Chapter XXI

Once restrictions were lifted on curfews of the Vercetti Family. The meetup took place just about three days later. Franklin had buttered up Tommy just enough to where he was allowed to attend the meeting and be of use. Whatever agreement Franklin reached must have been appealing... or may be Tommy was getting desperate.

Diversifying travel, Franklin borrowed his Obey 9F Sports Car to Michael. That way no one would suspect arrivals at different times should it be necessary.

It had been Lester who had provided the Vercetti Family Safehouse Address. The location wasn't too far away. It was one Sasha knew. Just on the other side of Vinewood Hills. On the corner of North Sheldon and Hangman Ave. Michael splintered attention parking just a few streets down on Hangman Ave, escorting Sasha towards the Vercetti Address.

The distance to reach the safeouse was still awhile off. Seeing that their passageway was a back driveway-like area. Michael and Sasha enjoyed the small walk together. Keeping moderate spirits, but there was a frown Sasha couldn't shake. She interlaced her fingers with his. "You know... I keep having nightmares of that night. It keeps repeating in the back of my head. I should be more grateful for what you've done for me, Michael. I know how Tommy can be... He shouldn't be so paranoid about you. I'm sorry."

"Don't make a big deal out of it, Sasha. If you died. I would be on Aldrick's front doorstep. Taking care of him personally." Michael's response had Sasha stop walking. He took a few steps, delaying a reaction to realize Sasha wasn't at his side. "What? What's wrong?"

Sasha crossed her arms to try and did her best to advance any concerns. "I don't want you to leave when this is all over, Michael." There had been pain in her face. "I'm afraid that you're going to disappear from my life for good."

Michael could hear the pain in her voice. She was trying to hold back several emotions. Panic, fear, anxiety. What could he say that would be different? "Don't you remember that I promised I would stay by your side? Regardless of the situation? Has Tommy gotten inside your head? Is there a ticking time bomb I'm simply not aware about?"

Dread was not a feeling that settled well with Michael. He approached Sasha, wrapping his arms around her. "Are you sure you're okay? Is there something I should know? You would tell me if you ended up doing another ridiculous stunt again, right?"

Sasha dug herself into Michael's chest. Trying to find the right words. "It's hard to say, Michael. I just have this terrible gut feeling that I wasn't supposed to live that night. I keep hearing Lance's voice in the back of my head. I just... can't-"

"Not one night has passed since those nightmares began. I firmly believed you were to perish in my arms that day. I was convinced you were already dead the moment your heart stopped beating. I wasn't thinking straight. Days blurred into one another when you Dad would endlessly call. Wanting to know if you were still alive."

"You don't remember being brought into The Bay Care Center in Paleto Bay... do you?"

Sasha confirmed Michael's suspicions by shaking her head. "No. All I could clearly remember was you calling my name in the abyss. I knew that I had been dead for just a moment. The experience alone left me so many questions. About life and death. There was no light at the end of the tunnel. Only the abyss. It's why I-"

"I know. Shut up. Please. You're only letting your anxiety rule your thoughts. You're still here. I'm still here. Your brother. Your dad..." Tears were streaming down Sasha's face and down Michael's neck. He closed his eyes. Not knowing if he would continue the conversation in fear of becoming emotional at the wrong time. "Please, Sash. Please don't cry." He whispered, doing his best to calm her down. "I know this is hard on you, but remember who you're doing this for..."

"My only regret was falling in love with you. This too shall end."

This gave Michael an idea. If things were to result in grim conclusions. "Then my promise to you is that I'll be with you until the end. Until Aldrick has paid for his meddling. I give you my word, Sasha." Eye contact was made between them. "We'll see this through to the end."

Sasha acknowledged Michael's stubbornness, giving him a small soft kiss. "Until the end. That much I know I can promise."

The way Tommy Vercetti had his Dining Room set up was workable to say the least. Sure, it was no meeting room or the most organized mess the crew seen, but the majority of those who attended knew Tommy to be in worse conditions before. While everyone was hustling to attend, Tommy had an intense long stare at the whiteboard in front of him. Pictures, people, notes, and blueprints.

"I think if you tried any harder dad you would end up becoming a conspiracy theorist. If you ever lost your mind, that is..." Sasha commented, taking his right arm to wrap around her. Her face turned pale at recognizing the target was in the middle of Los Santos. One of Aldrick's more expensive office buildings. "Wait. That's the Arcadius! Why didn't you just-"

"I'll explain the heist shortly, Sasha. Why don't you join Michael or your brother? I need time to prepare my speech." Tommy was in his zone, taking a sip of whiskey that was in his left hand all the while brooding inside his head.

"Okay, Dad," Sasha agreed, kissing Tommy on the right side of his cheek.

Minutes had passed as remaining Vercetti Henchmen, Franklin, Marcello and Sasha cramped themselves into the Dining Room. Tommy himself had begun pacing. Taking note of attendees before starting his speech. He threw some papers to the dining table within his reach. All eyes were on Tommy. "As those of you may know. The Vercetti Family has a rat. This rat has killed, stole, and attempted to destroy the partnership we built here in Los Santos in recent years."

"Hasn't Crawford learned it's a terrible idea to double-cross a Vercetti?" One of Tommy's Henchmen gleefully commented. "We all know that's a bad idea in general. He won't live to see the day."

"Settle down. This is serious. You also know that Sasha also fell victim to Crawford's madness. I have no more negotiations or patience with those who attempt to kill me, my family or associates loyal to my cause. Sadly. Lance should have been our first indication that any attempts at making peace were at a fault. Seeing that Sasha almost died-"

"Well maybe Aldrick should have taken notes that it was going to be a terrible idea. Cut the head off a Vercetti. Somehow you guys are like cockroaches. Coming back stronger than ever." There had been an unamused glare from Tommy.

Sasha even reflected a look of disrespect towards the loud mouthed idiot. "Sasha. Darlin'. Forgive me for what I'm about to do..." Tommy spoke, sliding his glass of whiskey onto the dining table then loomed over the smart mouthed henchman. "If there's one thing you don't call my family? Headless cockroaches."

The henchman swallowed the back of his throat with fear. "I... I didn't say anything wrong did I? Sorry, boss I was just-" Tommy's right hook landed straight across the guy's face. "-right. No you're right. I spoke out of line. How stupid of me. Won't happen again."

Tommy sighed, continuing his speech. "Aldrick has several office buildings. One in the Del Perro Heights. The other in the middle of Pillbox Hill. The ones surrounding the Arcadius Business Center. If any of you know me... I'm not one to make settle statements if there a point to be made."

"The Arcadius is right next to an FIB Building. There's no way we're going down without a fight. People are going to die."

"That's why we're going to split the party and heist into two groups. Well more like a group and a solo infiltrator. Seeing Sasha has a personal vendetta. Then it's best we allow her to work her magic. The rest of us provide a distraction on the ground and office floors."

"So we're confirming in sending Sasha on a suicide mission?" Marcello questioned his father's plan. Feeling his heart drop. "I thought you said there was a possibility of that not happening! Discussing matters is one thing. Solo infiltration is another. Let someone accompany her, Tommy. No one else has to perish because of Crawford's unhinged destruction."

A small riot unfolded as others were trying to speak in-regards. There were smaller details on the whiteboard Sasha noticed. Tommy had one shot or lose everything. Sasha could feel the throbbing of her pulse. This could be everything she hoped to accomplish to place Lance's soul at rest. "I'll do it." She spoke above the chaos.

Eyes were drawn to her as Sasha repeated herself. "I'll do it. Just give me the details."

"Sasha-"

"Absolutely not!"

While they continued to argue among themselves. Sasha felt a strange forced silenced gathered her thoughts. When appropriated she escaped quietly out the door-arch that was behind her. Those arguing about her and not finding confidence in her conviction. It detailed her importance and position in her family. Yet knowing she wasn't one to fight back if mistreated, it didn't convince her that she would be heard at this point. She left them squabble among themselves.

Escaping down under into the lower section of Tommy Vercetti's safehouse, Sasha helped herself to the small bar, pouring herself a glass of red wine. Her feet carried into a familiar room she seemed to not seen in ages. Tommy's own personal makeshift Record Hall. Memories of vacations and being a kid easily echoed within these halls.

Sasha took her time thumbing through Tommy's Record Collection. Ones more recent, yet one that was tucked away more from sight caught her attention. The record sleeve was worn out. Showing some moderate use over the years with some dust attached. The record she pilfered inseminated a small grin on her face. "Always with the classics, Dad." The album was considered an old classic. Johnny Cash's 'I Walk The Line'. "Maybe there are similarities between us I never recolonized prior."

Sasha pulled out the record out of its sleeve, examining its condition. "You could never let Mom go, could you?" She questioned to herself, carefully loading the old wood-grain turntable located on the center wall.

Adjusting the needle, Sasha placed down her glass of wine staring at the record's external sleeve. Multiple memories of her late mother echoed in the back of her head. She closed her eyes, envisioning the days where she could see her mom working while having this play in the background. Days Sasha dearly missed.

Sasha could still see her mother's sweet smile. A laugh that would bring a smile to everyone's face. Her dark hair. Those bright blue eyes. It had been a lifetime though only a few years had passed since her death. Everything changed with her dynamic. Tommy had never been the same man after. Often self medicating with alcohol.

"Aren't you a bit too young to be residing in the lyrics of Johnny Cash?" It had been Michael's voice that brought Sasha back into the present without realizing.

Sasha gave a slight chuckle at Michael's entrance. She glanced up at the ceiling before looking behind her. Her hand snatching back her glass of wine in her right hand. "You have a terrible habit of stalking me, Mr. DeSanta." Sasha had been more at ease. A new side of her he had yet to explore and discover.

Michael entered the room, having taken Sasha's red wine glass for himself. "You disappeared on the party. Can't say you did anything wrong, however. It was getting overbearing. Are you holding up well after being called a headless cockroach? That was kinda uncalled for..."

"Y-Yeah, it was just..." Sasha felt herself stumbling upon her words. "I'm not some headless cockroach, you know?" She was physically shaking, still upset at the absurd remark.

Michael helped himself to some of her wine, placing the glass onto the nearest table and motioned to slow dance with her. There had been a bright expression across her face. Her own movements swaying with his motions. "We should do this more often." She spoke, enjoying her time with Michael. "Who is to say we never have time like this?"

Continuing to sway is Sasha's arms, Michael thought of her words. "Maybe when the whole damn world wasn't against us, darlin'." His words in a low, comforting murmur.

Nothing more crucial was needed to be discussed as they melted away. Michael felt a ting in his heart again. His strings being pulled. He was hallow. Aching. How could an arrangement like this even be considered a cruel encounter? His reality would crash down soon knowing his wife back home. Sasha and Michael spent so much time in isolation it was truly Michael who forgot the value of viewpoints.

Just enough to where he began to question his own lifestyle with Amanda. As chaotic these months became for him, Michael didn't want this to fade away. He didn't want the endless verbal abuse he endured for decades. It was moments like these he more or less preferred a reality check. Because he needed to know. He needed to know if all he fought for was beneficial for himself and his future.