Soulmates - Chloe/Oliver - NC17 - Part Seven

[sarcastic_fina]

 Title: Soulmates
Genre: Romance/Tragedy
Pairing: Chloe/Oliver
Warning(s): Character death, violence
Rating: NC17
Story Summary: They were bound from the beginning.
Story Video: Trailer made by digital_moni
Chapter Summary: 1920's - The Mobster and His Girl - Mob feuds have nothing on love.

Previous: Prologue/Part One,  Part Two, Part Three,  Part Four, Part Five,  Part Six,




Made by the awesome: dhfreak



Part VII

The Mobster and His Girl

Anybody who was anybody knew that Callista Vitarro - better known as just Callie V - was off limits. Daughter to the mob boss Tony "The Noose" Vitarro meant nobody got anywhere near her unless they wanted death to come a knockin' in the form of cement shoes and a bullet in the brain. Now Ollie Gambozzo, brother to mob boss Frank "Cutthroat" Gambozzo knew this. Always had; never forgot it. But he'd known Callie V since pre-school. Two of ‘em were in every class together from kindergarten to graduation. And it wasn't no secret to anybody that he was sweet on her. But the Vitarro and Gambozzo mobs had been feudin' since they was made. Ain't nobody remember why, ‘cept for maybe Frank and Tony themselves. But it was known and never questioned that the Gambozzo's stayed away from the Vitarro's and vice versa, otherwise a street war was gonna break out and a whole lotta innocents were gonna wind up dead. But Ollie wasn't so quick to give up on Callie and while she'd been ignoring his interest since they were at the age to realize girls weren't icky and boys were cute but trouble, she was sweet on him back.

Now Callie V wasn't dumb - she knew not to get into anything with him; for her and his sake. Her pops would have him dead so quick, she wouldn't even have time to blink. But it was gettin' hard to put him off when he was everywhere she was and lookin' so goddamn handsome. She stopped by old Tim Jacob's shop for a pack of smokes for her cousin. She ain't touch ‘em none; didn't like how they smelled. And as she was walkin' out, Ollie appeared from beside the door and started walkin' with her.

"Fine mornin', ain't it Callie?" he asked her, hands stuffed in his pockets. His warm brown eyes were sharp; lookin' for any of his brother's guys or any of her pop's guards. She didn't go anywhere without someone keepin' an eye on her. She was damn good at gettin' outta their sights though and just one smile of hers could make any guy trust her enough to say she could go for a walk on her own. Even if it meant facin' "The Noose" later.

"Fine enough ‘til you got here, ‘bozzo," she replied, frowning

He smiled. She'd been calling him that since they was young. Anybody else use it they'd get a knife to the gut; he had a reputation his brother wasn't gonna let him tarnish none. But when it was her, he kinda liked it. "You goin' to The Rainbow tonight?" he asked.

She looked up at him, her brow quirked. "You know you ain't allowed to set foot in The Rainbow. My pops'll shoot you down before you even send that smile of yours at the dancers."

He shook his head. "I'll be there if you're goin'. Ain't gonna risk it if ya aren't."

She turned to him, hands finding her hips. "You wanna get yaself killed, ‘bozzo?" She shook her head. "You're gonna find yourself in a river if you don't quit with your chasin'."

"I can swim just fine." He grinned. "When you gonna give into me, Callie V?"

She sighed, lookin' over at him with a sad frown. "You ain't never gonna get it through that thick head of yours, are ya?" She licked her lips, glancing around. "I ain't worth dyin' over, Ollie. You go find yourself one of them girls that's right with the Gambozzo's." She reached up and readjusted his tie for him, smoothing it down over his chest. "Careful now. Vinny's around the corner and he ain't never liked you." She turned around then and walked away, a sway in her hips that drew his eyes down.

"You didn't answered my question," he called after her.

She turned around, brow lifted. "I ain't gonna be anywhere near there tonight," she replied. "So keep yourself bullet free and stay home, ‘bozzo."

He chuckled. She was gonna be there and he was gonna get himself a dance.

Callie walked around the corner, lifting a hand to wave at Vinny before she made her way up the stairs leadin' to her cousin Louie's house. She didn't know why he didn't get his own smokes, but he never did. Must be his mom, she decided. She was real strict and would start out on one of her rants if she found out Louie was smokin'. She smiled to herself. If her aunt knew that Louie was currently datin' Claire from down the road, she'd probably smack him upside the head. Claire was a good girl; real nice and shy. Louie on the other hand was outspoken and a bit of a trouble maker. His mom probably didn't want him tarnishing good little Claire. But when the two weren't tearin' each other's heads off with their bickering, they were gettin' on real fine.

She knocked on Louie's door once before pushin' it open and walkin' in. She tossed the smokes to her cousin as he sat up from his bed where he'd been writing. He was takin' some course in college and while his spelling was awful, he was a good writer.

"Any trouble?" Louie wondered.

"I'm alive ain't I?"

"You run into your little boyfriend?" he asked, smirking.

"I ain't datin' Gambozzo and you know it!" she replied sourly, leaning back in the chair she sat down in.

Louie lit up a smoke and opened a window so the smell wouldn't bug her or sit in the room long enough to get his mom wondering. "You wanna be though, don't you?" He nodded knowingly. "Yeah I seen the way you look at him. Gettin' all hot over the wrong guy, cuz. Your pops would have him dead before you even climax."

"Why you always gotta be so crude, Louie?" she asked, shaking her head.

"Just my way," he replied, shrugging. "Can't tell me I'm wrong, can ya? ‘Cause you been lustin' after him since fuckin' elementary school."

"I have not," she muttered, rolling her eyes.

"Yeah right. Ever since he kissed ya that one day, you've been actin' like you don't like him, but you do. You just don't want your pops getting' a hold of him."

"That kiss was three seconds long and I barely remember it. I'm surprised you do. Punched him good for it too," she replied, crossing her arms over her chest.

"And he just smiled right back atcha," Louie said, shaking his head. "Guy's had it bad for you for too long. Fuckin' stupid if you ask me. You two get together, you're both dead. His brother'll either kill him or kill you. Then your pop's ‘ll do the same." He licked his lips, taking a drag of his cigarette and blowing it out in rings. "Ain't worth it, cuz."

"Yeah? You don't think Claire would be worth it?" she asked, eyes thinning.

"Hey! Claire and I ain't like you two. She ain't part of the mob at all, ain't got no ties to it. She's a good one and so's her family. The Gambozzo's ain't nothin' but trouble and you're askin' for it if you let that guy get anywhere near ya." He stubbed out his smoke, standing up from his bed and grabbing a coat. "I know what it's like to want someone and not think you can have ‘em. But I'm lookin' out for ya here. You stay away from Ollie. I don't wanna be buryin' you."

"You ain't gonna be buryin' me anytime soon Louie," she replied, standing up and shaking her head. "I don't want no Gambozzo brother and he don't want me. He's just playin' games is all." She walked past him to the door and made her way downstairs.

"You can't fake that look he gets in his eyes, cuz," Louie called from behind her. "And games don't last goin' on eight years."

She sighed, rolling her eyes. As they stepped outside, Louie adjusted his coat collar and nodded at her. "You just keep your head about you."

"Yeah, yeah. Am I gonna see you an' Claire at The Rainbow tonight or what?" she wondered.

He started walking backwards, off toward Claire's house. "Yeah, we might stop in." He lifted a shoulder. "Fuckin' place is always so busy, hard to find anybody I know."

"You show up, just leave a message at the bar, I'll pick it up and come find you." She nodded, lifting a hand to wave at him as she turned to walk toward her house.

"You sure you don't wanna take the car, Callie V?" Vinny asked, lifting a brow.

"You need the exercise, Vin," she replied, bumping his shoulder with her own. "Come on, we make it to the hot dog stand without you jumpin' in the car, I'll buy you one."

He grinned. "With all the stuff?"

"All the stuff," she agreed.

"You always been my favorite," he told her, nodding.

She laughed, smiling up at him.

The car followed beside them the whole time. She'd grown used to it. Always had someone watchin' her back since she was big enough to walk. Streets were never safe but she wasn't gonna spend her life hidden away in her pop's house. Her family had never done anything the legal way and while she didn't agree, there wasn't much she could do. She was born a Vitarro and she was proud to be one, even if she didn't want any part of the killings that went on behind the scenes. Her mom was the same, always pretending like her husband was a good, hard working man who sold cars for a living. Her pops ain't never driven a car, let alone sold one. He was driven to and from wherever he wanted to be and he was well known in the community. His face was the picture of nightmares for some. She supposed it was the same for Frank Gambozzo over on his side of town.

She'd wondered more than once why it was she was born into the family she was. She didn't believe in their ways, not like how her brothers did. She didn't think it was right, going against the law and makin' everybody pay just for bein'. Seemed her dad or Ollie's brother had their hand in everything and it was the little guy that suffered. The honest working man just tryin' to scrape by and make a livin'. Wasn't like she could say she wanted out though. She was the daughter of a mob boss and there wasn't any turning her back on them.

What made it all a little worse was that she knew that if she ever did leave the family, Ollie Gambozzo would be right there to help her get out. He wasn't like his brother. He'd stabbed a few, she knew. Never enough to kill ‘em. And he wasn't known for bein' the nicest guy there was. He could be mean and hard and downright scary to some. But it was all an act - one his brother made sure he kept up. She'd seen him when none of the Gambozzo guys were around and he was a good guy. Always paid for whatever he wanted rather than stiff the store owners by sayin' he deserved it, because of his name. He always gave the bum that sat outside Tom's shop a few bucks or a sandwich he bought especially for him. And he smiled a lot, real nice and warm whenever he was around her. He hadn't given up on her since they were just eleven years old. He'd been sweet on her since and he let her know that he still was every chance he got.

Once upon a time, when she was young enough to think being sweet on a boy meant happily every after, she dreamt of days where they'd run away together, to another city to live on their own. But reality set in real quick as soon as she got her head outta the clouds and she realized that ain't never gonna happen. Her dad would find her, kill Ollie and maybe even her if he was angry enough. So she closed off her heart and she hardened herself to the ways of the world, even if Ollie never really did. He still had the real sweet smile for her, thinkin' maybe this time she might just give in and while she wanted to, she always brushed off his attempts and went back to bein' Callie V; untouchable.

After pickin' Vinny up a hotdog with all the works, they made their way home. She kissed her dad on the cheek and waved to her mom who was making dinner and then hurried upstairs to get ready. She only had a couple hours until she had to be at The Rainbow and while she knew she told Ollie not to come, she had a feelin' the daredevil in him would have him lookin' for her just in case. She didn't often go against her dad's rules, but Ollie Gambozzo always woke somethin' up inside her, made her stomach squirm and her heart skip a beat and a smile that she was careful not to share with most come out. She searched around for something to wear and ended up picking one of her green dresses; she always seemed to look for that color when it came to Ollie. He too had a love for the color, always wearing a green tie or shirt that somehow brought out those eyes of his.

She sighed. She should just learn that love ain't never comin' for her, not in the form of no Gambozzo.

That night at The Rainbow, Callie wandered away from her dad and any of his guards to get a soda from the bar. She nodded hello to Jackie the bartender that offered to slip a little somethin' into her drink for her but put it away when she wrinkled her nose. She was the good Vitarro, so he just laughed it off and gave her the soda. Her brothers were off makin' deals or hittin' on the pretty flappers in the club while she sipped the thin red straw and looked around with curious eyes, catchin' each pass of wadded cash and supposedly discreet deal being made. She'd grown up in this life; hell, she probably knew most of these guys as "uncles" from her childhood. All mobsters.

She shook her head, leaning back on the bar as she sat atop a stool. She lifted a hand to Louis who she saw sitting at a secluded balcony table with Claire across from him. He waved her up, but she shook her head returning to her drink and her people watching.

"Lyin' to me, Callie V? I'm hurt," came a familiar voice from her side.

She hid her smile and lifted a brow, turning to look at him. "Thought I told you to keep yourself empty of bullets, ‘bozzo."

He smiled at her and she felt that squirmin' in her stomach again. "Ain't no bullets gonna keep me away from you."

She sighed, hopping down from her stool. "Gotta feeling more than one might keep ya down."

He lifted a brow, chuckling. "Why don't you gimme a dance and we'll see just how many bullets I can take?" He stared at her seriously, eyes intense and dark.

She knew she should say no, should walk away and leave him there watchin', just like she usually did. Instead she put her drink down on the bar and her hands on her hips. "You think you can handle me, ‘bozzo? ‘Cause I think you're just a smooth talker than ain't got no real movies."

He reached out, tugged on one of her blonde curls before tucking it behind her ear. "I've got smooth moves, Callie V. And I'd be more than happy to share ‘em with ya."

Her breath stuttered a moment but she hoped the music covered it. And then his hand took hers and led her out to the middle of the dance floor, where she pleaded with God that the rest of the crowd might keep them hidden. Last thing she wanted was a dead Gambozzo on her hands... Especially this Gambozzo.

Up on the balcony, watching his cousin with a sour look on his face, Louie sighed. "Girls' gonna get her and her boy killed," he muttered.

"He seems nice," Claire commented from next to him, sitting ram rod straight in her chair, looking a little out of place as she sipped her soda. "He definitely likes her." She lifted her brow, smiling slightly.

"Fuck, boy thinks she's the cat's pajamas. That ain't the problem. It's everybody else who don't think they're good for each other. Too much damn drama in this city." He snorted, stubbing out his cigarette. "Com'on Claire - show me some of them moves of yours on the dance floor."

She blushed, but took his hand, letting him lead her out to the floor, far away from the couple who were entirely involved with only each other.

A swinging jazz tune was blaring loudly from the main band and Ollie was quick to swing Callie out on the floor before pulling her back in. She let go, forgetting about all who could be watchin' and just let herself enjoy the music and the person she was dancin' to it with. He was a good dancer; real slick in all of his moves, but he always kept his eyes on hers, his hands in hers or touching her waist. There was a whole lot of flappers around that would gladly enjoy his attention, but he didn't look away from her, not once. Didn't even glance at their provocative dancing or sexier outfits.

She lost herself in his smile, returning one of her own. He swung her around and kept up through every song. He even tried the Charleston; he wasn't so great at it, but that was okay. The music just kept flowing and she could feel it from her head to her toes and every time her eyes caught his, she was even more captivated. That smile that she rarely saw turned in anybody else's direction grinned out at her broadly. His hands took hers, drawing her closer, and she felt her heart speed up while the song slowed down. The couples were more of swaying together now instead of jumping, arms waving. She felt his hand at her waist, the other one picking her hand up and holding it mid-air. He stared down at her, breathing a little heavy, but still smilin' like she just gave him the best gift.

"You still think I got no moves?" he wondered, lifting a brow.

She tried to frown at him. "I think you're using them on the wrong girl."

"I think I've always known who the right girl was..." He twirled her around before bring her in a little closer. "And I think you'll always be that girl to me Callie."

She swallowed tightly, willing her eyes away from his but they wouldn't move. She was caught up in the intense brown of his eyes, staring deeply into her own. He never made any secret about his affection; whole city probably knew. Just like it all knew that she never returned that attention. ‘Course it wasn't out of not feeling it. She'd liked him since she was just a little girl and the one time he managed to sneak a kiss, she'd just about decided right then she'd marry the fool. She hit him real good for his bold move though, when reality set in and she noticed her pop's guard watching from his car, eyes real thinned, cigar smoke comin' from his mouth. And she knew, no matter how young and innocent Ollie might'a been then, he was gonna get himself killed over her.

He was stubborn though, kept at it all through high school and continued to chase after her even after graduation. He was sneakier now; made sure none of her pop's guards saw him. He seemed too preoccupied with her to worry about just who might see them then though and while some part of her screamed that she should stop him for his own good, the majority of her just wanted it to happen. So when he leaned in, lips slanting across hers, she didn't push him away or punch him. She just sighed, parting her lips with content and feeling his tongue tangle with her own. She was new to kissing, a little worried she'd mess it up somehow, but the second she felt his lips against hers, she felt instinct take over. Her hand slid from his shoulder to wrap around the back of his neck, squeezing lightly.

She couldn't hear the music anymore, or the clatter of the rest of the club. It was just them, pressed tight together, connected at the mouth, where their breath mingled and their lips slanted and their tongues danced. She felt his hand slide up from her waist, stroking her shoulder for a moment before finally cupping her cheek, thumb gently caressing the apple of her cheek. His fingers flexed, weaving in her hair. Her eyes opened and so did his, but they didn't part right away, their lips still pressed together, panting harshly. She felt her heart well up in her throat and the whole of her body seemed to be trembling with warmth. He kissed her once more, short but lingering and then he took a step back, hands slowly falling from her face.

"Meet me tonight," he asked her.

She chewed her lip, knowing she should say no. "Where?" she said instead.

He smiled slowly. "Middle of Baker's bridge." He stepped backward, into the crowd. "One hour."

She licked her lips, hand falling to her waist. "I'll see if I can fit you into my schedule, ‘bozzo."

He grinned, winking at her before he turned around, disappearing into the crowd.

She sighed, shaking her head. What was she thinkin'? She left the club not so long later, askin' Vinny to drive her home. Her dad was having a "meeting" in his office; she could hear the bang of things being thrown and the muffled shouting. Her mom was already in bed and so she easily snuck upstairs into her bedroom, closing the door tightly before leaning against it, closing her eyes and questioning her sanity. She shouldn't do this. She should just let him wait at the bridge for her, knowing she stood him up. And then maybe he'd leave her alone, finally, and they'd both be better off for it. But then her heart clenched and she knew she just couldn't do it.

She searched her closet for something warmer to wear and sat on her bed for the majority of the time, weighing the pros and cons until she was nearly bowled over by a headache. She took a breath, glanced at her door, knowing that everybody would be distracted by her dad and his business; they wouldn't even know she left. After a minute of warring with herself again, she climbed out her window and down the trellis. She landed easily on the ground, heels deep in the small garden her mom was planting. She climbed out, glanced around and noticed a few cars parked out front. She bent low and ran across the side lawn, hopping up and crawling over the fence without a problem. She used to sneak out and go over to Louie's when she was younger, just to get away from all the work her dad was doing downstairs. This had more fear attached to it though, because she knew she wasn't going to Louie's and if anybody found that out, she was probably a dead girl walkin'.

Getting to the bridge didn't take long, but she hid behind a light pole, watching to see if he was really there. For a second she was actually worried he might stand her up. The fact that she never considered it might be a trap said more to her than she wanted to know. But there he was, leaning back against the rail of the walkway, staring out at the river that ran beneath the bridge, dark and majestic. A cigarette hung from his lips, smoke trailing up into the night sky. She just watched for a second, her stomach tightening. She should turn back. He could get killed over this!

But her feet started walking and before she knew it, she was standing next to him on the bridge, leaning back, eyes wandering over the water with veiled ease.

"Wasn't sure you'd come," he told her.

"Are you callin' me a coward, ‘bozzo?" she asked, turning toward him with a lifted brow.

He grinned. "You're the farthest thing from a coward." He shook his head. "Just didn't think you'd ever give in to me."

"Let's get one thing, straight. I ain't givin' in. I'm simply meeting you on a bridge late at night because I have an incredibly curious nature." She lifted a shoulder, crossing her arms over her chest.

He smiled, nodding before he took a long drag of his cigarette and then tossed it into the river. He held out a hand for her, licking his lips. "You wanna take a walk with me, Callie? Sate that curiosity of yours."

She swallowed tightly before putting her hand in his, feeling a warmth spread through her body. He turned them toward the park on the other side of the bridge and started walking, their hands entwined between them. She felt his thumb stroking her palm and shivered, blaming it on the breeze. The moon was high and the streets were vacant. She wondered how many times she'd thought of moments like this when she was a little girl, wishing life could be just a little different.

"You didn't have any trouble getting out?" he asked.

She shrugged. "I've done it a few times before. Pretty easy, really. Pops was busy with a few... clients." She frowned, licking her lips. "Long as I'm back before morning, he won't even notice I left." She glanced up at him. "What about you? Your brother gonna notice you haven't come back yet?"

He shrugged. "Probably thinks I'm out with some flapper gettin' fresh."

She snorted, rolling her eyes. "I haven't ever seen you with a girl, ‘bozzo."

"Too busy chasin' you," he replied, voice deep. He looked over at her but she refused to give in and look at him, she knew she'd get caught up in that gaze of his and lose herself entirely. "You'd think after nearly a decade, you'd know I only wanted you."

"And I'd think after a decade you would get fed up with all your chasin' and no reward," she replied, brows lifting.

He chuckled. "There was a reward. Long time comin', but it was..." He nodded, hand squeezing hers. "You ever kissed anybody before then, Callie V?"

She felt a flush at her cheeks and cleared her throat. "You think anybody could get past Vinny?" she replied.

"I think if you wanted to kiss somebody, you would'a done it. You got your ways. You're just as sneaky as you need to be." His fingers shifted in hers, caressing her hand. "I think you were waitin' for the right moment, right guy..."

"And that's you?" She lifted a brow, turning her head to look up at him. "That confidence of yours never dulls."

He smirked. "Took me ten years to get here... I think I'm derservin' of a little arrogance."

She rolled her eyes, turning to look forward once more, eyes wandering over the shadowed trees that lined the path they were following. "Gonna take you another ten, you don't quit with it."

He laughed. "That's why I like you. You're outspoken and quick and..." He stopped, tugging on her hand until she turned to face him. "I liked you when you were just a little girl in pigtails with a scowl that was supposed to make everybody leave you alone. You didn't want them gettin' close ‘cause you knew what your pops was capable of. You put up this wall, tryin' to keep me and every other kid from gettin' to know the real you. But you were so... nice when you let it down. You have this kind heart, Callie. Like when you tried to save that chipmunk that'd been mangled up real bad. Or when you beat up Joey Hicks ‘cause he was pickin' on one of the younger kids." He smiled. "You ain't never been afraid to take on the world and the you I know... The you that shared her lunch with the kids who didn't have any. Who stole my cookie from me when she realized it had peanuts in it... Who thought more of my life than her own for the last ten years... That is the girl I have been chasin' after all this time. That is the girl that keeps me awake all night, hopin' she might just talk to me a little longer; might just smile at me one of her infamous Callie V grins."

She tried to look away, tried to act indifferent, but she couldn't. "You're gettin' in way over your head, ‘bozzo," she murmured.

"Maybe you're worth it." His hand tightened in hers and she found herself leaning in, stepping closer. His fingers stroked her hair from her face, tracing her cheek. "I know you're worth it." When his lips met hers again, she realized there wasn't any going back.

For the next few weeks, she snuck out her window pretty much every single night. She'd meet him on the bridge and they'd go for a walk or she'd jump her fence to find him sitting in his car, waiting for her and she'd hop in the passenger seat. She found redemption with him; the ability to speak about all that was happening in her house without feeling like he might prosecute her for her pop's doings. He lived the life but he didn't want to, just like her. They had familial obligations, but they wanted nothing more than to walk away from all things mob-related. Even if they were poor and just livin' in a little shack of a place, they didn't care. It didn't feel right. Knowing that good people were gettin' killed so their families could live off their blood money. She believed in right and wrong; that justice should be served, even to those who think they're above the law. She couldn't count how many times her dad got out of prison time because of a mistrial, forced by him and his boys leanin' on the jury or the judge.

Ollie was the same. His brother was a bloodthirsty gangster that didn't so much as flinch when he slit the throat of a child or a mother or a whole family. He admitted he couldn't believe he was related to Frank sometimes; they were just so different. But Ollie couldn't say anything, couldn't do anything, because he knew his brother would turn on him too. And if he had nothin' else to live for, he had her. He loved his brother, he was all he had left out of his family, but he wasn't a killer. He'd never pulled the trigged on an innocent, never gutted anybody until they bled out on the floor. He was the good brother; the man who was forced to stand by and watch, repulsed by what he saw. He played the image well, kept it up for the people to see, but he was a good man when he wasn't standing next to Frank. He was funny and kind and downright charming.

Some nights, they'd just lie on the hood of his car and stare at the stars. She'd cuddle up to his chest, arms around his waist and head tucked under his chin. As the weeks passed, their kissing led into petting and she found herself frustrated by all that was and all that wasn't. She loved the feel of his hands touching her, but it was always over her clothes. He kissed her neck, her face, even her fingertips, but she wanted more. She'd fallen for him, hard, and while she knew that one of these days it was all going to end, she wanted to experience the most with him. She pushed the notions that eventually they'd have to part right out of her head and she let herself be swept away by the heat that flared up between them from the smallest of touches or the briefest of looks.

One night started just like it had any other for the last few weeks. She escaped through her window, crouched as she ran across the lawn, hopped the fence and walked down just a little to find him sitting in his car, waiting for her. They drove out to the park, cutting the engine in a secluded place shrouded by trees. Not many came to the park this late, probably wasn't safe, she supposed. Being the daughter of a mob boss and currently sitting with the brother of another gangster, she wasn't so scared though. Instead of getting out of the car, she slid into the backseat, tugging on his arm until he did the same.

She lifted her hand, traced odd little shapes on the ceiling as she lost herself in her head.

"I'm thinkin' we should leave town," he told her, voice deeper than usual.

She turned her head, lifting a brow. "Yeah? Where you think we should go? ‘Cause the arms of the mob reach far, Ollie and the second they realize we're together, they ain't gonna be pullin' us back for no congratulations."

He frowned. "So we go farther." He lifted a shoulder. "Can't do this anymore, Callie. He killed his best friend yesterday. Terry Two Fingers is currently being "disposed" of as we speak." He swallowed tightly. "I knew Terry since I was like five. He was practically a brother to me. And he was a good guy. Maybe a little crooked, but he was good." He licked his lips. "Frank kills too easily. Kill a man for lookin' at him the wrong way. I knew this, always have, but... But Terry? I mean that's..." He sighed, lifting a hand to rub at his face. "How long before he starts lookin' at me, starts wonderin' why I'm not pullin' any triggers or buryin' any bodies."

"So you wanna run... We run, they'll chase us. Nobody turns their back on the mob, Ollie. Especially family." She bit her lip. "We go, we're dead."

"We stay, we're dead," he replied.

She closed her eyes, wished there was an easy answer, but there wasn't one. She felt his hand on her cheek, fingers stroking gently. Her breath left her slowly and her eyes reopened to look at him. He gave away so much through his eyes. "It's worth it, right?"

His fingers traced the plains of her face, the bridge of her nose, the curve of her lips. "Very worth it."

( Read Second Half... )