Getting closer and Lorenzo's small legitimate business plan

In the delicatessen backroom, Lorenzo's lips crashed against Deborah's in a passionate kiss that set their senses ablaze. Their tongues danced together in a sensual tango, exploring every nook and cranny of each other's mouths as their hands roamed over each other's bodies, igniting a fire with every touch.

Lorenzo's strong hands caressed Deborah's supple back, tracing the contours of her hourglass figure, while his other hand cupped her firm, round bottom, squeezing it possessively. Her body arched into his touch, pressing her voluptuous breasts against his chest, the hardened peaks of her nipples straining against the fabric of her dress, begging for attention.

Deborah's fingers trailed up Lorenzo's muscular arms, feeling the corded muscles ripple under her fingertips.

As Deborah became lost in the sea of pleasure that was their heated kiss, her eyes widened with sudden realization. Breaking the contact between their lips, she gasped for air and pushed Lorenzo away, just enough to create a small space between their flushed bodies.

"Oh my god," she panted, her chest heaving from arousal and shock. "I… I can't believe I'm doing this. This is wrong."

Deborah's heart pounded in her chest as she tried to resist the pull of Lorenzo's heated gaze. He leaned in, his lips mere centimeters from hers, and she could practically taste the forbidden pleasure on his breath. "No, Lorenzo," she whispered, her voice barely a whisper. "This isn't right."

Lorenzo's eyes darkened with longing, but he reluctantly pulled away. "Deborah, I love you…"

The words hung heavy in the air between them, like a fog settling over the room.

Deborah's cheeks flushed a deep crimson, her heart fluttering in her chest. It had only been two weeks since they'd met, but in that short time, she'd grown closer to him than she ever thought possible. Closer, even, than she'd been with her childhood friend Noodles, who was now serving time in prison.

Lorenzo's chest heaved as he adjusted his shirt, trying to regain some semblance of composure. "Deborah—"

"Don't talk to me," she said, her back still turned to him, her voice thick with unshed tears.

He couldn't blame her for being upset; he'd crossed a line he shouldn't have. But he couldn't help himself around her. Her intoxicating scent, the way her hips swayed when she walked, it was all too much for any man to resist.

"I'll only be here for three more weeks," he said, his voice hoarse with emotion. "After that, we might not see each other for years…"

Deborah's shoulders trembled, but she didn't turn around. "Is your mind made up? You're still going to war?"

Lorenzo's jaw clenched. "Yes. I know you hate my involvement with the gang, and this is the only way I can redeem myself. My sins will be wiped clean on the battlefield."

Slowly, she turned to face him, her eyes swimming with unshed tears. "Why don't you just leave that gang of Max's?"

Lorenzo's lips curved into a small smile. "Like I said, I plan to use the money I make from the gang to set up a small business in the neighborhood before I leave for war…"

Deborah's eyes widened with surprise. "You want to start a legitimate business?"

He nodded, his expression softening. "I joined the gang for our future, you know."

He stepped closer, gently caressing her cheek and running his fingers through her hair.

Deborah's cheeks flushed, but she didn't pull away. "I… I still don't approve of your methods, you know."

"I know," he said, his voice low and soothing.

"But I'll make it up to you, I promise. I'll make sure to redeem myself in this war. I'll serve my sentence on the battlefield, and when I come back…"

His words trailed off, but they both knew what he meant. If he survived, they'd have a chance at a real life together...

Deborah's resolve crumbled, and she sighed. While she still didn't condone his involvement with the gang, she couldn't deny her growing admiration for him. She hugged him tighter, a tear escaping her eye. "If you make it to the battlefield… promise me you'll come back to me, whole and safe—"

"Even if I'm missing a body part?" he teased, trying to lighten the mood.

"I don't care," she said fiercely, her grip on him tightening. "As long as you come back to me, alive."

Lorenzo chuckled, pulling back to look into her eyes. "Now, that's more like it, my future wife."

Deborah blushed and playfully pushed him away, despite the smile on her lips. "Hey, don't push your luck, Gambini."

Hearing her words, Lorenzo couldn't help but chuckle. "Gambini, huh? Where did that come from?"

Deborah shrugged, a blush creeping into her cheeks. "I don't know… I just heard of an Italian guy with that last name once."

"You're calling me that because I'm Italian?" he teased, feigning offense. "I'm Jewish, you know."

Deborah eyed him up and down, her gaze lingering on his features. "Well, you don't look very Jewish to me," she quipped.

Lorenzo raised an eyebrow, his gaze roaming her features. "You don't look Jewish yourself, you know."

Deborah huffed, a playful glint in her eyes. "What do you mean? I look as Jewish as they come! I am named Deborah, after all!"

Lorenzo chuckled, enjoying their light-hearted banter. Slowly, it seemed as though Deborah was beginning to understand him, to see past his involvement with the gang and glimpse the man beneath.

As they continued their conversation, their connection deepened, the [Relationship Tab] in the corner of their shared vision ticking upwards. By the time they parted ways, it read 73%.

---

Six days had passed since Lorenzo's confessing of his plans to Deborah, and he found himself consumed by his work in the gang.

To no one's surprise, Max, the original boss, had stepped down, making way for Lorenzo to take the reins. Max's underlings, Patrick and Philip, didn't dare to object; not only were they intimidated by Lorenzo's cold demeanor towards his enemies, but they also knew he had gun and dangerous.

Lorenzo continued running the gang's operations, meeting with their sugar supplier, Richie, and expanding their territory by taking over smaller gangs in the neighborhood. The [Territory Control] meter in the corner of his vision had risen to 45%, and it was steadily climbing.

At the same time, Adam, who had been out of the hospital for six days now, was thriving under Lorenzo's guidance. Lorenzo had taught him not only the ins and outs of running the gang but also some basic self-defense skills like boxing and martital arts.

"These fighting skills won't always be effective in a street fight," he'd cautioned, "but they'll discipline your body and mind, and that will help you in certain situations."

Adam took to the lessons like a fish to water, Lorenzo was also teaching Max and the others alongside his friend, Adam.

In between their criminal dealings, Lorenzo found time to visit Gelly's Delicatessen, where he and Deborah would steal moments together. They'd talk, laugh, and even share stolen kisses after their dances.

Their kisses were no longer tentative, but passionate, their tongues exploring each other's mouths as if they couldn't get enough.

Lorenzo's hands often strayed to her curves, feeling her body through her dress, but they never crossed the line. He could tell Deborah wasn't ready, and he respected her boundaries. It was one of the many reasons she was falling for him even more.

As their time together dwindled, they clung to each other like a lifeline, creating memories that would last them a lifetime.

Meanwhile, Lorenzo and his gang had managed to save an astounding 13,780 dollars, a colossal sum for that time. Aside from their usual activities, Lorenzo had been making additional income by selling smuggled goods like sugar and other commodities to the factory workers. However, they also had to pay a hefty 300 dollars a day to a larger gang in Manhattan, which was under the Barzini family's control. Knowing it wasn't wise to pick a fight with such a powerful organization, they continued to pay the fee.

The money they'd accumulated was enough for Lorenzo to finally start the legitimate business he'd been planning, and he'd already discussed it with Max and the others. Surprisingly, he also decided to reach out to Tom Hagen of the Corleone family for help in establishing a business in their neighborhood. Although Lorenzo had mentioned having connections with the mafia before, Max, Patrick, and Philip were taken aback by the revelation of his association with such a prominent name.

The small, legitimate business Lorenzo had in mind was a clothing fashion brand that he named "Lupo." Using his knowledge of future trends, he had already sketched out designs for clothing he knew would be popular in his current timeline.

In addition to the clothing line, he also envisioned opening a café, which he creatively named "Starbucks." It was still just a plan, but he hoped the Corleone family could help him establish these businesses that would be under his name…

Of course, even with the Corleone family's support, Lorenzo knew that establishing new businesses like "Lupo" and "Starbucks" would take time – at least several months, if not more. In the meantime, he decided to take over existing businesses in the neighborhood and rebrand them.

He had already found a struggling clothing store and café that were ripe for acquisition. Although Max, Philip, and Patrick were apprehensive about Lorenzo's plans, they didn't voice their concerns too loudly, considering how far they'd come under his leadership.

The only one who supported him wholeheartedly was Adam, whom Lorenzo had mentored in his business dealings. He hoped that Adam could run the operations while he focused on bigger ventures.