บท 71: LA

In their cramped quarters on the cargo ship, Deborah leaned in close to Lorenzo, her eyes brimming with worry. "So... do you think we'll ever make it back to New York City?"

Lorenzo nodded reassuringly, his voice low and confidential. "Of course, Deb. It's just that these two families after me, they've got a lotta pull and influence in the city."

Deborah's brow furrowed, her concern palpable. "Are they more powerful than the Corleones? You've got connections with them, don't you?"

Lorenzo shook his head, "No, they ain't. But the Barzini family, they've been makin' moves, and they're close to the Corleones in power. They're only lackin' in influence and political pull compared to the Corleones."

Deborah frowned. "If the Corleones are so powerful, why don't we just ask them for help against the Barzini and Tattaglia?"

Lorenzo chuckled dryly. "It ain't that simple, Deb. The Corleones wouldn't go to war for us, not without somethin' in return. And if they did, it wouldn't just be the Barzini and Tattaglias they'd be tanglin' with. There's two more families involved too."

Deborah sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Geez, Lorenzo, I had no idea the Italian mob was this complicated."

Lorenzo nodded, his expression grim. "You got that right, Deb. Especially with the four families pressuring the Corleones too. Tensions are higher than ever before."

Deborah hugged him tightly, her voice muffled by his shoulder. "I just want us to be safe in Los Angeles, alright?"

Lorenzo caressed her hair, his voice soothing. "We'll be fine, I promise. I won't let nothin' happen to you, trust me."

As they comforted each other, their conversation shifted from the dangers of the underworld to more intimate matters.

Soon, their whispers and stolen glances grew bolder, and their passion overtook them. The sound of their muffled moans filled the cramped quarters, but no one dared to interrupt the young lovers seeking solace in each other's arms.

***

In the Barzini family's opulent mansion, Emilio Barzini and his son, Emilio Jr., sat in the study with Don Tattaglia, the head of the Tattaglia family. The room was thick with cigar smoke as they discussed business.

Just then, their consigliere, Domenico Mazza, burst in, announcing that Lorenzo Lupo and his men had just left New York City's Lower East Side.

Emilio Sr. puffed on his cigar, irritation evident in his voice. "So, this Lupo got away, eh? Those Irish thugs are as useless as ever."

Don Tattaglia huffed in agreement. "They call themselves gangsters? They couldn't even take care of a small fry like him!"

Emilio Jr. shrugged, dismissing the news. "He's nothin' but a small-time crook, pop. We got bigger fish to fry."

Don Barzini nodded, his thoughts drifting to the Corleone family. Don Vito Corleone and his heir, Sonny, were the real threats. As long as they kept an eye on them, this Lupo character would be the least of their worries.

"Lorenzo Lupo ain't our main concern," Don Barzini said, puffing on his cigar. "Our priority is takin' down the Corleones, especially Vito and his eldest son, Sonny. That's where the real power lies."

Don Tattaglia nodded in agreement.

Domenico Mazza, their consigliere, couldn't help but interject. "With all due respect, Don Barzini, Don Tattaglia, I know firsthand how dangerous Lorenzo Lupo can be. He's not a man to underestimate."

Emilio Jr. scoffed. "You're still sore about him takin' out those five of our boys, huh?"

Domenico didn't back down. "It's not just that, Junior. The guy's got guts and cunning. He's more than a small-time crook."

Don Barzini raised a hand, silencing the room. "Alright, Domenico, we hear you. But for now, we got bigger fish to fry. We'll keep an eye on this Lupo, but the Corleones are our main target." He gestured towards the door. "Now, please, give us some privacy."

Domenico bowed his head respectfully and left the room, closing the door behind him.

Domenico Mazza's expression darkened as he left the study, the door closing behind him. He knew that his Don and Don Tattaglia wouldn't listen to his warnings about Lorenzo Lupo. They thought he was delusional, but they'd soon see.

Inside the study, Don Barzini sighed. "If only I could find a more competent consigliere within the family..."

Don Tattaglia chuckled. "It's alright, Emilio. We all have our... eccentricities."

Domenico clenched his fists, seething. He'd done all he could to convince them of the threat Lupo posed. Now, it was up to the FBI to take action on the information he'd provided. But even he knew it was a long shot. The man was a war hero, a decorated one at that, and a former high-ranking officer in the army.

---

The cargo ship carrying Deborah, Lorenzo, and his men finally docked in Philadelphia after an eventful 18-hour journey. They disembarked, the cool air of the city greeting them as they set foot on solid ground.

Lorenzo and Deborah held hands, followed by their entourage: Adam and his girlfriend Tiffany, Richard, Ricky, Henry, Mike and the rest of their crew.

"We made it, boys," Lorenzo said, a grin tugging at his lips. "Now, let's meet up with the Corleone contact and get those tickets to Los Angeles."

The group moved through the bustling docks, blending in with the crowd as they made their way to their rendezvous point. The sooner they were out of New York's reach, the better.

Adam and the others followed Lorenzo as they made their way through the bustling streets of Philadelphia, hailing a taxi to take them to their hotel. In the lobby, Lorenzo met with the Italian man named James, a Corleone man.

"Here are your tickets, Lupo," James said, handing over the precious documents.

Lorenzo's eyes gleamed with relief. "Grazie, amico mio."

James tipped his hat, "It's the least I can do for a friend of the Corleones."

Lorenzo nodded his thanks and returned to their room, where Deborah eagerly awaited him. The moment the door clicked shut, they tore at each other's clothes, their passionate sex a release from the tension of their escape. As they tangled together in the sheets, their worries faded away, if only for a little while.

***

Time flew by, and before they knew it, it was early morning. By 11:00 AM, Lorenzo and his entourage made their way to the Philadelphia airport. The hustle and bustle of the terminal reminded him just how different this era was from his previous life.

"Sigh, commercial travel in this time is a pain," he grumbled as he thought. "In my… previous life, it was so much easier."

He couldn't help but compare it to the modern world he'd come from, where air travel was a breeze compared to the rigorous process of this time.

After navigating the chaos of check-in and a thorough identity check, Lorenzo and his entourage finally boarded the plane. As they settled into their seats, Deborah gripped Lorenzo's hand tightly, her knuckles white.

"You alright, Deb?" he asked, concern in his voice.

Deborah's eyes were wide as she looked around the cramped cabin. "It's my first time on an airplane, Lorenzo. I'm allowed to be a little scared."

Lorenzo chuckled, squeezing her hand reassuringly. His laughter was soft and soothing. "Hey, hey, it's alright to be nervous. First time's always the scariest. But once you've got used to it, you'll see… it's actually kinda fun."

Deborah playfully nudged him in the ribs, catching onto his hidden meaning. "You're hopin' for too much, mister."

The roar of the engines drowned out their conversation as the plane began to taxi down the runway. As they took off, Deborah squeezed her eyes shut, but soon enough, the turbulence subsided, and she opened them again.

"See? Told ya," Lorenzo said, grinning. "Piece of cake."

Deborah exhaled shakily, her grip on his hand loosening. "I guess you're right. It's not so bad once you're up here."

Meanwhile, Lorenzo couldn't help but notice that Adam and Tiffany, seated nearby, were just as tense. Even Mike and the others, looked uneasy. He couldn't blame them; after all, this was their first time flying.

As the plane took off, Deborah's grip on his hand tightened more than ever. He squeezed her hand reassuringly.

"Nothin' to worry about, Deb," Lorenzo whispered in her ear. "Just look out the window. See? It's beautiful up here."

Deborah hesitantly leaned over, her eyes widening as the city below grew smaller and smaller. Soon, they were above the clouds, and she could practically reach out and touch them.

"Lorenzo, look! They looked so fluffy!" she squealed, her fears momentarily forgotten. "I want to touch them!"

Loren reined in a chuckle. "Touchin' clouds, huh? You're somethin' else, you know that?"

After a while, as the plane soared through the sky, Lorenzo managed to calm Deborah's nerves. She even mustered the courage to lean in close to him, peering out the window at the breathtaking view below.

She felt a bit dizzy, but Lorenzo was there to comfort her, and she soon found herself captivated by the thrill of air travel.

Only after a while did she doze off, her head resting on his shoulder.

A few hours later, the plane touched down in Chicago, and after a brief stop, took to the skies once more. Then, after another short while, it landed in Denver, before taking off once more.

Lorenzo couldn't help but feel a tad irritated as the plane seemed to hopscotch from one airport to another without any sign of reaching Los Angeles.

The air route was far more convoluted than he remembered from his previous life.

Even Deborah, who had been enthralled at first, began to lose her patience. With each landing, she'd ask if they'd arrived in Los Angeles, only to be met with a negative response. They were still far away, having just landed in St. Louis.

The time passed slowly as they nibbled on the meals provided by the flight attendants. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the plane touched down in Los Angeles.

Lorenzo and Deborah disembarked the plane, stretching their stiff limbs. They made their way through the airport, getting their identities verified and collecting their luggage before stepping outside.

"Goodness me, it's sweltering!" Deborah exclaimed, fanning herself with her hat as she took in the unfamiliar surroundings.

Accustomed to the chill of New York City, Lorenzo and the others welcomed the warm embrace of the California sun.