone in the backroom of the delicatessen. He could feel her shiver beneath his touch, her blush deepening as he purred, "It's not very expensive. Just two dollars for a few hours of… privacy."
Deborah bit her lip, her eyes filled with desire and apprehension in equal measure. "That's still a lot of money," she protested weakly.
Lorenzo's smile widened, his dark eyes smoldering with hunger. "Va bene, we will not waste any more time here," he said, capturing her hand in his and leading her towards the door. "Come, let us go to the hotel room I have prepared for us."
Deborah gasped, her breath catching in her throat. "Now? But it's still so early…"
Lorenzo's smile was filled with mischief as he placed his warm hand on her waist, guiding her towards the door. "Si, cara mia. The early bird catches the worm, no?"
Intrigued and aroused by his boldness, Deborah could only nod mutely as she followed him out of the backroom, their footsteps echoing on the floor.
Outside, the city was just beginning to stir, the sun casting a golden glow over the grimy streets. The rain had stopped, leaving behind a sheen on the sidewalks that reflected the sunlight.
Lorenzo waited outside the delicatessen. He waited for Deborah, finally creaked open, revealing Deborah. She was wearing a thick black coat, her cheeks flushed from the chill in the air or perhaps something else entirely. The weather in this month was unpredictable, with rain and even snowfall on some days, but her attire suited the occasion. Lorenzo, too, had dressed for the occasion, his own coat thick enough to ward off the cold.
As they walked together along the streets, their footsteps echoing on the damp cobblestones, Lorenzo reached for Deborah's hand. Deborah didn't pull away; instead, she laced her fingers through his, her grip firm and intimate. They had already shared stolen kisses and furtive touches in backroom darkened corners, so holding hands seemed tame in comparison.
---
AN: Sorry if this chapter doesn't have the expected lemon scenes you might expected, but next time... This author will not disappoint you...