A/N: Once again, thank you for reviewing and reading. It makes my date to see each and every comment.

The first part of this chapter is more on Jack's mission, and the second is Kick on a date.

Of course, his honeymoon stage with Kim didn't mean he could slack off on his mission. His search through Sapere's system proved two things to him: one, his father either was planning something similar or expected that Jack would be on this path, because there was a lot of crumbs left for Jack to connect the dots; and two, the Bruneri was not only the old-fashion crime family he kept tabs on. Specifically, his father began search into their financial operations. Already Jack knew that the Cosa Nostra made an astounding amount of money in Europe and Americas, however none of its Caporegime (captains or capo) kept their money in cash of whatever country they made the deal in. Most of their profits ended up in dollars and in bank accounts in countries with more stable economies.

As far as Jack could tell, the Bruneri family provided a place for most of its capos to store their money outside of watchful eyes of the governments. That meant money laundering. The concept was obvious enough, but money laundering was inherently complicated. If it was simple than the government would figure it out and stop it. He read enough books on organized crime and kept his eye for any news stories about such and knew an anecdote about one Harvard economics professor went to prison for laundering over thirty million dollars of drug money from Colombia. The amount of cash alone was impressive, but he did also manage to switch it from pesos to dollars while avoiding Colombia's taxes on currency exchange, which per the article was also a pretty cool trick.

If Massimo was the Boss, then there had to be an Underboss and a Consiglieri. It would be the latter one, who'd most likely be in charge of the financial aspects. So, Jack focused on trying to figure out the structure in the Bruneri clan. Of course, all this laundering had to be done through the legitimate part of the Bruneri business. That was how Jack stumbled on their relatively new office of high frequency trading. Jack didn't exactly lie, when he told Chuck about his interest in finance. He had a natural inclination for it. Numbers made sense to him, especially if it was money. So, he understood the principles behind high-frequency trading—letting a computer algorithm buy and sell a stock faster than a human could comprehend for a profit that was a fraction of a cent. Repeat that enough times and there was incredible money to be made. Milton told him of the lucrative careers to be had for any computer nerd: banks and hedge funds that made their money making those trades needed computer science wizards —not only to write those algorithms but also because a piece of rogue code in their systems could wreak havoc and cost millions if not billions of dollars.

So, Bruneris must have used the high-frequency trading to hide moving that much cash. It made sense, the Cosa Nostra's power had always been partly tied to an ability to move wealth and assets without the government's notice. Bruneris must be trying to use the new ways of accomplishing that. So, it would seem that Massimo Bruneri was trying to run his own hedge fund with the criminal money.

Given Caio's age, he probably was working on his capo rank with the intent to eventually take over. But the position was not exactly inherited, it had to be earned and Caio would have to prove himself so that no other person in the syndicate could challenge him.

His father also kept tabs on other parts of the Cosa Nostra: their internet histories and phone logs. In would seem that dad wanted material that would provide him with leverage. It was as if dad was concerned that even Bruneri's rivals would come looking for him. So, there were some neat folders with compromising materials on many people of the East Coast families. Jack was now inclined to think that dad was a capo in the Bruneri family and happened to cross a lot of people. Capos were the money makers and enforcers and they could become powerful enough to supplant the boss himself. Was his dad one of the capos, who got too powerful? Was this why he fled for his life with mom? It might explain the constant fear of retribution, but not the amount of money they had. The money meant that dad could have been a consigliere and when he fled, he took the money with him. That definitely explained the continuous attempts on dad's life.

That changed things for him. He was somewhat shielded right now, because any search on the Brewer family would come up very skinny on facts. The police, at the suggestion of Jack's family lawyers and because of Jack's age, agreed to keep the details of the home invasion out of the newspapers. So now if anybody searched for the Brewer family history they will only come up with the references to the house sales as well as records of Jack's emancipation at sixteen. After that, there was very little mention of Jack and the fact that he lived with Milton's family was known to judge and school, but was sealed in court records. Sapere Solutions itself was a limited liability partnership, where Jack's portion was held by a holding company, which was also held by a holding company ultimately registered in Cayman Islands.

Maybe the direct physical assault could wait. Jack wasn't overconfident, but one on one, he could hold his own. The question was gaining access to either Bruneri man. He would have to spent enough time following them to get at either without their bodyguards. Otherwise, the brute force would see him dead sooner than you could say 'cazzo.' So, tracking and getting them alone would be the best approach. That would take time.

The dismantling of their little empire could be satisfying on its own and he could set up some of the Bruneri rivals as patsies for his actions. He could do what he did here, only on a different coast and slightly larger scale. With any luck, he could cause enough skirmishes among the families to make them bleed. He could accomplish a lot behind the computer screen and diminish their power considerably and, when they were weakened, he could strike.

And this approach allowed him to continue to live his life as it was a little longer. He could go to college and continue relationships with the few people in his life.

He could stay and date Kim for a bit longer.

It was time for the LA trip to the orchestra performance and he intended this to be a fancy date. He didn't know for sure, but decided to go relatively formal for the performance. Dark gray suit with subtle pinstripes he had tailored for the Christmas party Sapere Solutions hosted each year. As the owner, if not the manager, of the company he was expected to be there. He'd say it was a waste of time and suits had to be purchased each year as he grew, but now he didn't complain. Light purple shirt and a tie with purple and silver paisleys completed his look. He hesitated and grabbed a simple white shirt with an even simpler silk black tie. In case they clashed too much, he'd be ready to change.

There was another reason for him to dress up. Kim mentioned that her parents would want to know who she was going to the concert with. He didn't exactly look forward to it, but it was important and, ironically, also part of the normal dating. So, he came in with enough time to be grilled by her parents and made sure to look as presentable as possible.

The meeting was stilted at best. Her dad was not as he expected. Chuck Crawford was a tall lean man, who obviously has kept up in shape. He looked Jack up and down in a very deliberate manner and had shook Jack's hand firmly, a handshake not exactly challenging, but also not weak. Kim's mother, Elizabeth, was a good-looking woman, whom Kim resembled a little. Her eyes lingered on the suit and he figured she knew expensive clothes when she saw them.

The conversation, while they waited for Kim to come down, was essentially a polite interrogation. Jack didn't want to fall into some deep discussion or uncomfortable silences, so when asked about his parents and what they did, he told them in a terse tone that his parents were gone and he lived with his guardians. It was a right move if only because it made the Crawfords uneasy enough to drop the subject. They obviously knew that we went to Swarthmore and Kim's mother was especially interested in the curriculum. He laughed internally. Milton would be best suited for this kind of topic, but Jack had some social skills drilled into him by his mom and necessary at the annual events at Sapere Solutions. He talked in general terms that the athletic program was on par with academic (not exactly true), that his interests lied in computer science and finance (true enough), that he planned to attend college on East Coast to pursue further education (remained to be seen.)

And then Kim came down and she looked beautiful. Her dress was very pale silvery pink that had silver roses embossed throughout. The style, if he had to guess, was a little like 50-s vintage with the full skirt and fitted top that had a modest V-neck in the front. She had silver accessories on and heels that were higher that he'd seen on her. Her hair was half-up, half-down and altogether she looked incredible. Jack was aware that he stared dumbly, but couldn't help himself. Finally, when she blushed, he recovered his wits.

"You are very beautiful, Kim," he said sincerely and she returned the compliment. Her mother cooed over how well they looked together and made them stand to take a picture. It was better than mildly hostile looks of Kim's father and Jack went along. It was when they were walking to the car and Chuck followed them out to remind them of the curfew - which made Kim so uncomfortable she actually hissed an embarrassed Dad - that Chuck lost his cool demeanor.

Jack brought his car and it was clear that Chuck was impressed. All black Alfa-Romeo 4C Spider was parked near their house and it looked slightly incongruous in the middle-class family neighborhood. It was his father's. The car was ridiculously expensive and overpowered, being a sports car and all, but it was beautiful and his dad bought it as a gift to himself. When his parents were gone, Jack let go of the house and most of the belongings, which his lawyers sold at the estate sale. But this car - he held on to it. Of course, Jack had another car that he used for most of the driving and he had his bikes that got him places, but this black Spider was one of the few things from his parents that he cherished.

"Is this- No, it's a little older-" Chuck muttered as he stared at the car.

"It's 2013 model, so not the newest and... It was my father's," he didn't expect to blurt that part out, but Chuck looked at him with some sort of understanding and Kim... Well, she gave him a sideways hug in that unassuming way of hers and Jack relaxed a little.

"Just- Don't get cocky and drive like it's a race track? I expect Kim to get home without accidents," Chuck said in warning.

"I have never had a speeding or a parking ticket," Jack said simply. It was partially true. He never had tickets on record, because he and Milton took care to vanish them.

Chuck only grumbled and gave him another heavy look, although it was somewhat tempered. Jack figured that his orphan status had something to do with it.

"I really appreciate that you brought me here," Kim said gently as they sat in their seats. "I'm sure it's not exactly your cup of tea..."

"Yes and no," Jack felt the need to explain. "I probably can't appreciate the music like you do, obviously, but- My mom used to take me to these cultural events. She mostly liked the experience of the special event, the decorum that went with them. If I had to guess, she probably loved ballet and opera the most. So, she would take me with her and at first I really didn't like it. Like, at all. But once I understood that she was trying to give me something different from what my dad was teaching me, that she enjoyed those moments of us being together, I stopped being grouchy and I'd say that now I like it too. Because it is always beautiful, and people are talented, and because I can remember mom..."

He stopped talking, having unexpectedly opened up in a public place made him a little uncomfortable, but Kim squeezed his hand and briefly kissed his cheek. It was enough for his emotions to settle. "So, is there a favorite composer for you?"

"Impossible to choose one. It's like choosing a favorite book..."

"Ok, what about favorite opera?" he wanted to move the conversation.

"Tosca," Kim said, when Jack's gaze began to dart around the milieu of people, scouring for possible threats, "It is a work of such magnificence, even among the catalogue of great opera." Jack's attention turned to Kim as soon as she continued to speak. "It is a thorough-composed work combining the best of Wagnerian compositional techniques with a raw power that is unparalleled. And the subject matter depicts one of the most chaotic moments in Italian history, and presents a portrayal of anger, betrayal, passion, envy, ambition, and self-sacrifice in their purest forms."

Jack nodded pensively, "The very best and worst in human nature."

Kim gave her gentlest of smiles, "And in the human capacity for love."

Jack nodded, falling into thought, and reached for his playbill, "So, I'll rely on you to tell me which part to pay attention to, since you're an expert."

Kim looked at him again with that heady mixture of passive surprise and scrutinizing curiosity, but then a swell of applause rose from the assembled crowd; the conductor was taking the stand. Kim's attention snapped away, and they dutifully joined in politely applauding.

Kim's gaze was glued to the stage almost immediately as the orchestra tuned the instruments. Jack though couldn't relax quite that easily and his roving eye soon were checking the crowd, the hall, and any and all activity. Kim leaned back towards him and gave a brief history of the orchestra, pitching her voice low enough that Jack had to lean in as well.

The applause died and the conductor began; rich, lively music sprang into being under the steady beat of a baton. As the first act progressed, Jack occasionally glanced over the crowd in almost automatic move, but Kim seemed entranced. Her eyes never left the stage and they had gained a hazy quality that only deepened as the act went on. She was absorbed in music and he noticed her fingertips, resting against the armrest, were tapping along with the orchestra.

When the first intermission was reached, Jack had to put a hand on Kim's shoulder to rouse her from her reverie, reluctant though he was to do so. He let the touch last as long as he could, using the opportunity to linger while he asked Kim if she wanted anything to drink. Kim's pupils were blown back and the far-off look in them was slow to leave. When he returned, Kim had recovered herself; there was an element of chagrin to the plastered-on smile as she thanked for the drink. The musicians were returning to the stage and Jack turned his attention to them. Not for the first time he wondered at the contrast between his life up to this point - harsh and bleak and tinged with violence - with the beautiful girl next to him and the richness of its settings and the music. He could feel Kim's eyes casting occasional lingering glances at him, so he paid more attention to the musicians and until Kim turned her full attention to music. This gave him an opportunity to stare at Kim without her getting self-conscious. Her face was like a book, each note elicited emotions, and it was mesmerizing to watch.

The end of the act came too quickly, though Jack had the gratification of watching Kim softly exhale with every hushed swell of quiet, reverent music as it ended. She turned to him with shining eyes and he honestly thought that the experience was so much better for him than usual, because Kim's reactions were making the music and performance more meaningful. They exited for another break, sipping a little champagne that Jack bought for them. He asked her about the composer and a delighted Kim easily talked about his music and the finer points of the composition, leaning into the explanation with a hand on his arm. Jack had to ask quiet questions when he didn't understand something, which was often, but Jack was looking forward to the last act by the time the conductor made his final appearance.

This time, when the pervasive sway of the score had captured Kim's attention, Jack angled his body toward her and lost himself to the music, his eyes taking in the rapturous expression on Kim's face. The euphoria there grew incrementally through the short but potent pieces. Kim seemed to know most of it, and he saw her eyes falling shut only to jump open again at the final surge of sound, like the music was commanding her body. He, too, was taken with the music and her expression.

He could not remember the last he was less than hyper-focused on his surroundings in a public place. It was... nice to not scout for danger every single moment.

The brisk night air seemed to return words to Kim; they were only approaching the street when Kim cleared her throat softly and broke into the deep well of silence between them, "That was incredible. Thank you for taking me."

Jack spent a moment taking in the expression Kim wore: earnest, serene, deeply moved. "It was my pleasure," Jack said, and meant it.

They fell back into silence then, as they tracked back their route to the car, but the atmosphere between them had shifted; the glances and brushes they shared gained an element of physical awareness that was muted this whole evening.

When they turned the final corner and Jack's cat came into view, Kim let out a soft huff of laughter. Jack turned toward her inquisitively, and Kim met him with the sheepish smile, "Sorry, it's just- It's odd, coming back. I might sound weird, but music- performances- they transport me and things feel different now, like it's all shifted a little. And coming back, to find the real world the same as we left it, not three hours ago- just as it was. Unaffected."

Jack smiled back at her, remembering how we felt after the short interaction with her when he came to thank her. He, too, felt different.

"I get it, Kim. And I can honestly tell you that this time the music transported me too."

He paused for half a beat and leaned in to press a small kiss to her slightly-chilled lips. Kim lifted herself a little to press back and the kiss was brief. When they separated, her eyes assessing, Jack raised the arm not loosely circled by Kim's fingers to run through the soft curls up her back to her neck, and reeled her in again, tilting her head so he could kiss her more firmly.

The moment lasted longer than Jack had intended, as he was unable to keep from savoring the gentle, knowing pressure of Kim's lips against his own, nor the way Kim's lips parted slightly when her head tipped further to the side.

When he did pull back, Kim's eyes were brightened with a dark heat that sent frissons down Jack's fingers. "You are welcome," he said quietly.

A teasing smile, one that was unaccustomed to, played on Kim's lips. "Let's get in the car," she said, in a bright, confident tone. "It's a long ride home. If you drive fast and get to Seaford before my curfew, we can make out in this super-duper awesome car."

Jack's eyes narrowed and in response he placed his hands on Kim's hips and give her a firm push in the direction of the passenger's door.

Kim laughed and complied.

The drive back to Seaford was both like and unlike the drive to LA. It was spent in intermittent silence, with Kim looking mostly out the window, but every now and then Jack was aware of an intent gaze resting on him. She was usually so hesitant to start things herself that now he felt her eyes on him like it was a physical thing. His body reacted to it and he raced home well above speed limits, his car complying with his wishes, and anticipated the promised make-out.

He was very glad he took her to this concert. He might have to do more of this musical events: they put Kim in a good mood.