Nick sat sprawled on one of the over stuffed loungers a glass of scotch in his hand. There was a single sphere of ice in the glass and Nick held the drink to his forehead, trying to absorb the residual chill. Of course the glass was crystal, it was typical of his father to purchase only the best, though Nick was sure his father probably drank out of the bottle. Scowling slightly, he lowered the glass and peered at it, admiring the color of the dark liquor and wondering who spent the time to shape the damn ice into a ball. When he heard footsteps in the entry hall, his head snapped up, his pale eyes narrowing. Licking his bottom lip, he drug his tongue across his lip, tasting the dried blood of the jagged cut that flared with pain and he winced slightly. It had been a rough night. At the bar he had hoped Frankie would've just killed him and put him out of his misery. Instead he was taken to a warehouse where his father's men waited for him. He was told to get out of the town car and left there. It was bewildering and Nick had yet to recover from the shock. Now he sat in his father's home, left to absorb the news that his father was dead.
Bυввℓєѕ stood in the entrance hall shifting on her feet, nervous and starting to wonder what she was doing here. She hadn't stopped to consider the possibilities, after hanging up the call to Don Gianni. All she could think about was Nick, so she'd rushed to his father thinking - hoping - he could help. But now, as she was left with time to ponder, it started to cross her mind that maybe he had alterior motives. Maybe he'd seen her panic and desperation as a good excuse to get her onto his territory and dispose of her. She jumped a little as she heard the front door open again, as the doorman poked his head around to inform her that Don Gianni would be arriving home from the club very shortly and she should take a seat and wait for him. She smiled nervously at the man and nodded again as he backed out, closing the door quietly behind him. Panic and paranoia began to wash over her and she decide to make an exit, heading toward the door, stopping in her tracks as she heard what sounded like a glass clinking. She listened for a second and heard it again. She knew it wasn't Nick's father and it couldn't be any of his men as they would've been at the club with him. She stepped lightly back toward the stairs, placing her hand on the banister as she tried to peer around the corner, calling out nervously, in a shaky voice. "H..... Hello?"
Nick heard the voice and he practically jumped off the sofa and, setting the glass on the coffee table, he crossed the room with long strides. He hoped his mind wasn't playing tricks on him and that the voice belong to Bubbles. But why would she be here? The stupid suit he wore felt stiff even though it was made of the best material, fitting his form perfectly. He'd been told to change and "relax" though he had a hard time with the last part. His thoughts, though scattered and whirling with confusing always returned to Bubbles. He wondered if leaving her had been the smartest thing to do. Frankie had asked where she was and he had told her, even gave him the key to the room. Frankie had made a comment when he heard what hotel she had been left in. "Always the best, huh Gianni?" Sarcastic bastard. Nick had managed to keep his mouth shut though. Last thing he wanted was a full out brawl with the idiot. Making his way across the room, he stepped into the study and came to a halt.
Bυввℓєѕ heard movement from the other room, and started to panic, backing down the steps slowly and wondering if she should bolt. Until she saw him. Her whole body shook as her legs almost gave way under. Almost immediately, her eyes welled up with tears and she was sure she felt her heart stop beating. Moving her lips to try and speak, but with no words coming out, she realized she hadn't been breathing for a few second and as she exhaled, it released the rest of her emotions simultaneously. She began to sob, his name being the only sound to escape her lips as she dropped the bag of his that she'd brought from the hotel room. Stumbling towards him, blinded by tears and with legs like jelly, she flung her arms around him, clinging as tightly to him as she could. She buried her face against his shoulder and sobbed loudly against the material of his suit. She thought she'd lost him again, but now here he was, the panic and pain of losing him and now the sheer relief of being with him again all flooding out of her as she cried.
Nick grabbed her as she stumbled towards him and when she began to cry he held her tightly. He was surprised and would've struggled for a reaction except he was suddenly concerned for her and wanted to comfort her. Holding her, he ran his hands down her back, then stroked her hair as she cried. "Shhhh," he pressed his face to her hair and kissed her where he could, before he stepped back some and attempted to claim her face in his hands, "It's okay, you're okay...Are you okay?" He glanced over her head to see if anyone had entered with her, but thy were alone and he returned his attentions to her. "You're not hurt are you? Shit baby, I'm so sorry. I left you alone, it was stupid, I'm sorry. How'd you get here? What are you doing here?" He had been certain it would be awhile since he'd lay eyes on her again, especially after giving Frankie the hotel key. It practically had to be pried from his fingers. Peering at her, he wiped at her cheeks with his thumbs. "What are you doing here?" Despite himself, he laughed in a shaky manner.
Bυввℓєѕ began to calm a little as he held her in his arms. His nearness and his embrace and his familiar scent making her feel safe as it always did. She looked up at him as he held her face, nuzzling into his palm as she placed her hand over his on her cheek. her lip still shaking and her breathing still jittery as she nodded in response to his questions. tears still rolling down her cheeks as she spoke quietly. "I'm okay, I'm not hurt." She stopped to take a deep breath, trying to calm herself further before she spoke again. "I called your father. He told me to come here. I'm so sorry baby. I didn't know what else to do. I woke up and you were gone.... I thought - I don't know what I thought... You were just gone." She remembered the pain that had ripped through her when she had realized he was gone and it made tears well in her eyes again, her lip shaking even more as she tried to fight back the tears. as she took his hand from her face and pressed the lighter into his palm that she'd been clutching in her other hand since she arrived.
Nick knew the object she had placed in his hand. It was one he was very familiar with, after having memorized it's feel during the years they'd been separated. Slipping it back into his pocket, he gave it a pat as if reassuring her it would always be with him then managed a smile, before he took her back into his arms. It had been painful leaving her, but hiding out went against his personality and he had only been able to handle it so long. Even as a kid he'd be okay with taking a beating from wrongs, he never had an issue with consequences or "taking his medicine" but this time he had her to worry about so his thought had been conflicted. It also helped that his buzz had yet to wear off and the scotch he'd been downing gave him the boldness he sought. "Come, sit down."
Bυввℓєѕ wiped her tear stained cheeks as he slipped the lighter into his pocket. She followed him into the living area and sat with him. the relief she felt being back in his arms was indescribable. Looking up at him she had so many questions but wanted nothing more than to kiss him, to taste him. She was worried his father might walk in any moment and was too scared of how he would react if he caught them kissing. She felt like a teenager again. Sneaking around and stealing kisses when she could. Her face was solemn and her eyes were puffy and red as she brushed her fingers against his cheek. "What happened to you ?" She ran her thumb across the cut on his lip, her brow furrowing with worry. "Who did this to you? Where did you go?" She hesitated for a second, her voice growing quiet and sad, "Why did you leave me?" She clenched her jaw as she looked at him, waiting for a response.
Nick he knew the questions were coming and he hadn't been eager for them. It wasn't that he didn't feel his actions had been the right ones but putting his thoughts at the time into words was something he knew he'd struggle with. When she touched his lip he licked it again, then chuckled, "Oh that, yeah well let's just call it a lucky punch." Actually, what had happened was Frankie had clocked him for his smart mouth when they were still in the bar. Nick was just grateful that he didn't shoot him and had recovered from the punch quickly and with another smart ass remark. He knew how to get under Frankie's skin, the guy was insecure and had a quick temper. Nick hoped the guy never became Morella Boss because shit would surely heat up then. "Your brother always gets ballsy when he has the advantage in numbers." When he looked at her and saw she was waiting for an answer to her final question, he sighed then raked his fingers through his hair, "I left because I thought it would be the best thing for you. I wanted you out of danger. I figured if you were back with your family that you'd be out of the fire. The further from me seemed like the best idea, yet here you are," he laughed.
Bυввℓєѕ chuckled softly at his last comment. "I guess we're just meant to be together, huh baby?" But her face soon turned serious when she responded to the rest of his answers. "My brother?? When did you see Frankie? Where the hell did you go, Nick?!" She took another deep breath, and spoke again softly, "Being without you is never what's best for me. I can't survive without you, Nick. You need to know that." Reaching up to remove his shades so she could look into his eyes, hoping he could see just how serious she was. The thought of losing him again tore her up inside. Wrenched at her heart as if it would physically break. Another tear ran down her cheek as she rested her forehead against his, speaking again in a whisper. "I need you."
Nick saw how mentioning her brother rattled her and he wiped at her tear before he nodded. He had no clue why he was nodding but it just seemed appropriate. It was something he did often, almost like a gesture to buy him some time. It was actually something his own father did and he frowned when his thoughts flashed back to his dead parent. "I went to find your brother and I found him," he laughed. "It wasn't hard since he was looking for me. And baby, you know it's not all that simple, us being together. I know I was painting you a pretty picture of our future, but you have to know there are obstacles that aren't going to be easy to over come, right? And hell, it seems like things are getting a bit more complicated." He glanced up at the entryway, making sure they were still alone before his voice dropped, "My father is dead."
Bυввℓєѕ sat bolt upright, in shock at what she thought she'd heard. "What?!" Her thought became scattered, hoping she'd misheard, but knowing deep down that she hadn't. She stood up and walked toward the coffee table, her legs still unstable as she stepped lightly. Picking up the glass of scotch that had obviously been Nick's before she had come in, she bought it to her lips and sunk the remaining cool liquid in one go. Screwing her face up as it burned a path down her throat to her stomach. She turned back to Nick, watching his face. "How ? When ? Who.... Did you......" trailing off the last 2 questions as she paused for a moment. "Baby where is Frankie ? Did he do this ?" She reached for the bottle of scotch that sat on the table, and refilled the glass. Perching cautiously on the edge of the sofa, staring wide eyed into the fire place. "What the fuck happened Nick?"
Nick watched her closely as she went for the drink. His pale eyes stayed on her, measuring her every reaction. It wasn't that he suspected her of anything devious but it was simply smart to always be mindful of who was in the room and if they posed any type of threat. It was in his blood, the lifestyle and it came like second nature. Watching her refill her drink he settled back on the couch and shrugged. Tugging on the front of his jacket, he brushed it off thoughtlessly. "I sent Frankie to get you at the hotel. I gave him the room key. Like I said, I thought it would be best for you to be with your family so they could protect you. From what I know my father was gunned down while coming home. It coulda been Frankie, though whoever it was, they'd have to have knowledge of my father's whereabouts." He said the last comment as casually as possible.
Bυввℓєѕ downed the second glass off scotch, the burn was more expected this time and a warm fuzz started to creep into her head. She filled the glass one more time and rose from the couch. Making her way back over to her love and offering him the glass. She sat herself on the edge of the sofa and turned her body to face him, resting her hand on his knee. She wanted to ask if he had anything to do with it, or knew who had done it. He MUST know something seeing as she only spoke to his Father not so long ago, at the club and could have only just been on his way home. But she didn't want to know the answer. She didn't even care. The fact was, Don Gianni was dead. "So what now ? What does this mean for you? For us?" She hung her head and gritted her teeth, trying not to let her emotions overwhelm her again. Looking down at her hands and she fiddled with his pant leg. "Am I going to lose you again?"
Nick took the glass from her and drank deeply from it. He was sporting a pretty good buzz now and he definitely wasn't feeling any pain. When she settled beside him, he sat back again, his arm casually draping over the back of the sofa. Flicking his wrist, he swirled the melting sphere of ice in the glass and watched as it spun. "I don't know...honestly, I was told to wait here." When she began to tug at his pants, he looked down at his knee. "Whatever is going down you know it can't be good. First your husband and now my father? There's a major power grab going down right now and if the Gianni's are going to pull out of this one we're going to have to do something quick." He looked at her then back at the door and suddenly it made sense as to why she was there, in the Gianni home and he frowned.
Bυввℓєѕ looked up at him in confusion. "My husband?" She questioned him. "but my husband was my fault? I'm the one that shot him?" She shifted on the sofa, unsure what to make of all this new information. The only thing she knew for certain was that she couldn't lose him again, not now she got him back. Noticing him glancing at the door, she looked over her shoulder, and then back at him. "What are you looking at? Are you waiting for someone?" Distress and worry filled her voice as her brow furrowed into a frown. "I don't know what's going on. I don't know what to do anymore." She was become more and more upset and was no longer able to think straight at all as a million thoughts swam through her head.
Nick noticed her tension rise and he stood, "We got to get you out of here." Setting the glass down, he walked out into the study and glanced at the entry hall, then turned and motioned to her with a flick of his fingers before he put a finger to his lips, motioning her to be quiet.
Bυввℓєѕ looked at him with alarm, not knowing why he had all of a sudden decided she wasn't safe there. Speaking in a low whispering tone, "Baby what's happening? Why do I need to go?" She stood and followed him obediently. But stopped when she realized her footsteps were loud against the pine floor. She reached down and slipped off her shoes, carrying them both in one hand as she made her way towards him, reaching her empty hand out for his.
Nick took her hand and, pulling her close he put his lips near her ear, "Think about it baby, my father's dead, you know who my family is blaming for this. Why bring you here if you were s'pose to meet my father? Surely they knew he was dead when they brought you here. But I don't see Frankie letting me go if he was responsible, doesn't make much sense. Why not just put a bullet in my head and be done with it?" He dropped his voice even further, "Everyone is going to be scrambling to take my father's spot, what better way to show you aren't fucking around by killing or holding Morella's kids?"
Bυввℓєѕ felt her breathing begin to quicken, in panic as his words hit her like a brick. The plan never was to help her, it was to kill her. Her instinct had been right. But if she had listened to her gut and made a run for it.. If she hadn't come, she wouldn't have seen Nick again. She wouldn't be with him now. She gripped his hand tightly, trying desperately stay quiet as she spoke, "What are we going to do? Where can we go?" She began to panic a little more. "How are we even going to get out of here, baby?!"
Nick moved to stand with his back at the wall and tugged her with him. "We're not getting out of here...you are. I can't go, I have to make sure the Gianni's don't crumble with this blow. I need you to return to your family where you'll be safe, don't worry, I'll get this all figure out, but it might take some time. Do you understand?" He searched her eyes, hoping she did understand. It was going to crush him to let her go once more but he knew it was what was best for her.
Bυввℓєѕ she stood close to him, but was unable to speak. Unsure of what to say. She didn't want to put him in any more danger by being with him when they came for her. But she didn't want to leave him again. her face fell and she hung her head. Just a couple of days ago she was a singer in a club, in love with a man she could not be with, married to a man she hated, daughter to Don Morella one of the most feared men in Gravesend. And then she was free of her ogre of a husband, she was in the arms of the man she loved talking about how they were going to have a future together. And now she was an emotional wreck, conflicted about having to leave her one true love again, terrified about the men wanting to take her and kill her or both. Everything was a mess and she couldn't see a way through it. Suddenly she was jerked upright by loud crashes and commotion outside the front door. She could hear men out there and the voice of the doorman telling them they couldn't come in. Then she heard a shot, sounded like a gun with a suppressor, then a loud thud that sounded like what she assumed was a body - the body of the doorman - hitting the floor. She looked at Nick in panic. No words being spoken But with terror in her eyes. Was it too late?
Nick heard the commotion at the door and he moved tot he table where he knew his father kept a gun clipped on it's underside. Who the hell was shooting in their home?! It couldn't be his father's men, after all, Nick had accepted to take his father's spot as Gianni Boss, there was no way they'd be defying him. He was the one in control now, at least until his uncle could be found and established as the new Boss. There was no way Nick was going to allow their family's grip to slip. Family always came first. With that thought he looked at Bubbles. Or did it? "It has to be your fuckin brother! Fuckin idiot!" There was more gun fire and Nick knew his men were retaliating to the invasion of their home. Pushing Bubbles to the side where she'd be out of the line of fire, Nick shouted, "Frankie you dumb fuck, you must of lost your fuckin mind!" Nick stepped around the corner then and shot of a few rounds, letting those outside the door that they had opposition on the other side.
Bυввℓєѕ squatted to the ground, shaking like a leaf. Bullets were flying through the door, splintering the wood before the double doors burst open as someone came kicking through them. She could see bodies of men - her brothers men - laying lifeless on the ground outside the door, as well as that of the doorman and some that she recognized to be Gianni foot soldiers. She looked up and saw Frankie came bursting through the doors, knocking one clean off it's hinges. He made a beeline for her as the other 2 men went for Nick. Frankie tried to grab her, she kicked and screamed for him to let her go but he wouldn't. As he pulled her to her feet, she swing her arm, still clutching her shoes, as she sunk one of the heels deep into his bicep, the thin spiky heel piercing his skin easily. he dropped his grip on her as he yelled out in pain, dropping his gun and grabbing his arm where she had made the hole. She scrambled around on the floor, panic washing over her and tears blurring her vision, grabbing Frankie's gun from the ground before he had a chance to, she spun around toward him and held the barrel to his face as he tried to get up from the ground where he had fallen in pain. Her breathing was labored and through tears, clicking the safety off with her thumb as she looked to Nick, terrified and not knowing what to do next.
Nick reacted instinctively, his body turning towards the two that approached him and with control he let out two shots, then stepped back behind the wall. He knew he hit his marks, but before he could check he turned his attention to the confrontation between Frankie and Bubbles. Seeing Bubbles take control of the situation, he timed it his next actions perfectly. He knew she'd look to him, she always had and no doubt always will. Her loyalty was strong and he felt a twinge of something when he thought on how there had been a shadow of doubt concerning her and her loyalty. When she looked at him he fired his weapon, shooting Frankie in the head twice. As he fired, he strode forward and would attempt to grab Bubbles and turn her from the scene. Aiming at the body on the floor, he unloaded the clip into her brother, then tossed the gun to the side. "It's clear!" He shouted, "We're good!"
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