Chapter XI

Michael took a long, deep drag of his cigarette. It had been something his brain had been craving for quite sometime after the last few days. Stress had no description beyond his normal process. Spending a short time alone at Mirror Park was his best escape seeing his current circumstance.

While Sasha had a cheerfully somber reunion with her Grandfather: Tommy Vercetti, Michael felt his head spin. The reality of the situation gave weight. At least Tommy had a reunion with his Granddaughter. Even nice enough to formally introduce himself to Michael. Gratitude went for miles. From Michael's understanding of Tommy... perhaps it had been a godsend.

What could Michael do as an involved, concerning party? He was in too deep at this point. Tommy shook his hand, knowing well that given the situation. Michael was really the best person a Vercetti could ask for. "I can't express my thanks more than what you've had to place up with when dealing with Sasha. One hell of a bullshark you are. I apologize for her behalf seeing what kind of... troubling attention she draws."

As Tommy's words echoed in the back of Michael's head. The more he just wanted to disappear, but he bore a responsibility. Not only for himself, but an obligation to the woman who had saved him that fateful night. He took another deep drag of his cigarette, closing his eyes to now access his insecurities. Officially being hired has Sasha's Bodyguard meant he needed to take better action against those who might see her as a target.

What would Amanda say about all this? His kids? This wasn't just a job opportunity. If this was to become a full fledged career. That's what made his anxiety shoot through the roof. Several intensive thoughts had Michael sink further into the park bench he settled upon. The dire truth was that business had been discussed. Proper payment situated and an approaching date that were to ultimately test his skills. Tommy Vercetti most definitely knew how to persuade a crowd.

"Hey. There you are. I've been trying to find you. I was wondering where you disappeared. You had me worried." Michael's concentration had been cut short, now seeing Sasha to his left. "I'm sorry in advance if my Grandfather makes an overwhelming presence. I'm guessing he shared with you the details of the dinner party?"

"Yeah. For you I work as an inside man. Disguise myself as one of Aldrick's Henchmen. That shouldn't be too difficult." Michael explained. "I've had Lester set up a time to meet Crawford. I'll be at his office shortly. I've been unable to process everything. Existential dread couldn't top my train-wreck of thoughts that convince me that I should... well..."

"You taking the risk means more to me than anything in the world, Michael. You're being too hard on yourself." Sasha joined Michael on the bench, nesting her face into the left side of his neck. "I should be the one grateful for having you drop into my life when I need someone the most. When..." Her eyes drifted towards up towards him. "Tommy won't regret hiring you. I know this from our personal experience."

Michael rejected Sasha's notion towards him. "Oh, please. Knowing my own past. I firmly believe I'm not worth being the good guy."

Sasha could feel Michael slipping away. She had forced his face into her sight. Inching closer, she nuzzled Michael's cheek, giving him a light kiss. He jerked away from her touch. Getting to his feet and wishing not to be associated at best. In public, where people could gossip? "Not here, Sasha. Never here. We can't be seen in an intimate situation until after everything... especially with Alrick concludes."

"I-I'm sorry. I shouldn't have-"

"No, Sasha. It was a personal request from Tommy. I would like to respect his wishes."

Sasha could read his irritation through his voice. "That right. I'm a moron. Forgive me." She took an extra step, straightening out his suit and brushing it down. "You should get your business done with Crawford. I'll be anticipating your return until then."

Playing hard to get, Michael had watched Sasha depart towards the Diamond Casino. Taking the final drag of his cigarette, he had dowsed it by crushing it under his toes. Walking along until he got into his Obey Tailgater, Michael shuffled into his driver side.

Adjusting his rear-view mirror, hearing his phone ring and the number that displayed received an immediate answer. "You're stubborn, Michael. Anyone ever remind you of that?"

Michael had internally rolled his eyes. "Nice comeback. You just think of that one?" He gave a slight smirk. "Don't stress, darling. We're golden. I just need to respect boundaries knowing Tommy would sooner have my head." Michael had rubbed his face with his left hand. "Just as long as Crawford doesn't discover that I'm involved with the Vercetti Family while in public view. We're gonna need to be more... discreet."

"Fine, fine." Sasha agreed on the other end of the line. "Just... return to us safe... got me?"

The phrase of her sentence stalled him for a moment. "Darlin', my job as your bodyguard is to assure you stay safe. Even if that means I have to get a little dirty. Need I remind you that without you I would have died myself? There's a clear complex between us. If I had to explain our relationship? Others would gossip. We'll just have to deal and do our best."

"Thank you, Michael. My words aren't enough to express my gratitude."

"I can't promise you anything. Just what I was hired to situate."

Everything had been set into motion. There had been no negotiation or reconsideration seeing how much Tommy had offered Michael for the job of keeping Sasha safe. It was easily three times more than what Crawford offered for Marston's Legacy in the long run.

"I appreciate it, Michael. Now go kick ass and take names." Sasha spoke while hanging the line.

Before pulling out of his parking spot, Michael then gave a courteous call to Lester. "I was wondering when you were going to call back. You playing bodyguard. Have you even gave it consideration? Never thought you as the type, Michael."

Michael had placed his phone on his car's dash so that he might focus on the road ahead and continue his conversation with Lester. "Knowing you, Lester? You've done your research about the Vercetti family, right? Then you know how much wealth they collect. I'm sure Tommy makes more than I breathe in stocks in a day. What's that saying people repeat? That there are no coincidences in life?"

"You're a tough cookie to crumble sometimes, Michael. Very well. Play your cards and I'll inform Trevor and Franklin. Doesn't hurt to have a few precautions in place knowing you. Good Luck, Michael. You're going to need it."

Having hung up, Michael pulled into the parking lot of Aldrick Crawford's office. Climbing the stairs he opened the glass doors to see a familiar face of Crawford's Employees. His secretary took a moment finishing up whatever she had been tying and gave an acknowledgement to Michael's arrival.

Aldrick's Secretary paged Crawford. "Excuse me, sir? Your three o'clock is here to see you. Should I send him through?"

With confirmation on Crawford's end, his secretary opened the main double doors to Crawford's Main Office. Tensions easily rose as Crawford poured himself and Michael glasses of scotch. His right hand extending a welcome to Michael. "You did well considering of my proposal. Do we have a deal?"

Michael had downed the scotch, sitting down in one of the chairs of Crawford's lounge area. "However... I'm gonna need ask double for the retrieval of those weaponry."

"All right. Now I'm starting to understand." Crawford examined, sitting across from Michael. "Haggling is usually has a good sign between us. What price were you thinking?"

"Double." Michael answered sternly.

Aldrick let out an amused laugh. "How about Three-Five and we have a deal?"

"With the security inside the Diamond? Buddy. You're playing me like a fiddle."

"You can take it or leave it, Mr. DeSanta."

"You better not get smart with me, Aldrick. Now. Should we discuss further business?"

"It wouldn't hurt I suppose. I already have somewhat of a constructed plan, but let's hear your side of things."

Crawford gleefully sat across from Michael, revealing floor-plans of the Diamond Casino. There would be no second guess how Aldrick would be capable of accessing. Slowly observing and giving little feedback could help Michael seem more believable when coming together to solve the solution between scenarios.

Working both as Aldrick's Henchman all the while being Sasha's Bodyguard made him feel more so like a double agent for the FIB. What results could be achieved? With everything in Michael's disposal. He kept his mouth such and allowed Aldrick to flap his gums. The more information. The better he could plan.

Crawford had happily said that him and Michael would meet at the Casino. Posing as one of his henchmen. Case the joint. Have some drinks on the side and butter up the party guests. Michael knew there wasn't any satisfaction grabbing anything of worth or value. Knowing his time spent with Sasha. Sure, even if he never worked for Tommy there might have been values.

On the other hand, Sasha kept practical. Lance's Family Heirlooms had been the only prized possession that might have sold for a pretty penny. Aldrick had planned the robbery during the Casino's dead hours. Where human foot traffic weren't as frequent. Keeping all this information mentally would be a challenge, but with fresh instructions it would be of value to Tommy.

Distracted, Michael's thoughts lingered on Sasha. When would he be discovered as her bodyguard? It would place them both at risk. Only time would tell.

"Sasha. Enough. You don't have to lie to me. I know that you're drinking. Heavily might I add. It's very... unlikely of you. You've also hidden from the world. It's aggravating. Michael DeSanta just might be my greatest ally and advantage to make sure you keep safe." Tommy spoke to his granddaughter, slowly stirring creamer into his coffee. "It took longer than expected to locate you on our radar when you dropped off the map. Marcello had been quite frantic after Lance's death. What the hell were you thinking?"

Sasha gave off her obvious signs of stress. Tommy's annoyance had been well justified. Leaning into her left hand, she took her liberties at stirring sugar into her own mug. "I'm sorry, Grandfather. I should have told you at the very least. I just couldn't bear with the news. I had to sort things out by myself."

"I already know you are mentally ill, Sasha. You're typically the first one on my radar because of your unstable nature. You're a beautiful human being. Convincing where I need to get work done. If it weren't for your intrusive thoughts-" Tommy had stopped Sasha's nervous stirring, grasping her right hand. This was enough to gain her attention. "Michael bluntly explained that Aldrick as been allured by your charm. Is his inappropriate behavior getting worse?"

"I- He- Aldrick." Sasha tempted to sort out with a tied tongue. "Long story, short... Aldrick wants me to get into the family business so that we might make grand dec-"

"Crawford didn't fuck you did he?" Sasha blinked at Tommy's blunt question.

An anger contemplation did not phase Tommy as Sasha's shocked face had looked at a freight train. She swiftly shook her head in denial. Even if half of what Tommy was inquiring had been the truth. "No! I mean- sure... SURE there were several attempts where he seduced me. I'm not some idiot. I'm a woman. These things take place. They happen. I know that whatever he tries won't be successful. I'm always... I'm always..."

Tommy took his free hand to completely cover Sasha's right as she stumbled over her own words. "You're more vulnerable than ever, Sasha. Without Lance to keep tabs. Without anyone previously protecting you... it could be a great concern if Aldrick tries to get into your pants. You should know him by now. Once he has under his thumb. It could all be downhill from there."

Sasha could hear the concern his voice at last though his unease. Grasping both hands into her own, she kissed his knuckles. "I understand, Grandfather. I have Michael now. Everything is progressing. It's going to be fine. I can confirm that Michael knows what he's doing. That stubborn jackass can stand his ground. Doesn't take any sort of bullshit."

"Well. If you say so..." Tommy considered Sasha's faith in a stranger parallel to Michael. "Perhaps that man was a perfect godsend for us." He took a small sip of his coffee. "Even if he had been shot." Tommy sarcastically exchanged with her. There had even been a small snicker. "I just know you can be a drunk idiot. That kinda runs in our family. Taking in complete strangers are often our weak downfall."

Sasha's grip tightened around Tommy's hand. "You mean like how Grandmother met you?" There had been a laugh in return towards him. "Michael is a good man. There's nothing to worry about. I can tell he takes care of his own. In any way possible. The man even had me promise that I would moderate my drinking."

So far, Tommy knew that it would be an internal struggle. Not just on her part, but on Michael's. There were going to be relapses. In Sasha's case: grief. Something that had to be tackled. It took great strength for the entire family. Not just Sasha if they were to recover. "My biggest and unresolved fear because of your worsening condition is of losing you, kiddo. Lance's influence had effected you the most. The both of you were inseparable. I'm sure that the both of you would have been a couple if he was still kicking."

Tommy continued staring at Sasha. Her once bright smile and cheerful demeanor had become gaunt and dead. "Lance did more than his part in life. Raising you like his own. He was very confident in his ways. I owe him so much. Yet I could only give so little in return." Tommy reflected on his input. "Are you resting well?"

"I've been having nightmares. Repeat dreams. I keep expecting that he might walk through the penthouse at any moment. I really don't have an answer for something that even you would process for days ahead."

Tommy wanted anything than to comfort Sasha. "This too shall pass, Sash. I promise you that much. I know I don't make promises that often. That much I DO know from experience. You're going to have to trust me."

After they ate their meal, both Sasha and Tommy departed towards the family penthouse. Small talk had never been important for Tommy unless there was information gathering involved. They had accompanied each other towards the elevator. Silence enduring the ride to their destination.

Upon the elevator doors closing, Tommy crossed his arms, addressing one more question. There had been something he knew that Sasha consciously felt on edge over. "Just how serious are you with Michael DeSanta?"

Confusion had formed on Sasha's face. "What exactly are you expecting me to say? I've told you all I've known about the man. He does well as my bodyguard. You even gave him legitimate pay so I don't know what you're stressing over."

Again, Tommy knew that Sasha had been lying. He leaned in, placing a hand on Sasha's back. Keeping his voice to a small whisper. "You don't sound too confident in that response, Sasha. What had been about the kiss you both exchanged this morning at Mirror Park? Is that something I should be concerned about?"

Sasha felt extreme embarrassment. Her face becoming flushed in an instant. "I didn't know you were watching... I'm sorry. I-"

Tommy crossed his arms again, engaging fully into their conversation. "Take my best advice, Sash. He's your bodyguard. Someone of skill and talent that can and should keep you safe. Nothing more. Allow his loyalty to repay you and move on with his life. Michael isn't Lance. Do I make myself clear on that instance? I know you. You will compare him to Lance. I suggest you don't get too close. It could endanger or even hurt the both of you. Circumstances like these could result in the worst outcome."

Sasha reluctantly nodded her head in agreement. "I'll try my best, Grandfather. You have my word."