Caught Up

Junior is one of the protagonists and serves as the primary love interest for Lauren. He is a member of the mafia and works under his father, Nico Trocci Sr., who in turn works for Lorenzo, the head of the organization. When Junior graduated high school, he joined the mafia at his father’s insistence, and Lauren recalls that during the brief period when she dated Junior, he dreaded this eventuality. Prior to joining, Junior was considering a career outside the mafia, which Lauren encouraged him to pursue. He was infatuated with Lauren, but unbeknownst to her, Lauren’s father, Tommy, threatened to kill Junior if he continued to date her, and then threatened the life of his own daughter if Junior dared to disobey. To protect Lauren, Junior publicly denied their relationship, but he continued to protect her and watch her from a distance for the 10 years preceding the novel’s events.

The novel opens 10 years after the pair’s high school experiences, and by this point, Junior has realized that the mafia is gradually breaking his spirit and causing him to lose faith in humanity. Early in the novel, Junior helps to get Lauren’s father, Tommy, out of the country so that the man can escape investigations into his own criminal activity.