A/N: Hey everyone! With school out now, I'm hoping my updates will be much more frequent - unless I run into a wall I like to call writer's block.  Enjoy the chapter!

Warning: Angry Liam Luciano - proceed with extreme caution.

Second Warning: Grammatical Errors

- - - -

                I had severely underestimated just how many men actually were in Liam's home.  For the first hour I was there, they continued to turn around corners and exit doors and no matter which direction I looked, I would see a face I had yet been introduced to.  I felt like a freshman on her first day of school, being guided around by a kind student - who, politely, introduced me to all their friends.  I was the lonely freshman, Liam was my polite guide.

                Luciano had promised to show me around the home once we got settled in, which was completely fine with me; but from a few of the halls and rooms I saw, the house was gigantic.  He had one of his many men take our luggage to his wing.  My eye had twitched at the word, 'wing'.  I was ready to tap him on the shoulder and correct him, saying it should be 'room', but I didn't. 

                A fire roared in one of the fireplaces as Liam and I entered another room on the first floor.  It was large, just like the others; black, leather furniture greeted us as we sat down on the edge and waited.  Ten men, all of them nearly dressed the same, followed suit; a few stood in corners, some dropped to the floor and curled themselves into a comfortable position, while others continued to fill the empty seats on a few of the other similar looking sofas.  Nobody else sat on the sofa we were sitting on.

                Through Rico's harsh whispering earlier, I had come to learn just what the family, consisted of.  The head of the family is formally known as the Boss or Don - a.k.a. Liam Luciano.  All transactions and information is run by Liam; without his authority, it isn't done.  Next comes the Underboss, which Federico informed me had been William; but since Will's lack of loyalty, Luciano had thrusted the position into Dominic Santiago's hands.  I was excited to hear more about how a Mafia family worked, but Rico just threw up a hand, waved, and said, "Everyone else is irrelevant."

                A throat was cleared somewhere in the room; but I didn't realize it had come directly from my right, where Liam sat, till a few seconds later.  A few heads swivel in Liam's direction and the low, hardly audible chattering stalled.   I look up at Liam, watching as he makes eye contact with each and every man that stood in the room with us.  He finally glances down on me, before placing a hand on my kneecap and sighing. 

                "Peter Corinelli wants Faith Crawford dead."

                It amazed me just how easily Liam had gained the attention of the other men so quickly.  Their eyes were trained on his lips and their ears keen to his words.  A few of them shifted in their seats and adjusted their stance as Liam tore his gaze away from them and turned back to me, a solemn expression on his face. 

                A "Why?" squirted through the brief period of silence.  Luciano sighs once again, before explaining.

                "Faith's father, her biological father, put a shitload of money in her name when she was younger.  He did so as a precautionary measure in case something happened to him, which, it did.  The money was never Faith's to spend; he left a note with it, saying he wanted it dealt between a few major charities.  What Corinelli doesn't know, is that I had the money and I've spent most of it, doing what her father wanted me to do with it," Liam shifts in his seat, "I know there are a bunch of questions you all have, but I needed to get you all caught up.  We can deal with questions later."

                Everyone in the room nods, including me.

                "I need help, I need help stopping Peter from hurting Faith and I can't do it myself.  That's why I'm putting my best men on this; Alex, Luis, Dom," Liam addresses.  The same, tall man that I had remember seeing from Liam's home in Chicago stepped forward.  His hair was pulled back into a man-bun, the sides shaved.  A thick beard covered most of his chin and jawline and in his hands, he cradled an iPad.  Next comes Luis; his hair was nearly cut completely off but the suit he wore complimented his complexion greatly. 

                Liam frowns, "Where is Domin-"

                "Get off of me," The voice I recognized immediately, as Rico. 

                Rico is shoved into the room not a moment too soon, closely followed by another man.  Rico and him both shared the same height and build; the man that had seemingly pushed Federico into the room had a cold glare on his face, a scowl crossing his lips.  His hair was pushed up off his forehead and unlike Liam and Rico's hair, it was thick; thick and curly.  Two large, diamond studs sat planted in his ear and they glistened off the lamp's light whenever he turned at a certain angle.  I noticed his chin was covered in a thin layer of fuzz as he turns towards Liam, glaring.

                Luciano stands from my side, turning completely around to stare at the two men.  I could only assume that was Dominic.

                "Why the hell is this bastard in my presence?" The tall man spoke, deeply.  He raises his arm, and it's only then that I realize he's been holding on to Federico's bicep the entire time.  Rico just scoffs as he tries to wrench his arm free, but to no avail. 

                Federico speaks up.  "Liam, can you please tell your bubbly little friend here that if he doesn't let go of my arm within the next three seconds that I'll make his neck look like his perfect curly hair?" 

                "Rico, I told you beforehand to stay close and not to wander," Liam says, slightly disappointed, "You disobeyed."

                "Well I'm sorry god," He shoots back, "I had to take a leak."

                "-and Dominic," Luciano continues without a hitch in his words, "I thought we talked about how to get along with others."

                "I don't get along," He air quotes and emphasizes those two words greatly, "With men that screw my mother."

                "Screwed," Rico corrects with an index finger in the air, "Past tense.  How is Mrs. Santiago anyways?  Last time I recall, she was fine."

                Dominic's jaw clearly tenses. 

                "I would say I miss her, but that would be a lie.  I do miss the way she said my name though," Federico leans towards Dominic, "Ricoooo,"  The sexual tone that flipped in Rico's voice was clearly evident; he partially yelled, partially moaned his name for the rest of the room to hear.  I heard a few chuckles, a couple snickers - but neither of those came from Dom's mouth.

                "Grayson, enough."

                Luciano's words cause the room to fall silent once again, but it wasn't a comfortable silence.  Federico pulls away from Dom's ear, an unreadable expression on his face.  His lips are pursed in a straight line and his eyebrows fail to connects; but the corner of his lips are twitching downwards and if you stared hard enough, a flurry of emotion swirls around his hazel eyes - but only for a moment.  He blinks and it's gone.

                "Hah," Federico turns, muttering to himself as he walks out the door, "I just wanted to take a piss." 

                Dom tears his attention away from where Rico had walked out, allowing it to fall on Liam, then the other men.  His gaze rests on me, before returning to Luciano.  "Your friend is a delinquent."

                "A delinquent that could kill you in seven different ways, yes," Liam's statement causes the two men to smirk.  Dominic makes his way over to Luciano, stopping an arm's length away.  They're facing each other, smiling reflectively.  They shake hands briefly before Liam throws a hand over his shoulder and turns back to me. "Faith," He speaks up again, "I haven't introduced you to the second most important man in the house."

                It was like a scene out of those movies; it was as if Liam was the narrator and the only people in the room were Dom and I.  The curly haired man drops to a knee in front of me, before his lips split, showing off a white smile.

                "Dominic Santiago; the Underboss and Consigliere."

                With thick eyelashes, he looks through them, up at me from his bowed position.  Without questioning if I would allow it or not, he takes one of my hands in his, before pressing a gentle kiss on the back of them. 

                I could feel my face flushing, but I attempt to keep it under control.  I slowly retrieve my hand, all while he continues to stare.  His stare wasn't creepy, not in the slightly, and his chocolate brown eyes surely eased any of my anxiety. 

                "You're beautiful," He says softly.  I watch Liam clamp a hand on Dom's shoulder, smiling from where he stood above us.  Dominic just chuckled before standing up, leaving me to question.  Luciano shoots a thumb over his shoulder and mouths a few words, before the two turn and head towards the exit.

                "Please," I finally find the courage to speak up.  My statement was loud and clear, causing both Liam and him to turn around.  I address Dominic with as much confidence as I can.  "How many women have you said that to?"

                Both he and Liam make quick eye contact before Dominic steps forward, smiling. 

                "I've said it to a bunch of women, but this was the first time I ever said it to a lady."

                He turns swiftly, and then proceeds to following Liam out the door. 

                Yep, I'm definitely going to like it here.

- - - -

                The house was sectioned into four wings; north, south, east, and west.  Each wing had their own kitchen, training/workout room, and lounge.  Liam went on to inform me about the security system the house had been installed with and that somewhere in the west wing, was the security headquarters.  He stated that no matter where I was or what I did, I was always being watched.

                "Always?" My walk slowed till I came to a stop in a large hallway.  Doors lined themselves on either side of us and the floor beneath me was hard and made of wood.  Luciano came to a stop a few steps later, causing me to turn around, a smile crossing his face.

                "Yes, always," He confirms.

                I frown, my eyebrows twitching together as he urges me to continue to follow him.  I do so and once again, we're off on our journey around the house.  "So, like, always as in, even when I'm in the bathroom?"  This time, it was Liam who stopped.

                "If you haven't noticed, most of the people around here are men," Luciano explains gently, "So yes, I had cameras installed in the bathrooms.  It was for security measures.  Besides, many of the women that are brought in here, mainly for sexual favors, don't tend to care that they're being watched," Liam smiles at me and proceeds in walking; I follow closely behind his large strides.  "But, considering you aren't one of those, I suggest you use my bathroom."  We stop in front two large, double doors.  Liam presses a palm on the wood, before turning to his right and glancing down on me.  "It's camera free, I swear." And then the door is pushed open.

                 The room was utterly gorgeous, gorgeous and large.  Far to the left, was a large window.  City lights cascaded far out the window, twinkling in the night.  Just before the window, however, was a small pool.  Steps led into the stalling water from four sides.  Next came the bed; it was in the same portion of the room as the small pool; it, too, was huge and plush looking.  I was fairly certain if I jumped onto it, I would disappear in the duvet.  To my far right was a pair of white doors.

                "That's the master bathroom," Liam steps in, pointing a finger in the direction of my gaze.  He sidles up to me, before pointing past two white columns that open up to a whole different portion of the bedroom.   "And through there, is my personal lounge; television, video games, and a mini-fridge stocked with every drink and flavor of pudding out there," He adds.  I let out a laugh before backing away and whirling around in a circle.

                I catch another glimpse of the pool, the bed, and the two double doors leading to the bathroom.  I even spot the size of the television planted on the wall in Liam's lounge, causing me to laugh and throw back my head.  My mouth closes as I notice the silver, sparkling chandelier that hangs from the ceiling.  It shimmers in its own light, casting small shadows across the carpeted floor.

                "Liam Luciano, you are loaded," I let out another laugh as I eye him again.  By now, he had ditched his suit jacket and had already unbuttoned half of his shirt.  He smiles and glances around his room again, as if it was the first time he had seen it.

                "Yeah," He agrees, "I guess my children won't have any financial issues."

                "Please! Your children's children's children, won't have financial issues."

                "Mmm," Liam laughs as he brushes past me, "Say that five times fast."

                For the next fifteen minutes, I stand by the large window and watch the city of Los Angeles from a distance.  The house Luciano had brought me to was far out, but it sat on a hill, allowing for the near city lights to twinkle brightly and clearly.

                Liam had stepped into the shower nearly ten minutes ago, so the only noise that filled the bedroom for the time being was the sound of running water.  I tilt my head to the side and squint my eyes, watching as the city lights blurred under my vision; I was simply trying to waste time - precious time. 

Subconsciously, my hand runs up to my left shoulder and I hiss immediately at the contact.  For the most part, I try to stretch my shoulder out, in hopes the soreness and pain would work its way out, but it didn't.  I could hardly raise my arm before the sharp pain increase. 

Not only was I thinking and constantly deciding whether I should tell Liam about what his father had not only said, but done to me earlier today; but I was also deciding just how I should approach Rico in enlightening him on what Michael had accused him of.  I was certain I would approach Rico, but I wasn't positive about approaching Liam. 

I was already fairly concerned about approaching Federico.  I couldn't just barge into his temporary room, accusing him of murder.  Doing that, would be similar to marching into a hungry lion's den with no weapon and/or form of escape.  So that, wasn't an option.  I finally came to terms with the fact that I would have to walk in there politely, beat around the bush, and carry a weapon beneath my clothes.

I turn my back to the large window, now facing the closed bathroom door.  I shook the mental picture of a shirtless, wet, possibly naked Liam from my immediate thoughts and began focusing on the steam that was pouring out from beneath the door.  With my eyes trained on the door's knobs, I swiftly make my way into small, comfortable looking lounge.

The first pieces of furniture I saw were tan recliners.  They were positioned on either side of a three-seater, tan sofa.  A large television was planted on the wall, above an electronic fireplace.  Video games for PlayStation and Xbox were scattered everywhere; in short, it was a typical man-cave.  I roll my eyes before spotting the small, miniature fridge that sat in the corner - above it, was a closed cabinet.

It was clear that this cabinet was used for utensils.  I saw unused straws, clean napkins, and spoons; but that was it.  My shoulders fell as my hopes for a knife or even a fork, diminished.  Analyzing my weapon options, I snag the spoon first.  Unless that straw could shoot bullets, it was pointless and unless Liam's napkins were made from some bulletproof material, they, too, held no purpose for me.  So, yes, I grabbed the spoon and shoved it in my pocket until it was needed.

I make my way back into the main part of the bedroom, just as Liam exits the shower.  The door to the bathroom creaks open and steam floods out.  Luciano breaks through the thick clouds of smoke, with nothing on but a pair of Adidas soccer sweats.  I watch him silently as I lean up against the doorframe that connected the lounge to the other part of the bedroom.  Liam ducks his head, adjusting the waistband of his pants.

"I swear, the only thing you have is sweatpants," I speak up, a teasing tone in my voice.  He doesn't jump at my sudden outburst of speech.  Liam turns to me.

"Well, as Rico would say: my dick feels constricted in jeans."

I laugh loudly, before taking a step into the room with him.  It's quiet as our soft laughter fades and for a few, silent seconds we just stare at each other.  It was clear we were both looking for words to say, but neither of us could come up with anything.  My mouth falls open and for a millisecond, I actually consider telling Liam about his father and showing him my growing bruise, but I don't.

Luciano turns away first, all while clearly his throat awkwardly.  I speak first.  "You have a beautiful home," I twirl in a circle, my arms extended to the bedroom I'm standing in.  Liam nods, but never takes his eyes off of me.

"It is beautiful, yes."  He clears his throat, allowing me time to turn back around and face him.  "Um, how do you like the family?"

"Well," I think briefly for a second, "They all seem nice; they introduced me to themselves, a few said what they did, boasted about what an awesome boss they had-"  Liam grins at I add in a few of the compliments I did hear from his family, "-and a few managed to say I was pretty, so all in all, they seem like good people."  Luciano tilts his head, but the smile had has written across his face soon vanishes. 

"They are good people, great people; but they're also horny ass men.  That's why I want to make sure you're careful when you walk around here alone," He instructs.  "If you ever need to find me, just come to my wing; the only people that are allowed up here is me, Dominic, Alex, Luis, and now, Rico.  All the people I trust."

"What about William?" I turn on my heels as Liam begins moving throughout the room.  He drops to the edge of his bed, his shoulders dropping as he lets out a deep breath.  His abs clench as his posture changes.  Liam folds his hands together.

"William is no longer allowed in my wing, nor is he my consigliere,"  Luciano licks his lips, "He is still my friend, still like my brother, but he is no longer considered loyal,"  At his words, Liam had turned away from me, all while I stared intently at his lips, waiting to hear what he said next.  "You only have to burn me once; burn me twice, and that's on me." 

"Consigliere?"  I approach the bed slowly, before dipping down and joining Liam.  Our legs brush together as I glance to my left and question the word.  Luciano doesn't look back at me as he replies.

"A Consigliere is similar to the boss; he demands respect and on most occasions, that is given to him.  Yet, he is more important than the underboss; the consigliere consults me and helps make decisions," Liam finally turns and smiles down at me, "I appointed Dominic as both, simply because if something did happen to me, he is the best fit for the job.  Not only that, but he is loyal; loyal, trustworthy, and he would lay his life down for me."

"Are you two related in anyway?" I question again, "It confuses me.  How are you all considered 'family'?"

Liam opens his mouth to answer my multitude of questions, but a piercing shrill cuts him off before he can even speak.  The familiar sound of the fire alarm ripples through my eardrums, causing my hands to shoot up to my ears and wince.  I tensed as my heart picked up its pace; the normal reaction to a shrill and alarm like this, is to run - to get to safety.  I shot up to my feet, but Liam latches his hand to my wrist, pulling me back down.

He doesn't look tense or scared, nor does he look like his multi - possibly billion - dollar home is about to burn down to the ground, with all of his so-called family in it.  The loud shrill continues for another second, before the rest of the house is emerged in long-awaited silence. 

                My ears were still ringing by the time Liam pulled my hands away from them.  He looks at me, a serious expression on his face.  "That was not a fire alarm, but a security breach." His hand slides past my wrist and begins to clutch my hand as he pulls us both up from our seated position.  "Whenever a car that has not been registered with security rolls over a certain portion of the driveway, an alarm is triggered.  All that meant, was someone we don't want, is pulling up in the driveway." 

                I didn't even have time to respond.  Luciano's bedroom door was thrown open and Dominic Santiago marched in, two suited men flanking him on either side.  Without thinking, I grabbed Liam's bicep; simply because the two men behind Dominic were holding two very large, automatic assault rifles.  Their faces held little to no emotion as they kept quiet, their hands pressing the gun firmly to their chest.

                Dom comes to a stop just a few feet away from Liam and I.  He nods appropriately in my direction, indicating my presence, before turning to Luciano and addressing him.  "Two cars just pulled into the driveway, they're still coming as we speak."  Liam nods, assessing the situation.  "I say, we go in there guns blazing."

                Luciano shakes his head at Dominic's suggestion, "You still have a lot to learn, young grasshopper."  Dominic's serious expression breaks as both him and Liam let out a laugh.  Luciano pats the man on the shoulder before turning him and heading towards the door.  "Never go in anywhere, guns blazing, without knowing the situation.  I want six snipers on the roof but nobody on the ground; I'll approach the cars."

                I was fairly certain the two had forgotten about me, before Liam turned back to face me.  "Stay here," He points to the floor, "Be safe, but please, stay in my wing; do not leave."

                "I won't," I promise him. 

                Liam gives me an incredulous look.  "Seriously, don't pull a Lois Lane-"  I let out a laugh, causing Luciano to stop and smile.  He nudges Dominic, before finally pulling his gaze away from me and disappearing out the door, leaving me all to myself.

                I stand there, even after Liam is gone and their footsteps have faded.  I glance out the window to my right and take a deep breath, before pushing my way through the bedroom door and stopping once I get out into the hall.  The small, room-like hallway I stand in is completely secure.  With a door at the other end of the box-like hall, I'm still utterly safe from the dangers that may lie outside.  There were four bedrooms in all that I had the possibility of going into; eight doors in all, considering they were all double.  To my left, I read the engraved title that was perched on the top of each door.

Dominic Santiago  - Consigliere/Underboss.

I took another step forward and craned my neck upward to read the title on the door beside Dom's.

Alex Accorsi - Head of Intelligence Division.

Taking a step back and turning to my right, I read the next two labels on last two sets of doors.

Luis Martinez - Assistant to Head of Security.

Then last, but certainly not least.

Guest Bedroom.

Without a second thought, I raised my hand and tapped on the door gently, waiting not-so patiently for Rico's voice to cut through the sickly silence.  I stood there for the longest moment, the spoon in my back pocket beginning to bore a hole in my ass.  I wasn't sure what I was more afraid of; Rico opening the door, or Rico not opening the door.  For a split second I actually believed that he was sleeping; it was late, nearly midnight, but I quickly pushed that assumption out my head.

I tapped on the door again and waited, pressing my head against the door and listening for any signs of movement.  My hand slides down the wall, before wrapping around the door handling and turning it, despite my not hearing that I was invited in.  The door opens without any resistance; I push it the rest of the way, cautious as to actually step inside the room. 

The air was stale, yet smelled weird and gross.  It was a mixture of good smelling cologne and smoke.  At my initial glance of the room, I didn't spot Rico or his head of black hair; but it was silent, oddly, scarily, intimidatingly quiet.  I made my way to the edge of the bed.

Federico was in his room alright; but at a quick glimpse, I hadn't seen the dark hoodie, sulking in a chair in the corner, his back towards me.  I call out his name, but I don't receive a response.  I was nearly halfway to where he sat, slouched in his seat, but what was in his hands stopped me, dead in my tracks.  My father hadn't educated me on all the many types of guns there were out there, but I knew my automatic weapons, certainly.  The gun in Rico's hand had a long handle, but I knew right away it was an automatic.

My breathing hitched as he ran a hand over the top of the gun, before pulling back a lever.  The sound of the gun being cocked back and ready for shooting rippled through the air.  I took another step forward, my hand hesitating to reach for my pathetic spoon; as if that could stop a gun.

I had my hand raised to tap his shoulder, but I stopped the minute my finger grazed the fabric of his hoodie.  Surprising and scaring someone with a gun was not a smart move; so instead, I march around to the front of the seat and fold my arms.  Rico's eyes float to where I stand, when I finally gather his attention.  He quickly pushes the hood off of his face and rips out one side of his earphones. 

I don't say much, causing Federico to eye me curiously.  Using his hand, he pulls the cigarette away from his lips, extending it to me.  "You want?"  I shake my head no.  He shrugs and for a moment, goes back to what he was doing; smoking, listening to music, and rotating the gun in his hand.  It was clear my company was making him uncomfortable, even if he would never admit that out loud.  He picks up one of the two earphone buds, outstretching it to me, "You want to listen or something?  It's a good song."

"No," I shake my head, before smiling softly.  I had to change my approach and quickly.  My intent was not to come off creepily.  "I just wanted to check on you," I add before quickly cringing at my choice of words. 

"Oh," was all he had to say.  I tore my eyes away from him and his lounging state, before eyeing the rest of the room.  Even though I could feel Rico's suspicious gaze on my temple, I stayed calm.  With my palms becoming sweaty and my heartbeat erratic, I quickly shake my head and turn to Rico.

"Can I ask you something?"

He was already smirking by the time he completely pulled his music out his ears and got up, setting the gun down on his dresser.  Rico nods.  "Sure, but if this is about sitting on a guy's face and my tongue game being A1, I was just kidding," He frowns once he hears his own words, "Well, I'm not kidding about my tongue game being A1, but if you're considering on proving if my tongue game is A1, then you should just walk out-"

"Um, Rico,"

"-the door because Liam is like a brother to me and I couldn't tongue fuck his chi-"

"Rico," I flush, "This has nothing to do with your tongue game."

He clamps his mouth closed and nods, his mouth falling open in an 'O' formation.  I clap my hands together now that I have his undivided attention, but the words don't just spill past my lips easily.  I struggle for a few moments, with Rico watching the entire time.  I finally come up with an opening statement and sigh.

"I talked with Michael Luciano today."

Rico frowns, unsuspecting of anything that Michael could've possibly told me.  "Oh, why would you waste brain cells doing that?"  His sarcastic response was on point, causing me to sigh once again and glare at him, closely.  My hands drop at my side as I stand up straight.

"Why do you do that?"  My question could've easily been taken rhetorically, and for the most part, I hadn't expected Rico to answer.  But he knew good and well what I was talking about.

Federico knew exactly what I was talking about, but he still manages to squeak out a, "Do what?"

"Humor, sarcasm," I make a motion with my hand, "It's constant, almost all the time; yet, Liam says you can actually be serious sometimes, but you hardly ever are.  Why do you do it?"  Rico sighs, bowing his head and staring at the carpet beneath us.  When he raises his head, our eyes lock, but neither of us pull away; in a sense, I felt as though Rico was determining how he should answer my question - simply because I was calling him out on a certain behavior he shows on a daily basis. 

In a way, he rolls his eyes, but only slightly.  "I make sarcastic jokes and I tend to be humorous, because when people are laughing, they're too busy laughing with you, to see the pain you're actually in."

It was the second time since I had known Rico, that he had actually said something worth writing down and quoting.  The first time, was back in the hospital the night of Costello's party, when he said something very important about taking ones first kiss.

The moment passes quickly as Federico raises his hand and shakes it in the air, asking me to continue.  "So, you talked to Michael Luciano? What about him?"  I sigh.

"He said you helped him kill my father and my sister."

I was curious as to Rico's facial expressions once I told him, but to no surprise, they didn't change.  His eyes didn't bug out, his face didn't flush red, nor did he get defensive.  If anything, his eyebrows twitched downwards, but that was about it.  He pulls his lips into his mouth, mostioning them before pulling them out and sighing.  I was standing before him now, just a few steps away, facing him.  Rico drops his head and says something that causes all the tension to leave my body.

"Michael Luciano is a liar."

I let out the deepest and longest sigh of relief possible, before pulling my lips into a smile.  We make eye contact, before I nod and turn my back to him, ready to head out the door and finally catch some sleep.  But right before I can step back out into the hallway, Federico calls out from behind me.

"But, he didn't lie about that."

All the anger that had previously fled my body came roaring back ten times stronger.  I don't remember cognitively deciding on how I was going to react, but I had.  Pushing myself back using the door, I threw myself at Federico; swinging, punching, all with closed fists.  I made contact with his face multiple times; once across his lips, his cheek, jaw, and even the corner of his eye.  I could feel him fumbling, trying to guard his face as I went batshit crazy on his ass.

"I- I didn't have a choice!" He managed to mutter out in between my assault.  "I-I, Faith!" My punches pause as Rico manages to grab hold of both my wrists, yanking me off the floor and pulling me against his chest.  He's breathing heavily and a speck of blood kissed the corner of his lip.  I breathe heavily, trying to yank my hands out of his grasp, but I fail miserably. 

"We all have a choice, you bastard."  

"I never had a choice," He snarls in my face; I wasn't sure whether my breathing stopped because he was literally inches away from me, or whether it was the fact that his voice had lowered to a demonic type of deep.  Rico lets me go, causing me to stumble to my feet and fall, right on my arm.  He drops to a squat formation as I lay there, unwilling to get up.  I was having a déjà vu moment.  Rico lowers his voice as he explains, "My adopted father, Vincenzo De Santis, owed Michael Luciano multiple favors.  As payment, Vincenzo offered up my services to Michael."

"You didn't have to ac-"

"Yes, I did," Rico growls, "I didn't have a choice; what are you not comprehending?  If I didn't help Michael Luciano, not only would Vinny have beat me till I turned purple, but he would've died to.  In this life, in the mafia, if you don't repay a debt, you might as well crawl into your coffin and wait for them to lower you into the ground."

I shake my head, unsure of what exactly to say.  I lean up, causing my shoulder to ache.  Rico's facial features still held a cold gaze as we stared at each other for the longest thirty seconds.

"Faith," His voice is lowered as he addresses me, "I never had a choice, no matter how much I regretted pulling the trigger.  But you need to understand something," He extends his hand to me; and after a second of hesitation, I allow it to slip into his hand, harmlessly.  "I'm not your enemy, Faith; Michael is," Rico pulls me into an upright position on the floor.  His hands are rough and callused.  "Whether I helped Michael or not, your father, your sister, they would've died.  Because even if I had not participated in their death, Michael Luciano would've found someone else to pull the trigger; he would've found someone else to kill them."

Rico pulls us both to his feet, before dropping my hand.  "You need to channel whatever-" He waves a hand in front my face, "-the fuck that was, towards Michael.  And when I do kill him, I'll do it for you, I'll do it for me, and I'll do it for Liam.  You just have to trust me."

I found myself nodding towards blurred vision.  Rico pulls his lips into a thin, unusual smile, before turning his back on me and ending the conversation.  I back up slowly, before turning my back towards Rico once again and heading straight for the door.  He calls back for me as I rest my hand on the doorknob, readying myself to leave.

"You should tell Liam about that bruise by the way," When I turn around, eyes wide, Rico just smiles and nods at me.  He had another cigarette pressed between his lips, a lighter halfway to his mouth.  I watch him light it quickly, before puffing out a cloud of smoke.  I swore I saw him wink, before I pushed myself into the hall and closed the door behind me. 

It takes a minute to gather myself together; I blink rapidly and wipe my eyes, hoping the watering diminishes just a bit.  I was still curious how Rico had seen the bruise on my shoulder, but I wouldn't question it; he was full of surprises, surprises and secrets.  Clearing my throat, I push my way back into Liam's bedroom.

I stopped dead in my tracks as my eyes fell on Liam, who was lying peacefully on top of the duvet.  His arm was thrown lazily over his face, and I treaded quickly as I walked up to the bed, standing on my tip-toes to get a better view.  His chest moved up and down slowly and his lips parted as he laid there. 

It wouldn't surprise me if Liam had actually fallen asleep with the lights on.  I lean over just a bit more, "Liam, are you-"

"Boo!"

"Ah!" I scream as Luciano shoots up from his position, wrapping his large arms around my shoulders and pulling me down on top of him.  He cradles me, his arms wrapped around my upper body as he pins me to his chest.  I laugh loudly, attempting to push off; but his grip doesn't allow for such a thing. 

He chuckles deeply before rolling us over, allowing my back to sink into the soft mattress.  Luciano just smiles as he uses his forearms to keep most of his body weight off of me, surely crushing me.  "I'm tired," He groans in my ear, dipping his head into the crook of my neck. 

"Then sleep?" I say in a matter of fact like tone.  Liam just chuckles, his warm breath hitting my neck.  I laugh softly as I drop my hands to my side.  Luciano was smiling widely as he pulls his head out the crook of my neck, still laughing softly.

"I couldn't," He mumbles, "I didn't have my nightlight."

My face turns red almost immediately.  It had to be that Italian charm.  "Liam," I twist my body beneath him, sighing deeply.  I closed my eyes for a second, before finally saying it: "Michael approached me today."

Luciano pushes himself up off of me, eyeing me quizzically.  "Run that by me again," He states, surprised.  I push myself up as Liam leaves; he hops off the sofa and turns to me, eyebrows furrowed. 

"Michael talked to m-"

"Why?"

"He was just being a di-"

"Did he touch you?"

I throw my legs over the edge of the bed and sit upright.  It was hard looking Liam in the eye as he spoke; the mood in the room had taken a turn for the worse - from playful to anger in just a matter of seconds.  I flinched as Liam took a step towards me; I didn't need to see his face to know he was angry.  His upper body was rigid as he came closer.

"Did he touch you?" He repeats his question, just a bit sterner this time.  I could hear him spitting his question through gritted teeth.  Again, I refused to look up; but I looked down.  I looked down at his sock covered feet, his sweatpants, and then my hands.  Twiddling my thumbs had never been so fun.

I squealed in surprise as Liam grabbed my hands, separating them forcefully.  He slammed them on either side of my hips, my palms pressing into the mattress.  It didn't hurt, he didn't cause me pain, but it surely got my attention.  I jerked my gaze upwards, only to be met by Liam's cold gaze.  It had been a while since I had seen that type of anger in Liam's eyes; but I was thankful that this time, it wasn't addressed at me.

Luciano lowers his voice as his face nears mine, "I'm going to ask you this one last time, Faith; did he, or did he not, touch you?" 

His eyes never tear their attention away from mine; and I think that's what surprised me the most.  I didn't nod, I didn't utter a single word; but Liam knew - hell, he always knew.  His jaw clenches as he asks another question.

"Where?"

I take a moment to respond, just enough to cause Liam to start looking impatient.  I would be lying if I didn't say I was scared.  I make a motion with my shoulder, before pointing to it; Liam inches closer, his touch gentle.  He pulls at the fabric of my shirt, glancing inside the neck portion of it as he gets a good look at the black and blue bruise that had formed a few hours earlier. 

Liam takes a staggering step back, a frustrated look on his face.  He runs a hand through his hair, shaking his head as he turns around.  I stand up gingerly as Luciano marches towards the door, throwing it open.  I follow him, speeding up my pace a little as he raps on Dominic's door.  He knocks so loud in fact, that the three other doors open; Rico, Luis, and Alex all step out of their rooms, looking just as confused as I was.

Dominic's door is the last to open; Liam speaks almost immediately.  "Get Michael Luciano on the phone," He demands, "Put him on speaker, I need to talk to him." Dominic doesn't question his boss's orders; he slips a phone out his pocket and dials a number.  Liam whirls around to Rico, "Get dressed, I need you ready in five."

Rico smiles, "I got'chu in three," and his door closes.

Liam reaches out for the phone that Dominic has extended in his direction.  Michael's voice comes through the speakerphone loud and clear.

"Liam," He greets.

"Satan," Luciano shoots back. 

Michael's chuckle echoes throughout the silent hallway.  "May I ask what I owe this middle of the night call to?"  Liam nods.

"I need help," Liam lies, "Can you meet me at the usual meeting spot?"

"The McDonalds?" Michael questions, "The one that is having its renovations done?"

"Si."

"Alright; see you in thirty."

Liam hangs up and turns, heading out of his wing.  I follow him like a lost puppy, just as Rico steps out his room, dressed.  He gave off a cold, threatening demeanor with the black hoodie, sunglasses, and the hood thrown up over his head.  A pistol dangled from his grip and as I stop to take in Rico's appearance, Liam did to. 

"Are you going to kill him?" I question out loud, addressing Liam, even though my eyes were scanning over Rico's attire. 

It wasn't Luciano's answer that scared me; but it was the lack of, that terrified me the most.

- - - -

                Michael Luciano was standing right where Liam had told him too; underneath the dim lights of the closed fast food restaurant.  The older man had on a warm, grey coat, its collar pulled all the way up to his neck.  We had been watching him for three quiet minutes; he would walk, turn, walk some more, then call out Liam's name in anticipation. 

                In reality, all three of us had gotten to the meeting location first, but with Luciano killing the engine and lights of his car, Michael didn't know that.  Liam had already reclined his seat, his attention on the nervous looking man out the window, that continued to pace in anticipation of his son.  Rico sat in the back, his hood pulled far over his face and his glasses covering most of his facial features.  I glanced at Rico quickly, watching as he lifted the pistol to the small amount of moonlight that cascaded through the tinted windows of the car; He pulled something away from the gun, and silently, I watched all of his bullets fall and roll into the crevice of the back seat. 

                "Why are you taking all the bullets out your gun?" I question out loud, watching as Rico closes his gun back, slipping it into the front pocket of his hoodie.  Even though I couldn't see his eyes, I could tell his attention was on me.

                His deep voice cut through the interior of the car, "Trust me."  I sighed, before turning and leaning back against my own seat; the front passenger seat.  Liam watches his father pace for a few more seconds, before giving Rico the greenlight.

                "I just want him scared," Liam orders, "Scared and slightly bloody.  But I do not want him dead - not yet.  And if you happen to snag his wallet, that would be great too," Luciano points at me, "I'll use his filthy money to pay for some pain relief medication for Faith."  Rico accepts his orders with no response back.  Liam shifts in his seat, "And be careful."  I glance back at Rico, watching as he pushes the car door open and exits, stealthily. 

                A cool breeze blew into the car due to the crack in Liam's window, allowing us to hear whatever the two had to say to each other.  It took me a while to relocate Rico; once he had slipped out the car, it was like he had vanished. 

                The hooded figure approached Michael quietly, stealthily, and was never noticed by the older man.  Michael had his back turned.  "Liam?" He calls out again through the night air, before turning back around and stopping.  Federico steps out into the dim light, his hands shoved into the pocket of his hoodie. 

                "You aren't my son," Michaels speaks cautiously, attempting to keep the tone of fear out his voice.  Rico takes a step forward; just as Michael take one back.

                "Who's your son?"  He plays the part perfectly; his lie, undetectable.  It fascinated me just how Rico could disguise his Italian accent.  He spoke with a simple, all-around American one for the time being. 

                "Look kid, just keep on moving alright," Michael makes a shooing motion with his hand.  He suddenly sounded irritated and annoyed.  Rico shrugs and nods, before making his way in Michael's direction.  Both Liam and I held our breath as Federico brushes against Michael Luciano. 

                Rico's walk slowed, but he quickly vanishes into the shadows.  Michael stands still for another moment or two; he begins his pacing once again, then he stops on a dime.  His eyes widen and he quickly begins patting his coat, then his pants.  He pats the back pockets of his pants, before starting over from the top; it was clear he had lost something.

                "Missing something?"  When Rico re-emerges into the light, he has his gun trained on Michael's head.  Liam's father only allows Federico to get so close, before he goes at him.

                One minute they weren't fighting; the next, they were.

                I sat up higher on my seat and I found myself leaning over Luciano's lap to see the action.  Michael had swiftly and professionally disarmed Rico; with one quick jab to the arm holding the gun, it clattered to the pavement and left Federico clutching his arm in pain.  Michael was nowhere near done; with Rico favoring his right arm, Michael used his one good leg to kick, and both of his arms to punch; he caught Rico many times - once across the face, in the stomach, and to the throat. 

                "Liam," I whisper worryingly, patting Luciano on the thigh as I watched Michael gain the upper hand.  I was hoping he would go out there and end the beating Federico was receiving, but he didn't.  

                "Trust him," was all Liam said.  I glance up at Liam, watching as he rests his head in his hand, his fingertips playing with the facial hair growing on his chin.  Without an argument, I turned my attention back to the fight.

                Federico was on the ground.

                He was on the ground, clutching his stomach.  I couldn't see his facial expression from here, but I could only assume it was a pained one.  Michael adjusts his pants as he bends down, whispering loudly in Rico's face. 

                "Why don't you take your amateur ass back to the streets you came from before I kill you?"

                Michael continued to lean in, his threats growing increasingly violent; but that's when Rico reached up.  His large hand latched around Michael's neck and before Mr. Luciano knew what had happened, he was being pulled to the concrete.  Rico maneuvered his body perfectly as he slammed Michael into the ground. 

Federico had all the advantage now. 

                Punches; punches that could be heard even from Liam and I's secluded position were thrown by Rico.  His arm definitely seemed fine now, and I couldn't help but wonder whether that had all been an act; an act to get Michael to lean down and feel superior, only to flip the scenarios on him. 

                I could feel Liam tensing at each and every punch Rico threw.  They were hard, loud, and most definitely painful.  Federico then stood, only to gather Michael's coat in his hands to pick him up also.  Michael was thrown against the brick wall of the fast food restaurant and I was certain, if Rico didn't have a grip on Mr. Luciano's neck, the man would've fallen to the ground. 

                I could tell Liam was ready to intervene; his leg was beginning to bounce and on multiple occasions, I could've sworn I saw his hand reach for the door handle.  Rico pulls back one last time, before slamming most of Michael's body into the brick with force.  He takes a step back and watches Michael crumble to the ground, weak.  "Be careful what you say next time, bitch."  Then Rico turns around, preparing himself to leave.

                Liam let out a sigh of relief, possibly because he thought Rico might let anger get the most of him.  I was watching Rico walk away, his fists clenched, but a sound I had come far too familiar with hearing pierced the night sky; it was the clicking and cocking back of a gun. 

                Michael Luciano pulled himself to his feet warily, a gun aimed at Federico's head.  He held his abdomen with pressure as Rico turns around, not visibly bothered by the weapon aimed at his head; a weapon that could end his life. 

                "Did Liam send you out here Federico?"  Michael calls out.  Luciano's father glances around the quiet parking lot, his eyes searching for any signs of our idling car.  It wasn't clear whether he had seen us or not, but he quickly turns back to Rico. 

                Federico laughs softly, before lifting his hands to his face and removing the pair of sunglasses.  "How did you know it was me?"

                "You're the only person I can't beat in a fight," Michael chuckles darkly.  He doesn't lower the gun as he waves it in Rico's face.  "Is Liam out there?"  Mr. Luciano glances around the parking lot again, "Is he?"  Rico doesn't move, nor does he say anything as Michael steps within arm's length. 

                "Liam," I grip his thigh, while patting it with the other.  I could feel something bad about to happen; maybe it was intuition or I just had really good instincts, but I knew.  Luciano doesn't say anything. 

                Michael raises the barrel of the gun just a few inches away from Rico's forehead; Federico doesn't budge, he doesn't move.

                "Liam," My nails dug into the fabric of Luciano's sweats; my heart was hammering against my chest even harder than before and the cool breeze that blew into the window was no longer refreshing. 

                "Trust. Him." Again, was all Liam had to say.

                "Well if he is out there," Michael smiles, "Then your death is on him."

                Time seemed to slow; and in those seconds before Michael pulled the trigger, I saw Rico smile. 

It was a beautiful smile; a breath- taking smile - a happy smile.

                Then the shot rang out and everything fell silent. 

- - - -

A/N: Oh Lordy.  Is all I have to say.  I literally sat down all day and typed this for you; I hardly ate, for real.  Ummmm...... yeah, don't hurt me.

Comments on the chapter?