Ermanno

The sun had just begun to set when I stepped out of the car. The air was hot and stuffy, nothing like the normal cool evening breeze. Then again, maybe that was just me. I was filled with so much anger, even though I was centimeters away from Luca.

I heard footsteps behind me and glanced over my shoulder.

“I can't believe you really killed Elio.“ Jovani kicked a stone as he approached me. “You never kill a traitor without getting information from them first.”

He was right. I never did that.

But seeing Elio on the cameras break into her room and lighting it up filled me with so much rage. He had been working with me for five years.

Five fucking years.

What could possibly make him betray me.

“I have my reasons.” I said under my breath and looked away from him.

“No you don't.” he sighed. “And that's what scares me. You never kill without thinking Ermanno, so seeing you kill Elio scares the shit out of me.”

It didn't scare me but it did surprise me, running towards Elio and shoving my gun into his mouth. I had never been a messy killer

“I have never questioned you, since when we were little kids and you know it. So please, don't endanger la famiglia and everything your father worked for.” his hand brushed my shoulder just before he went ahead of me into the building.

“Fanculo questo” I cussed underneath my breath watching Jovani step into the building, knowing fully well he was right. I pinched the bridge of my nose and sighed of exhaustion “Questa Molina sarebbe la mia morte.”

I glanced at my men, giving them the nod of approval before I took a step forward into the hospital.

**

A sudden feeling of joy overtook me upon seeing Luca's miserable face. He brown eyes had bags and his once firm face was dropping. He sat on one of the many chairs in the hospital room staring at a cigar. I stared in disdain at his injury which was healing way too quickly for my liking.

His men stood at the entrance of the hospital room, their faces ugly as shit. I loved the thrill of them not being able to point a gun at their capo. Luca hated it.

“I know you're aware of the what took place at my house yesterday.” I cut to the chase, not minding to exchange fake pleasantries with him.

There it was, his dirty smirk I had grown to despise.

He stuck the cigar into his mouth even though it wasn't lit. I watched his eyes slightly enlarge as he inhaled the scent of the fresh cigar.

“Do you know what I hate the most about being here?” he asked even though I couldn't care less. “Not being able to smoke.” I watched his dirty lips release the cigar.

“Patience is what I don't have, Luca. Say what you know.” I stared into his dead eyes.

He chuckled but I could see his eyes linger on his gun beside his suitcase. If he could have his way he would waste me without thinking twice.

He got up from him chair and approached me, his stench made my nose twitch. Just a centimeter taller than me, he stared deep into my eyes. “If I wanted that Fica dead, I would've killed her myself. Lucky for you, her time hasn't come, she still has roles to play.” he widened his eyes as he spoke.

My first rolled into balls as I grinded my teeth. “You've always had the habit of trying to take what belongs to me.” my hand located his injury and I pressed it. He tried hard to keep a straight face but I knew it hurt like a bitch. “Don't make that mistake this time.”

There was nothing left to say. A part of me knew Luca had no hand in what happened to Mercedes. I just wanted to see how miserable he was.

He would never send anyone to do his dirty work for him, those were his favorite parts and I knew he didn't fuck with fire. He was more of a guns and knife guy.

So if it wasn't Vladimir and it wasn't Luca, who exactly was it? Who else knew I was keeping Hugo's offspring? Who else wanted revenge on Hugo? Or even worse, who exactly wanted to get at me?

**

I had sent Jovani and my men off for the rest of the day, I needed to be alone and clear my head, clear my thoughts. I parked my black Benz outside on of my favorite places. I could safely say this was the best coffee place in the whole city and los Angeles wasn't small. The sun had set so the place was almost empty, I never liked the crowd.

“Manny!” Faith's smile widened seeing me. “I knew you couldn't resist this place for even a week.” she stretched her hand demanding I pay up. This 5'7 high schooler was going to suck me dry.

I grunted before pulling out a hundred dollar bill from my pocket.

“The people at the office made it easy.”

Yes, by people at the office, I meant Mercedes, Luca and the bastard who set my house on fire.

“Must be tough.” she clicked her tongue before pouring my usual into a mug. “I don't think I'm ever getting an office job.”

She passed me the coffee, black and bitter. Just how I liked it.

I gave her a half hearted smile of appreciation before I took a sip. It was perfect.

I had started coming to this place about thirteen years ago. One of my uncles brought me here after my father's funeral and then I met Joseph, Faith's dad. The owner of this huge success. Of course it was smaller then, like a stand with two seats. Mr Joseph was nice and I was a dumb grieving kid who didn't understand why his family who was supposed to stand by him despised him.

Tsk, I was so naive.

Faith started working here in middle school, it was a family business and she had three other siblings to work with her. She stands undefeated though, I've never seen anyone make a good cup of coffee like she does.

“Faith!” she rolled her eyes to her brother calling her name.

“Manny, I gotta go. BRB.” she excused herself before walking into the kitchen.

My gaze travelled round the cafe as my eyes caught on every little detail. The little stool that was there  by the window two weeks ago hadn't been moved. It was exactly how I had last seen it.  The taste of the coffee I loved had been the same for years. Nothing's new.

Mercedes crept into my mind.

What was she doing now? Was she okay? Was she trying to escape again?

Damn, I can't even get a minute to myself.

I couldn't let all my work for the past nine years go to waste.

“Faith, something came up.” I said loud enough before putting the money and her tip under the coffee mug and leaving the cafe.

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Alright guys! The twenty fourth chapter of GATM! If you liked it, please vote, comment and share.

Hey guys! It's been a minute. I had piles of schoolwork I was drowning in. Lucky me, I'm home for easter. College really isn't what we're shown in grown-ish. Anyway thanks so so much for 8k plus. I love you guys!