Realistic or Modern Empire City: The Irish Mob - IC (Closed)

[Misty Gray]

Adam Harper
~ Trent ~​

Adam sat back and shrugged his shoulders when Owen pointed out he didn't know who they were. "Well, it's no secret. I'm Adam and this bloke behind me," he began, using him thumb to point in his colleague's direction, "that's Trent. See? All on the same side here."

When it was suggested Danny was permitted to leave, Adam couldn't help but stare the two younger men down as he thought it over. "Whatever was in Danny's possession was his responsibility and i need reassurance the product will be securely stored in the future. Can you both tell me how it will be kept safe from now? It wouldn't be easy to reimburse the boss for such an expensive loss."

Adam scoffed at Owen's words and shook his head. "Well, it doesn't seem like you know anything anyway, so you can both leave." Adam stood up and retrieved his gun from the drawer, checking it was loaded before slotting it into his back pocket. "I suggest you read that letter and report back to us with the contents. Someone will be in touch soon with your next job. We'll be keeping a close eye and a tight leash on you both, for everyone's sake." Adam eyed Danny for a moment. "You'd best make sure you stay away from danger when you're out on your dates. Her family wouldn't be too forgiving if she was put in danger."

Pyroclast (Danny) Fletchawk (Owen)

 

[Misty Gray]

Sinead Callahan​

"Oh, baby, you can't be everywhere at once," Sinead sweetly reassured Peter when he said he needed to do better at protecting her. When he went on to question the decision they'd only just agreed to, Sinead looked up to her husband with wide-eyes as she attempted to process it all. "You'll protect me when and where you can. Neither of us can live in fear. I think we just need to keep going on with our lives and hopefully ride this one out."

Sinead quickly shook her head. "No. Nope. We shouldn't wait - we shouldn't put our lives on hold indefinitely. I want another baby and I want us to do this now. I managed to keep Savvy alive in my belly through lots of stress and I didn't have you by my side supporting me back then. I have you this time and I know we can do this. I'm starting to feel better now and I just know having a baby will make me stronger." SInead believed with Peter out of prison and there to support her along the way, she could cope through another pregnancy,

"I can handle it. I might be cranky and hormonal, but I'll be able to do it. As tough as it can be at times, I love bringing life into the world and nurturing them as they grow. So much hope and promise." She soon rolled her eyes at Peter. "I won't be overwhelmed. Trust me." She pulled him close again and moving in to passionately kiss him on his lips. She pulled back to take a breath and look into Peter's eyes. "Take me upstairs," she told him, a flirtatious glint in her eyes as she lightly bit down on her bottom lip.


Bellz (Peter)

 

[Enzyme]

Amato Castello​

Amato's sleek hands moved the Beretta 70 into the back of his pants, pulling down his button-up shirt to conceal the handgun. His eyes looked to both ends of the sidewalk for suspicious figures. He was met with the average New Yorker, too preoccupied with their own little worlds to show him any peace of mind. As he looked back to the bowling alley entrance, a Wallstreet type bummed his shoulder, causing the tycoon to lose his footing and nearly layout on the concrete. "Watch where the fuck you're goin', asshole!" Amato spat, staring the man down. The businessman quickly recovered and hurried away from the Italian. Amato continued to stare down the man as he fast-walked away, a scowl plastered over his face.

Amato swung open the door to the bowling alley, immediately greeted by the dark, groovy atmosphere. It took a few seconds for Amato's eyes to adjust to the dark, which had only been illuminated with neon lasers. Stepping through the doors was like entering another universe, the sounds of car horns drowned out by the blistering disco that echoed off the cheetah-print walls. Amato had to push his way through the various parties that littered the alley, not afraid to shove his way around the groups. Through the beating lights and deafening music, Matto managed to secure the cigarette packet in his shirt pocket. He produced a single stick from the carton, before shoving it between his chubby lips. Before he could manage to light the cigarette, his eyes spotted to the two Moretti gangsters in the corner of their own alley.

"We're in the middle of a fuckin' war and you assholes are bowling?" Amato asked, confounded, as he approached Tony and Teddy, his thick New York accent cutting through the disco soundtrack. He shook his head, finally managing to ignite his cigarette with his cheap, plastic lighter. "I’m guessin’ you didn't hear about that Irish scumbag that got gunned down in Brooklyn today, huh?” Amato spat on the sleek wooden floor beside him. "I wouldn't be surprised if some of those coked-up leprechauns were in here, comin' to kill you fucks."

"Unbelievable." Amato pulled the cigarette from his mouth, the smoke illuminated by the flashing green light, but leaving Amato's features shrouded. "Anyways, Mr. Moretti and Mr. Sawyer sent me down here to collect you guys." Amato's expression turned serious as he looked to Tony, figuring the information pertained more to him. "Somethin' big is goin' down, Tony. Really big. They wanna' brief you in right now."

RayPurchase (Tony) Melanin-Gxdess (Teddy)

 

[Bellz]

Lucy Porter
Thomas Porter ​

Lucy was relieved when Syd took her offer to get his mind off of things and they both descended the stairs quietly. The door opened and Syd jumped slightly, causing Lucy to look his way wide eyed before her attention was turned to the dogs. Ireland immediately saw her and clumsily ran to her, whimpering and whining for attention. Nana was slow in her movements but also made her way to her. "Hello my lovelies," Lucy murmured as she reached down to pet them gently, taking their faces in her hands before planting two kisses on their snouts. Lucy gave her son some privacy with his own pups as she made her way into the kitchen, Ireland and Nana right up against her. Seeing the pantry door open, Lucy narrowed her eyes as she slowly walked to see which of the children was spoiling their dinner.

"Thomas Wayne Porter! Those cookies are for after dinner! You know that!" The boy turned around quickly and Lucy wanted to laugh at him. He had at least 3 cookies stuffed in his mouth, so much so that he couldn't speak until he pulled two of them away and chewed the one that was in his mouth. "I'm sorry, mom. My stomach hurts." He reasoned but Lucy just shook her head, "Oh and inhaling cookies like that is going to help?" Thomas looked at her for a moment saying absolutely nothing before Lucy saw his eyes begin to water. "I'm sorry..." He croaked but Lucy just sighed, her face softening. Remember that he had been through a bit of trauma today, she decided it was best to go easy on him. "It's okay baby, no more though. How about I fix you up some tea to help settle your belly?" Thomas nodded his head as he munched on the cookies and Lucy moved out of the way so he could get out of the pantry.

Lucy closed the door behind him but when she turned she ran right into the back of him. He was stopped dead in his tracks as he stared at Syd, clearly unsure of what to do or say Lucy placed her hands on his shoulders and he jumped. "Hey, whoa. It's okay. Syd's gonna help me make dinner. Would you like to help us?" She asked to which Thomas turned his head to look up at her, hesitation as clear as day in his eyes. Lucy moved to brush some hair from his face and the boy closed his eyes before leaning into his mother. "Sure." He murmured before turning to look at Syd.

Lucy then moved around both of her son's to grab stuff to make a salad and roasted vegetables before grabbing the thawed steak that needed to be grilled. "Since your father is busy, I will leave my two little men in charge of the meat? Think you can handle that boys?" Thomas moved to take the meat from Lucy before shuffling closer to Syd, still hesitant but offering him a shy smile. "I bet I could cook it better than you." He taunted lightly.
with: Syd Pyroclast

 

[Bellz]

Ani Sarraf ​

Ani knew that there was some doubt in Maddox's mind, his guard wasn't up around her and the look in his eye was easy to read. He told her that if there was any chance he was dead that she would have to keep moving, that if she had to live life without him...

Shaking her head, Ani didn't want to even think about it getting to that point. She would come back for him, she had to but Maddox urged her not to. Thick tears clouded her eyes to the point where she couldn't see him anymore and she let her head hang so that he was supporting her chin. Blinking hard, Ani opened her eyes again and was able to see him clearer.

She inhaled shakily, a whimper escaping her as she did so but she nodded her head reluctantly. She didn't want her life to be a weight on his conscience, she didn't want to hurt him any further but it was going to be so hard for her to leave. "Okay." She cried out gently before moving to hold him tightly again, her shoulders shaking as she cried. It took a few moments for her to regain some composure but when she did she finally pulled away and faced forward in her seat. "Okay...I'm...I'm ready." She murmured gently and when Maddox was, the car was pulled out of the space back onto the road.

***​

Ani had been quick to pack everything she needed and when she was sure she had it all, she came into the living area where Maddox was waiting for her. Pulling her suitcase to a stop, Ani stood a little ways from him, her eyes puffy and red from the endless amount of tears she'd shed. "I think I'm ready." She whispered before her eyes took a look around the apartment. Her jaw set as tears threaten to flow again and she forced herself to take a deep breath.

Stepping forward towards him, she took him in her arms for a long while before pulling away to look into his eyes. "This war, this shit you are stuck in the middle of...I know you may not feel like you are worth anything to the world but Maddox, you are my everything. You deserve a happy ending with me. I'm just so proud of how far you've come, your conscience is powerful and will lead you to the road best traveled...I just hope that it will lead you to me in the end. I'll be waiting. I love you."
with: Maddox Misty Gray

 

[Pyroclast]

Danny Vaughan

The accusation that Danny had been waiting for finally dropped, with Adam reminding them that they needed to find a better place to store the drugs. His comment about his relationship with Savannah made him cringe and it showed on his face as he sent the man a look that almost resembled pity. Danny was secure enough to not take it to heart; he had been taught long ago that such low remarks weren't worth dwelling on. The only judgement he valued from him was the one that determined Danny and Owen's futures.

The subject switched back to Ryan Donahue and Danny listened carefully to what the man seemed to know about him. Still, he couldn't piece it together. What incentive would a stranger have to turn up with an invitation to his place of residence? Having spent the past month wondering what was in the letter himself, it surprised Danny that it now seemed far more personal than anything he could have imagined. But Owen was sensitive about it, somehow. He maintained that he didn't want to open the letter, yet he had still held onto it. The whole thing puzzled Danny, but he respected his friend's decision and so instead turned to focus on his own tasks instead of dwelling on it further.

It was clear Owen was growing more agitated the further into the meeting they got. He was an anxious type with plenty weighing him down, but even though the two of them had both been under a lot of stress recently, Danny could only hope that his friend wouldn't cause the interaction to escalate too far. His eyes darted between Owen and the man asking them questions, who revealed his name to be Adam. Perhaps Owen's paranoid mindset was rubbing off on him, but Danny didn't see how giving them a name - which, for all they knew, could have been fake - proved that they were on the same side. Nevertheless, he kept quiet while the two of them argued.

Danny felt like was losing control of the conversation's direction and began to feel uneasy again, not quite trusting Owen when he was in this mood. Sure enough, his friend suggested that Danny be left out of the interrogation on grounds of innocence, and he awkwardly shifted to an upright position. "We're renting an underground storage space and disguising them in crates of shit from our old apartment," Danny explained. "We're doin' our best out here, man. If you got a better idea, I'm all ears."

At the risk of being berated further, Danny released a small sigh when told they would be kept on a tight leash. He found it harsh and overreactive, not believing that he or Owen had really done anything wrong. At the comment about not putting Savannah in danger, he only raised his eyebrows before moving to stand up. "Right, well, sounds like we're done here. You have a pleasant day. Come on, Owen..." As he walked out of the door, Danny threw the two men a peace sign, reaching for the joint in his pocket with his other hand.


The fresh air was welcoming and Danny had his joint lit before the exit door had even swung shut. "Well, I don't know how you think that went," he remarked. It was barely detectable through Danny's naturally chilled out demeanour, but Owen would know him well enough to tell when he was annoyed. "Why don't you just open that letter, man? You've kept it this long. Why you been holdin' onto it all this time if you're never gonna read it?" He exhaled a cloud of smoke into the air between them and watched his friend's face expectantly. Then, in a softer tone of voice, he added, "Come on, Owen...It's gotta be time."

Interactions
Fletchawk Owen
Misty Gray Adam, Trent

 

[Misty Gray]

Maddox Parker ​

Once back at the apartment, Maddox sat on the sofa in the lounge area whilst Ani packed her things in the bedroom. As much as he wanted to help her, he decided he was better staying in another room so he wouldn't make it harder for her or tell her to stop - to stay with him. He gazed towards the nearby dining table as he was reminded of being seated there just hours earlier as Jackson made his threats. There really was no choice but to let Ani go. If it wasn't the Porters, then it was certainly the Morettis who would be out for his blood. No matter the enemy, Ani was at risk on account of being associated with him. Not to mention Alistair was already set on ruining the poor woman's life.

When Ani emerged from the room, Maddox hesitated to look to her, as if it would prevent the inevitable and she wouldn't have to leave. He slowly turned his head to look at her once she'd told him she was ready. He reluctantly stood from the sofa and moved to meet her. He wrapped his arms tightly around her waist and rested his head on her shoulder, placing a series of kisses to the side of her head as they embraced. For all he knew, this could be the last they would every see of each other.

Maddox pulled away as Ani did and met her gaze as she spoke. "I don't know where I'd be without you, Ani. You helped guide me on a better path, one turning away from vengeance and away from the notion of devoting my life to working for that bastard, Gabriel."

He glanced to Ani's case and nervously tensed up for a moment. "I don't deserve it, Ani. You give me too much credit," he quietly told her. "You deserve a good life, Ani. You're kind and loving, you should never have been dragged into East Harlem's world." He looked to the door, a sense of helplessness overcoming him as he realised Ani really was going. "Okay, you, um..." He stepped aside, fumbling for her case before withdrawing his hand. "Get out of the elevator on the basement level and a friend of mine will meet you to drive you somewhere far from here."

Maddox edged towards the door, but turned back to Ani and pulled her in close again. "I love you, Ani. More than anyone or anything else," he said, moving in to place a prolonged gentle kiss on her lips. "We will find ourselves together again soon. If not, you already know you should move on from me... Please be careful and look after yourself, love."


Bellz (Ani-are-you-okay?)

 

[Pyroclast]

Jason Costello

Jason continued to hold his head in his hands, letting out another groan at her encouragement to never put himself in this state of discomfort ever again. He definitely would have said that being sober while his girlfriend was dying was more uncomfortable than a hangover, were it not for the nausea radiating through his body and a headache so intense it left his ears ringing - not to mention his fresh black eye. Nevertheless, he knew Gwen only cared about him and, as bitter as he felt, he knew she was right.

“Yeah, I know,” he said, softly, when she reminded him that she loved him - but the way she said it suggested that she had something to confess. “What is it?”

The mention of her abusive ex-husband came seemingly at random, so much so that Jason wondered if they had already been talking about him before and he had just forgotten. It soon became apparent that she was filling in some gaps in the story of her marriage. He raised his head to look her in the eye. It was a hard topic for her to discuss, which is why he had always avoided asking questions about what had happened between them. Her lip began to tremble when she described how she had found Lorelei all bruised in her crib and Jason stroked the back of her hand, his expression softening at the thought of what she went through. Still, he was growing steadily nervous about what had happened to Eddie in the end.

Arsenic?

Jason couldn’t help but recoil slightly, yet kept his wary eyes on her as she finished the story. As much as the pair had fought in the past, picturing Gwen stabbing someone to death was near impossible - she looked like an entirely different woman in his mind. “Jesus,” he whispered, drawing his hands from hers and turning to look down at the floor. For a while he was dumbstruck. He had lived alongside murderers for 7 years of his life, some claiming to have done some unimaginably brutal things, but none had ever shocked him like this. Gwen was no murderer, she didn’t belong in that crowd. “You’re not jokin’ me, right now?” he glumly asked, though he knew of course that she wasn’t. “You’re really tellin’ me...you stabbed your man to death?”

He turned with the intention of looking at her, but didn’t quite manage to meet her eye before he turned away again. She had been through a great deal of abuse, surely more than she could ever describe to him, but it was hard to know just how much it took to push her to breaking point without the full story. He sat there in silence as he brooded on this new side of Gwen he had never known to exist until now. “Gwen…” he began, gazing down at his hands as he nervously rubbed them together. “Are ye goin’ t’be in trouble for this someday? Or have ye done the time?”

Interactions
Bellz Gwen

 

[Pyroclast]

Syd Porter

As he entered the kitchen, Lucy closed the pantry door to reveal a rather abashed-looking Thomas, hands full of cookies. The boy locked eyes on him, and Syd couldn't help but notice the look of apprehension on his face and the way he jumped at their mother's touch. It didn't take a genius to guess what was making him nervous. Syd put his hands in his pockets and looked his brother over, wishing there was something he could say to reassure him. But his dark mood had rendered him near mute, and so, as guilty as he felt for affecting Thomas with his emotional outbursts and aggression, he couldn't so much as string together a simple apology.

Thankfully, Lucy spoke for him, inviting the young boy to join them in making dinner. It broke Syd's heart to see Thomas look so afraid of him, but was always astounded at his ability to bounce back. He was full of compassion, and often mature enough to make an effort to rise above his own pain. Syd saw it in his shy smile when he cautiously approached him with a light, teasing remark. Though his eyes were still clouded with darkness, he couldn't help but smile softly back. The children in the house had a unique way of finding the bright side of things. Of course, they had all witnessed or experienced some kind of trauma in their young lives - Olivia losing her mother, Lorelei growing up around Gwen's addiction, Leo's father going to prison - but their lack of responsibility in the family seemed to keep them more innocent and hopeful than anyone else.

Exhaling a sigh, Syd drew his hands from his pockets and reached out to pat Thomas' shoulder. "You remember too much of my shitey cooking," he replied, though there was no humour in his voice. "Mam tells me you're getting good at it, though. Maybe I should have you round mine more...That is, unless you don't want to." His weak attempt at a joke was quickly cut short by his guilt for scaring Thomas. He hoped that it wouldn't leave their relationship permanently damaged; the last thing he wanted to do was ruin his little brother's childhood. He let out another sigh and let his hand fall before sloping off towards the grill.

Once it was sufficiently hot, Syd passed a pair of tongs to Thomas and said, "Go on, then - careful, now." While the boy placed the steaks under the grill, he leaned back against the kitchen counter and found his eyes drifting across the walls of the kitchen. Just like at his house, they too were lined with art that the children had drawn. It cast Syd's mind back to one of Roxie's visits at the hospital. "Hey, Thomas," he said, his distant eyes still gazing at the walls. "I got your drawings at the hospital. You're getting to be quite the artist, you know. I think Roxie, she…" Her name caught in his throat, and he had to pause for breath before continuing. "She's kept them safe in my house somewhere. I'll have to put them up when I go home." Doing his best to remain composed despite his anxiety, Syd looked at Thomas and mustered a smile for him. "But I think I'm gonna be living here until things are sorted. Is that okay?"

Interactions
Bellz Thomas, Lucy

 

[Melanin-Gxdess]

Aliana Cartwright-Sullivan

The growth that Aliana had been seeing from her husband made her fall in love with him all over again. Day by day, hour by hour. Inevitably her love for him now would surpass the love she had him for him before he went to prison. Either way, she was happy they didn't have those arguments that ended in threats or ultimatums. However, while she was genuinely happy about this new life they were experiencing, this new life also scared her. The only things they had to worry about were bombings, shootings, and little wanna-be gangsters. Now, things were getting heavier than they had ever been. Family members taken left and right, beaten, bruised, abused. Some of them had even been killed and the thought of Conor being one of them while he was out kept her up at night. But, she knew she had to be his rock and his constant support. Any signs of worrying she was afraid it would spook Conor and that it would make him worry so she kept it to herself.

At the mention of Parker again, she turned her nose up but understood what her husband was saying. "Well, if that ever does happen I want front row seats! Son of bitch hurt my nephew and tried to tear apart our family." Taking a slight breath, she give him a smile and shook her head. "But, I totally understand.... For now." Once Conor changed the subject over to Warren, she glanced outside, standing up to get a better view. The kids were running about, smiles on their faces and the scene was both lovely and heartbreaking. The kids, all they wanted to do was play and imagine and do the things children should do. This was a moment where they could be happy and have no worries before something bad happend. Had they had grown up living the typical cookie cutter life, perhaps they would only experience happiness and being able to keep their innocence a while longer. Ali was perhaps a bit envious of that fact, which made her want to make sure Leo experience all the happiness he could.

Once she sat back down, she returned her husband's sudden kiss in kind, her hand resting on his cheek. "Sneaking away? I know a ton of things we could do if we do sneak away." She winked at him, before quickly changing the subject before he responded. "Anyway, you are an amazing father and a great father. We're getting back to the people we used to be, even more so and I'm grateful for it." She gave him another kiss before turning serious. "...What about our future daughter?" There was a slight pause before she realized how dramatic the pause was. "Not that I'm saying that I'm pregnant because I'm not, so please don't get excited. I'm saying, would a second kid be something you... Were... I don't know, interested in?"
​

 

[Melanin-Gxdess]

Teddy Wycliff

This time with Tony, he was definitely enjoying. Different than being around his boss, far different than trying to woo a woman and treat her to a nice time. Outside of the family, Tony was, what he considered, his best friend. He enjoyed spending time with him, getting to let off all the steam he never really could have around the Moretti family. Watching as his friend beat him, he let out a chuckle and shook his head. "Only reason you're kicking my ass right now is because I have to use a new hand." The sensitivity around his hand had long gone, even though it had only been a month. There was nothing he was going to be able to do about his missing two fingers, so why dwell on so much? At the mention of trying to figure something out to back Gabe, he took a deep, heavy sigh. There were nights he didn't sleep because he was so worried about what he was going to do and how he was going to do it. Before he even had a chance, Amato came in and interrupted their time.

With a slight smirk on his face, he shook his head. "Oh my... When Gabe said he was bringing the whole gang I honestly he didn't think he meant you." It wasn't until he informed them of the things that were going on outside that he grew serious. He glanced over to Tony before looking back at Amato and shaking his head, putting his hands up. "Whoa, what's going on? Who was gunned down in Brooklyn and when?" Watching as he spit on the ground, he closed his eyes and shook his head, his lack of manners for the establishment and the fact he was spitting inside grossed him out. Nonetheless, he was more concerned about what he was talking about at the moment. "Well shit, you think if we knew what was going on out there we'd be sitting in here on our asses, huh?" Teddy moved to start unlacing his bowling shoes and started to put back his own shoes and standing up. While he was afraid of going before Gabriel Moretti without having an actual plan of action for what he had done, he knew he had to get to it.
​

 

[Bellz]

Ani Sarraf​

Ani wasn't ready to leave, her heart was beginning to race with panic as the reality of what she was having to do was setting in. Walking with him towards the door, Ani moved to open it before turning back to Maddox, tears welling in her eyes. He placed a long gentle kiss on her lips and Ani closed her eyes, allowing herself to remember the feeling of it. "I love you too, Maddox. Fight till the end...for me?" She murmured gently before moving to grab her suitcase by the handle. Taking in a deep breath, Ani nodded her head. "Until we meet again." She told him softly before moving to place a kiss on his cheek. Her hand moved down his arm until it took his, giving it a gentle squeeze she walked out the doorway, releasing his hand all together. Without looking back, Ani quickly headed down the hallway towards the elevator.

Biting her lower lip harshly, Ani knew she needed to keep herself together. Her foot tapped nervously against the floor as the elevator door opened for her and she stepped inside, pressing the button to the basement level, the doors closed and she lost all composure. Moving a hand to her mouth, Ani squeezed her eyes shut as she shook her head. Fighting internally with herself, it was taking everything she had to stay where she was, to not press the button to Maddox's floor.

Ding! The elevator doors opened to the basement level where a man waited for her. Ani greeted him bashfully, knowing she probably looked like a mess but he seemed more than understanding about what she was going through and helped get her bag into the car. Sliding into the backseat, Ani looked out the window at the familiar city around her, none of it felt real. She was born in this city, raised by her adopted parents in it...to think that she was leaving that all behind was somewhat bittersweet. Part of her wished to stay but she knew what would happen to her if she did. Her chest grew heavy as she angrily thought about the men who were pushing her out of the city, who were threatening to destroy everything in her life. Ammon was gone and she couldn't change that but Maddox couldn't be next...

The car started to drive and Ani leaned her head against the window as she looked towards the front. It was hard to be excited about leaving the city, especially when a large part of her was still within its limits. Closing her eyes, Ani silently prayed to whoever was listening for her love to come to her because like she had said, he was home and until he returned, she would be homeless.

Until we meet again... She thought silently before letting herself rest.

mentions : Misty Gray

 

[Bellz]

Gwen Bryant ​

Jason's reaction made her cringe and when he asked for confirmation that she wasn't joking, Gwen shook her head slowly. Then he asked for her to confirm that she had stabbed Eddie to death and Gwen swallowed harshly, unable to find the words she remained silent. Looking down at her empty hands, Gwen wondered if this was going to be it for them, her mind was already beginning to fog and her chest grew heavy. Jason spoke her name and Gwen looked up at him with wide eyes. His questions were surprising to her, she'd hadn't given much thought about her being in trouble. At first, she was terrified but years went by and the idea of the law catching up with her seemed near impossible.

"No I never did any time. After I dumped his body in the ocean, I ran. I'd never met his family, he'd never mentioned them. We had mutual friends but I don't think they ever reported him or I missing." Gwen bit her lip, "All I know is that I can never go back to California, specifically Los Angeles." Jason was giving her an apprehensive and nervous look, like he wasn't seeing her anymore and Gwen was growing more worried by the second. "I never really thought that I could do that to someone...as you remember, I wasn't one for breaking the laws but I didn't have time o rationalize...to think. I just did what I needed to."

Clenching her jaw, she turned her head to look towards the window and sighed. "I ran to New York the following day, left everything behind except for a few keepsakes and clothes." Biting her lip, Gwen turned her head to look into Jason's eyes, wondering what he thought of her now. "He pushed me to my breaking point. We were only together for under 2 years but in that amount of time..." She paused as she tried to think of a way to describe what she went through, "He didn't deserve forgiveness, Lorelei needed a better life than what I was suffering through for her. I had to get out before he did exactly what I did to him. Though death would have been preferred for me...Lorelei was just a baby."

Shaking her head, she reached forward to place her hand on Jason's. "I would never do that to you. I know you won't hurt me or my daughter." Squeezing his hand lightly, Gwen sighed once more, "I had to tell you the truth. You need to know...it feels good being honest with you."
with: Jason Pyroclast

 

[RayPurchase]

Tony Harris

​

Well that lasted long. Tony clocked Amato near enough as soon as he swanned into the bowling alley. The lairy little fucker. The man was like a honey badger, small stout, not really much to look at, but he had a vicious streak a mile wide. Even now he was barrelling his way through the various parties and groups with little regard. Tony nudged Teddy in the side as he picked up his half drunk bottle of beer.

“Well here comes trouble,”

Tony spread his arms wide in greeting as he approached Amato, the first insults already flying from his lips like a cool summer breeze.

“One of these days that temper is goin’ to be the death of you Matto. You got to learn to chill a bit… like me. Tell him Teddy, I’ve been nothin’ but calm and laid back today. Come on sit your arse down and grab a beer, take the weight of those legs of yours,”

Tony paused midsip however as Matto mentioned one of Micks being gunned down. Admittedly that could change things, right now it was very much tit for tat. The Morettis struck the Irish so the Irish launched a revenge attack. The Morettis subsequently struck back for the injustice of the Irish revenge attack and thus the whole thing entered a nice vicious spiral. This just meant that things were about to loop again, and he couldn’t help but glance around the bowling alley, not sure what he was expecting to see, some sort of shamrock clad assassin wielding a shillelagh perhaps. He snorted and shook his head, to go down that route was to give into the sort of paranoia that Matto was spouting, and at that point the Micks had won. If this was going to be their city they had to send the message that they could walk its streets without qualms or problems. It was a fine line obviously, not yelling your name from the rooftop whilst firing bullets into the air, but at the same time not cowering in some dark corner.

“Let ‘em come Matto, by the time they clear their way through the crowd we’ll either be out the backdoor or cavin’ their skull in with one of the pins. And course I didn’t hear, number one this is the closest thing to a day off I’ve had in weeks, and number two some Paddy being shot up hardly makes the news round here, it doesn’t even make the news back home, we call that business as usual.”

Teddy sighed through his teeth, whistling slightly as it found the slight crooked gap between his lower front incisors. Well there went his day off, it was good while it lasted he supposed, hell he almost managed to get through half of it. He drained the last of his beer, and grabbed his coat, a rather battered combat jacket, his going away present from the Regiment. Well more of a ‘present’ from his mate in the stores, very much off the books. He was still a useful contact for a bit of surplus equipment, whether that be strictly fashionable or more of the practical variety. He may not be able to get you a Scorpion, but surplus light arms, and he was your man.

“Never any rest for the wicked. Right you’re drivin’ and you’re payin’ for the next game, given how you’ve rudely interrupted this one. Sure you can agree to those terms, eh Matto?”

He gave his cheek a gentle slap as he moved over to pick up his shoes. As he did his own hand slipped absentmindedly to the magnum in the inside pocket of his jacket. As much as he had fun giving Amato an earful, the man was right. It paid to be careful in the current climate.

(Interaction Melanin-Gxdess Teddy, Enzyme Amato)

 

[Enzyme]

Amato Castello​

Amato looked down at Teddy as he claimed that they wouldn't be bowling if they knew what had happened in Brooklyn. "Jesus, Ted' you're a fuckin' informant. How many fingers you gotta' lose before you start gettin' a clue, ya' putz'?" Amato jabbed, flicking his hand in the air in a dramatic manner. "I'm shocked you can even hold a bowling ball with that fuckin' thing," he joked, ashing his cigarette by the butt. While the short gangster had a napoleon complex, his barks weren't overly vicious, as they were just that, barks. At this point in his employment, most of the Moretti family would have adjusted to his quips, and to take him seriously would be the equivalent of getting offended by Mickey Mouse.

"Wasn't just 'two paddys, pal," Amato corrected Tony, shaking his head quickly as if he were on something. "One of 'em was a big fuckin' dog, and they're gonna be lookin' for some sort of retribution, someone with a reputation as evil as his was. Someone like you," Amato said, pointing in Tony's face. "I'm smart, Tony. I know when to go out and when to stay home. You wanna' be a big shot, hangin' out like this? Just tell me what size suit you wear now." Amato shook his head. Despite his attitude, he cared significantly about those that were within the family. To lose Tony would be a serious loss for the Morettis and would undoubtedly leave a sizeable hole in their ranks.

"The boss wanted both of yous there, which should be good fuckin' news for you, Ted'," Amato said, staring to Teddy. He adjusted his coat as the two slipped out of their bowling shoes. His head then twitched over his shoulders as well as if Amato had psyched himself out. He looked back to Tony as he told him he would be driving them out. "You think I drove myself here? What kinda' shmuck do ya' take me for?" Amato smiled, raising his arms. As Tony patted his cheek, he stood still as the taller man walked past him. "If we're alive by the end of this, I'll buy the whole family a round," Amato said, spinning around on the balls of his feet.

The round to the apartment was fairly quiet, as Amato filled the two men in on what he knew so far. He told them that James Porter would be involved. While the information wasn't confirmed to him yet, he speculated that it would involve a hit of sorts. He knew how much Gabriel had been pushed in the past few weeks, and despite his known goal, there was only so much a man could take.

Once the vehicle arrived at the complex, the men were escorted up to Gabriel's room. The room had been packed with Moretti soldiers, who had gathered around the small table in the living room. On the table were various blueprints scattered aimlessly. Rhys sat beside Gabriel, looking up at Tony and Teddy as they entered. The man looked to Gabriel, letting the boss greet his men. "Tony, Amato," Rhys addressed them.

RayPurchase (Tony) Melanin-Gxdess (Teddy) Misty Gray (Gabriel) Pyroclast (Alistair)

 

[Pyroclast]

Jason Costello

Now, as Jason looked at Gwen, it was as though he was seeing her for the first time. He held his eyes on her, trying to figure out what he was seeing, trying to work out if anything between them would change. Because it wasn’t just anyone that she had killed - it was her husband. The man whose place Jason was hoping to take. She went on answering his questions and he did his best to follow, though he failed to form any believable images in his mind to go along with her story. He simply couldn’t imagine Gwen dumping a body in the ocean. He wondered if she had managed to clean up all the blood before fleeing the state with Lorelei, but couldn’t picture her having to do that, either. The temperature of the room suddenly seemed to rise and Jason squeezed his eyes shut and hung his head, leaning away from her for a moment. “Jesus, Gwen, you’re givin’ me the fear,” he muttered, reaching up to drag his hands through his hair. He hadn’t meant to say anything at all, but his heart was pounding almost as strongly as his head to the point where he had to take a few deep breaths to ease the mild anxiety attack.

It kept going round and round in his mind, that sentence that didn’t sound right to him at all: Gwen was a murderer. Until this point, Jason had never known her as such, and so it seemed that she wasn’t quite the woman he thought she was. For all the bad things he had done in the past, he had never killed anyone before. He could only imagine that the act would change a person. With every crime he had committed, he had gained a new label for himself: fraudster, liar, thief, conman, convict. In the same way, she had gained a label, too. There was nothing to say that what she had done was worse than his own crimes - at least she had been provoked. Despite making efforts to turn his life around, he was no man to take the moral high ground, nor to judge someone for their past. Prison had opened his mind in that way. Besides, it was Gwen. Jason was yet to find a condition under which he would not love her. Murderer or not, his heart still belonged to her.

Reaching up to catch the beads of sweat that had broken out across his forehead, Jason sat back and returned his attention to Gwen. She laid a hand across his and assured him that she would never kill him and that she believed he would never hurt her or Lorelei. A moment of silence passed before he set his eyes on hers. “Y’know what…” he began, turning his hand over to hold hers and giving it a gentle squeeze. “I don’t believe there’s anythin’ in this world that could keep me from lovin’ ye, Gwen. We’ve both got our pasts, but that’s exactly where they stay: in the past. If you say you’re not in trouble, then what’s to say we can’t just move forward, leave all that shite behind us? Your man was the monster, here, not you. You saved Rory’s life and your own, doin' what you did. I’m just sorry ye had t’go through that...all that pain. How someone could do that to you, to that girl...Hell, I'd have killed him, too.” It dawned on him then that the anxiety he was feeling was more second-hand, from imagining Gwen and Lorelei in a life-threatening situation. His eyes softened on hers for a moment before he edged closer and brought her into an embrace. The shock hadn’t left him completely but had at least been abated by a feeling of certainty. To leave her over something she had done in the past would be highly hypocritical, given all the things she had come to accept about him. Now that she had told him the truth, which she had obviously had to spend a long time working up to, he loved her more strongly than ever. “I’m never gonna hurt you or sweet Rory,” he reiterated. “You are everythin’ t’me and I’d be a fool to walk away from what we have.” He pulled away and placed a tender kiss on her lips. “Thanks for bein’ honest wit’ me. You don’t worry about a thing, now.”

Interactions
Bellz Gwen

 

[Misty Gray]

Conor Sullivan​

Conor kept his face close to Aliana's, chuckling as she made a flirtatious suggestion about how they could occupy themselves if they did sneak away. The subject was switched before he could make some playful comment about her leading him astray. He moved back so he could look to his wife's face as he listened to what she had to say. He couldn't help but blush a little as she assured him he was a good father. Had she said the same some months or longer ago, he would have corrected her and denied it. However, he believed he'd been doing everything he could to care for Leo, from spending time with the boy to enforcing discipline when called for. Everything he'd been doing had been to both show his son he loved him but to also ensure the boy didn't follow in his own reckless footsteps.

"I feel the closest to you than ever before..." he seriously told her. Before he could go on, she leaned in to kiss him, which he naturally returned. When she puled back, she asked him a question that caught him off-guard. "Daughter...?" he asked. Though he froze and the colour slightly drained from his face, there was a sudden fluttering in his chest. The thin smile on his face made it clear his shock was for good reasons rather than him being against the prospect. It sounded like she was pregnant and Conor was happy by that thought. Aliana soon enough cleared up the matter, confirming she wasn't actually pregnant. "Wow... that was a real roller-coaster..." he trailed off. The smile dropped from his face as even the brief second he'd had to imagine had struck a nerve. He wanted more children, of that he was sure. He believed he wouldn't make the same mistakes he had in the past, where he'd barely been in Michelle's life and had missed years of Leo's childhood.

Conor took a moment to think before looking his wife in the eyes. "Ali, of course I want more kids. I always have," he answered, smiling as he spoke. "I want us to make our family bigger. I won't let you or them down like I have in the past. I messed up both in Michelle's and Leo's lives, but I won't do that again. I'm not the idiot I was before. Our family will be stronger than ever," he assured her. Not wanting to darken the moment too much, he gently stroked her cheek as he gazed into her eyes. "Whenever you're ready for us to bring a new addition into this world, I am too."


Melanin-Gxdess (Aliana)

 

[Misty Gray]

Gabriel Moretti​

When the guards by the door alerted him to the three arrivals, Gabriel nodded his head waved for the armed men to open the doors. Remaining seated alongside Rhys, the Italian glanced to Alistair before he observed the approaching men with intent. His eyes had fixed on Teddy for a time, contemplating if he would tell the man to turn around and wait outside the room away from the matter at hand. However, to dismiss the man would suggest he was contradicting his own decision to spare the man's life. Gabriel was firm in his decision and certain Teddy would not be given the breathing space nor opportunity to fall into the Porters' clutches again, certainly not before James' assassination. Gabriel's wife and children, along with Tony, had fought Teddy's corner and Gabriel was inclined to agree with them. The man had never failed him before the recent transgression. "Theodore," he greeted the man, sending a serious nod his way.

Gabriel's eyes then fell on Tony and Amato, doing well to hide from his face his snobbish distaste for their casual attire during their attendance in his office and at a crucial meeting, no less. "Tony and Amato," he said, greeting them with a welcoming smile. "I must have missed the memo about us having a Casual Friday," he drily remarked. Those who knew Moretti well enough, knew that the man was never mistaken - or at least, never to accuse him of being wrong or missing any details... to his face. "Given the importance of this meeting, I'm sure we can overlook the dress code," he relented, with a humoured smile that was betrayed by the serious look in his eyes.

"Stefano is tied up with other vital commitments, but he will be briefed and updated after this meeting. The purpose of which, is to discuss the plan we have to get rid of James Porter for good," he announced, glancing to Teddy as he acknowledged the man as being the catalyst for the change of plans regarding James' fate. "Tony, I have put you forward to assist Rhys in the undertaking of the plan. Similarly, Alistair has offered Steve's presence too." Gabriel turned to Rhys and gave his trusted consigliere the go ahead to speak. "Rhys, if you would be so kind as to fill Tony, Theodore and Amato in on the plan..."


Enzyme (Rhys, Amato) Pyroclast (Alistair) RayPurchase (Tony) Melanin-Gxdess (Teddy)

 

[Enzyme]

Rhys Caddel & Amato "Rooster" Castello ​

Amato's hands stiffly moved behind his back as Gabriel scrutinized them for their apparel. He cocked a smirk, as he could feel the other soldiers in the room's jabbing eyes, as he was sure they were biting their tongues to stop themselves from laughing. His eyes stuck to the floorboards under his feet as he attempted his best to hide his smile. "Sorry, Mr. Moretti. My Ma' gave me this shirt at lunch - I'll let her know you hate it." He stuck his tongue in his cheek, as his antics were far from unusual, even in the presence of Gabriel.

Rhys rocked back in the chair with a cigarette entangled in his fingertips. A string of smoke steadily drew to the ceiling, where it pooled into ringed ripples, only disturbed once the clouds were blown through his nostrils. His free hand drifted to the tabletop, pulling the blueprints into its respective order, leveling the transparent papers so that it correctly illustrated the phone bomb plans.

When Gabriel gave Rhys the floor, Rhys' vision remained on the papers below him. His fingers aimlessly traced the thin paper, outlining the sketched explosive. "There must've been some confusion." Rhys' snake-like eyes flickered up to Amato, who's smile slowly faded. "This meeting could decide the fate of New York. I wanted only the most trusted men in attendance" His narrowed eyes sliced to Teddy, the cigarette being stuffed back into the corner of his mouth. "With lives at stake, we can't take any chances of this information getting out." He felt the many eyes in the room shift from him to Teddy, pointing Teddy out in the corner as if he'd been circled by a sharpie.

"Teddy, if you wouldn't mind leaving the room, this should only take a moment."

Amato stood still unsure what to say, his bewildered expression turned to Teddy, who he could only echo his sympathy for after being called out in front of everyone. "C'mon," Amato said softly, pulling open the door for Teddy.

Rhys' expression remained passive, his mouth covered by finger as he rested on his open palm. His eye contact didn't break from Teddy, expecting the man to do as he was told.

Misty Gray (Gabriel) RayPurchase (Tony) Melanin-Gxdess (Teddy) Pyroclast (Alistair)

 

[Misty Gray]

Maddox Parker​

When Ani stepped out of his apartment, Maddox stood in the doorway with his hand idly resting on the door handle. He watched her walking away and before she'd moved out of his view, he tightly closed his eyes as if preventing himself seeing her leave meant she would stay. By the time he opened his eyes again, she was gone. He sadly nodded his head as he accepted there was no going back on their decision. He backed into his apartment, pushing the door shut before locking and bolting it from the inside. In the confines of his own apartment, there was no need to put on a brave face and no requirement to remain neutral for the sake of others. It had always been so easy to control his emotions and overcome his own insecurities. Despite not regretting coming clean to the Porters, he knew it had resulted in him falling into a deeper mess. Both his life and emotions were a mess even he felt unable to manipulate to his will.

Maddox entered his bedroom, looking around at the room that had only recently started being shared with Ani but now she was gone, it felt alien to him. He approached his bedside table, opening the drawer and reached beneath the paperwork to retrieve the loaded pistol. Even in his darkness and heartbroken state, there was no part of him that would consider taking his own life. Suicide was nothing he would ever give serious thought. Besides which, if he really wanted to die he was sure he could just give the Morettis or the Porters enough reason to kill him. The gun was there for his protection, as it had been long before his situation escalated into the utter dark chaos it was presently in.

Maddox's attention was drawn to the envelope he'd placed in the drawer the previous day. The handwriting was familiar and given his birthday was just over a week away, he knew what was inside. He calmly placed the gun down on the top of the cabinet. He slowly sat on the edge on his bed and retrieved the white envelope, holding it in his hand as he stared at it in an empty trance-like state. He wouldn't be celebrating his next birthday, of that he was sure. Dead or alive, it wasn't appropriate to acknowledge it in his present world. Breaking out of his thoughts, his hand traced over the the front of the envelope before eventually flipping it over and tearing it open. He removed the two birthday cards, one from his sister and the other from her children, and managed a small smile as he set eyes on the homemade card. Children's artwork mixed with an excessive amount of glue and glitter. He was beyond caring about the fact the sparkly bits of glitter were now over himself and his carpet. "To Uncle Bradley..." A lump formed in the man's throat as the rest of the words were hidden behind the family photograph that had been slotted inside the card. His sister, brother-in-law, nieces and nephews were all in the picture. He loved his family as much as they loved him, yet he felt like a fraud. They had no idea about what he'd been mixed up in and the terrible things he'd done to get revenge for what had happened to their family all of those years ago. Would he ever get time to confess and to hope for their forgiveness, or would he be another family member lost for voluntarily crossing the paths of dangerous gangs?

After reading the cards and letter he'd been sent, Maddox placed the newest photograph in the album with the rest. Another photograph of the nieces and nephews he'd never met in person, who he expected he now never would see. Whether he survived the mess he was in or not, there was no way he could bring his baggage onto his family's doorstep. They'd suffered enough a decade ago without the mob turning up on their doorstep again.

Maddox got to his feet, about to return to the kitchen to pour himself a strong drink, but he didn't get far. It was like there had been a moment in time he'd missed or lost himself, because he was suddenly sat on the floor, his back propped up against the wall as he grabbed his hair with both hands, rendered a sobbing wreck. It truly hit him that Ani was gone and there was every chance he would never see the woman he loved again. He was already aware he'd have to put on a brave face; to assure Gabriel that Ani had walked out on him and wanted no further part in his life. But for now, he would grant himself the time to let out his true emotions, to shed tears for the love he may never experience again.

Mentions: Bellz (Ani)

 

[Melanin-Gxdess]

Aliana Cartwright-Sullivan

After seeing the look on her husband's face after mentioning a second child, Ali made a mental note to work on her delivery of certain sensitive information. He was excited to have a third child, second with her, that much was sure. But seeing him realize he would have to wait made her even more determined to give him that kid he now desired. Granted, a part of her wanted to wait for all of this nonsense to be over before extending their family, but she couldn't keep him waiting for too much longer. "The delivery, I must admit, super shitty so sorry for that. Not pregnant at the moment, last time I checked. But, I would love to carry another child for you." She gave him a slight kiss on his cheek before chuckling and shaking her head. "Third times the charm, huh?" She joked, before standing up and stretching her arms. If she were to be completely honest, the day had exhausted her. The emotional roller coaster the family had been on that day was draining and it didn't necessarily hit her until she did stand up.

With her hands on her hips, she turned to face him. "The way I see it," she started, her hands grabbing his in attempt to get him up on his feet. "The three of us can use a little bit us time. Plus, I think I want to see his reaction to us asking him about having a younger brother or sister." Once her husband was up, she walked over to the window and got Leo's attention and waited for him to come inside. Hearing the feet that she just knew belonged to her son, the smile she tried to contain grew on her face before she got on her knees to be eye level with him. "So buddy, dad and I was thinking about some things and we want your opinion on it. After that, we can do anything your little heart desires today." Leo looked at his mother, quite skeptically. Considering the last time she asked him his opinion on something it came with something super snarky. With his little arms crossed, he narrowed his eyes. "I'm listening..." He stated, looking between his parents. Ali glanced at Conor before focusing on Leo, opening her mouth. "How would you feel about having a little brother or sister one day? No necessarily now, but later in the future." She made sure to make it clear she wasn't pregnant, learning from her mistake a few minutes ago.

Leo groaned at the thought; not because he didn't want a brother or sister, but because she even mentioned sister. Girls annoyed him and the possibility of him having to grow up with one was stressing him out already. Granted, there was Lorelei, but he wouldn't have her around all the time and she was his cousin. But a sister? It was enough to turn his hair gray, he thought. "While I'm okay with the idea, I'm not okay with the idea of having a sister. Girls suck." He said, taking his mother aback while glancing at her husband. "I mean, we don't really have any control of that, kid." Crossing his arms, he shrugged his shoulders. "These are my terms, mother. A brother or no kid." With a shake of her head, Ali smile and ruffled his hair before standing up. "We'll try our best then. Now, what do you want to do today?" To which he responded with more fort building and eating mom's special ice cream.
​

 

[Melanin-Gxdess]

Teddy Wycliff

Teddy rolled his eyes at Amato's comment of him being an informant, considering he was growing tired of people taking jabs at his job and his ability to do it. Granted, it was true but they could keep that shit to themselves and let him do what he did. The comment about his hand came next and, while he was no longer sensitive to the teasing, it was still annoying. "I have two hands, you fuck. Learning to use my right so shut up." As he began pinching the bridge of his nose, he was informed that Gabe actually wanted him sitting in on the meeting. It shocked him to hear, but he wasn't going to show either one of them that. The ride to the meeting was quiet, but nerve-wrecking for Teddy himself. It was too early, he thought to himself, to be seeing his boss. But, it made him come up with a temporary solution to give up in private while he worked on something long-term.

As the three of them walked into the room of which the meeting was being held, he was given a cold greeting by his boss. Something he understand and expected, but it still hurt nonetheless. He knew what people thought of him, members of this gang gossiped more than a sewing circle. But he wasn't letting any of that bother him. As long as he made up for it and did everything he needed to get back into Gabe's good graces, his conscious would be cleared. Listening to Gabe tell them they were planning to take James out, once and for all, the look he gave him as he said so, made him look off to the side. Because of the position he was currently in, he was not going to give his opinion on the matter. Once the helm was passed over to Rhys, he knew something snarky was about to be said. So when both he and Amato tried to dismiss him, he gave them both a snort and a smirk.

"I could have sworn Gabe just gave you an order to explain the plan; not forget your place and try to overrule his instructions." He stated, his eyes locked with Rhys. Of anyone here, he knew Rhys was going to be his biggest problem. The man was not shy of telling Teddy how he felt about his betrayal, regardless of the reasoning. He didn't see it as a member of the family dying and possibly tearing some of the people within apart, no. He should have died with that information, as Rhys liked to tell him. "So, how about instead of you trying to show how big your dick is, you get on with the plan." For a brief moment, he broke contact but this was only to shut the door Amato had opened as he leaned against it, his arms folded. With his left hand, missing fingers in full view, he gestured him to continue speaking.
​

 

[Misty Gray]

Gabriel Moretti​

Gabriel was fully aware of the stifled laughter amongst the soldier is a room, yet the man managed to maintain the strict and neutral expression he was known for. He was sure it was humorous but the present environment did not call for amusement. "Yes, but tell your Ma' to stick to baking those delicious cakes. Those are welcome in my office rather than her taste in attire." Gabriel was sure his comment would make it even more difficult for certain others to contain their laughter, so it was interesting to watch them squirm.

When Rhys spoke up, Gabriel sat back in his seat and shared his vision between him and Teddy. It was outlined how important the meeting was and that only trusted men were to be present. Moretti already knew where his consigliere was going with his words, but he allowed the man to go there rather than silencing him. It was completely understandable that Rhys wanted Teddy to leave. Judging by some of the faces in the room, it was also extremely awkward and uncomfortable. As delicate as the situation might seem, it was business, after all. Gabriel remained completely composed, as if any awkwardness had flown straight over the stern man's head.

Teddy fired back to defend himself, citing it was Gabriel's request for him to be present and that he should go on with the plan. Finally standing up, Gabriel regarded the face of every man in the room before decisively nodding his head. The plan to kill James Porter rested on Rhys' plans for the explosives and Alistair was offering his men to aid in the plot. Neither of the two men thought highly of Teddy after his recent failure. In fact, it had even been difficult to get the two men to work alongside each other without Teddy's presence adding further animosity. There was very little Gabriel respected or envied about the Porters, but one thing they had going in their favour was their respect and unwavering support of each other. Disagreements within his higher ranks was something Gabriel knew was a weakness and would need addressing if the war continued past Porter's assassination. "Let's keep the dick measuring contests out of my office, thank you," he seriously told them.

"Rhys is correct in this matter. The fewer people aware of this plan, the better. Anyone not directly involved is to leave. Theodore. Amato," he began, naming them as men he wished to leave. "And you - you shouldn't even be in here," he said, pointing to one of the soldiers who had somehow taken it upon himself to loiter on the wrong side of the office door. "If anyone remaining in this room wants no part in this operation or simply wishes to join the others outside, leave the room now," his voiced boomed throughout the room. His eyes briefly fell onto Tony, knowing the man was close friends with Teddy.

"I will have no more delays or interruptions. Rhys will outline the plan for those who will be partaking in the operation." When it came down to it, killing James Porter was far more important than hurting people's feelings.

Enzyme (Rhys, Amato) Pyroclast (Alistair) RayPurchase (Tony) Melanin-Gxdess (Teddy)

 

[Enzyme]

Rhys Caddel​

Rhys stayed still in his chair as Teddy openly defied him, suggesting that he had stepped out of line when he ordered the informant to leave. His steel eyes remained cold and still as it wavered over him. While his face remained passive and emotionless, the flame in his retinas suggested a much more sinister emotion brewing under the cover of his skin. Perhaps he was already arranging a hit on Teddy in his head, how he'd corner the man at Teddy's own home and watch as his men ax his limbs off until he was nothing more than a disembodied head, a piece to mount above his roaring fireplace. A place that secured the lifeless eyes of the man who had bit back at him. A place where Rhys could stare into the sparkless orbs every morning and remind the once-living filth of where his skull now resides.

Despite the hellfire boiling his flesh, Rhys calmly puffed his cigarette as Gabriel broke the awkward silence. His eyes departed from Teddy as Amato lightly, but firmly, grabbed Teddy and moved out of the room, followed behind by the soldier who had snuck his way into the meeting. Once the floor was given back to Rhys, he took a seldom sip of his glass of whiskey.

"Gentleman, we are going after the man who is responsible for our family's bloodshed. A man so despicable that even uttering his name makes me want to puke up my lunch. We are gunning for James Ronan Porter." Rhys looked to the men in the room, his cold eyes slicing between each one of them. "We are going to strike so quickly and so precisely, that by the time the Irish realize what they've lost, we'll be gone without a trace." Rhys took a long pause, giving him time to moisten his throat with the whiskey once more.

"Laid out in front of you are the schematics for a homemade phone bomb and detonator." Rhys' fingers traced to the blueprints on the table, pointing to each of them respectively. "After watching James's every move for the past month, we have plotted a reliable schedule that will allow us to plant the plastic explosives without any interruptions." Rhys slid the phone-bomb blueprint into view, pulling it to the head of the table.

"When James arrives, we will be parked outside the apartment. We will cover the corners of the complex to make sure no one comes in that could potentially disrupt the hit." Rhys pointed to the map of the block they had recovered from the building's treasurer, illustrating the neighborhood. "Using a phonebooth, we will make a direct call to James's office phone. Once he picks up the phone off the receiver, it will send a signal to the detonator, activating the trigger. With the twist of a key, the Irish Mob is no more."

Rhys looked to Tony, his eyes cutting him out of the crowd. "Tony Harris, with the contributions you've made to the family as of late, you will have the privilege of making that phone call. Whatever you decide to utter to that shamrock piece of shit will be the last words he'll ever hear."

Misty Gray (Gabriel) Pyroclast (Alistair) Melanin-Gxdess (Teddy) RayPurchase (Tony)

 

[Misty Gray]

...2 DAYS BEFORE NEXT CHAPTER...

Gabriel Moretti and Maddox Parker​

As was the usual procedure, Maddox exited the elevator and was met by the two guards. He'd left his gun in his car, but was still aware he'd have to go through the search regardless of whether he told them he had no weapons. He raised his arms and placed both hands on the back of his head as one of the guards frisked him to search for concealed weapons. Once given the all clear, he was permitted to continue down the corridor to the door leading to Gabriel's office. "Always a pleasure," Maddox sarcastically told the two heavy set men as he passed them.

Gabriel heard the door open and was fully aware that Maddox was entering the open living area of his office. Seated on the couch opposite Stefano, he didn't look forward to greet the counsellor. Instead, he intentionally continued the discussion they'd been having. They were setting a trap and if he really was double-crossing them, then Maddox was walking straight into it. "Your daughter is more useful to us alive when it comes to controlling the Porters..." Gabriel looked up as if Maddox's presence had only just caught his attention. "Dr. Parker, you look tired," he greeted the man, pointing for him to sit in the armchair to his side, which gave both Gabriel and Stefano a full view of the counsellor. "I did warn you about getting romantically involved with Ani, did I not? Still, her walking out on you is for the best. You can regain your focus so you can get back on track to deal with Conor and Syd, correct?" he prompted him. If he or Alistair tracked the woman down, he had every intention of making her pay for trying to leave their organisation and whether the counsellor would appreciate it or not, he'd make sure Maddox had a front row seat to her punishment.

"Right you are. Ani wasn't the woman I thought she was... Still, nothing ventured, nothing gained." Maddox confidently nodded his head to back up his casual words. The official story he'd given Gabriel was that Ani had walked out on him as she didn't agree with his recent actions and couldn't stay in a relationship with him after what he'd done to Syd. Simply put, that she wasn't cut out for this way of life. It was partly true and as the days went on, Maddox was learning he wasn't exactly cut out for it either. "My head is clear and I'm keen to keep moving forward with our plans. Speaking of which, is there anything new I need to be aware of?" he asked. It was going to be tricky, but he knew he had to find out Roxie's whereabouts without making it too obvious he was fishing.

"Stefano and I were just discussing Roxanne, weren't we?" Gabriel informed him, looking to his colleague to prompt the man to elaborate. It seemed Maddox wouldn't have to do too much digging, not when Gabriel and Stefano were already prepared to test Maddox's loyalty using Roxie's situation as bait...

Stefano Carriveau
- by Bellz -​

Stefano had taken in Maddox's appearance with a subtle smug look on his face. Hearing that his girl had walked out on him was not surprising given her track record with Alistair. "Hmm? Oh yes, Roxanne." Stefano said as he moved to fold his hands together. Knowing that this moment would be very critical to find if Maddox was indeed the rat Stefano thought he was, he decided to take his time in elaborating. Standing from his seat, Stefano moved to look out the nearest window, folding his hands behind his back as he did so. Taking a look at the city and the people down below, Stefano sighed. "I think I'm finally going to break that girl, you know. Took me years as a parent and because she unfortunately has my blood, she's a tough one to crack."

Not looking towards Maddox, Stefano continued on as he turned to look at Gabe. "It would seem that the plan has been laid out perfectly. Roxie is being hidden under Ms. Liberty, far enough for the Porter's to give up looking for her but not far enough for her not to be found." Finally, he turned to Maddox and offered a small smile. "You've dealt with the Porters personally, so I'm sure you understand just how determined they could be in finding her. Which is all a part of the plan, I want her found."

"A rat always knows how to sniff out the cheese, even when attempting to steal the cheese for itself, death always looms nearby." Taking a closer look at Maddox, he watched his body language for a moment before moving to grab a cigar from his inner jacket pocket. Grabbing the lighter as well, he placed the cigar in his mouth and lit it before taking a drag. "I think we'll catch our rats, don't you Dr. Parker?"

END OF CHAPTER​