Capítulo 53: Return
Lorenzo and Nurse Mica emerged from the abandoned building, their clothes in disarray, hair a mess. They had spent the last three hours entangled in each other's arms, exploring every inch of each other's bodies. As they walked back to the medic tent, Lorenzo couldn't help but notice the sway in Mica's hips, a telltale sign of their recent tryst. He couldn't contain his amusement and playfully slapped her bottom, eliciting a deep blush on her cheeks.
Upon entering the medic tent, Lorenzo made his way to his small bed, feigning exhaustion. Nurse Mica, on the other hand, was anything but professional. She fumbled with her medical supplies, her gaze lingering on Lorenzo's toned chest, her heart racing. She couldn't help but get flirty, her fingers brushing against his skin longer than necessary as she "treated" him.
An electric tension filled the air between them, until another nurse entered the tent, oblivious to the charged atmosphere. "Nurse Mica, we need you in the triage tent, it's urgent!" she said, her voice laced with urgency.
Mica hesitated for a moment, her eyes locked with Lorenzo's, before reluctantly tearing herself away. "I-I'll be right back," she stammered, rushing out of the tent, leaving behind a trail of aroused pheromones and unspoken words.
Lorenzo lay there, a smirk playing on his lips.
As Nurse Mica rushed out of the tent, the other nurse, her eyebrows furrowed, called after her. "Mica, where have you been? We've been looking for you for hours!"
Mica's cheeks flushed a deep shade of red as she stuttered, "I-I was... I was just... tending to Colonel Lupo's needs."
The nurse narrowed her eyes, suspicion evident in her gaze. "That's odd, we didn't see you in the medic tent with the Colonel. Where exactly were you two?"
Mica's heart raced, but she managed to maintain a semblance of composure. "Well, the Colonel... he uh, he wanted some fresh air. And... and he needed my assistance... outside."
The nurse studied Mica's flustered expression for a moment longer before shrugging it off. "Whatever it is, we need you back at the triage tent, now. It's urgent."
Relieved that her secret was safe, for now, Mica nodded and rushed off in the direction of the triage tent, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions and lingering arousal.
---
The days passed by in a blur for Lorenzo as he spent his time "recovering" in the medic tent. Nurse Mica doted on him, and their stolen moments together became more frequent, more passionate. His leg had long healed thanks to his cheat system, but he couldn't risk arousing suspicion by revealing his miraculous recovery.
Finally, the day of his discharge arrived. The doctor handed him the papers, a somber expression on his face. "I'm sorry, Lieutenant Lupo, but your injuries deem you unfit for duty in the war. You're being sent back to the States in a few weeks."
Lorenzo feigned disappointment, but inside, he was already scheming. "I understand, Doc. I'll miss this place... and the people," he said, his gaze lingering on Nurse Mica.
In his remaining time at the base, Lorenzo used his power and ranking to his advantage, siphoning off weapons and supplies, which he sold to the Corleone family.
The following two months flew by in a haze of stolen moments and passionate encounters between Lorenzo and Nurse Mica. They made love countless times, their desire for each other only growing stronger with each passing day. If it weren't for the condoms, Mica would have likely been carrying his child by now.
As the day of their departure drew closer, they took pictures together, documenting their time in the camp. Lorenzo stood alongside his XO, Ben McDonald, who, like him, was also being discharged. The others in their unit, around a dozen men in total, had fabricated reasons to be sent back with them, citing mental health issues. Their ruse worked, and they were all deemed unfit for duty.
Lorenzo was a bit dissapointed at the thought of leaving Mica behind, but he knew he had no choice. They had to return to the States, and she had her duties here.
A few weeks later, the transport ship finally arrived, its imposing hull looming in the distance. The men who were returning with Lorenzo, including Ben, boarded the ship one by one, their hearts heavy with the knowledge that they were leaving their brothers-in-arms behind. The remaining soldiers, even those who had feigned mental instability, were left behind, their services still needed to maintain control over the secured lands.
As the ship's engines roared to life, the men on the deck waved goodbye to their comrades, their faces a mix of relief and sadness. They were going home, but at what cost?
Lorenzo stood at the railing, his gaze scanning the crowd for one last glimpse of Mica. He spotted her, her nurse's cap a beacon amidst the sea of uniforms.
Nurse Mica stood on the docks, her handkerchief in hand, dabbing at her eyes as the transport ship carrying Lorenzo and his men pulled away. She watched until the ship was nothing but a speck on the horizon, her heart heavy with the knowledge that she might never see him again.
Onboard the ship, the men were attended to by nurses, but their hearts were elsewhere. They reminisced about their time in the war, the friends they'd made, and those they'd lost.
Lorenzo couldn't help but think of Apollonia and their daughter, Hera, who was in Sicily.
Hera Vitelli-Lupo, the name of his daughter with Apollonia, echoed in Lorenzo's mind as he stood at the ship's railing. He wondered what she looked like now, how much she'd grown in the months since she's born. He knew she'd be around three months old, and he ached to hold her in his arms.
The journey home was uneventful, with the weakened Axis powers posing no threat. Occasionally, they'd pass by Allied or Soviet ships, a reminder that the war still raged on without them.
Finally, the ship pulled into the harbor, and the men disembarked, they were sent to Fort Dix, the very same camp where they'd trained before being deployed.
Lorenzo couldn't help but smile as the familiar sights greeted him. It felt like a lifetime ago when he'd first set foot on this base.
Upon arriving at Fort Dix, Lorenzo was surprised to find that his old superior, Lieutenant Johnson, had been promoted to the rank of Brigadier General and was now in charge of the training camp. It didn't take long for him to realize that corruption had seeped its way into the very heart of the base.
Lorenzo observed as Johnson traded supplies meant for the camp with several gangs and mafia families. He pulled Ben aside and ordered him to gather evidence against the corrupt officer. "We'll need proof if we're going to bring him down," he said, his eyes cunning.
Ben nodded, and the two of them, along with their men, began tailing Johnson, photographing him in the act of accepting bribes and exchanging goods.
Once they had enough evidence, Lorenzo contacted the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) of the US Army, an agency responsible for investigating crimes committed by or against soldiers. He scheduled a meeting, where he presented the incriminating photos and documents, implicating Johnson in the corruption ring.
The CID agents were quick to act, arresting Johnson on the spot. With the corrupt officer out of the way, Lorenzo saw an opportunity.
With the corrupt Brigadier General Johnson out of the way, Lorenzo saw an opportunity to solidify his position in the camp. He pulled some strings, using his connections within the Corleone family and his newfound wealth from the war. It didn't take long before he'd ingratiated himself with the right people, and he was promoted to the vacant position left by Johnson's arrest.
As the new camp commander and Brigadier General, Lorenzo oversaw the training of new recruits, but his true focus was on the burgeoning black market that had sprung up in the wake of Johnson's downfall. He continued the corrupt practices, siphoning off supplies and equipment for a hefty price.
With their newfound power and influence, Lorenzo and his men tightened their grip on the underground network within Fort Dix. They funneled the ill-gotten profits back to New York, where Adam, a trusted confidante, oversaw the operation. Adam knew it was for the greater good of the Lupo family, and he guarded the funds with his life.
As the months passed, the war raged on, with the Axis powers crumbling save for the stubborn Japanese. The year was 1945, and the end of Lorenzo's contract in the army was fast approaching.
In the Pacific, the Japanese Empire continued its relentless expansion, refusing to surrender despite mounting casualties. Japan's arrogance knew no bounds as they continued their relentless campaign of conquest, seemingly undeterred even after being forced to retreat from India. Their aggression showed no signs of abating as they advanced on the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, and other Southeast Asian countries, as well as South Korea, China, and beyond.
As May 1945 dawned, Lorenzo's contract with the United States Army was finally coming to an end. His time in the service had been eventful, but he knew deep down that his purpose within its ranks had been fulfilled. The army desperately tried to convince him to stay on board. The war had taken its toll, and they needed his unique skills and experiences to train the recruits. But for Lorenzo, the call of his true destiny beckoned elsewhere.
Sitting across from Ben McDonald, a trusted friend and fellow comrade, Lorenzo placed a firm hand on his shoulder. "McDonald, your contract doesn't end yet. Use your talents to the fullest, corrupt this camp, and make as much money as you can for our future mafia family." Ben nodded in understanding, his loyalty unwavering.
"Understood, Don Lupo," he replied, with a glint in his eye.
Lorenzo chuckled, acknowledging the endearment but correcting him. "I'm not a don yet, but I expect great things from you," he said, a glint of pride in his eye. Glancing at the [Relationship Tab] in the system, Lorenzo knew that Ben's loyalty to him was unquestionable.
"Very well, boss," Ben responded, a newfound determination in his voice.
Lorenzo smiled, anticipating the future that awaited them both. "When your contract ends, find me at my base. We have a lot of work to do."
As Lorenzo's departure drew near, he caught sight of Max and Patrick returning to Fort Dix alongside Richard Lawrence. His heart swelled with pride, knowing these men would soon be an integral part of his future family. He approached them, sharing a few words of brotherhood before eventually bidding them farewell.
With a mixture of anticipation and longing, Lorenzo's thoughts drifted towards Deborah. He could almost see her radiant smile, her captivating eyes, and the way her hair cascaded over her slender shoulders.
Lorenzo entered the waiting jeep and gave the driver an address in New York's Lower East Side neighborhood. The engine roared to life, and they sped off, the wind in his hair as they sped towards New York.
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