Major shout out to virgogirl1 for being one of the realest ride or dies I've ever seen.  Keep doing you, Boo.

Who here was rooting for the Panthers in the Superbowl? I was...but I still found this joke golden.

I tried calling Cam Newton, but there was no ring.

*slaps knee*

Please don't forget to vote, comment, and follow me. 

Have a great long weekend everyone! I go to school Monday, so think of me while you're all warm and watching re-runs of your favorite television shows.

- - - -

            "I never lie because I don't fear anyone.  You only lie when you're afraid." - John Gotti.

- - - -

            I did as Rico said without question or hesitation.  My eyes darted around the outside of the car as I peeled away, but I couldn't tear my eyes from the rear view mirror, where Natasha's home slowly faded from sight.  I relaxed my fingers around the wheel, before gripping it hard, my knuckles slowly turning white.  I gulped.

            I risked miniscule glances in Federico's direction.  He kept the gun up against my forehead, but was constantly shifting in his seat, glancing over his right and left shoulder, looking for something, or someone.  My mind raced as I came to a residential stop; I looked both ways, and without further instruction, I kept straight.

            I was already attempting to plan an escape; I had two slightly realistic options.  One, I could attempt - key word, attempt - to disarm Rico and turn the gun on him; or, I could just unlock the doors and jump out.   Neither sounded fantastic, but that was all I could think of under the pressure. 

            The ideas faded as quickly as they had come; there was no way on this beautiful, glorious earth would I be able to disarm a highly trained ninja assassin and hop out the car without him dismembering me.  The thought gave me chills.

            "Is this what you and Dominic were planning this morning?"

            For the first time since he hopped in the car, Rico stops moving.  I found it difficult talking to him, considering the glasses on his face and the hood pulled high over his head.  I felt distant, as if this wasn't the same man I saw put a gun to his head, or the same man that just a couple hours ago, acted like a five year old child.  The vibe he gave off was chilling, unhuman-like, terrifying.   I never realized just how important eye contact actually was. 

            "Huh?" Even from here, I could see his eyebrows connect together.  He must've looked confused under his shades.

            I turn back to the road.  "I heard you and Dom talking this morning; talking about how you need to do a favor for Liam."  Federico shoots one last glance over his left shoulder, before leaning back in his seat. "Is this the favor? Is Dom making you go behind Liam's back with him?"

            "No," He lets out a soft, cold kind of laugh.

            "You're lying to me."

            "I lie to no one that I am not afraid of," Rico leans back over to me, a slow, crystal white smile appearing on his face.  I watch out the corner of my eye as he pulls his glasses off his face, showing off his new, black and blue bruise. His smile fades.  "And I am not afraid of you."

            I let out a frustrated breath as Rico nods to the right, instructing me to turn at the intersection.  I turn the wheel slowly, my mind still believing what I had just convinced myself of.  "I bet I know what this is about then," I start, smirking proudly.  The gun was still hovering dangerously close to my head, but at this point, I could care less. 

            "Enlighten me," Rico states in a bored fashion.

            "Well," I slap the wheel.  I could see Rico staring at me amusingly from his comfortable position beside me.  "Dominic wants to be the don of the house, so he hires the greatest assassin in the world-" I emphasize with a glare, "-to kidnap Liam's...friend...to..."  My voice fades as does my ideas.  Now that I spoke it out loud and heard it, it really didn't make any sense.

            Rico removes the gun from my head and folds his hands across his lap, resting the gun dangerously close to his crotch.  He has a slight smirk on his face as he leans a bit to the left, quietly nudging me to continue my wonderful story.  "Well?"

            I sigh, frustrated.  Rico points to the left just as another residential streets appears, I take it.  "All I know is," I mutter in a defensive manner, "Dominic Santiago is after Liam and you're helping him because you're a liar, a con-artist, a pickpocketer, and a cold blooded, emotionless killer and everything you ever said to me, just went out the window.  I knew I couldn't trust you, I should've trusted my gut; my gut is always right." I scoff, "By the way, nice fake tears; you, crying about Mrs. Martha and putting a gun to your head - nice job, Leonardo, but you won't be fooling me again any time soon."

            Federico blinks slowly.  I flinch when his finger twitches over his gun, but he doesn't move.  His eyes bore holes into my temple, where a red mark is certainly forming where the gun had been jammed against my head.  He was rendered speechless for the first few seconds and inwardly, I smiled; I had won.  Take that, bitch.  I would never say that out loud, though.

            "Pull the car over," was the first thing he said.  His voice was an even tone; not too angry or aggressive, but he also didn't sound like he had just won the one billion dollar Powerball.  I did as I was told.  "Kill the engine." Again, I twisted the key, listening to Rico.  He undoes his seatbelt.

            One of his hands shoot out, clamping down on the steering wheel.  I make an inhuman noise, before retracting my hands, placing them in balls in my lap.  I watch his left arm snake around the back of the driver's seat, dangerously close to my head; and then he leans forward.  He stops a good couple inches away from my face, but by this point, I had already forgotten how to breathe.  The look in his eyes was indescribable; if I had to put together a few words, I would probably say anger, hurt, maybe even disgust.

"I just saved your life."

            My entire body shook when Rico spoke.  My voice matched my nervousness, and I stuttered horrifically.  "W-w-what?"

            "I guess you need a refresher, sis.  Months ago I was hired by Peter to kill you.  When I found out you were with Liam and he had no intentions of letting you go, I stopped pursuing you.  But it was too late; I had already signed the contract with 'Nelli," He answers the question I had yet to ask, "The only way to break a contract like that, is by death; my death.  I guess you could say I lead a confusing life; working for Liam, but also working for Corinelli who doesn't know I'm working for Liam." Rico lets out a chuckle, "Oh," He sighs, "The life of a liar, con-artist, pickpocketer, and a cold blooded, emotionless killer slash actor is such a pain." 

His sarcasm nearly knocked me out.

            "I was around the corner scamming a couple people out of weed when I got a group message," Federico continues his explanation.  "Corinelli wants you alive, but if he can't have you, he'd rather you dead - and he's getting desperate."

            "I-"

            His glare cuts me off.  "You walked out that house without a second thought," I nearly cringe at the thought of Rico's saliva layering my face.  "Two." He pulls back, "You had two snipers on you; they were just waiting to pull the goddamn trigger; so my unemotional ass cut in and said I would take care of this one."  My stomach dropped out of guilt. I looked down at my lap, unable to meet Rico's eyes.  His fingers were cold when he reached out, angling my chin upwards, "We are not amateurs, Faith.  One of the most dangerous men in the world wants you dead; you can't just waltz around everywhere like this is Disney World."

            I didn't know what to say.  My heart was slowly starting to beat again, but I was having trouble breathing.  The air in the car was thick and I swear I could feel myself beginning to sweat.  It only got worse when Rico re-positioned himself; his right hand on the wheel, his left arm slung lazily over the driver's seat headrest.  He inched forward, teetering near the edge of his seat.  His eyes searched mine for anything; anything at all, and I'm sad to say, there was nothing.

            "I'm a horrible person," His lips hardly move as he speaks softly and slowly.  His voice his deep, laced with a learned Italian accent.  "I have killed more people then you can count; wives, husbands, boyfriends, girlfriends, daughters, sons..." He leans forward some more, "I have watched life fade from people's eyes, I have heard them begging me to save them, I have heard people screaming to stop torturing their loved one; I have heard it all."  My back couldn't press farther into the cushioned seat as Rico leans forward again.  My eyes linger on the grip his hand has on the steering wheel; the veins in his hands were beginning to stand.

            "Ri-"

            "Look at me when I'm speaking to you."

            I do as I'm told.

            "As easy as breathing is for you, killing is for me," The headrest makes an odd noise as Rico squeezes it behind my head, "I got my nickname for a reason, Faith.  People from Italy don't even believe I exist, they think Fantasma is a myth; they think I'm just a scary story their parents tell them before bed."  Federico blinks again, thinking deeply about his next few words in that split second frame of time, "I'm a horrible person," He repeats again, "But let me get something straight-" My head hits the back of the headrest as Rico's right hand slips off the steering wheel.  His palm smacks against the window next to my head, encaging me.

            I sat pressed against the seat, erect.  Federico looked highly emotional, so I probably shouldn't have said emotionless - because that was not true.  The one emotion I did see Rico portray was anger.  He had his pretty white teeth grating together as he invaded my personal space once again.

"As long as there is a heaven above and a hell beneath, I will fight and protect whoever I give a shit about and newsflash Faith, I actually give a shit about you." 

That was Rico's slightly screwed up way of telling someone he cared about them.

I didn't actually realize I was choking on Rico's cologne till he flung himself away from me and stumbled out the car, slamming the door in the process.  Numbly, I watched him tug his hoodie tighter over his head and shove his glasses back on his face, before stalking away.  I was mesmerized and left speechless as my eyes fell on Rico's figure; he walked in a straight line down the sidewalk, head bowed.  He didn't look like he was about to turn back around anytime soon.

I scrambled whatever scattered pieces were left of my pride and inched the car forward, rolling down the passenger side of the window.  I leaned over the passenger seat, getting a good look at Rico as he walked.  I tooted the horn. 

Rico didn't stop walking.

"Rico, seriously," I honk the horn again, even quicker this time.  "Rico."

He finally stops walking and turns to me.  If it weren't for the broadness of his shoulders and the thickening of the hair that covered his chin, jaw, and upper lip, I would've assumed he was a teenager.  He shoves his hands into his pockets, his expression hidden from my view.  His lips stayed pressed together and he was clearly in no shape or form preparing himself to speak.

"Look, I'm sorry," My apology was true.  I've been working my way to trusting Rico, but little things like this would scare me.  "It's just...when you hopped in the car and put a gun to my head, I might've assumed you were up to no good.  I mean, can you blame me?" I give him a sly smile; one he doesn't return.  I wipe the slight grin off my face, "And maybe I was a bit harsh on Dominic too."

"I understand where you may think Dom would want to take the family from Liam, but if you got to know him, you would realize that's far from anything he wants," Rico shifts his stance to his opposite leg, "He just wants the family to be successful.  He's very business oriented."

A hint of embarrassment crept on my cheeks as I cleared my throat.  "Then, uh, what was this morning about?"

Federico's mouth drops open in a form of a response, but the curt ringing of my cellphone cuts him off.  He points a hand at me, signaling for me to get it.  I don't even have to look at the caller I.D. to know its Liam.  His voice was deep, but lacked the irritated tone I was sure I would receive.

"Uh, Hey Faith."

"Hello," my greeting flowed like sweet, sweet honey.

"I think you forgot something."

I busted out in a laugh, causing me to pull the phone from my ear.  When I pressed the phone against my ear, I could just hear the teasing tone in Liam's voice.  "I'm so sorry," I mumble, eyeing Rico out the corner of my eye.  He hadn't moved, which surprised me.  I had just been certain that he would've bolted once I tore my attention away from him.

"Just, ya'know, hurry back-" I heard screaming in the background of Liam's call.  "I-ow-don't know how much of this I can take." I mumbled a response, but I was sure Liam couldn't hear.  The child-like screams had grown and I could hear Luciano muttering something about children beneath his breath, then the phone call ended on my side. 

I tossed my phone on the dashboard and addressed Rico, "Get in, Leonardo."

"Pardon?"

I unlock the car doors.  Federico mutters something under his breath and steps off the curb.  He hesitates at first, but decides to sit in the back seat.  I watch in the rear view mirror as Rico lays back on the seat, his body flat against the entire back seat of the car. 

"Story time," I call out as I turn the car around. 

"This morning was about some bitch named Camilla that Dominic was telling me about.  He said Liam was trying to get back on her father's good side, since he's a major player in the drug trade down in Mexico, but Luciano stopped because of you."

"Because of me?"

"Dominic was just trying to help.  He said he did the math, and that Liam will be losing hundreds of thousands of dollars because of this feud the two have going on.  So, he offered to put me on to...seduce this woman."

"Can you do it?" I take the familiar path back to Natasha's house, occasionally glancing at Rico's still body in the mirror.  He had his hands folded across his stomach, his long legs seemingly cramped near the door.

Rico leans up a bit, pulling the glasses down on the bride of his nose.  "Seduce? Yes. I can most definitely seduce."

"No," A blush layered my cheeks, "I meant, do you think you can do it? With that woman?"

His reply didn't come in a timely manner; actually, it didn't come at all.  I figured he had fallen asleep due to the stillness of his body.  I pulled up outside of Tasha's house once again, and I smiled when I saw Liam step back out onto their front lawn.  The woman still looked emotional and the children had their arms wrapped around her legs, but instead of the shyness they had shown previously, they were all smiles, giggles, and waves now.

"Bye, Mr. Luciano!"

"Bye, Liam!"

I let out a laugh as Liam threw open the car door and dropped inside.  A breath of air escaped his mouth and nose as he rested his head back and closed his eyes.  I couldn't help but notice him breathing heavily and the couple buttons of his shirt that were down.  He ran a hand through his hair and peeked open his left eye, catching me staring.  I turned away quickly, but not fast enough to see the smile that crossed his face.

"You look exhausted," I analyzed as I put the car into drive and pulled away from the house once again.  Luciano just let out a curt laugh.

"You have no idea what those kids put me through."

"We going home?" I question quickly before Liam starts his story.  He pauses dramatically and turns to me.

"Home," He whispers, "Yeah, we're going home."

My face flushes again.  I swear, if a bug looked at me a certain way, I would blush; it was just that easy.

"Anyways, so the kids," Luciano adjusts himself in his seat, getting comfortable for the ride back to the house.  "They had me running around like a lost pet and then they wanted to play doctor."

I lift an eyebrow, "Doctor?"

"Doctor," Liam confirms.  He flips his collar, making the unbuttoned buttons stand out on his navy blue shirt.  "The little girl insisted I took off my shirt so she could give me a full exam," He rolls his eyes and turns his head to me, a soft smile on his face. 

"That doesn't sound too bad," I tear my eyes away from the road for a split second to look at Luciano.  His eyes were light and he seemed happy.  My stomach did a couple flips and performed a couple flops as he stared at me, his lips twitching upwards in the process.

"Well, no," He finally looks away, turning to face the streets we passed by.  "But it turned bad when she said she needed to check my legs and proceeded in telling me to take off my pants."

"Someone has a little admirer." I wiggle my eyebrows, making Luciano laugh.

"Shut up."

"I think it's cute though, the way you are with children."  My ears were suddenly beginning to burn to.  Now I understood the pressure it was to drive and have a slightly attractive person sitting beside you.  As much as you wanted to take your eyes off the road, you couldn't; and it was especially hard when they managed to stare at you the whole way.  Liam smiles wider out the corner of my eye.  I just clear my throat, "Is this how you feel when you drive? Because I'm so sorry.  I will never stare at you while you drive again."

Liam laughs loudly as he props his head up with his hand, resting his elbow against the door.

"Seriously," I wave a hand towards all the beautiful trees and run-down buildings we pass.  "Just enjoy the view."

His eyes never leave my temple.

"I am."

He clears his throat and continues.

"But thank you.  I think you'll be a good mother."

"You do?"

"I wouldn't have said it if I didn't mean it," He replies smoothly. 

"Well then," I adjust my hands on the wheel, switching positions.  "I think you'll be a good father."

"And I think," Rico pops his head in between the drivers and passenger seat, wiggling his eyebrows, "I'll be a good uncle to both of your children," He glances between us both, "That you will have together, in one household, because you two will be m-a-r-r-i-e-" Rico's words fade as Liam presses his palm against the man's forehead, shoving him far into the back seat.  Federico curses loudly.

"I didn't know we had company," Liam's playful demeanor diminishes.  Luciano sends a glare between the two seats and I quickly take a look in the mirror, anticipating Rico's reaction.  Federico sends Liam a wide, toothy grin.

"Yeah," My mood changes too, "We apparently had a problem."

"What problem?"

And just like that, Federico went back into business mode.  It amazed me at how quickly his personality could change; how he could go from teasing and joking, to talking about a world such as the one they had been emerged in since they were little.  Rico explained everything to Liam; from the group message that had told him where I was, to the information about the snipers Corinelli had set up on a few rooftops in anticipation to kill me.  He told Liam about the deal he was about to make a block or so away and how he jumped into the car and put a gun to my head and told me to drive, simply as an act that Corinelli's snipers could see and relax to.  He saved my life.

Liam nodded and "mhm'd" the whole way through Rico's spiel.  When he was done, Liam's mouth was agape and I could've sworn I saw his eyebrow twitch.  Luciano had his cellphone out before Rico's back even hit the backseat.

"Wait, who're you calling?"

"Peter.  I think it's time we finally talk."

"Liam, that isn't necessary."

"It very much is," He replies.  I had no other say in that.  The car fell silent and before long, the only noise we heard was the dialing of Luciano's phone.  He managed to place the call on speakerphone and he gave both Rico and I a 'hush' signal before the line clicked and someone on the other line answered.

"Hello?"

"Yes," Liam lifts the speaker to his mouth, speaking formally, "I would like to speak to Peter."  The voice on the other end was clearly feminine.

"Yeah," The woman laughs, "I'm sorry about that, but Peter is busy right now.  He's in a meeting."

Liam makes a confused expression, before he clutches his phone tighter.  "I'm sorry.  You must've taken my demand as a question."

"Sir," Her nervous laughter fills the interior of the car.  "Again, I'm sorry, but Mr. Corinelli is busy.  You'll have to call back later."

"Who am I speaking with?"

"Hannah."

"Well listen closely, Hannah," Liam pulls his lips into his mouth, thinking about his next words, "I'm going to call back in about three seconds and you're going to read my caller I.D. closely and then you'll give Peter the phone.  Okay?"

"O-"

Liam hangs up. 

He hums a quick tone, before telling Siri to redial Peter Corinelli.  The phone is picked up almost immediately, and the woman's voice rings through the car once again.

"Mr. Luciano, I am so sorry, oh my Go-"

"Just give him the phone, Hannah."

"Sure, yeah, okay."

I giggled quietly at the shakiness of her voice.  Once upon a time, that was me; oh, the good days.  Sike.  The phone was silent for a good minute when Liam finally turned to me, noticing the small smile on my face.

He whispers, "Why are you giggling?"

"Because you're just one big teddy bear.  You aren't even scary."

Liam looks offended, "I am sc-"

"Ah, Michael's son," A male's voice booms through the speakers in Liam's phone, causing our conversation to come to a quick close.  The accent was similar to Liam's, possibly thicker, and more authentic.  "What do I owe this...lovely...call to, Liam?"

"Cut the bullshit, Peter," Luciano cuts straight to the point.  "You're the biggest bitch out of them all; you're all talk.  You threaten Faith and try to go behind my back in attempting to kidnap her, but you have yet to grow a pair and come talk to me face-to-face about her."

Peter chuckles, "I didn't think you would negotiate Faith Crawford, Liam."

"And you also thought I would just let you take her from me?"

"I see you inherited your smarts from your father."

Liam cracks a smile, but doesn't let it show through in his words.  "Michael Luciano isn't the sharpest knife in the drawer."

"So, you're saying you're up for discussion about Ms. Crawford's status?"

My eyes go wide as I glance at Liam.  He gives me a reassuring smile before nodding to Corinelli's words. 

"Yes, yes I am."

The two talked for a moment longer, before Liam hung up the phone.  To summarize, Peter told Liam he would be sending over a formal invitation to a dinner that was happening at his house within the coming days.  He also added that there would be a little incentive to push Luciano to his decision, but neither Rico, Liam, or I seemed to be scared about it. 

Luciano explained everything once the call was terminated; there were two possibilities that could come from a peace meeting.  One, Liam could offer Corinelli whatever he wanted to leave me alone; or two, we could scope out the inside of the man's house for a later date.  I told Liam as long as nobody was about to put a gun to my head, I would be fine.

Rico was laughing underneath his breath from the backseat, causing both Liam and I to turn and look at him.  If he smiled any harder his cheeks would split.  I wouldn't say I'm against laughter, not at all, but the timing of it was certainly off.  Liam frowns.

"What the hell is so funny?"

Rico inhales deeply, but only begins to laugh again.

Liam and I share an extremely worried look.

"Rico, buddy, have you been drinking today?" Liam questions, innocently.

"No."  Rico deadpans.  He grabs his phone and thrusts it in Liam's face.  "I ordered these shirts for you, Dom, and I."  Liam pulls the phone away, takes one look at it, and throws it in the backseat.

"Hell to the fucking no."

"But Liam-"

"No."

"But Lulu-"

"Rico," Liam lifts an index finger, keeping Federico from arguing anymore.  "I am not wearing a shirt like that."

I cut in, "Let me see! Let me see!"  Federico hands me his phone and although it could've been considered distracted driving, I didn't mind. 

It was a picture of three Dr. Seuss shirts.

Thing #1.

Thing #2

Thing #3.

- - - -

            The house was cold and dark when we walked in that early evening.  I'm certain we could've gotten home much quicker, but when we were about halfway home, Federico stated he had to pee and eat.  Liam said Rico could live till we got home; however, Rico managed to explain to us how he had the bladder of a squirrel and would piss all over the backseats of Liam's luxury vehicle if I didn't pull the car over stat.  Luciano had ignored him till we both heard his zipper being yanked down.   Liam made me pull over to the next store we saw.

            Luciano was the first person through the archway of his home that evening as Rico and I stepped inside, closely following him.  I heard Rico close and twist a few locks on the front door, but my eyes were too busy scanning the stillness and quietness of the home that lay before me.  The foyer was dark, the hallways were dark, Liam's wing seemed unoccupied too.

            "I thought you said Dominic had come home," Liam spoke.  His words seemed to echo off the walls of the home as we stepped further into the house, midway through the foyer.  Rico had left my side, but when the chandelier began shining from above, I knew it was him who had turned the lights on. 

            "That's what he told me," Rico shrugs as he pushes himself away from the multiple light switches that were lined up against the wall.  It wasn't until we passed through the foyer and the dark living room, did we see a dim light coming from the kitchen.  The three of us shared worried looks, before slowly entering the kitchen.

            Out of three lights that hung delicately from the kitchen ceiling, only one of them was turned on.  It hovered just above the granite island, where Dominic sat silently, teetering on the edge of the stool.  His hands were folded out in front of him, the bottom of his fists resting on the coolness of the granite, in a praying formation.  His head was bowed.  My eyes ran over the rest of the island that he sat behind; his phone was resting beside a half drunken bottle of champagne.  Beside the tall bottle, were two guns.

            "Dom?" Liam speaks up first as Rico and I halt at the entrance of the kitchen.  Neither of us dared to walk any further.  Santiago lifts his head to Luciano's voice.  "You good?"  The younger man just let out a frustrated sigh.

            "I'm fine," He replies, "My mom just called."

            The next question came from just behind me.  "How's she doing?"

            All eyes turn to Rico.

            He holds up his hands in a defensive manner, "I'm not even trying to be funny.  I'm serious."

            Dominic lets out a breath, shaking his head.  The smile he masked on his face was for show, that was for sure.  His lips split in the form of a soft smile, but his eyes portrayed another type of emotion; and it wasn't happiness.  He reaches out and snags his phone.

            "Rico, you do know you didn't sleep with my real mother, correct?"

            "Real mother?  That woman that was taking care of you wasn't your real mother?" Rico steps into the room, brushing my shoulder on his way.  Dominic's eyebrows twitch downwards before he turns away from Federico to glance at Liam.

            "He doesn't know?"

            "Neither does Faith," Liam states softly.  "Might as well tell them."

            Dom nods and turns back to us.   He looks between us both as he speaks; again, I can't help but notice the fingers on his right hand, twirling and fiddling with his wedding ring.  "I'm adopted; just like you, Rico."  Nobody has anything to say to him, "I don't know my biological parents; I never met my mother, my father.  I was adopted by a really sweet couple when I was about four...? They're all I know; I consider them my parents, they raised me."

            "They did a damn good job," I scoff from the back.  Rico and Liam look at me over their shoulders, while Dom just smiles softly.

            "Thank you."

            I give him a thumbs up and a smile, causing him to laugh.

            "Did you keep your birth name?" Federico asks.

            "Santiago?" Dom questions, "yes, I did."

            From here, I can see Rico's shoulders relax. 

            "My mom is sick though," Dominic adjust his position on the stool with a sigh.  "She's always had health problems, but it wasn't until I was older that I realized how significant they were.  And I feel bad because she's in Miami and she's all alone." Dom looks back up, "What you heard Alex say in that meeting was true; my father, the one that adopted me, committed suicide." He sighs again, "Hearing your mother cry is probably one of the saddest things you'll ever have to go through." 

            Even beneath the thin light, I can see Liam focusing.  He listens closely to everything Dom has to say, but his thoughts immediately turn elsewhere at the man Dom had just mentioned.  "Alex," Liam breathes, "Where's Alex? I haven't seen him in days."

            "Is that unusual?" Rico heads to a cabinet in the corner and opens it, grabbing a glass.  He slides into a stool next to Dominic, who watches him eagerly pour a glass of champagne.  "I mean, you practically live in a small town," Rico shrugs as he tilts the glass to his lips. 

            "I guess not," Liam replies.

            "Oh," Dom speaks up again as he slides one of the guns to Rico, "I found our weapons."  Liam and Rico raise an eyebrow, "Jeremiah's room," Dominic clarifies, "I'm one hundred percent sure he was the one that took them."

            "My baby!" Rico makes an inhuman-like squeal as he practically drops his champagne glass.  Liam and I watch amusingly as he pressed his lips to the side of the gun, holding the weapon like it was a brick of gold.

            I fold my arms across my chest, "Rico, you have like ten other guns.  What's so special about that one?"

            "Her name is Charmaine."

            I blink, "You name your guns?"

            Rico stands up, causing his chair to screech across the wood floor.  "Is there a problem?"

"No," my reply was soft and hardly audible.

"Rico leave her alone," Dominic laughs, "Oh, Liam."  Luciano turns to him, still appearing as though he was deep in thought. "William was in here a bit ago; he's been looking for you.  I told him to wait in your office and that you would be there shortly."

Liam was already backpedaling.  He holds out his hand towards me, "You want to come? Or do you want to wait here with...them?"  I let out a soft laugh as I turn back to Dom and Rico, who are still seated beside the granite island.  Rico was leaning back as far as he could on his stool, holding his hand out; in his grasp, was Dominic's phone.  Dom, on the other hand, was attempting to get his phone back.

"I think I'll go with you." 

Liam tries to reach for my hand again, but I shove it in my pocket.  "Sorry, but I don't know any friends that hold hands."  I send Liam a playful smirk before bounding out the kitchen. 

"Faith!" He called my name the entire way down the hallway, repeatedly.  I stopped, but it wasn't because I wanted to.  He had a grip on my shoulder and he flung me back towards him and pushed me up against the wall; it wasn't painful.  Liam lowers his voice, "That wasn't what I meant, about the friends thing. I mean..." I quirk an eyebrow, "Okay," He changes his approach, "If we aren't friends, what are we?"

Well...

"We might be a little more than friends now," Liam tucks a strand of loose hair behind my ear, "But I'm not-so secretly hoping we're a lot more than just friends later." I let out a laugh, "Besides," He continues, "I have too much respect for you to call you a fuck buddy; because you definitely are not that."  I lean my head back as Liam leans forward, his words growing softer the closer his face draws to mine.  My breathing hitches as his lips brush against mine.  I smile against them.

"Good." And I slide to my right, just as Liam leans down, right where my lips were.  He looks to his left quickly as I continue walking down the hallway backwards.  He had a palm pressed against the wall, just above where my head had been and the look on his face was pure gold. 

"Did you just...curve me?"

"N-Liam!"  I twisted my body around to run, but Liam was far quicker than I would ever be.  He had pushed himself off the wall and chased me down.  I had only taken three steps in the opposite direction before he slung his arm around my waist and picked me up, twirling me around with ease.  I can sense him bending down and before I know it, I was thrown over his right shoulder and his arm was holding me tight against him. 

I punched his back.  "Let me go," I continue, "Liam come on."

"Don't make me spank you."

I fall silent, "Whatever, Christian."

Liam stops walking and I feel the grip he has on the back of my knees go slack.  I scream and throw my hands over my eyes, afraid that the next thing I would meet would be the cold, hard floor.  Liam's warm breath hits the lower portion of my leg as he speaks deeply.

"Don't ever compare me to Christian Grey.  I would tie that little bitch up and kill him with the same props he uses for pleasure."

My eyes go wide as Liam's forward momentum is continued.  My hands grip his back once we walk through a set of doors.  Liam sets me down and he smiles.  It made my stomach go crazy whenever he smiled and it was obvious, he was smiling so much more than usual. 

Liam's eyes drift away from mine as he looks over my shoulder.  "William," He greets.  With one last fleeting look, he walks past me.  I turn around to face the brightly lit room, where Will sits on a chair behind Luciano's desk.  He has a folder in his hands and he looks nervous, like, I didn't study for my math exam and I need an A to pass nervous. 

"Liam," He stands with a smile as Luciano walks around the desk and sits down.  Liam waves a hand at him.

"Don't stand Will, this isn't some formal meeting."

William drops back to his seat and turns to me.  "Hi, good evening, Faith."

"Good evening." 

I try and stay mostly out the way as I move to the back of the room, plopping down softly on a sofa near the back.  I cross my legs and fold my arms across my chest as Liam leans back in his seat.  I focus on Liam as Liam focuses on Will; he had a serious look on his face.  "Dom said you wanted to speak to me."

"Yeah," Will speaks up, "I, um, I got accepted into M.I.T." The blonde waves the manila folder that had been resting in his lap.

"M.I.T?"

"The Massachusetts Institute of T-"

"I know what and where it is, Will," Liam leans forward and waves his fingers, indicating for Will to hand him over the folder.  William does as he's told.  Silently, Luciano leans back and opens the folder, scanning through the various pages of information that William must've had stacked in there.  The room falls silent, so silent in fact that Will actually glances behind his shoulder, giving me a scared look.

I do recall him coming to me and asking if Luciano would help pay his way through his dream school and at the time, I had been hesitant.

Liam flips another page, but without removing the folder from before his face, he lifts his eyes over the folder.  "What do you want from me?"

Will shifts in his seat, "Money."  Liam drops the folder, "For tuition!" William leans forward, his hands gripping the handrails of his chair, "Liam, please.  I've always wanted to go to M.I.T. and their acceptance rate is so low, if I don't go now, I may never get into it again! Liam, pl-"

"I've paid you almost five grand for a week since...since..."

"I know," William groans, "I know, but... I blew it.  I really did, I blew it all.  I've saved about forty grand, but that isn't even enough to cover a full year, let alone four."  He coughs into his fist, "Besides, you haven't actually paid me in a while-"

Liam stands slowly, "You're lucky you're still breathing, let alone living under my roof; especially after what you tried to do with Michael."

"Liam, if you don't give me the money then I can't go," Will sits on the edge of his seat and his voice was teetering on the edge of breaking.  His grip on the chair didn't relax.

With two palms pressed against his desk, Liam leans forward, shooting daggers at Will.  "Then I guess you won't be going."

The grip William had on the chair relaxed almost immediately; and it was like all the fight he had in him just left.  Without another word, without an argument, or a yelling match, Will stood, gathered his folder, and left.  Liam watched the door long after he was gone in silence; I stood after I knew Will was gone.

"Liam."

"Faith."

"Liam, seriously," Cautiously, I approach the desk.  He turns towards me.  "You should help him out."

"I will."

"What?"

"I'll pay his way through school," Liam clarifies, "But only after I see his character." I blink, confused, "A man's true character is only shown in times or trial and tribulation. The William I know would throw a hissy fit and stomp around for about three weeks.  If Will has truly changed, I'll know.  And only then, will I make my decision."

I nod, "You're smart."

"I know."

A smile crosses my face as Liam leans forward.  His kiss tickles my cheek, causing my smile to grow wider. 

"Yes!"

"No!"

"Yes!"

"No!"

Both Liam and I whip our heads in the direction of the door, where yelling comes down the hallway.  I look at Liam, bewildered, but he just extends his hand over the table, interlocking it with mine.  He rounds the table and bumps my hip as he escorts me out the room.  "Let's go see what our children are fighting about now."

I laughed as we walked briskly down the hall and into the living room.  The television was on, including the blu-ray machine and Federico and Dominic were standing beside a pile of movies on the floor, playing tug of war with a movie case. 

"We are not watching Jason Bourne!" Rico grits through clenched teeth.  "We're watching Frozen!"

"Over my dead body," Dom grunts as he pulls in the opposite direction. 

"That can be arranged."

The fighting and tugging goes on for a moment longer, before the two just drop the disk in their hands and turn to Luciano, loudly yelling his name at the same time. "Liam!"

My hand drops to my side as Liam lets go and holds up his hands, signaling that he wants nothing to do with this.  "I'm just an innocent bystander."

"Look," Dom's face looks flushed as he faces Rico again, "If you can convince me to watch Frozen, then fine, we can watch it."  The look of frustration Rico had on his face slowly vanished. 

He drops to his knees and folds his hands, "Dominic please, please, please, please can we watch Frozen?"

"No," Dom deadpans.

Rico's hands drop and he turns to Liam and I, looking incredibly annoyed.  We both let out a soft laugh before our eyes go wide with surprise.

Federico grips Dom's upper thighs, pulling him close.  Poor Dominic didn't even have a chance to react before Rico had the man's zipper pulled down, his face just inches from his clothed crotch.

Dom jumps back, shoving Rico to the ground as he distances himself from him.  Federico falls to the carpet, a series of laughter leaving him mouth.  Both Liam and I crack up as Dominic pulls his zipper back up, glaring at Rico.

"Fine! We can watch Frozen."  Rico lets out a joyous 'yes' as he scrambles off the floor and plugs the movie in.  Dom just turns to Liam, giving him a look of total surprise and part violation.  He zips his fly back up with ease.  "Fucking weirdo," Dom adds as he heads over to the couch and drops down.

All Luciano has to do was give me a look; I nod, indicating that I do want to stay and watch the movie.  He smiles once again and heads over to the second couch in the room.   Rico and Dom share one; while Liam and I share the other.  We got accustom to our comfortable positions fairly quickly; Liam had his back pressed against the corner of the back of the couch and the arm rest.  At first, I sat uncomfortably upwards, but as the movie began to play, I leaned against Liam. 

I wasn't exactly sure why three mafia men were watching one of the most popular animated movies Disney had come out with, but I wasn't about to question it.  I had expected them all to fall asleep within the first ten minutes, but I was dead wrong.  I snuggled against Liam's shoulder as he threw an arm around my own, pulling me closer to him.  As the movie progressed, his fingers found a strand or two of my hair, and slowly - yet softly - he began to play with it.

My attention floated over to the sofa where Rico and Dom sat.  Dominic had his feet thrown on top the coffee table, his arms folded across his chest.  The angry look he had in his eyes slowly faded the longer the movie played; and by the time Olaf and Rico finished the infamous 'Summer' song, he was laughing. 

Dom nudges his friend.  "You actually knew the lyrics?"

Rico doesn't crack a smile, but you could hear it in his voice, "Maybe."

And to the occasional soft laughter of Rico, the funny liners from Olaf, and the feeling of relaxation when Liam played with my hair; I fell asleep.

By the time I woke up, the movie was off.  The bright main screen illuminated the entire room, casting soft light on all of the still, sleeping figures.  Rico had somehow fallen over on Dominic's lap, his face outwards.  His long legs were curled in a ball, but he looked content.  Dominic had slouched over, his head on the sofas armrest.  Clearly, he was unaware of the man that was using his lap as a pillow.  The arm that Liam had thrown over my shoulder was heavy, weighing me down against his chest.  It was dead weight; indicating that he, too, had fallen asleep.

I nudged Liam by shaking his knee. 

He awoke quickly, but not in a startled manner.  I heard him groan from behind me.

"Look," I whisper.  I point to Dom and Rico as Liam sits up a bit, disrupting our position on the sofa.  Luciano lets out a laugh.

"Oh, that's golden.  Hold on," I sit up completely as he scrambles off the sofa.  He pulls his cellphone from his pocket and as quietly as he can, he stalks up to them both, snapping picture after picture.

My eyes drift between Rico and Dom's face as Luciano picks a different angle to snap a picture from.  My mouth drops as I glance at Rico again, then Dominic; and again, and again, and again.  Something Dominic had mentioned earlier stuck and I shot up.

Rico had black hair, Dominic's hair was black; if not, it was on the verge of the darkest shade of brown I had ever seen.

Their complexions matched.

Their height was similar.

Hell, their facial features were even similar.

I turned to Liam, "OH. MY. GO-" 

My exclamation was muffled as Luciano made his way over to me, clamping a large hand over my mouth.  I struggled as he wrapped an arm around me and lead me out the room and into the quiet foyer.  He pushed me away from the entryway of the living room and eyed me with wide, brown eyes.

"Are they?" I questioned, whispering harshly.  I glanced at Dom's curly head of hair from where I stood.  At first glance, they didn't look alike and by no means were they identical twins, but upon further analysis and the longer they stood together, there was some resemblance. 

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Liam looked away.

"Are they brothers?"

Liam winces, "Keep it down, woman." I glare at him, "I had the same assumption you did too," He begins to explain, "And I looked in to it, but I got nowhere." My shoulders relax, "Santiago is the surname he was born with; Rico's last name was Chandler.  So, I doubt it."

My mind was racing. 

"And, yes, they were left in front of orphanages in a similar fashion.  Rico in Detroit; Dom in Miami.  Nobody at the orphanage saw Rico's parents, but someone in Miami did say they recall seeing a, and I quote, 'a tall, handsome, dark skinned man' drop Dominic off and hop in a car.  That's it."

I just sigh.  "It would be nice," I glance back in the room, "Rico saying he doesn't have someone, when in reality he really does."

"I'm looking," Luciano responded, "Really, I am.  And yes, they do look alike, somewhat, but... Do you know how coincidental that would have to be?"

"This is a small world."

Liam sighs. 

"What ethnicity is Dominic?"

"He's mixed; Dominican, Caucasian, African American, and Italian."

"Isn't Rico just Caucasian?"

"No," Liam laughs, "He's definitely mixed; with what, I don't know.  But I'm sure he has some Italian mixed in there somewhere."

That didn't clear anything else up.

"Look," Luciano continues, "Just don't say anything until I'm sure... okay?"

I nod in response.

Liam returns my nod with a smile as he cups my face and tilts my lips towards his.  The kiss was quick and light, just barely leaving a slight tingly on them. 

"Luciano," The front door is thrown open and a crowd of men bound in out the night air as Liam steps away from me, eyeing them with curiosity.  Our conversation still replays itself in my head as Liam welcomes the rest of his family home. 

"Hey, how was your day off?" 

A few of the men grunt their responses, while others ignore his question all together, still talking excitingly about the day's adventures.  I heard few words being thrown around as they walked by; stripper, steal, pickpocket, blowjobs.

A couple others file in last as the crowd disperses into the rest of the house; some going to bed, while others raid the kitchen for a late snack.  It was easily ten o'clock by now.

"This was left at the mailbox," The man that I recognized as the one I had attempted to speak Italian to, handed Liam a box with a letter taped to it.  The box was in no way gift wrapped, but was brown and uninviting.  Liam dismisses the man as he gathers the box in his hands and turns to me.

"Corinelli?"

As the crowd fades from the foyer and the last remaining stragglers go about their way, Liam and I turn to the living room.  Dominic and Rico both stand unsteadily on their feet, clearly still in a sleepy daze.  Federico yawns.

"Yeah, most likely," Liam answers Dom's question. 

They hadn't exactly been invited by Liam to join him in opening Peter Corinelli's highly anticipated gift, but the two came anyways.  We entered Liam's office and Rico, immediately, closes the door behind him, shielding us away from any other curious eyes. 

Dom takes the box out of Liam's hands and rests it on the coffee table beside the sofa.  Him and Rico sit down while Liam rounds his desk and sits in his chair.  I lean against the wooden table and fold my arms.  It wasn't until Luciano had sat down that I realized he had taken the taped letter off the box and was twirling it around in his hands.

In large, bolded letters, the envelope read: READ FIRST.

Luciano didn't take his time with the teasing.  He drew a letter opener out his desk drawer, slid it around the top of the envelope and tossed it back to his desk.  The paper was thick and decorated nicely, it was also folded with precision. 

Liam's eyes scan the letter as he opens it.  "Dear Mr. Luciano," He reads out loud, "You and Miss Faith Crawford have been invited to my house for dinner this coming Sunday at 7 o'clock.  As of today this very second, all hits have been called off of Faith's head," I felt three pairs of eyes look at me, before returning their attention to either reading the letter, or watching Liam.  "We will discuss her status and hopefully, we can agree to a deal that will make us both happy.  However, if no deal is made and you leave my house with Miss Crawford still on your arm, this will be the first of many."  Liam flips the card over, eyebrows connecting.

"The first of many what?" He sits up in his seat as he scans the back.  Liam turns to Dom, "Open the box."

We all stand still as Rico hands Dominic a knife.  The taped seal is broken and slowly, Dominic removes the flaps from the box.  Rico leans over the man's shoulder, but neither of them say a word.  Their facial expressions don't hold any sort of surprise or happiness, their lips stay pursed. 

Rico looks away. 

Dominic stands to his feet as he closes the box.  "Liam, as long as I live you have to promise me you will never look into this box, am I clear?"

"Dominic," Liam pushes himself out of his chair and strides across the room.  I follow, joining Liam on his right side, Dominic's left. "Open the box," He commands, but Dom's hands don't move.  He keeps them still, blocking anyone else from opening it.

"Liam, I swear to you."

"Dominic Santiago, open up the damn box."

Dom gives Rico a look, who just shrugs.

"You open it."  Dom's shoulders drop as he steps away, allowing anyone access to the box.  Liam gives me a look, before stepping forward and flinging the box open.

My eyes watered; maybe from the wave of emotion that hit me, or maybe from the stench, but I couldn't pinpoint each one.  The room reeked as Liam kept the box open, his arms falling at his side.  Our eyes stayed glued to the contents of the box, but nobody turned away.

Inside, was Alex.

At least, what was left of him.

To be quite precise, it was his head.  It was a mangled, bloody mess.  I wasn't sure how Corinelli had kept the excess blood from dripping out the bottom of the box, but I wasn't really curious.  Alex's eyes were still there, his hair was still attached in the same hairstyle he had been supporting since Liam brought me to the house.

My fingers felt numb as I took a step back and I turned to my right, towards Dominic.

And I threw up; all over his shiny, Italian dress shoes.

- - - -

            Thank you in advance for the 6K followers! *squeals*

          I hope you enjoyed the chapter, I had fun writing it!

          Comments on the chapter?

            Let's all take a moment and say our goodbyes to Alex.