culpables years later

Nick

Jenna was still in the hospital with her education, her twins with her parents and Lion? He was supposed to be at the company, too, but I called and he wasn't there. Where was he? Jenna said she would pick up the kids later and arrive at the restaurant separately with Lion. I had a thought where he might be, but I was hoping I was wrong. I packed up my things and ran into Steve at my door. He came to me today because Noah wanted him to. "Steve, I'm done for the day and I have to go. Can you take me to Lion's old garage?" "Of course, Mr. Leister. Just think about dinner later. Your wife is expecting you at home." 

Noah wanted to go to dinner with Andy and I as the United Front . It would be stupid if we all showed up separately. I grinned mischievously at Steve. "Okay, Steve. I'll do anything for Noah." I quickly said goodbye to my secretary, and I told her she could walk if she wanted to. Jazz music was playing in the car while Steve was driving. If Lion was really in the garage, it didn't bode well for him. Then he got into trouble again, and when his wife finds out, he's got a bigger one. Why could nothing be normal with us? I'm going to be a father and I can't really enjoy it because I have a thousand other fucking problems. I don't have any problems! I'm bored.

My wish would be for things to become normal when we move and the fucking police get their jobs done and find Michael. "Is everything okay? You seem nervous?" "I worry about Lion. He may be in trouble again."

"I thought he was fine. New job and family...?" Yes, that's what I thought. Half an hour later, we arrived in front of the garage. "Are you waiting in the car?"

He nodded, I took a deep breath, and I got out. Nothing had changed. Lion had sold it, and it actually belonged to someone else. I looked at everything, and there was no lock on the side where the door was. You could hear quiet voices coming out. One belonged to Lion, but the other looked familiar. They were arguing with each other. Silently, I opened the door and walked in. It was half-dark in the room. Lion was standing with his back to me, and in front of him was his brother. Luca was back. And with him, the problems.

"I told you not to do this! It's never going to stop, so you're dragging me into this shit!" "Oh, brother, you're never going to get rid of them anyway. You and I are street kids, and the new you won't help you!" "But I don't want any of this anymore! I'm finally happy. I have a good job and a family of my own. You're in trouble again, and you come to me!" So Luca was in trouble again, and he came to Lion with it. I know Lion is strong, but when his brother arrived, he became weak. Then he became vulnerable to trouble. I approached both of them, and Luca's gaze met mine. He smiled and pointed his finger at me. My best friend turned around, startled, and looked at me in horror. "Nick? What are you doing here?" "I could ask you the same thing. I've been looking for you. You're in trouble, buddy?"

He ran his hands through his face and let out a loud sigh. "Good to see you, Leister." I gave him an angry look and gave him the middle finger.

To be honest, I never liked him. Not only because he always gets Lion in trouble, but because he had kissed Noah, too. Lion sat down in a chair, and I followed him. "Lion? What's going on?" He had a hard time talking. He looked sad and distraught. "Luca came to see me a few weeks ago. At first, I didn't think anything about it. He's just out of jail and he wants to be back here. And then it turns out he's bought our old garage again, and he's into debt. He ran into our old friends and started delivering drugs. So he became a target. Now Ronnie's gang wants revenge." 

It was worse than bad. But why Ronnie's gang? With Ronnie, I didn't know where we were because of the warning, but Luca? He's in deep shit like Lion was back then. This is all a bad dream. First Michael, then Briar and Ronnie. What have we done to the universe? "How much Luca? How much do you owe him?" Luca looked at me hesitantly. He also sat down in a chair and looked at his brother. "He owes him twenty thousand." Wow. How do you get that debt?

"If I don't pay him to this day, he threatened to hurt Lion's family. Lion doesn't have that kind of money." There was only one option left. "I'll give you the money, but only if you leave, Luca." 

That amount didn't hurt me. My family was financially secure, and I could have the money back in a week. Lion looked at me wide-eyed. He loved his brother, he was the only one he had left. Only he hated him at the same time. That was the problem. 

Luca looked at me and came up to me. "I don't want to leave Los Angeles and my baby brother! Keep your money." He was stupid. It was dangerous not only for him, but also for Lion and Jenna and the kids. While Luca and I looked angry and face to face, Lion stood up and turned to his brother. "Luca. You should take the money. I want you to go." "Mr. Leister! Mens are waiting around the corner. They look very angry." Steve rushed in and looked at me apprehensively. "Well, Luca. Ronnie's gang walk here. What are you doing?"He looked at me nervously and looked at his brother for help.

Lion got mad, you could see. "If you dare to hurt me and my family with your debts. Are you dead to me! Take Nick's money." 

It was rare for me to see my best friend so angry and worried. Just as he was about to answer, Ronnie's people rushed in. Steve stood up to protect me. The group surrounded us, and Cruz came into the middle. He looked at me in amazement, and then started laughing. "Who have we here? Ronnie's old best friend. How is Mr. Leister?" Since when has Cruz been the leader? "Cruz. Where's Ronnie?" He came closer and looked at me in amusement. "He's long gone with his girlfriend or something. Now I'm in charge, and your friend owes me a lot of money." Ronnie was gone? With his girlfriend? Maybe he had really changed. Luca approached him and made hasty steps towards him. But immediately others came up to him and built a wall around Cruz. "I don't have the money." He looked down, concerned. Cruz laughed, circling the three of us. "I don't understand. Couldn't your friends lend you anything? Your brother has a real job because of a good company. Or Mr. Leister here is almost a millionaire with his own company. What's the damn problem with giving me my money?" 

He got louder and louder and angrier. Why couldn't he take my damn money? "Then I guess that means there's trouble. Guys, let's go."

Noah

It was about time Nick came home. Our parents are ready to go. Andy, too, wore a cute shirt and was looking forward to eating. I was ready too. I wore a simple dark blue strapless dress with some jewelry and hair falling over my shoulder.

The plan was for us to leave in 10 minutes, but where was Nick? I'd probably called him three times, but I went straight to voicemail, which was weird for him. "Mom, where's Dad?" Andy came up to me and slammed his arms around my waist. I stroked his head. "Soon. I'll text him again." Just as I was about to text him, a message came from him. 

                                                    Nick❤️

Got held up. Come to the restaurant. I'm looking forward to seeing you.

                                                                                  Is everything okay? Okay See you there.

Yes.

In a way, I had a strange feeling about it. I took a deep breath, and I imagined the beautiful evening we had tonight. Everything's going to be all right. Andy was playing with my mom, and William was watching them, and he was doing a lot better, and his wounds were almost invisible. Actually, I wanted to put my phone in my little pocket when Jenna was texting me.

                                             Jenna

Are on the way. Looking forward to the evening🍾😚

                                                                                 Same👌🏼🍾

I had to smile. Jenna was more excited about this evening than I was. So Nick would join us. I put my phone and my keys in my pocket and announced that Nick would meet us at the restaurant. So we drove off. Andy and I in my Mercedes and our parents in their Porsche. 

The ride didn't take long, and Andy talked excitedly about his game today. "How did it go with the girl Andy?" Suddenly he went very quiet. He seemed nervous. "I've been talking to her, and apparently we have the same interests. She can be quite nice." My look in the rearview mirror told me that he had to smile as he talked about her. My young son is getting older. I stopped asking questions, and we drove quietly to the restaurant. At the parking lot, Jenna was waiting with the boys and our parents. Andy ran up to the boys and played catch with them. Jenna and I hugged, and then she talked to our parents. I walked up to the boys and embraced them.

Where were Nick and Lion? And where's Nick's mother and her boyfriend?

Nick

Jenna was still in the hospital with her education, her twins with her parents and Lion? He was supposed to be at the company, too, but I called and he wasn't there. Where was he? Jenna said she would pick up the kids later and arrive at the restaurant separately with Lion. I had a thought where he might be, but I was hoping I was wrong. I packed up my things and ran into Steve at my door. He came to me today because Noah wanted him to. "Steve, I'm done for the day and I have to go. Can you take me to Lion's old garage?" "Of course, Mr. Leister. Just think about dinner later. Your wife is expecting you at home." 

Noah wanted to go to dinner with Andy and I as the United Front . It would be stupid if we all showed up separately. I grinned mischievously at Steve. "Okay, Steve. I'll do anything for Noah." I quickly said goodbye to my secretary, and I told her she could walk if she wanted to. Jazz music was playing in the car while Steve was driving. If Lion was really in the garage, it didn't bode well for him. Then he got into trouble again, and when his wife finds out, he's got a bigger one. Why could nothing be normal with us? I'm going to be a father and I can't really enjoy it because I have a thousand other fucking problems. I don't have any problems! I'm bored.

My wish would be for things to become normal when we move and the fucking police get their jobs done and find Michael. "Is everything okay? You seem nervous?" "I worry about Lion. He may be in trouble again."

"I thought he was fine. New job and family...?" Yes, that's what I thought. Half an hour later, we arrived in front of the garage. "Are you waiting in the car?"

He nodded, I took a deep breath, and I got out. Nothing had changed. Lion had sold it, and it actually belonged to someone else. I looked at everything, and there was no lock on the side where the door was. You could hear quiet voices coming out. One belonged to Lion, but the other looked familiar. They were arguing with each other. Silently, I opened the door and walked in. It was half-dark in the room. Lion was standing with his back to me, and in front of him was his brother. Luca was back. And with him, the problems.

"I told you not to do this! It's never going to stop, so you're dragging me into this shit!" "Oh, brother, you're never going to get rid of them anyway. You and I are street kids, and the new you won't help you!" "But I don't want any of this anymore! I'm finally happy. I have a good job and a family of my own. You're in trouble again, and you come to me!" So Luca was in trouble again, and he came to Lion with it. I know Lion is strong, but when his brother arrived, he became weak. Then he became vulnerable to trouble. I approached both of them, and Luca's gaze met mine. He smiled and pointed his finger at me. My best friend turned around, startled, and looked at me in horror. "Nick? What are you doing here?" "I could ask you the same thing. I've been looking for you. You're in trouble, buddy?"

He ran his hands through his face and let out a loud sigh. "Good to see you, Leister." I gave him an angry look and gave him the middle finger.

To be honest, I never liked him. Not only because he always gets Lion in trouble, but because he had kissed Noah, too. Lion sat down in a chair, and I followed him. "Lion? What's going on?" He had a hard time talking. He looked sad and distraught. "Luca came to see me a few weeks ago. At first, I didn't think anything about it. He's just out of jail and he wants to be back here. And then it turns out he's bought our old garage again, and he's into debt. He ran into our old friends and started delivering drugs. So he became a target. Now Ronnie's gang wants revenge." 

It was worse than bad. But why Ronnie's gang? With Ronnie, I didn't know where we were because of the warning, but Luca? He's in deep shit like Lion was back then. This is all a bad dream. First Michael, then Briar and Ronnie. What have we done to the universe? "How much Luca? How much do you owe him?" Luca looked at me hesitantly. He also sat down in a chair and looked at his brother. "He owes him twenty thousand." Wow. How do you get that debt?

"If I don't pay him to this day, he threatened to hurt Lion's family. Lion doesn't have that kind of money." There was only one option left. "I'll give you the money, but only if you leave, Luca." 

That amount didn't hurt me. My family was financially secure, and I could have the money back in a week. Lion looked at me wide-eyed. He loved his brother, he was the only one he had left. Only he hated him at the same time. That was the problem. 

Luca looked at me and came up to me. "I don't want to leave Los Angeles and my baby brother! Keep your money." He was stupid. It was dangerous not only for him, but also for Lion and Jenna and the kids. While Luca and I looked angry and face to face, Lion stood up and turned to his brother. "Luca. You should take the money. I want you to go." "Mr. Leister! Mens are waiting around the corner. They look very angry." Steve rushed in and looked at me apprehensively. "Well, Luca. Ronnie's gang walk here. What are you doing?"He looked at me nervously and looked at his brother for help.

Lion got mad, you could see. "If you dare to hurt me and my family with your debts. Are you dead to me! Take Nick's money." 

It was rare for me to see my best friend so angry and worried. Just as he was about to answer, Ronnie's people rushed in. Steve stood up to protect me. The group surrounded us, and Cruz came into the middle. He looked at me in amazement, and then started laughing. "Who have we here? Ronnie's old best friend. How is Mr. Leister?" Since when has Cruz been the leader? "Cruz. Where's Ronnie?" He came closer and looked at me in amusement. "He's long gone with his girlfriend or something. Now I'm in charge, and your friend owes me a lot of money." Ronnie was gone? With his girlfriend? Maybe he had really changed. Luca approached him and made hasty steps towards him. But immediately others came up to him and built a wall around Cruz. "I don't have the money." He looked down, concerned. Cruz laughed, circling the three of us. "I don't understand. Couldn't your friends lend you anything? Your brother has a real job because of a good company. Or Mr. Leister here is almost a millionaire with his own company. What's the damn problem with giving me my money?" 

He got louder and louder and angrier. Why couldn't he take my damn money? "Then I guess that means there's trouble. Guys, let's go."

Noah

It was about time Nick came home. Our parents are ready to go. Andy, too, wore a cute shirt and was looking forward to eating. I was ready too. I wore a simple dark blue strapless dress with some jewelry and hair falling over my shoulder.

The plan was for us to leave in 10 minutes, but where was Nick? I'd probably called him three times, but I went straight to voicemail, which was weird for him. "Mom, where's Dad?" Andy came up to me and slammed his arms around my waist. I stroked his head. "Soon. I'll text him again." Just as I was about to text him, a message came from him. 

                                                    Nick❤️

Got held up. Come to the restaurant. I'm looking forward to seeing you.

                                                                                  Is everything okay? Okay See you there.

Yes.

In a way, I had a strange feeling about it. I took a deep breath, and I imagined the beautiful evening we had tonight. Everything's going to be all right. Andy was playing with my mom, and William was watching them, and he was doing a lot better, and his wounds were almost invisible. Actually, I wanted to put my phone in my little pocket when Jenna was texting me.

                                             Jenna

Are on the way. Looking forward to the evening🍾😚

                                                                                 Same👌🏼🍾

I had to smile. Jenna was more excited about this evening than I was. So Nick would join us. I put my phone and my keys in my pocket and announced that Nick would meet us at the restaurant. So we drove off. Andy and I in my Mercedes and our parents in their Porsche. 

The ride didn't take long, and Andy talked excitedly about his game today. "How did it go with the girl Andy?" Suddenly he went very quiet. He seemed nervous. "I've been talking to her, and apparently we have the same interests. She can be quite nice." My look in the rearview mirror told me that he had to smile as he talked about her. My young son is getting older. I stopped asking questions, and we drove quietly to the restaurant. At the parking lot, Jenna was waiting with the boys and our parents. Andy ran up to the boys and played catch with them. Jenna and I hugged, and then she talked to our parents. I walked up to the boys and embraced them.

Where were Nick and Lion? And where's Nick's mother and her boyfriend?