Consideration and another one

Lorenzo's battalion was stationed in Sicily, fresh off the success of Operation Husky. While the war raged on around them, Lorenzo and his men were embroiled in a different kind of battle. As the dust settled from the Allied victory, Lorenzo began to engage in some shady dealings. He started by inflating casualty reports, exaggerating the number of fallen soldiers in his unit. The extra rations and supplies that poured in as a result were then sold on the black market through his connections within the military, lining his pockets with the ill-gotten gains.

Lorenzo's business ventures didn't end there. He had struck a deal with a high-ranking officer who secretly worked for the notorious Corleone crime family. Through this connection, Lorenzo's profits soared, and he shared the spoils with his partners in crime, Max and Patrick. Initially reluctant to join the war effort, they now found themselves swept up in the allure of easy money and power.

Even Richard Lawrence, Lorenzo's former XO, and other platoon members like Edward, Jones, Julius, and Rook, were all complicit in the web of corruption that had spread throughout the battalion. Promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, Lorenzo's reach extended further than ever before, and he used his newfound power to expand his illegal operations.

Meanwhile, Ben McDonald, Lorenzo's current XO, oversaw most of the day-to-day operations, ensuring their nefarious activities remained hidden from prying eyes.

---

In the office of the Corleone residence on Long Island, Tom and Peter, two high-ranking members of the notorious crime family, sat across from each other. The air was thick with cigar smoke as they discussed a topic of great interest: Lorenzo.

"I never thought that kid would not only go to war but also get promoted to Lieutenant Colonel so quickly," Tom mused, shaking his head in disbelief. "And now, he's leading an entire battalion."

Peter leaned back in his leather chair, a smirk playing on his lips. "It seems our investment in him paid off. Who would've thought he'd be so resourceful in the art of corruption?"

Tom chuckled, adding, "Not only is he providing us with valuable supplies from the black market, but he's also making a killing for himself in the process."

Peter's eyes narrowed, a glint of admiration in them. "He's definitely got ambition. It takes a special kind of person to abuse their rank like this, especially during wartime."

Tom took a puff of his cigar, exhaling a cloud of smoke towards the ceiling. "Indeed. Between you and me, I'm impressed. He's proven himself to be a cunning addition to our ranks."

Don Corleone, the aging Don of the infamous crime family, stroked his Persian cat as he spoke. "Lorenzo, he's got a knack for business, I must say. A shame my own son couldn't be more like him." He sighed, remembering his wayward offspring who had also gone to war.

Tom chuckled. "You could always adopt him as your own, make him part of the family."

Don Corleone chuckled, but there was a hint of melancholy in his laughter. "Tommy, Tommy, you know that's not how it works. Besides, Lorenzo's already made his choices. His heart's not in the family, and that's fine by me."

Peter sighed, his voice tinged with regret. "It's a pity he doesn't want to join us officially, though. With his ambition and cunning, he'd have been an asset to the family."

"True, but he's carving his own path," Don Corleone said, a hint of admiration in his voice. "And he's doing quite well for himself, too. Look at how quickly he's risen through the ranks. Lieutenant Colonel at such a young age… and now, leading an entire battalion."

Tom nodded, pouring himself a glass of amber liquid from the decanter on the table. "He's certainly resourceful. Who would've thought he'd be so adept at this game?"

Don Corleone continued, "But it can also be his downfall. Power and greed have a way of clouding even the sharpest of minds." He took a sip of his drink, savoring the burn as it traveled down his throat. "Lorenzo's ambition will either be his salvation or his undoing. Only time will tell."

---

In a secluded area of the Sicilian village, the Shelby brothers huddled together, discussing a pressing matter. Arthur looked at his brother Thomas, who had his hands stuffed in his pockets, a cloud of smoke wafting from his lips.

"What do you think, Tommy? Should we accept Lupo's proposal?" Arthur asked, his voice low and guarded.

Thomas puffed on his cigarette, his eyes narrowing as he considered the offer. "Lupo's as cunning as a fox, and partnering with him will bring us more trouble than we bargained for."

John, the youngest of the three, interjected, "But think of the benefits, Tommy. It'd be a boon for our family's business back in Birmingham. We could use the extra muscle and connections."

Thomas flicked the butt of his cigarette away, grinding it under his heel. "I know, John-boy. Believe me, I've thought of that too."

Arthur shifted his weight, impatient for an answer. "Well, what's it gonna be, Tom? Yay or nay?"

Thomas just lit another cigarette, the tip glowing in the dim Sicilian twilight. His brothers, Arthur and John, watched him intently, waiting for his decision.

Arthur squatted down, excitement in his voice. "Tommy, we can do this. We acquire supplies from our own army, use Lupo's connections to sell it, and we'll be richer than the Queen herself."

Thomas shook his head, exhaling a plume of smoke. "It's too good to be true, Arty. Lupo's not offering this deal out of the kindness of his heart. He's got ulterior motives, mark my words."

"I don't care," Arthur scoffed. "I'm not afraid of him."

Thomas sighed, exasperated by his brother's bravado. "It's not about being afraid, Arty. It's about being smart."

Before they could continue their debate, a panicked British soldier appeared, out of breath. "Tommy! One of your men, Danny, he's gone off his rocker again!"

The Shelby brothers shared a resigned look before following the soldier, their discussion with Lupo put on hold for now.

---

The sun dipped below the horizon, painting the Sicilian sky in hues of purple and orange as Lieutenant Colonel Lorenzo strolled through the village's farmlands. In the distance, he spotted Apollonia, a local beauty he had grown fond of in the short time he'd been stationed here.

"Apollonia," he called out in Italian, "è molto tardi. Perché non sei a casa?" (It's very late. Why aren't you at home?)

Apollonia looked down shyly, her cheeks flushing a pretty shade of pink. "Stavo guardando la luna." (I was watching the moon.)

Lorenzo chuckled, joining her in the field. "La Luna è bellissima stasera, ma non così tanto come te." (The moon is beautiful tonight, but not as much as you.)

Apollonia blushed even deeper, her dark eyes darting away from his intense gaze. "Grazie..." she managed to say before giggling.

Lorenzo reached out and gently tilted her chin upwards, their faces mere centimeters apart. "Sei troppo bella per nasconderti qui nel buio, lo sai." (You're too beautiful to be hiding out here in the dark, you know.)

Apollonia's heart raced, her breath catching in her throat. "E tu, signore, sei troppo galante per un soldato americano." (And you, sir, are too kind for an American soldier.)

Lorenzo's lips curved into a mischievous grin. "Forse sono solo un bravo bugiardo." (Maybe I'm just a good liar.)

Apollonia playfully swatted his arm, but she couldn't help but smile. "Sei un gran bugiardo, signore." (You're a great liar, sir.)

Lorenzo's grin only widened as he took her hand in his, intertwining their fingers. "Voglio solo dire che mi piaci… molto." (I just want you to know that I… like you… a lot.)

In the fading twilight, Lieutenant Colonel Lorenzo and Apollonia's gazes met. He gently took her hand in his, their fingers intertwining. "Dimmi la verità, Apollonia… ti piace me?" (Be honest with me, Apollonia… do you like me?)

Apollonia blushed even deeper, her dark eyes darting away shyly.

"Guarda me negli occhi," (Look at me) he said softly but firmly, and she reluctantly met his gaze. "Hai dei sentimenti per me?" (Do you have feelings for me?)

Apollonia bit her lower lip, her heart pounding in her chest. Finally, she nodded, unable to deny the truth any longer. "Sì…" (Yes…)

Lorenzo's expression softened, but he stepped back, creating a distance between them. "E io ti dirò la verità anch'io. Non sono un bravo ragazzo come potresti pensare." (And I'll be honest with you too. I'm not the good man you may think I am.)

Apollonia's heart sank, but she didn't avert her gaze.

He continued, "C'è un'altra donna nel mio cuore a casa." (There's another woman in my heart back home.)

Apollonia's heart ached, but she couldn't bring herself to hate him. In fact, her feelings for him only grew stronger for his honesty. As he began to walk away, she found the courage to speak up.

"Lorenzo..."

He turned back, his eyes filled with a mix of emotions. "Ti dispiace?" (Do you hate me?)

Apollonia shook her head, meeting his gaze. "No, non ti odio." (No, I don't hate you.)

Lorenzo's brow furrowed, "Così... ti importa ancora di me nonostante sappia che amo un'altra donna?" (Then... you still care for me even though you know I love another?)

Apollonia took a deep breath, her heart pounding in her chest. "Sì, lo so. Ma ti voglio bene lo stesso." (Yes, I know. But I still care for you.)

Lorenzo's expression softened, and he closed the distance between them once more. "Sei troppo buona per me, lo sai." (You're too good for me, you know that, right?)

Apollonia smiled through her tears. "Forse, ma ti voglio bene comunque." (Maybe, but I still care for you anyway.)

Lorenzo cupped her cheek, wiping away her tears with his thumb. "Grazie, Apollonia. Non merito una ragazza come te." (Thank you, Apollonia. I don't deserve a girl like you.)

Lorenzo's eyes widened in disbelief as he realized that Apollonia still wanted him. A wave of relief washed over him, "I knew this young woman is a different breed!" he thought to himself. He couldn't help but marvel at her unique charm.

Without a moment's hesitation, Lorenzo pulled her into a warm embrace, his strong arms enveloping her slender frame. Apollonia gasped in surprise, but didn't resist. Instead, she melted into his embrace, savoring the unfamiliar yet comforting sensation of their bodies pressed together.

Emboldened by her response, Lorenzo leaned in and captured her soft lips with his own, initiating a passionate kiss. His lips were firm yet tender, exploring hers with a hunger that both shocked and aroused her. Apollonia's heart raced, her breath catching in her throat. She had never been kissed by a man before, let alone a man like Lorenzo, but she found herself craving more.

Tentatively, she responded to his advances, her lips parting ever so slightly to allow his tongue to dance with hers. The sensation was foreign yet electrifying, sending shivers down her spine. Her inexperience only seemed to heighten the intensity of the moment, their tongues intertwining in a rhythmic dance as they explored each other's mouths.

Lorenzo's hand traveled up her back, fingers entwining themselves in her silky hair as he deepened the kiss, angling her head for better access.