Bυввℓєѕ stepped into the dingy bar, the stench of stale beer and cigarettes filled her nostrils. Hesitating for a moment as she took in her surroundings. thankful that it was mostly quiet apart from a few straggly looking people sitting at the tables looking shifty. She straightened up her dress and tried to not look them in the eye, but lifting her chin so that she appeared confident, even if she wasn't. Letting the door go to swing shut behind her, she walked to the bar and waited to catch the barkeeps attention as he engaged in what seemed to be like some secret conversation with some guys at the other end of the bar. She hadn't wanted to come here, but she needed a job, singing was all she knew how to do and after seeing Nick in the club, and with another woman, she wasn't sure she'd be able to handle performing there and not being able to run into his arms. Especially if he were with some other chick. As scary a place as it might be, this bar was the last resort. She knew it's reputation, she knew it was rough, and she knew the kinds of people that frequented the place. But it was her only choice.
Nick had left the club with only one intention and that was finding Bubbles. Getting in his car he ignored his men, knowing they would follow him. He dismissed the confrontation he had had with the whore, she was after all a whore, she behaved just as he hoped she would. She was tough and he knew she'd be able to handle herself. Her reputation hadn't been exaggerated and he was glad, last thing he needed was some damsel he'd have to pull out of trouble all the time. Cruising down the road, he considered heading to the Italian restaurant but he wasn't in the mood to confront any Morella's who would no doubt be hanging there. Passing the Lady Luck, he opted for some liquid courage, so he pulled up along side the curb and got out. The typical stragglers were loitering about and he ignored them as he made his way to the doors of the club and entered the building. It took him a second to let his eyes adjust and he didn't remove his shades, but simply stood there until he could see clearly. He went for the bar and tapped on the counter, "Give me a scotch on the rocks, something top shelf, if you have it." He said "if" as if he didn't expect them to have anything decent. He didn't expect much from the place. It was a dive and they rarely carried anything decent.
Bυввℓєѕ leaned against the bar, waiting until the barkeep turned his attention toward her rather than calling out for him, not wanting to draw too much attention to herself. She twiddled a curl of red hair at the side of her head, out of habit, as she heard the door open behind her. She didn't turn around. Not that there would be any point, she didn't know anyone that would come in this type of bar and she'd only appear to be being nosy. And these people will give you hell if you so much as look at them wrong, and that's not something she wanted to deal with right now. But as a familiar scent drifted towards her, her heart began to quicken, it was an aftershave she knew well. No sooner had she caught the scent, she heard his voice. She lifted her head and saw him stood there ordering a drink as if he'd not noticed her. Breath caught in her throat as she attempted to speak, in a quiet, timid voice, "Nick?"
Nick heard his name and, glancing at his side, he saw who he'd been looking for. He scowled before he blurted, "What the hell are you doing here?" He looked around the bar, checking out the company to see if he recognized anyone she might have been there with and paying closer attention to who was around him. His thoughts had been so consumed on her he realized he was being very observant and that could be dangerous. He forgot about the drink as he attempted to reach out and grab her upper arm. His intention was to lead her to a place where they could have some privacy. He was familiar enough with the building to know there was a stairwell at the back and he would attempt to lead her there if she allowed him to grab her and lead her there.
Bυввℓєѕ looked up at him and stammered an answer. "I.... I came for a job." Pausing for a second as she searched his eyes. "I need a job." Standing upright as he grabbed her arm, taking a step back from the bar. "What are YOU doing here?" She allowed him to guide her wherever he wanted her to go, hoping it was somewhere they could be alone. Where they could talk.... Where she could hold him. All she wanted was to be in his arms and being this close to him after a week or not seeing him at all, was making that feeling grow stronger. Keeping her eyes to the ground as he led her, trying not to catch the attention of anyone else in the bar, she stayed as close to him as possible.
Nick plucked the cigarette from his mouth and crushed it out in the ashtray that was on the bar as he guided her through the bar to the stairwell. When they were alone, he released her then jumped right into scolding her, "You shouldn't be here, this place isn't safe - hell do you know what kinda people hangout here? You don't think they wouldn't like to hurt you just to get back at your family? I'm sure you're father is responsible for most of their job losses or arrests or, shit, even if he hasn't affected them personally I'm sure someone wouldn't mind just offing a Morella." He glanced up the stairs, then looked back at her. "Is that why you were at the club, to get a job?" He ran a hand over his face, trying to figure out why he was so upset and why she always managed to get to him.
Bυввℓєѕ trembled as he scolded her. She hated when he was mad at her. It was the worst feeling in the world. That she'd disappointed him or made him angry. Fixing her eyes to the floor before she answered, her voice as shaky as her body. "Yes I came to the club for a job. I guess with new owners I thought........ Hell, I don't know." She sighed deeply, before continuing, never lifting her gaze from the grubby wooden floor. "I guess I just didn't expect to see you there. And it made me realize, I don't think I could sing there. I couldn't be there, watching you and your new girl cozy it up. It would break my heart, knowing you used to be mine." She squeezed her eyes shut, in attempt to stop a tear from falling, lowing her face even further as she fidgeted on the spot. "I know this place is bad. But I have no choice."
Nick watched her as she stared at the floor and he had trouble making out what she was saying but when she mentioned a new girl he frowned, then tipped his head, attempting to catch her gaze as he bent to make that possible. "Wait, what? New girl...you mean that chick at the bar? That ain't my new girl, she's not even a girl - hell she's not even 'new'," he laughed some at that comment but didn't explain the insult. "Ava is the new madame, she's going to be running her ring out of Violet's place. I was just there to make sure the deal went through. Why would you think that I would...I mean, really? It's been a week. I probably shoulda attempted to reach out to you sooner, but I've been kinda busy with setting shit up and, well, I was..." He straightened up and raked his fingers through his hair before removing his shades. "I didn't know how you felt after all that went down with Frankie." He lowered his voice. "I thought you might be angry or hurt or, shit, I don't know...Are you?"
Bυввℓєѕ felt her body relax as he explained about the girl. She hadn't realized she had tensed up so much until now. She was still shaking, maybe it was her need to be in his arms. She lifted her head to meet his gaze, glad when he took his shades off. She had always loved looking into those pale beautiful eyes. She remembered when they were 16, they'd sneak off to steal some time together, usually in the old train station where no one else would ever go. The guard would always let Nick past the gate cos of who his father was. And she could sit for hours, just staring into his eyes. Seeing the real Nick. Her Nick. He face turned to a frown as she took in his last sentence. "No baby... No. I'm not mad, or upset or anything like that. Frankie was an asshole. You saw me baby, you saw me there.... If you hadn't done it, I would have." She stepped a little closer to him, wanting, needing, to be near him. "I know the rules, I know how it works... Family comes first.... " Reaching up to place her hand on his cheek, never leaving his gaze. "But, you're my family Nick. Just you."
Nick felt relief wash over him at her words and he forgot about all the shit he had been dealing with and it was just him and her again. He smiled, then reached out to touch her hair. "I don't want you to work here. Later, we can go by Violet's and talk to her about setting you up gigs there, okay? In fact, we'll be taking over the VIP room, I can make sure that's where you'll be. So I can keep an eye on you, though not sure how that's going to go over with you father." He chuckled, then stepped closer to her. "How does that sound?"
Bυввℓєѕ managed a smile, the first in a week it seemed. She nodded as he spoke and tilted her head toward his hand as he reached for her hair. "I'd like that. I didn't want to work here.... These people scare me" She chuckled softly before she turned to look up the stairwell, making sure no one was there, she reached for his hand and slipped her fingers between his, moving closer and bring her mouth to his ear. "I've missed you so much.... This week has been hell." Closing her eyes and keeping her lips by his neck, she inhaled his scent, letting it fill her nose. Wishing there were no one else in the bar at all.
Nick briefly closed his eyes as she leaned into him but he didn't allow himself to stay in the moment for too, knowing it wasn't a good idea to linger in the stairwell for too long. He wasn't sure of who actually ran the bar now, but he had heard rumors of it being some new leader, a guy who liked to stay 'faceless' and kept his identity under the radar. Couldn't be anyone who was going to bring anything good to the neighborhood, not running it out of the Lady Luck. Opening his eyes, he glanced up the stairs, then considered actually climbing them. If Bubbles hadn't been with him he woulda paid the guy a visit, just for the hell of it, but at that moment all he could think of was keeping her safe. "I've missed you too, but we should probably get out of here. Are you expected to be anywhere soon?"
Bυввℓєѕ took a step back before the urge to kiss him overcame her. Clearing her throat and smiling at the knowledge that he had missed her too. She nodded in agreement that they should leave. She didn't want to spend another second in this place, and more to the point, she wanted to be alone with him. "I don't have to be anywhere. I moved back into my own house. Not my fathers place... he didn't like it but I didn't give him a choice.. Guess he was too upset about Frankie to give a shit what I do anymore. Only reason he ever did was cos he liked controlling me." She took a breath before she started to get worked up. She hated thinking about the way her father treated her, which was probably only going to get worse now golden boy was in the ground. "Let's get out of here baby.". She waited for him to make a move toward the door before she would follow him.
Nick nodded then headed for the front door and his car. The bartender called out to him about the scotch, but Nick ignored him. Knowing she was close behind him, he headed to the passengers side of the vehicle and opened the door for her. His mean, who were fucking around in the parking lot of the near by townhomes quickly reacted, ready to follow him, but he shook his head. "Stay, I'll be back in a few." Holding the door open, he waited for Bubbles to sit.
Bυввℓєѕ followed him from the bar, keeping close behind him, turning and waving her hand at the bartender apologetically as he called to Nick about his scotch. Stepping out into the crisp air she stood as he held the passenger door open for her, and sat in the cool leather seat, swinging her legs inside the car. As he closed her door and walked around the car, she reached over and unlocked the drivers door for him and sat back against the seat, checking he hair in the wing mirror.
Nick got behind the wheel and, checking the street briefly, he turned the car on and threw it in to gear. Racing down the streets he headed for the old theater and some much needed privacy.
Bυввℓєѕ reached across to hold his as he drove, running her thumb accross his knuckles. As they came to a stop outside the theatre, she opened the door and stepped out of the car. The cold air hitting her bare legs as she shivered. Following him into the abandoned, derelict building, it smelled musty and was old and worn, but it was empty, and private. Finally she could be alone with him
Nick parked then watched her get out. He always found himself staring after her and he grinned, glad for the privacy. Getting out of the car, he moved tot he front of the vehicle, the held out his hand, waiting her her to take it. The theater shoulda been knocked down, hell it was practically already there, but his father had refused to broker any land deals that were offered on the place, no doubt out of spite, after all it was a prime piece of real estate/ Nick loved the place. He visited it often, either alone or with Bubbles during the times they'd run off and hide. Leading her into the building, he told her to be careful as he made his way to the main room.
Bυввℓєѕ gladly took his hand and followed closely as he led her into the building and into the main room. She looked around, treading carefully as the floor creaked beneath her. Waving a hand in front of her face to clear the dust before it made her cough. memories of their teen years would come flooding back to her of the times when they would come here to hide from prying eyes. Sitting behind the curtains, laughing and making out, without a care in the world. Just her and him. That's all she ever wanted. After taking a few steps into the room, she tugged on his hand, turning him to face her, letting go of his grasp and taking his face in her hands, "I've fuckin' missed you baby." Stepping close to him, she would attempt to kiss him.
Nick didn't waste any time as he grabbed her hips and lifted her so he could kiss her. It was like coming home for him and he pulled her close as his mouth claimed hers, his tongue seeking out the warm sweetness of her mouth. There in the dark theater they were allowed to shed the rules and forget about family and simply be. It was times he relished and he wondered why he didn't just marry her. Forget about those things that had separated them, after all, his father was dead and he was the boss now. What was holding them back? Nothing, he thought. Nothing but the consequences of marrying a Morella. Things were still shaky and the Gianni's were in a sketchy place. People were coming out of the woodwork and he and his family needed to put on a united front and show no weakness. Marrying Bubbles would make it appear as if Nick was careless and acted on whims. A child still caught up in the ideas of love and grand dreams. His family was waiting for such a move and he wasn't going to give it to them. Kissing his girl, he set her down so his hands could wander over her familiar curves and he inhaled the scent of her, trying to take in every detail. It would have to sustain him.
Bυввℓєѕ lost all sens of everything around her as he lifted her off her feet and returned her kiss. Lost in his scent, his taste, the feel of his body pressing against hers. Nothing else ever seemed to matter when she was in his arms. She held him tightly, with her arms warpped around his neck and as he set her down, she didn't loosen her hold. Leaning her head back to once again look into his eyes. The emotion of being back in the arms of her love... Of knowing everything was okay with them, knowing he still loved her.. Of the whole week alone washing away from her, sent a tear rolling down her cheek as she brought a hand to his face, tracing his cheek and his lips with her finger tip. Speaking in a whisper, "I love you so much." Burying her face in his shoulder as she repeated her words, muffled against his jacket, "I love you so so much."
Nick pressed his face to her hair and held her. He was in no hurry to release her and was content just standing in the empty theater, hiding from the world and responsibilities. In the past week he had wondered about her often, though most of his thoughts centered around whether she hated him or not. His other thoughts were consumed by watching his back. After Frankie's death he had anticipated a retaliation from the Morella's, something bold and violent, but it seemed that the Don had been too busy trying to over come his grief than to plan something for Nick. Yet, Nick knew little about Don Morella and it wasn't like he could ask his own father what to expect. He knew the guy was ruthless but he also knew he wasn't wild. no if there was something coming Nick's way at the hand of the Don he could expect it to be calculated and precise. "I love you too baby. I was worried about you."
Bυввℓєѕ stroked his hair as they stood there. it felt like a lifetime had passed since they were together, but at the same time, it felt like only yesterday she'd fallen asleep in his arms at his appartment. She didn't know what had happened after Nick had ordered his men to take her home, what he'd done with the bodies or anything that had gone down since then. She had locked herself away in her house behind closed drapes and done what felt like nothing but cry and sleep. her father, of course, was distraught over Frankies death. And furious. She didn't know if he knew who was responsible but she had heard him mention The Gianni's. But not Nick specifically. She was hoping, as Don Gianni had been killed the same night, that her father would assume it to be connected to that and not Nick. She feared for him. "Worried about what, baby? My Father doesn't have a clue I had anything to do with that pigs death, or Frankies. He would have made it clear if he did." She leaned back a little and rested her finger under his chin, lifting his face to hers to look at him. "I'm okay baby. I'm with you now.. Of course I'm okay."
Nick nodded. He knew Bubbles was in the dark when it came to the details of the past few events and he preferred it that way. A part of him wondered if he should lay everything out for her, the part that liked confiding in her and taking comfort in her support, but the other part, the part that seemed to be ingrained in him said to keep his mouth shut and let her stay in the dark. What good would it do her to lay out specifics of her husband's death or that of the others? When she met his gaze, he stiffly nodded in a reassuring fashion, "Right, that's all that matters. You're safe."
Bυввℓєѕ stepped back and moved toward the stage, Pushing up on her hands so she could perch herself on the edge of it. She looked at him and then looked around the theater, a smile spreading across her lips. "Do you remember all the times we came here baby? All the things we used to do here?" She bit her lip and grinned at him, remember all the times they'd passionately made love behind the stage, and the times they'd furiously fucked against the wall, ravenous like animals for each other, stealing every secret moment they could. She motioned for him to come over to her. "You remember the time you tried to play all romantic and fill the place with candles?" she chuckled softly, reminiscing back to that particular night. He'd blindfolded her and bought her into the theater. The whole stage full of candles and a picnic in the middle. They'd got so caught up in making love, they didn't even realize one of the candles had set light to the curtain. No one ever knew how the fire was started, and they were lucky they smelled the smoke. it still made her laugh to think how Nick had to drag her out the back door, both of them half naked. Just so no one would see.
Nick moved to stand in front of her, parting her knees so he could be between her legs. When she asked about the candles, he looked around then let his pale eyes dart along the ceiling that was charred and collapsing. He didn't remember much from the night because he'd been a horny kid eager to get her undressed and on the floor, but he did remember how quickly the place caught on fire and how he had cursed his bad luck when the night went without the fucking he'd been looking for. She had handled the night as she had handled everything in their lives and he wondered if she'd ever get tired of the wild unpredictability of their love. He wondered if she'd ever desire a quiet life without him and the thought caused his expression to darken some and he slipped his arms around her and pulled her to him as if that would work to chase away the unwanted possibilities. "I remember. I had to steal those damn candles and from that restaurant and when my dad linked it to me he gave me a nice beating."
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