The awkward shuffle of feet and whispering of prayers haunted the huge chapel Antonio walked out of. He assumed the worst when he walked in, reporting no progress with Lovina to Sadiq. He explained what he had done; how he tried to charm her, sweet talk her. But nothing had worked.
But Sadiq had just laughed. Apparently, it was foolish of Antonio to think she could be won over like any other person in this world. Antonio frowned as he walked down the street and reevaluated his approach.
She was a woman. Lovina should be eager to find a charming man who could provide for her. Antonio had an excess of both charm and wealth, but she hated him. Sadiq suggested to show her he was different. Different how? Antonio groaned in frustration. What made him different? More importantly, how could he make himself appear different.
Antonio pondered his motives for a moment. He was more than willing to admit he was intrigued by the woman who could out run and take down an extremely intimidating officer who also had some connection to a group of children.
But that wasn't it. Lovina wasn't ordinary or boring. She was, in the most exhilarating way, dangerous. She danced in the streets and wasn't afraid of any man she encountered and she had a tongue like a whip, harsh and ready to snap at anyone in her way. That was Antonio's kind of woman.
It really was a shame she was a lowly criminal.
(-)
Lili knew better than this. She knew better than to wander off but she couldn't stop herself. She swore she saw green eyes and blonde hair that matched her own and she had to find out if her eyes were playing tricks on her. She didn't know who she was hunting down, but she just…knew him. she had seen him in both dreams and nightmares, but she knew he was special. And she knew he was good, because no matter what he tried to protect her whenever she saw him.
After chasing the man around for far too long, Lili realized she had been mistaken. She also realized she was lost. It was almost impossible for a small child to find her bearings in a crowded street where she coud hardly look past the strangers that occupied it. Lili was bumped and shoved as people passed by while she tried to figure out where exactly she was.
It was all so overwhelming and she could feel the lump in her throat rising. All she wanted was that man, her wonderful big brother to rescue her like he always did. Lili bumped into one last person before falling back and letting the tears flow.
"I'm sorry!" she whimpered, rubbing her eyes. Lili looked up and didn't feel so scared anymore. The man wasn't her big brother, but at least he was a familiar face.
Antonio knelt by her, ignoring other rude passersby's and helped her stand. "Do not apologize, Lili, It was entirely my fault" he chuckled with a small bow. Lili gulped and looked around anxiously.
"Mr. Antonio? I…I got lost…" she admitted as she hung her head shamefully. Lovina would be so mad and Feliks and Tori were probably worried. Antonio shook his head and gently took her tiny hand in his own.
"Don't worry, belleza. We'll find your way" he assured her as he led her along. Lili smiled and nodded as she looked around, trying to find someone she knew. Antonio glanced back as she began to drag her feet. She was tired from all that aimless running around.
Antonio chuckled before turning an offering a ride on his back. Lili coyly accepted and giggled as she climbed on. Now she didn't have to walk and she could finally see!
"So tell me Lili" Antonio started as he trotted along. Damn, she was light. "How do you know Lovina?" he asked as politely as possible. He felt kind of bad using a child for information, but he was doing the girl no harm.
"Well, Lovina took me in. She has a whole bunch of people that follow her!" she replied eagerly. Antonio cocked an eyebrow as he continued to carry her. Maybe this child would be helpful after all.
"Do you like Lovina, Antonio?" Lili sighed. Antonio cleared his throat and bounced her up. "Sure, she's wonderful" he replied a bit dryly. Lili didn't pick up on his tone. Instead, she scooted up to his shoulders and pointed ahead.
"There she is!" she cheered, relieved to finally spot one of her own. Antonio followed the young girl's finger and found Lovina dragging to large teens by the ears. This made more sense. They looked like they would be much more useful than children such as Lili.
(-)
Matthew whimpered as Lovina glared at him and his brother. This was all Alfred's fault, he didn't do anything!
"If I ever catch you catcalling a girl again, I will chop your cazzo off! Understand?!" she hissed. Alfred pouted and crossed his arms.
"I was not 'catcalling'! I was just telling Alice she looked awesome today!" he whined. Lovina rolled her eyes and copied his stance.
"Okay, Gilbert. You embarrassed the poor girl and encouraged others to take it farther" she snapped. But Alfred refused to back down.
"Come on Lovina! It's not like that! I really like her!" he protested. Lovina stepped closer, and though the teen was taller by almost a head, she sure as hell stared him down. "Then don't yell something about her figure across the street!" she hissed.
Lovina groaned and faced Matthew. "You're supposed to be making sure he doesn't pull stupid shit like that" she sighed. Matthew shrugged and glanced down at the ground. "I try really hard" he sighed. Matthew jumped when he felt someone smack his back side.
"Give Birdie a break, Lov" Gilbert groaned from behind. Matthew gulped when he felt a stronger arm drape across his shoulders. "Mattie would never belittle a woman, would he?" Gilbert chuckled as he pulled Matthew closer. The way he blushed made Gilbert's stomach flip.
"I don't think he'd be staring at one either" Gilbert whispered into Matthew's ear. "I know my Birdie only has eyes for me" he cooed, completely ignoring and forgetting the irate Italian and the brother in front of him.
Lovina pulled Matthew away and shoved him into Alfred before glaring at Gilbert, whose eyes stayed locked on his little Birdie. "Stay away from him, Gilbert" she hissed as she backed him into a wall. "I'm not kidding; he's just a kid" she added menacingly.
Gilbert laughed and smirked. "Birdie's hardly a kid anymore, Lov. Worried you won't be able to order him around for much longer?" he cackled. Lovina narrowed her eyes further and jabbed him in the chest.
"If you hurt him I swear to god, you will lose your favorite body part, Gilbert" she warned. "Leave him alone." Gilbert frowned and stepped forward, not liking the feeling of being cornered. "I'm not going to hurt him, jeez, how bad do you think I am" he pouted as he brushed past her.
"Anyways, gotta run. If they catch me here without arresting you, I'm in deep shit. See ya Lov." Gilbert stopped and smirked when he met Matthew. He'd back off in a heartbeat if Matthew really didn't want him around. But Gilbert saw that look of want in the younger man's eyes.
"Bye bye, Birdie" he chuckled as he continued down the street. Alfred frowned when his brother watched the albino go. Before he could comment, he was cut off by a harsh shout.
"Lili?!" Lovina yelled when she saw the little girl on that bastard's shoulders. Lili just giggled and waved as Antonio smirked. Lovina immediately ran up to the two, intent on ripping the Spaniard's throat out. Lili laughed and trotted over to Lovina before hugging her legs.
"I got lost and Antonio helped me!" she cheered, clearly adoring her rescuer. Lovina shot her eyes back up at Antonio. If looks could kill…
Antonio cleared his throat and cautiously stepped forward. He had to treat Lovina like what she was; a dog. He had been the one to close all the gaps, to make the first move. But he knew now he had to hold out his hand and let her examine it until she trusted him.
Because sooner or later, all dogs become submissive.
I know Antonio's an asshole, but I promise he gets better. And at this point, he has some form of admiration for Lovina. You'll see, he'll come around. AND MATTHEW ISN'T A LITTLE KID I PROMISE THAT WOULD BE SO WEIRD HE'S NOT EVEN THAT MUCH YOUNGER THAN LOVI I SWEAR.
