A/N: Thank you all for the 4.7K followers, 2.4M reads on Luciano (I never thought it would get that many reads, ever), and of course the almost 100K votes! You hear that? It was me, screaming. I want to say: MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!

Warning: You may or may not want to be concerned about the picture up there. Possible triggers, probably some sadness... This chapter will probably play with your emotions, so hold on for the ride.

10, 630 words. I don't know how it happened.

I am updating fairly quickly with little proofreading. I apologize for the grammatical errors.

- - - -

"Every human walks around with a certain kind of sadness. They may not wear it on their sleeves, but it's there if you look deep." ~ Taraji P. Henson

- - - -

| Liam Luciano |

"They probably found out I'm missing, they'll probably take me back home. Holy shit, you'll probably go to jail for 30 years-"

"Technically, a kidnapping punishment is usually one to twenty years," Federico is the first to speak up, as the four of us march up a hill – partially walking, partially running – towards the back entrance of my home. Faith just grunts a response from somewhere behind Dom and I as we march up the hill fairly quickly.

I stop walking the minute I hit my back patio. Everyone gathers around me as I catch my breath. I shoot a glare at Rico before turning to Faith. "Nobody is going to jail. Besides, I don't look good in orange."

We continue our short walk through two glass doors that lead to the inside. Dominic gets there first, smiling oddly as he slides the door open, allowing me to walk in first. But before I can, he leans down, mumbling quietly, "But Liam, orange is the new black."

I ignore his statement, but I can't help but hear the chuckling that goes on behind me as I enter the house. The floor was in a frenzy; men were scrambling down the steps, hands on their guns as they came skidding to a stop in front of the windows. Groups of five, sometimes even ten men scrambled to one window, peaking, and leaning over the rest of the family to see the cop car still making its way up our lengthy driveway. The chatter was held to low rumble, giving me time to think and assess the situation.

"Hey!" A loud irritated-like screech came from behind me; Rico, Dominic, and I whirl around. Faith stands behind the glass doors, arms on her waist as she points to it. "Dominic!" She screeches his name again, "You held the door open for everyone but me." With a raised eyebrow, I watch her fling the door open and stomp the short distance to where we stood. I leaned away from the two as she came face to face, toe-to-toe with my underboss.

She huffs and she puffs, but she doesn't scare Dom in the slightest. He, too, has the same expression as I do on my face; confusion, yet slight amusement. He gives me a look out the corner of his eye, before folding his hands respectively over another and smiling softly. Faith folds her arms across her chest.

"Well," She starts speaking again once she realizes Dominic has absolutely nothing to say to her. "Let me refresh your memory then," Faith waves a hand in his face; he doesn't flinch. She lowers her voice and attempts to speak in a Italian accent; least to say, she fails, miserably. "As long as you are in my presence, you won't ever open another door."

The same smile Dominic had on his mouth stayed. He looks at me, as if I'm supposed to give him some order, some command, that will allow him to respond. I nod subtly and somehow, he and Faith grew closer together. He leans down over her short figure and lowers his voice; in volume and in tone. "I did say that," Dominic responds, "But Faith, I didn't get to the position I am today by allowing people to walk all over me. A gentleman is one of many qualities I possess."

"And what are the others?"

"I'm a con artist, a murderer, a thief, and a liar. Would you like to hear more?"

Faith shakes her head no, frightfully.

Dominic slips his hand in hers, placing a kiss on top her knuckles. "I didn't think so."

I turn back around, facing the rest of the house as Dom let's Faith's hand go and joins me at my side. Rico does the same, quietly, leaving Faith to watch us from behind.

I placed two fingers in my mouth, preparing to let loose a whistle. But Federico stops me before I can.

"Eyes up, Faith."

My eyebrows twitch downwards in a confused manner as Faith scoffs. She slaps Rico on the back of the neck, indicating she didn't like his comment. All three of us let out a laugh as she walks by. Our eyes follow her backside the entire time.

"Eyes up, gentlemen."

Guilty as charged.

"Anyways," I clap my hands together, "Ladies," My voice echoes throughout the quiet first floor as everyone turns around. The activities happening outside of the window are now pushed back into everyone's mind. Men turn on their heels and come closer as my voice booms out around the seemingly never-ending group of men. A few looked frightened, others looked anxious, but they all seemed excited for the possible action that was about to unfold. "Everyone go to your room, hide your weapons, hide your drugs, just like we've rehearsed a million times." I clap twice, "Oh and if there so happens to be a dead body in your room, hide that to."

"Yeah, that might be suspicious," Dominic quips from beside me.

A flutter of activity follows my words as men scramble in every which direction; some bound up the stairs, while others dart down hallways, heading towards their designated wing. I take a deep breath and dodge a few scurrying men as they barrel in my direction, intent on following my orders.

My attention locks on Luis and Alex, as they stand in the mass of confusion, somehow holding a conversation. I head in their direction, followed closely by Rico and Dom; Faith joins us a moment later, sideling up behind me and falling silent – aware that she can't help in any way as of right now.

Alex answers my question before I even ask it. He twists his tablet screen towards me, pointing a finger at the feed that it's portraying. The police car had finally come to a stop in our driveway. "There's only one car; that means two cops, I'm unsure whether there's more coming." I nod, watching his lips move as he talks. He lets out a frustrated sigh. "I have no idea why they're here Liam, unless-"

"No," I didn't have to hear the rest of his sentence to know what he was implying.

"Liam," Dominic speaks slowly from beside me, his arms crossed. He doesn't look directly at me, but his gaze had drifted from Alex's tablet, to one of the many windows across the room. "There is a possibility that someone...might've..." His voice drowns away, before he tears his eyes away from the window and looks at me. Nobody wanted to say it; nobody ever wanted to say it.

"No," I take a step back. In the process, I managed to step on Faith; but without a yelp or complain, she steps back. I felt her palms press against the palm of my back as she stabilizes me. I didn't mean to glare, but that's what happened; I locked eyes with all three of them – Dominic, Alex, and Luis. "There is no mole in my house; that isn't even to be discussed, do you understand me?" I glance out a window, watching as two uniformed police officers exit their cars slowly – very slowly.

My heart rate quickened as the two officers made their way up the pathway, just a few feet away from the front door.

I grab Alex and Luis by their arms, shoving them towards the steps. "Go with the others, hide; I do not want to see anyone else on this floor as long as those cops are here," I shove them a little more, before they disappear down a hallway, on their way to hide in the basement. "Where the hell is William?!"

"I've been here the whole time," I nearly jump as William smiles from his position on the couch. His feet are propped up by a pillow and a cookie rests between his lips. He bites down, before pulling it out his mouth. "What do you need?"

I bit back every rude, disgusting remark I could've spit in his direction. "Get up," I groan. I had grabbed Faith by the bicep, leading her to Will as he stands up, brushing off his pants. "Take her, go upstairs to my room; do not leave. Do you understand?"

"Wait, Liam," She was struggling against my grip, attempting to turn her body around to face me. Somehow, she manages to twist her torso in my direction; I pull her close and shake my head, already knowing what she's about to argue.

"That wasn't a suggestion, Fi; that was an order."

She knew she was beat. Her face fell, but I feel like she knew it was the best option; especially if the feds were at my door asking about her. Despite everything we've been through; she was still kidnapped. I brush a strand of hair away from her face, before she wraps her arms around me in a quick hug. I could hardly hug her back, before the doorbell rang and she was whisked away by a protecting Will.

I turn around, only to face the last two men that stood there, nearly expressionless – Dominic and Rico. "You two, right now, for this situation, are my security. You stay beside the television, you keep your large mouths shut-" I point at Federico, "-Especially you, Rico, and for the love of god, for the sake of Pete, do not kill the cops."

Rico and Dom both nod.

I shake my head at Rico, "No, Rico, I need to hear it from you. A nod is not enough." He rolls his eyes and steps forward. He raises a palm to the sky.

"I, Federico De Santis-"

Dominic steps forward, handing me his phone. I nearly let out a laugh at the Bible app that is loading on the screen. I signal Rico to pause with an index finger, before shoving the app in his face. He didn't want to admit to the hilarity of it; but he slaps his left hand on the quote on quote Bible.

"Liam Luciano?!" A fist rams into my front door once again, "LAPD, Open the door."

I motion for Rico to hurry up.

"I, Federico De Santis, swear on the Bible, that I will not kill a cop."

Dominic and I clap just as the fist raps on the doors once again, a little harder this time. I watch the two jog to their position. They stand a foot or so apart, hands folded neatly behind their backs. At a first glance, you could never tell they were armed and dangerous; but I knew both of them. Rico, I was sure, had the most weapons on him; a knife stayed positioned in his sock, secured by the ankle part of his shoe. He had – not one – but two guns hidden in the back of his jacket and I was sure he had a throat cutter – or two – lodged in his pants waist band. Dominic tended to travel a little lighter; but he always had two guns on him at all times. They both bow their heads and wait silently.

With a deep breath, I ran my hands down my face. My fingertips brushed against the stubble on my chin. With one more sigh and a clearing of the throat, I gripped the door handle and threw it open.

Two cops stood under my doorway, one had a fist up in the air, preparing to knock again. I plaster a smile on my face as I lean to my left, allowing my arm to support the rest of my wait, by pressing it against the doorframe. My eyes scan over them in a matter of seconds.

They were both young cops, probably in their mid-twenties. Both of them were Caucasian; one with red hair, the only with a honey brown. They were both well-built; but what caught my attention the most, were the guns that were strapped to their waist. I let in a sharp inhalation of breath, before looking them in the eye, and smiling.

"Good afternoon, gentlemen; what can I do for you both?"

"Mr. Luciano," the red-head didn't look like he was about to deal with any shit today. He steps forward, causing me to lean back a bit – considering he broke my personal space bubble. He holds up a faded picture and shoves it in my face once he notices I'm squinting. "We believe you know these two men, do you not?"

I squint anyway for the show and my heart literally drops into my shoes. It was a faded, bad quality picture of William Preston and Luis Martinez exiting Faith's house on the day of the ordered kidnapping. Air escaped through both my lips and my mouth at the same time.

Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuckidy, fuck, fuck, fuck.

Shit.

I blink to hide my frustration; then I pull my lips into my mouth – I wet them with my tongue, I pull at my ears, and I re-adjust my stance – but I do not answer the cops question. My palms began to sweat, but I didn't dare wipe them on my pants; cops watch your every move, they even analyze your facial expressions.

For a second I thought about lying, about denying the fact that I had ever met a William Preston or a Luis Martinez. It would've been a bold move, especially knowing if they even thought for a split second that I was lying, they could gather a warrant and check my phone, hell, even my house.

The cop shakes the photo one more time as I zone back in to the current predicament that I found myself in. I ran a hand down my cheek as the other cop spoke up, reading my mind.

"If you are caught lying, Mr. Luciano, and we find out, we can issue a warrant to search your beautiful home."

I couldn't take that chance; not with hundreds of grams of marijuana and cocaine just lying around. I bow my head in defeat, before I nod and bring my head back up; making eye contact with the two police officers.

"Yes, I know those two."

The expression-less red-head nods, before slipping the picture back into his pocket and nodding. "Can we come inside?"

"Of course," They didn't hear the hesitation that almost slipped past my lips as I stepped to the side. I extend a hand towards the inner portion of my home as they stepped inside. I close the door softly behind me, watching as their necks crane and twist in every direction, eyeing my home.

"Wow, beautiful home," The red-head says, impressed. I nod, thanking him silently for his compliment. "But I can't believe you live here alone," The subtle implementation of suspicion underlines his words; it causes a shiver to ripple down my spine. I just smile.

"The wifey is upstairs," I smile, lying smoothly.

"Speaking of the wifey," the young blonde steps forward, a hand extended. "We haven't introduced ourselves correctly; I'm officer Moore, Jonathon Moore, and this-" He points to his partner, "-is Officer Baxton, Jahlil Baxton." Officer Moore points to himself, "You can just call me Jonathon."

"You can call me Officer Baxton," The kill-joy says.

His handshake is impressive. I smile, "You can just call me-"

"Liam," Jonathon nods, a smile crossing his features. His previous intimidating behavior had diminished. "Yeah, trust me, we know all about you." I glance between him and his partner, Baxton.

"We?"

"No! I mean," Jonathon points to his ring finger, where a silver ring lies. "We, as in my wife and I. She's a huge fan of...well...you." I nod and take a step back, "Remember that Calvin Klein photoshoot you did a few years ago?"

"I remember," I laugh softly, "I made multi-millions off of that shoot."

Officer Moore cuts me off, "Yeah, she even has one of the photos from that shoot plastered on the wall opposite of our bed," He informs me, "It's the one when your hand is just barely down the underwear and your hair is wet, and you have a couple fingers running through your hair."

I take another step back.

"Moore," Officer Baxton snaps at the young man, causing his mouth to clamp shut. "Just get the man's goddamn autograph so we can continue this investigation."

"Right, sorry," Jonathon mumbles a few words before extending a pen and pad in my direction. I eye them cautiously, before signing my name with flourish. I dot my two 'I's, before thrusting the pad back into the man's hand.

"Now," I step back and point to the vast selection of seats, "Would you all like to sit down?"

They both nod before bumping shoulders and heading towards their seats. The two officers sit on one sofa, while I choose another seat, just opposite of them. I refuse to sit back and get comfortable; so I keep my posture straight and my feet on the ground. I clear my throat.

"I hope you all don't mind, but I always walk around with security," I nod towards Federico and Dominic, who stand silently to my left. Jonathon nods, ecstatically as if he understands. Officer Baxton wasn't as welcoming, but he gave in anyways.

Out the corner of my eye, I see Dominic and Rico beginning to move. Dom marches over towards the officers, a polite smile on his face. "Dominic Santiago, security," His hand is left hanging in the air as both he and Jahlil make eye contact. Officer Baxton glares at Dom's hand, as if shaking it would give him some type of incurable disease. Santiago chuckles, "I don't want to touch your hand either, Officer Baxton. I'm not holding my hand here, waiting for a fucking handshake, as if that is going to make me feel better. I'm holding my hand here because I want to see your badge."

I bow my head, hiding a smile as Baxton shoves his badge into Dom's hand for a close analyzation of its authority. Jonathon, a.k.a Officer Moore, gives Dominic his badge without a fight or hesitation. My friend, a brother, sits down beside me and eyes the two badges with curiosity.

"Would you two like anything to drink?" I offer up. Jonathon nods, asking for a cool glass of water. I hook a thumb in Rico's direction, signaling for him to hop on that task asap. Federico leaves the room not even a second later.

"This investigation," Baxton speaks up once more, clearly zoning out Dom's presence. He has his hands folded across his lap and a gaze that could probably kill. I was feeling the pressure, no doubt. "Jonathon and I are currently figuring out what happened to a young woman a good couple weeks ago, a month, if not more," He continues, "And your friends were seen exiting her house on the day of her, alleged, disappearance."

My chest was beginning to tighten and my head was beginning to pound. This was not good, this was not good at all.

"Faith Crawford," Officer Moore whips out a photo and shoves it in my face. It was, indeed, a photo of Faith. It appeared to have been taken without her knowing; she was sitting on the inside of a coffee shop, at a booth, alone. Her phone was in her hands and she looked carefree and happy. I lean back as he pulls the photo back down.

"Have you ever seen this woman?"

Yes.

Baxton reminds me of his initial threat, "If you are caught lying Mr. Luciano..."

"No," I shake my head, "I've never seen this woman before."

"What?"

A breathless Dominic shakes his head from beside me. He turns, glancing at me as confusion crosses his features. He shakes his head again and stands up, handing one of the badges back to Officer Baxton. "That doesn't make sense," Dom continues. He had obviously noticed something that I hadn't. "Why would a disappearance in...in..."

"Maryland," Jonathon assists.

"Maryland," Dominic nods, "Be connected to the Los Angeles Police? Why would the Maryland State Police put the Los Angeles Police Department on an investigation... You guys are shoving a picture in Liam's face, asking if he knows two men that walked into the woman's home; you're following up on a lead. Why the hell would you be following up on a lead in Los Angeles when whatever happened, happened in Maryland?"

I was lost.

But Dominic didn't seem to be. He rambled on, confused as to why these men were following up a lead in Los Angeles. I could hear him talking to himself, mumbling to himself, trying to piece together the information he had just learned. Then it all came together.

Holy shit.

One minute, the four of us were seated down, talking like adults; the next, we were all standing up, guns aimed at each other's heads. Dominic had whipped out both of his guns, training them on Officer Baxton and Officer Moore. He slowly moved to his left, shielding me the from weapons that were pointed in my direction. Baxton and Moore had four guns trained on Dominic, ready to light his ass up any second.

There was a lot of shouting and tons of cursing. "Liam, they aren't cops," Dom explains, "They never were cops. I knew something didn't add up, it doesn't add up."

"Put your weapons down," Officer Baxton shouts as I peak my head around Dom's shoulders. "We are police officers."

"How sure are you?" I rest a hand on his shoulder. He shrugs.

"85 percent."

Even though he couldn't see, I shook my head. That wasn't enough certainty for me to allow two, fully dressed, badged police officers to be shot in my home. "Dominic, put the gun down, please," His bicep was tense as I attempted to pull his arm down.

"Mr. Santiago, put the gun away," This time, Officer Moore gave his warning. Dominic wouldn't budge.

"Liam, I am 80 percent sure they're lying."

"80 isn't enough for me Dominic," I wrestle his other arm down, before snatching the gun from his hand. "If they are police officers; which, it seems like they are – they have the car, the badge, and the uniform – you are looking at life, plus some, in prison."

I was torn away from my intense conversation with Dominic, simple because of the sound of strangulation and struggling coming from my right. When I glance to where the officers once stood – in front my sofa, behind my coffee table – and saw that they weren't there, my stomach dropped. Their bodies lay lifeless on the floor; both of them suffering the same cause of death – a slit throat.

Federico stands behind the sofa, a steak knife dripping blood in his hand. He twirls it around as he straightens back up, locking eyes with me.

"80 percent was enough for me,"

Federico waves the knife towards the door and feeling lost and confused, we follow him. He pulls open the door and we step outside into the depressing and rainy mid, Los Angeles day. A cool, chilling breeze blows through our hair as we round the police car. Gripping the trunk, Rico pulls with relevant ease, and slowly, it opens.

Dominic and I lean closer, getting a good look at the inside of the trunk. Two male bodies lay mangled in the back of the police car; their arms and legs had been tied and they had been stripped of all their clothes. The only article of clothing they wore was a pair of underwear. They looked up at us, lifeless; their faces blue, their chests unmoving.

It didn't take a rocket scientist to tell us that they were the true cops. The men inside our home were fakes.

At that point, my anger bubbled over. The simple fact that we had almost been played, the fact that I allowed two – possible murderers – into my home, without a second thought, pissed me off. It irked my nerves. I gripped the top of the trunk door and slammed it closed, cursing loudly in the process.

"Dammit, Dammit, Dammit!"

- - - -

My dining room table was surrounded by the family. Many of them stood, lining the walls of our dining room; they had their arms folded, and their attention drifted in and out – all depending on who was speaking. When I spoke, all eyes turned to me; when Dominic spoke, all eyes turned to him – but when a random spoke up, giving any type of advice, we all zoned out.

I had my forehead pressed against the coolness of the wood table. My face felt warm – everything felt warm. I had shed my suit jacket and unbuttoned my shirt twenty minutes ago, but I still felt like I was sitting in a sauna.

The head of my security department, Alex, was speaking now. Everyone had been well informed – mainly by Dominic's story-telling – of the events that had happened. The shit that went down was still fresh in my mind, especially considering it had all gone down not even thirty minutes ago.

For the first time since we had all sat down at the table, I lifted my head. I sat at the head of the table, with Faith on my immediate left. Dominic was on my right. Alex and Luis sat on either side beside Faith and Dom; the others that sat at the large table, were well-known figures in the household. All of their opinions mattered to me when making a decision. Those that stood up were respected – like everyone is in this household – but they didn't hold much power.

Everyone turns to me as Alex finishes his spiel; I had completely zoned him out, unsure of anything he had said. Dominic slapped the table where he sat, eyeing me with concern. "Did you hear anything Alex just said?"

Slowly, the room started to spin. All of the familiar faces began to sway and soon, the table was swaying – left to right, left to right. I blinked hard, but when I opened my eyes again; it had only gotten worse. Faces that I knew just by hearing their voices were distorted; they were twisted and blurred, unrecognizable. I could recognize Faith though, simply because of her hair – it stood out more than the typical dark brown and black that I was used to seeing.

"Liam?" A figure leans forward and I could hear the concern in their voice, but I couldn't see the concern on their face. With a great struggle, I pushed myself up from the table and darted towards the exit. I heard many voices behind me, calling my name, questioning to others in curiosity as to why I just left.

"Liam, Liam," Dom's voice was directly behind; it got closer and closer the more he talked. I didn't turn around to address him.

I snap at him immediately. "Follow me Dominic and you're being demoted."

The footsteps behind me stopped and I was left alone. I manage to stumble down the hallway, nearly running into a uniformed wearing woman. I wasn't sure what she was holding on her tray, but I grabbed a glass anyways and took a sip; it was water – ice, cold, freezing water.

There is a God.

I tilted the glass over my head after my sip and I let the cool contents drip past my forehead, down my cheeks, then off my chin.

"Mr. Luciano, Mr!" The woman was calling after me, but I wasn't sure what for. She didn't sound upset, but more like worried. Another womanly voice answered her.

"Sorry, Ma'am, he's fine! Liam!" That was Faith.

I pushed through the front doors of my home and almost immediately, I felt better. There wasn't much sunlight considering it had been raining all day; but even though the clouds still blanketed the city, the outside air was much more refreshing than the inside. I tilted my head to the sky as I inhaled and exhaled deeply for a moment or two; the dizziness stopped, the feeling as though the walls were closing in on me – stopped. I knew it was Faith who had joined me out on the front porch the minute I heard the door swing open, then close.

"I'm tired," I peel my eyes open, only to be greeted by the depressing world around me. A cold, steady drizzle began to fall from the sky as I stood there, my hands shoved deep into the pockets of my pants. I found myself ranting to her, to Faith, and she had yet to ask me what was wrong. A month ago, this never would've happened. "I came here because I knew they could help me," I strain, "But since I've been here; I've hardly slept, I've hardly ate, Michael almost killed Rico, he could've almost killed you... I was duped by...by...amateurs."

Faith laughs and I can feel her look up at me. "Liam, they weren't amateurs-"

"They were amateurs, Faith. Amateurs hired by Peter Corinelli to get inside my home and do god-knows-what to god-knows-who."

"How do you know they were hired by Corinelli?"

"Who the fuck do you think they were hired by?" I snapped at her. "Sometimes, you can be so fucking s-" Hold that tongue, Liam. I pursed my lips together, just before I covered my face with my hands. I drag them down and sigh as she continues to look at me. It was obvious she was trying not to look upset. "Sorry, I'm sorry."

"You're fine."

Faith was already turning to head back inside, but I snatch her hand. I pull her back to me and she stumbles, but slowly smiling as I look down on her. "I'm serious, I'm sorry; I didn't mean it. That was Dick Liam talking, I swear." Faith lets out a laugh. "How can I make sure you forgave me? Should I kiss the back of your hand?"

"No, you don't-"

But I didn't allow her to finish. Her hands were soft as I brought her knuckles to my lips, planting two consecutive kisses to them. Her laugh, her smile, they only made me chuckle more before I continued the kisses; they started at her knuckles and traveled past her wrist, then up her arm. She was all laughs by the time I had planted seven or so kisses up her arm. She wrenches it away from my grasp, punching me softly.

"You're stupid."

"How?" My eyes bug out as I take a step back, "If Dominic did that to you, you would probably be swooning."

"No I wouldn't!" She looks at me like I'm crazy, before stomping her foot and resting her arms on her hips. Her attempt at an angry face failed miserably; but all it did was cause my heart to flutter even more than it had been. "What are you staring at?" She punches me again on the arm, all smiles, "Why are you laughing?" My laughter only grew as I stepped back inside the house, with Faith following closely behind.

I was staring at her; at her eyes, her smile, her lips, the tint of pink that colored her cheeks.

I wasn't sure why I was laughing. I laughed when I was happy; and she made me happy.

I just walked off, leaving her to ask all the questions. "You're cute-" I chuckle as I turn around, walking backwards. She just smiles hard; purposely exposing all of her teeth – and even some gum – in my direction. She flips a strand of her hair over her shoulder and the tone in her reply made me laugh even more – if that was possible.

"I know."

- - - -

"Daddy!"

"Rosie."

"Sorry; Hi, Liam."

Rosalie threw her arms around my neck once I bent down to her height. When she pulled away, I made sure she didn't escape and dart out he rotating hospital doors to freedom. A few cuts still lingered on her face; the worst one, which sat on her forehead – where she had hit the concrete – was still a bit swollen. I pulled my lips into my mouth as I gently ran a finger along her cuts and bruises, internally blaming myself for all the pain that she had been caused.

"I missed you," They were three simple words that I knew only she could hear. I didn't realize just how much I missed her lopsided smile until her lips pulled apart and she giggled. Her giggle, her laugh, it was like music to my ears and for a moment, I had to bow my head. It was hard to think about, almost impossible really to even fathom that I had been that close to never seeing that smile, to never hearing that giggle.

"Liam, are you crying?" Her voice was soft and I lifted my gaze back to her, shaking my head no. She pouts, sticking her bottom lip out much further than need be; it warmed my heart, really. "You are crying! Here, I'll fix it," She brings her small thumb to the corner of my eye, wiping a tear that I had been trying to hold back. I smile harder than I was as she rests her small hands on either side of my cheeks and pulls me close; her cheek kiss is sloppy and slightly wetter than usual, but I think I could handle that.

She pulls away from me and looks over my shoulder. Her mouth falls open in an excited gasp as she darts from around me, screaming, "Ms. Faith! Ms. Faith! You're still here!" I bowed my head, wiping at my eyes just a second longer, before standing up and turning around.

"Of course I'm still here, Sweetheart!" Faith's smile couldn't be wider as we stand in the lobby of the hospital, just beside the exit. She wore a simple outfit; a pair of jeans, boots, with a shirt and a matching scarf. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail and somewhere in that house of mine; she had managed to find a matching shade of lipstick to go with it. "Why wouldn't I be here?"

I found myself watching both of them; especially when Faith bent down and gave Rosalie a long, caring hug.

I was watching both girls.

Both girls.

Both of my girls.

I blinked that last thought out of existence real quick.

"Rosie!" I caught up with both of them as I scooped Rosalie up off her feet with ease. I twirl her around on my shoulders, before finally walking out the room with her tucked neatly under my arm. She squirmed and laughed the entire way out the hospital and through the dimly lit parking lot.

Faith was laughing hysterically from my left, covering her mouth and everything. "Liam, put her down," She slaps my arm, "She isn't a purse!" I laugh and rest the little girl down; only to watch her take off towards my car.

"Hey!" My voice booms out over the quiet, yet packed parking lot. Rosalie turns around real quick, an innocent look plastered on her face as she holds her own hands. "This is a parking lot, young lady; what do we do in parking lots?"

She whispers a response.

"I can't hear you."

"We walk," She says it a little louder. I nod and shoot her a thumbs up, before she jogs – all while driving her feet – the rest of the way to my car. I suppose that would work.

I make sure to keep an eye on Rosalie as I close the gap between Faith and I. For a moment, we simply bump into each other – accidently, on purpose. I've watched Despicable Me one too many times. She laughs and ready's herself to shove me, but I stop walking; causing her to miss and go stumbling to my right.

I let out the loudest laugh as she comes back with twice as much power, causing me to stumble as she pushes into me. I throw an arm around her shoulder as we continue to make our way to the car, smiles on our faces.

"So, where would you like to eat tonight?"

When Melanie called me just a few hours ago, stating that Rosie could be checked out any time after six p.m., I hopped on it. She then went on to state that she was busy with Michael and that there was no way she could get my little sister this evening, so I came and got her. Faith tagged along – to my delight – and now, seemed like the perfect time to finally go grab a bite to eat with her.

"In all honesty," We reach the car as Faith starts to reply. I unlock the doors and hold Rosie's door open for her as she climbs her way into the backseat. "I'm sick of five star, gourmet food," She says as we both climb into the car, "I want McDonalds."

I pause, the key halfway into the ignition. "McDonalds?!"

"Yes!" Rosie screeches from behind us. In the rearview mirror, I can see her sitting there, her arms outstretched towards the ceiling. "I want a happy meal!"

"Girl," I turn to face her, "Who even said you were coming?" My tone was as playful as could be as Rosie puts her hands on her hips.

"Me," She even gives me the whole neck and shoulder shake; in the process of her answer, she even had the audacity to snap.

I know she didn't just-

"Liam stop!" The next sound that fills the car, is Rosie's screaming and laughing as I reach back there, tickling her. "Miss Faith! M-miss Faith! Stop!" She falls out on the backseat, her mouth all smiles and her eyes filled with joy. Faith just chuckles from my side.

"Liam, stop tormenting the poor child."

"Yeah!" Rosie agrees, even through my playful glares. "Stop tormenting me." When she sees my smile, she snaps in my face again, before crawling to the corner of her seat and giggling. I pull myself back into my seat as the car starts.

Faith buckles her seatbelt, which only causes Rosalie to speak up again. "No, Ms. Faith!" She whines, "You can't buckle your seatbelt like that! Liam! You didn't show her!" The little girl actually sounded sad; I just sighed.

"No, Liam didn't show me," Faith glances at me, a smile spreading across her face. "How do you buckle your seatbelt?"

"You have to wait till Liam gives the word!" Rosie answers for me. "Okay, Liam, go!"

I grip the strap of my seatbelt and belt out, "Seatbelts! So we can be safe!" The inside of the car is then filled with the clicking and securing of both Rosie's and I's seatbelts. Faith's mouth just hangs there as she throws her head back in a laugh.

"You two are a mess!"

"She's my mess," I state.

"He's my mess!" She copies me.

The car falls silent, but the happy, playful mood is never gone.

15 minutes later, I found myself staring at the dollar menu of a McDonalds restaurant. Faith and Rosie had already ordered their food; as for Rosie, she had ordered a happy meal – and who the hell knows what was inside of the box. For Faith, she got a chicken sandwich – and get this, it was called a McChicken.

How fucking original.

I broke the startling news to Faith as she came to my side, just after whisking Rosie away to the playground out back. "So, what are you going to order?"

"I've never ate at McDonalds before. So I don't know."

Her jaw drops. "You've never? Ever?" I shake my head no, "Like ever?"

I shrug, "I've taken Rosie here so she could get her heart-attack in a box, but I've never actually ordered anything for me."

"Not even a McFlurry?"

"These names are really killing me-"

"Oh my God," Faith grabs me by the arm and pulls me up to the cash register. "We'll start you off small then." She orders a Oreo flurry and a small fries, grabs a couple packs of ketchup, before leading me outside and around back.

For a while it was silent as we sat underneath an umbrella covered table. Rosalie kept her food out on the table; occasionally running back and forth between her food and the playground. She would snag a fry before darting back to a group of children she had suddenly made friends with. I watched her quietly as she laughed, smiled, and interacted with the other children; they ran up slides, through tunnels, and dropped into a pool of plastic, harmless balls. I kept my eyes off Faith as she ate; but I could still tell she was looking up at me every so often.

"Sometimes I wish I was her age again," I turn my body away from the laughing children. My fries sat in front of me and my ice cream was beginning to melt. "I wasn't good at the whole friend thing when I was younger."

"Why not?" She looked up at me, curiously; her eyes twinkling, proving her intrigue. She closes the small box her sandwich comes in and leans forward, her head propped up by her hands. I grab a fry and twirl it in my hand, eyeing it closely as I reply.

"Michael never really cared for me having friends, bringing them over the house and stuff," I answer without a hitch. Faith frowns and I just shrug again, "Mafia crap. He was afraid someone may see something and tell their parents, you know how loose children are at the mouth."

She nods out of understanding. Silence falls between us and soon, both of us are staring at the fry. "Liam, I swear, just eat it. You won't die."

I bring the fry inches away from my lips. "Do you swear, Ms. Crawford?"

"I swear, Luciano."

And I eat it. I chew thoughtfully, wistfully, thinking, and tasting it as much as I can. After a moment passes and it's swallowed, I nod. "Well, I don't feel any different."

"What did you think was going to happen?!" She lets out another laugh. I shoot her a glare, before picking another one up and eating it. I leave her question unanswered as screams draw my attention back to Rosie. She continues to run around, having fun.

"Rosie!" When I catch her attention, I continue, "Don't run too much, I don't want you getting-" Faith taps me on the arm, shaking her head.

"She's a kid," She smiles, "Let her have fun. I'm sure if she doesn't feel well, you'll be the first one she tells." I nod, my eyes following my little sister until she disappears beneath another group of toys the restaurant has set up for them.

"I feel so bad for her sometimes," I mumble. My thoughts had found their way to my mouth and I said the first thing I was thinking. I knew I had Faith intrigued, so I continued, "She doesn't know her father, her mother doesn't even truly care about her, and we know what Michael is about," I sigh, "When I'm gone, travelling and what-not, she's usually left in the care of a nanny, who probably doesn't treat her as good as she should be treated."

"Is there any way you could...maybe get custody of her?"

I scoff, "I don't know. I don't know all that legal shit. All I know is, I'm not her father and I'm not her mother. I figure the custody battle would develop between Michael and Melanie." I lean forward, adjusting my position in my seat, "I'm hardly around anyways. And not only that, but I can barely take care of myself, let alone a little girl."

Faith nods once again as I glance to her, waiting for her response. But she doesn't say anything else. Silence is welcomed around the table as Rosie scrambles over to us; her hair sticks to her perspiring forehead as she grabs another bite of her chicken nuggets. I wipe a couple strands of hair from her face and just like usual, she's off to continue her child-like endeavors.

"What happens after three months?"

The question shouldn't have caught me off-guard, but it did. The fry that I had heading towards my mouth, hits my lip and falls to the floor, un-eatable. Faith watches me closely, sadness crossing her features as she asks a question even I had asked myself, many times before. I exhale deeply.

"You go back home," I answer fluidly.

"Just like that?" Emotion rose in her voice. But I couldn't bring myself to look at her and nod, replying coldly: yep, just like that. "So I go home and forget I ever met you? Forget I ever met Rico? Forget I ever met Dominic? Forget I ever met Rosie?" She turns away, sighing in a frustrated manner. "That would be asking the impossible. I couldn't just walk up and leave Rico's humor; I may have just put my trust in him, but that doesn't mean he wasn't already growing on me. And Dominic, I may have just met him, but he's a charmer, a nice guy... And Rosalie, Rosie, Rose – whatever you want to call her, how can I forget that precious little girl? And you," She laughs and gazes out far past the playground, but up and out at the night sky, "There's no way I'll ever forget you."

I swallow, hard. "We'll keep in touch," I suggest. My tone sounds upbeat and welcoming of the idea, but internally, I wasn't liking it at all. She just nods, but she doesn't seem convinced. "It's going to happen," I add, "It's rapidly approaching, if you look at it. Once we take out Corinelli, you can be on the next flight from LAX to BWI."

I push the food away as Rosalie comes rushing over. She tugs at my leg, gaining my attention. "Liam, I'm tired," I wanted to say 'me too', but I knew she wouldn't understand my struggles. Considering the car was in my line of sight and was relatively close, I unlock the doors and tell her to scurry to the car and wait for us.

Quickly, I toss my trash out before turning around to face Faith. She was still standing there, waiting for me. Her mood seemed much somber than it was, and I could relate, mine was too. I approached her swiftly, lowering my voice. "Don't look sad like that, please, it's making me sad."

"I'm not sad," She huffs. "I'm fine."

"There you go with that F word again."

I could see her fighting the smile, but she loses. It crosses her face and brightens up my night. "Liam," She laughed softly as I took a step closer, closing whatever gap of space that had remained. I rested my hands on her shoulders, unsure of her reaction if I had held her torso, or even hips.

"I wanted to make something clear," I lower my voice and dip my head, "The other night, I was apologizing for kissing you because I hadn't taken you out on a proper date yet. I didn't want you to feel like," I shrug, "Like I was using you. I wanted to take you out and get to know you more, and I know, maybe tonight wasn't the best but, I still had fun."

I lowered my head more, tilting it to the side as our faces grew closer together. "You know what I really want to do right now though?"

Her whisper against my lips caused the goosebumps on my arms to rise. "What's that?"

"This,"

But instead of kissing her, I push her backwards; she stumbles and falls right into the pool of balls. She shrieks flails her arms, but as fast as she had entered the pool, she got out of it; and she was chasing me.

"Liam Elijah Luciano!"

I jog out the playground area and into the parking lot as she catches up to me. I feel her fist clamp around my t-shirt and I allow her to pull me back. She's laughing, all smiles and is completely unaware of my next move; as she falls towards me, I rest my hands on either side of her face, cupping her cheeks. I pull her face towards mine and dip my head, tilting it ever so slightly. Our lips connect softly, moving slowly together. She smiles somewhere in the kiss, causing me to pull back just a bit. I wait till her lips close before I kiss her again, a bit more passionately this time.

We stayed like that, for what seemed like, the longest moment; but as quickly as it had come, it finishes. A soft knocking draws both of our attentions to my car door, where Rosalie sticks her head out the window through a crack we had left when she didn't roll it all the way up.

Her next few words cause both of us to smile.

"When's the wedding?!"

- - - -

It took the entire car ride back to Melanie and Michael's house to explain to Rosie that just because Faith and I kissed, does not mean we're getting married. She shared her disappointment with both of us as we walked her to the door and thanked her for her wonderful company. She gave both of us a hug and a kiss before bounding up the steps and through the front door. Mel waved, pleased, before shutting us out.

The ride back to my third home seemed much quicker than last time. Faith and I talked about everything; from our childhoods, to our parents. She even tried to remember what her real, biological parents were like; I told her everything I knew. We shared a bunch of jokes, a few pathetic pick-up lines, and we struggled to find a good radio station that actually played good music.

The night couldn't have been any more perfect as we finally arrived back home around 10:30 that night. I parked the car, told Faith to stay put, and left the vehicle; only to open her door and slip my hand in hers, helping her out the car.

"Chivalry isn't dead," She teases me with a smirk as I grip her hand – but this time, I don't let go. With our hands and fingers entangled together, we head around the front side of the house, preparing to go through the front door.

Then I heard the five words I did not want to hear tonight.

"Liam, we have a problem."

"Not now, Dom," I felt my shoulders tense as Dominic greets both Faith and I as we round the corner, preparing to take the short walk to the front door. He has a hand up to his face, but it didn't cause me any immediate suspicion. We brush past him, making a beeline for the door.

"I understand," He jogs to catch up with us. Dom walks backwards as he attempts to talk to me, "I understand that you don't want to deal with any of us right now, but this problem, it..." He stops walking, causing Faith and I to do the same. "It isn't very ignorable."

I brush him to the side once again and twist the already unlocked door. And we step inside absolute hell.

On a first glance, I could see six of my men lying on the floor, groaning in pain. A few others stood off to the side, being checked on my others. First Aid boxes laid everywhere. And as we stepped further inside and Dom follows, he finally drops his hand to his side. Faith gasps immediately.

His eye had nearly swollen shut and his cheek had swollen up also. It was blue and purple, and a tint of red. A noticeable laceration cut across just an inch or so below his eye. Dominic points to his eye, "Federico De Santis did this shit, Luciano. He nearly blinded me."

I let go of Faith's hand and sighed. This problem was definitely not one that could be ignored. "What the hell happened?"

Dom shakes his head, "Rudy-" He points to the man we all love to call Rudy, who still lies on the floor. He doesn't move at all, except for when the group of guys around him, start to shake his shoulders. He was out, cold. "-here and Rico got into a fight. It was petty, but Rico was in the right. Rudy called Rico a psychotic, cocksucking..."

I turned around the room, eyeing the rest of the mess. When Dom doesn't continue, I make a motion with my hand. "A psychotic, cocksucking...?"

"That's it," Dom clears his throat, "Rudy didn't say anything else. Rico dropped him."

Jesus Christ.

A couple of the guys went after Rico, especially after he hit Rudy and Rudy fell. Least to say, everyone failed, even me," He sighs, wincing as his fingers brush along his fresh wound, "He was angry; like, angry, Liam."

My thoughts were already racing. I had been worried about Rico for a while now; not because of his possible outbursts of dangerous and violent anger. He was an actor and he portrayed the role of being a happy, funny, psychotic murderer perfectly; but he hid everything just as well. His sadness, his feelings of abandonment, loneliness...

My next question was a relevant one. "Where is he?"

"In his room," Dom just shrugs; he seemed completely uninterested.

"You go get that," I rotate my hand around his face, "Fixed."

He nods.

"-and while you're at it, fix that cut too."

I shoot him a wink before telling Faith to follow me. Behind me, Dominic scoffs. "Har-dee-har-har, fucking bastard."

My wing was utterly silent as we came to a halt in front of Rico's guest room. Faith stood behind me, silent, as I leaned in; listening carefully for anything, something. I push the door open a second later and step inside, Faith close behind.

Federico stood at his desk, his back towards us. I could see his shoulder moving as he bowed his head. He was working intently on something that was on the desk. I stepped just a bit further inside, wary of the emotional state Rico was in.

"Rico?" I call out his name, just letting him know I was here. Sneaking up on an assassin is not on my bucket list. I hold a hand up to Faith and she nods, stepping to the side and watching from afar. I pat Federico on the back, before angling my body towards his desk.

"Get the fuck off of me!" He shakes off my hand and pushes me to the side with a brute force. I zero in on the pills he's crushing; his hand works quickly as he smashes the white pills into a fine powder substance. It wasn't until then that I realized his shoulders were shaking because he was crying.

"Rico," I say warningly, "You don't need that shit. What's wrong with you? Why are-"

"She died, s-s-s-she died," He curses loudly as his spoon clatters to the floor, taking a couple small, white pills with him. With the back of his hand, he wipes his eyes, before dragging his hand down his tear stained cheeks. He bends down quickly, picking up everything that he can.

My stomach dropped for the second time that day as I eyed him curiously. "Who died, Rico?" Faith, too, seemed confused – confused and worried. She took a step towards us, listening carefully. "Was it Carmen?"

"I-it doesn't numb the pain anymore Liam, it doesn't," Federico was already shaking his head repeatedly. His shoulders shook as he cried and his hands were unstable as he placed his pills back on the desk. I took a step back, making sure I protected myself in case he snapped. "The weed, the crack, coke, what the fuck ever, it-it doesn't!"

I was still confused. He wasn't answering any of my questions, but making statements of his own.

"Rico, who died?!"

"Ms. Martha!"

He lunged at me this time, but he kept his hands to himself. His eyes were beat red and his nostrils flared. Rico shook his fists and the veins in his neck stood out; hell, the veins in both of his arms looked as though they were about to break. His chest moved up and down as he struggled to breathe.

I was able to stand up straight as Rico backpedaled and headed back towards his bed. Martha had been the one – if you could even call it that – stable person in his life. She had been the caretaker of the orphanage he had lived in for six years. Nearly a week ago, he had come to me, actually excited that she had finally been able to reach out to him. They continued to talk and he was happy she was back in his life.

But as fast as she had come back, she was taken from him.

My own vision had blurred as tears came to my eyes; but nothing was worse, nothing hurt more than the sight I picked me attention up to.

Rico had put a gun to his temple.

"We talked," He cried, he cried hard. "S-she reached out to me and...and she would talk to me at night," Rico glances at Faith, noticing that she was, too, in the room. "I-I told you I was having suicidal thoughts, Liam, I told you," His shoulders continued to shake, increasing in intensity. But despite the amount of shaking he did, he kept to gun pressed to his head. "She would call me and talk to me, she would help me... She helped,"

"Rico," Faith speaks up, looking scared; petrified, terrified – just scared. "Rico, put the gun down."

"How many more people?!" He yelled at both of us, turning and eyeing us. "How many more people will this life take from me? Tell me!" He choked on his tears as he doubled over, crying. "She was the only one that wanted me, she was the only one that would tell me she loved me; she was the only one!"

I felt completely useless as Rico cried. It was rare to see any, if some, type of emotion. But this, this was just... heartbreaking.

He presses the gun into his temple just a bit more, "I always thought I was incapable of loving because I had never been loved before; but I was loved and I loved her," More tears spill out his eyes, "Vincenzo doesn't love me, he just loves my talent. Carmen would've never left if she loved me. Nobody...nobody..."

He clicks the safety off the gun.

"Rico," shit. I take a step forward, but he counters it by taking a step back. "Federico, listen to me. I can't physically stop you from killing yourself, you know that, I know that; shit, Faith knows that." I ease the shakiness in my tone and continue, "Just tell me what to say at your funeral, Rico. What am I going to say?" I laugh harshly as Rico blinks, "I can see it now: The only person that could kill him, was himself."

He doesn't lower his hand at all.

"What do I tell your father, Vincenzo, what do I tell him at the funeral? What do I tell everyone that'll be there? Because you know that shit will be packed, Rico, you know this. The entire Italian mafia will be there; some to mourn, others to see how Fantasma, how Ghost – the legendary hitman that couldn't be killed – died."

Faith watches me closely as I take another step in Rico's direction. He doesn't notice me inching my way closer to him.

"What do I tell Carmen, Rico? You know she'll be there. What do I tell her?" Federico doesn't answer. I feel a lump grow in my throat as I bite back the next couple images that flash across my mind. "What do I tell Rosie, Rico? What do I tell her when she asks for you? Please, tell me what I should tell her," I wipe at my eyes, internally cursing when I find myself beginning to cry. "What the hell do I tell her when we go to your funeral and she pokes you, like she always does, and you don't move? What do I do when she turns and looks up at me, asking the question we both know she'll ask: Liam, what happened to Uncle Rico?"

I heard sniffling from my left and I could only assume it was Faith. Tears continued to find their way down Rico's cheeks as I attempted to talk him off the cliff.

"How can I invite you and your beautiful ass wife over to my house if you're dead? What about your children? The son you want to have? Tell Faith what you told me, yes?"

Federico turns to Faith, speaking softly, "I want to have a son," He sniffles, "I want to name him Grayson and give him the life I never had."

"You can't check out on me, Rico; not yet. We're supposed to be in this shit together. Just promise me; if you take your life, do it after I leave the room. I couldn't stand here and watch my best friend put a bullet in his head," I turn, locking my sights on the door, "Oh," I turn back, "And I love you. I don't say it to many people, but I do. I love you."

I didn't want to leave; Federico had never been one to back down from his initial decision. I casted one last longing look over my shoulder at the man that I considered a best friend, a brother, a family member. I could see him picking Rosie up and laughing, I pictured him saving my life on multiple occasions, and I pictured both of us laughing; something we did a lot together. I was afraid when I turned my back, it was the last time I would see Rico alive.

Faith followed me out the room and I closed the door behind me. She patted me on the arm and headed towards my bedroom; but I stayed there, I slid down the wall, pulled my legs up to my chest and I waited.

I waited for the gunshot I just knew was coming.

It never came.

- - - -

A/N: So, I was fairly tired when I wrote this and I updated kind of quickly, so sorry for the grammer errors.

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