Falling just a touch behind on updates and writing, but I'll try to keep myself on track! I have up to chapter nine written, and for a while I've been focusing on other works, but I'm going to jump back into Crown of Thorns and get as much written as possible so I can keep updates on track. This is a nice simple chapter, but it's putting us on track for the next phase of the fic - enjoy!
A few weeks had passed since Victor was last at the Falcone Manor, having been caught up in the Penguin's rather confusing, and frankly annoying, business. He still didn't have a clue why Cobblepot was targeting mayoral candidates, but this unexpected crusade got Victor shot. Honestly, the injury really wasn't anything for him to fuss over, just a clean shot in his shoulder that luckily missed anything vital. He'd have to thank Jim Gordon for that one later. The injury put him out of work for recovery, taking one initial week off to heal and then spending another week or so taking things easy so as not to stress the wound. After all, an injured shoulder wasn't exactly convenient for a man whose job depended on the functionality and mobility of his arms. But by now he was practically like new, and Victor was more than confident enough in his recovery to get back out there.
Admittedly, Victor knew he should have been visiting the Falcone estate more often despite his busy scheduleㅡin some way, he had begun to feel responsible for CJ since the night of the party, and in not visiting, a part of him felt as if that responsibility was being woefully neglected. He knew, of course, CJ didn't need him, that she still had Carmine around for company, and in all technicalities he really didn't have any obligation to her. And yet here he was, stepping out of his car and feeling mildly disappointed in himself for not coming around sooner.
Ever since Mario and Sofia left the city, the Falcone home was always quiet, occasionally almost eerily so. And nothing at all had changed. Victor let himself into the expansive home and was met by near silence, being greeted a minute later by the housekeeper once he had rounded a couple of corners on his way back to Carmine's office. As he went, Victor kept his eyes peeled for CJ, but there was no sign of her by the time he had reached the office, where Carmine sat comfortably with paperwork as he waited on his ward's arrival.
"Boss." Victor greeted casually as he strolled in, coming to a stop a few feet from where Carmine sat.
"Victor." The older man's eyes turned up with a hint of warmth, "We've missed you around here."
The corner of Victor's mouth pulled upward, "Work's been busy."
"So I've heard." Carmine spoke knowingly, and it was no surprise to Victor that the older man caught word of what's been going on with Cobblepot. And as Carmine's gaze drifted to Victor's shoulder, it was also no surprise that he found out about the assassin's injury from a few weeks back as well, "You're doing well?"
"Dealt with worse." Victor answered dismissively with a shrug. Carmine simply gave a single nod, setting aside his work as a firm yet paternal look crossed his gaze.
"I'm sure Camila's missed seeing you around." At that statement, Victor's expression fell into a more serious one. Carmine raised a hand slightly, as if to tell the assassin to relax, "She understands you're busy, Victor."
Now, it was Victor's turn to nod, gaze looking around the room as if expecting to find CJ somewhere, "How's she holding up?"
"She's doing wellㅡshe's back on her feet, finally been able to eat solid food the last couple weeks. She seems drained, but she's managing." Victor smirked slightly with something akin to relief, "She's out back, if you'd like to go find her."
"Didn't you call me here for a reason, sir?" Victor didn't want to seem as if he was uninterested in or dismissive of spending time with CJ, but he had assumed that when Carmine had gotten in touch that morning, something important had come up.
"I called you to come see Camila." Victor's brow furrowed slightly at the unexpected answer, "I think it's time she gets out again, and I think it's best if you're the one to take her."
"You won't be coming with us?"
"Something has come up for me today, Victor." The young man sucked in his lips slightly with an expectant look, awaiting details. Carmine paused with consideration as they stared for a long moment, "… Umberto Maroni has asked for a meeting, and I think it's best Camila doesn't speak to him until I have."
Victor's eyes darkened, something minacious and dangerous flashing in them, his words sharp through his teeth, "Now he wants to talk?"
Carmine's eyes, too, held an anger to them as his tone became more serious, "Don't assume I'm not as upset as you are. If it were up to me, he'd get no more chances; but this matter is his and Camila's, and I won't let him near her until I am convinced he's worth talking to."
Victor understood Carmine's reasoning, though that did nothing to ease the upset shadow in his eyes.
From what Victor concluded, Umberto let Pino get away with beating CJ near to death, and the assassin would have eagerly gone after them both if he could. But, like Carmine, he knew this was CJ's matterㅡthere was no getting to either of her brothers unless it's what the youngest Maroni wanted.
"Victor…" Carmine drew the young man's attention back, "when you take her out, you can't mention Umberto to her."
Despite his disagreement, Victor nodded, though he was nearly tempted to argue the instruction, restraining himself from stepping forward, "Then when do we tell her?"
"When you return."
"And will he still be here?" Victor's voice was low.
"Ideally not."
"Is it really the best idea to spring that on her if he happens to still be here when we get back?" His tone had become slightly argumentative and critical, and in response Carmine's eyes narrowed with warning.
"If she's not ready, then I won't force it." He responded with upset at Victor's doubt.
The younger man sighed through his nose as he stared unblinkingly for a few moments longer, before finally his gaze drifted to one of the windows, scanning what he could see of the yard for a potential glimpse of CJ. Carmine, too, stared, though his eyes were trained thoughtfully on Victor.
"Go find her. She could use some sense of normalcy after the last couple of months." Victor nearly scoffedㅡspending the day with one of Gotham's top assassins wasn't exactly something most would deem "normal." But he understood Carmine's request, and so, eyes still staring out the window, Victor gave a nod before sweeping out of the room, quickly making for the nearby back doors.
Stepping out onto the terrace was reminiscent of that night Victor found CJ he realized as his eyes searched the grounds. Now, of course, he didn't feel any worry as he looked across the extensive property, still unable to spot CJ despite knowing she was somewhere out here. He began down the steps slowly, eyes searching carefully as he paused on the lawn, quirking his head to one side as he listened for any hint of CJ, though he certainly doubted she was making a sound. He briefly looked back up to the mansion behind him, considering where the young woman might be.
Victor turned to the yard once more and simply began walking, gaze searching both left and right as he passed by trees and shrubs. As he neared the edge of the lawn, where the property started to slope down into the surrounding forest, he finally spotted CJ sitting on one of the few benches this far out, a book in her lap as her back was turned to him.
Victor came to a pause, studying her for a few long momentsㅡshe hadn't heard his approach, as she never seemed to, her gaze staring out into the forest rather than down at the book propped in her lap. It became obvious to Victor, as he looked over her small and meek posture, that she was lost in thought again, and he knew it was more than the breeze that had her shrinking in on herself.
Even from here, he could tell she wasn't in her best shape; she looked even smaller than she used to, having lost quite a bit of weight while her mouth was wired shut. Despite being able to eat a normal diet again, it was obvious CJ had gained back very little weight, which had to be in part due to her stress and lack of drive. Once more, Victor was perturbed to see what she had become due to the incident.
Slowly, he walked forward to close the distance between them, eventually coming up in CJ's peripheral vision, pulling her attention back to reality. Her eyes turned upward, meeting Victor's gaze and warming slightly once she realized who stood beside her. The corner of his mouth pulled up in a familiar grin as he took a closer look at her, seeing the obvious hollow to her usually round cheeks and the bags that had begun to form under her eyes, nearly matching the darkness of his own.
"Missed me?" CJ's normally sweet voice was hoarse as she spoke, perhaps because she was still becoming accustomed to using it again. Victor's eyes warmed at her obvious jab at his favorite form of greeting her.
"Nope." He replied with just as much humor, gaze briefly looking her over once more as silence settled over them for a few stretched out moments.
"You've been busy…" CJ spoke simply, turning to face the forest again.
"Penguin isn't as generous with time as Don Falcone was." Victor explained, catching the way CJ briefly nodded in acknowledgment, "You've been doing alright?"
A humorless laugh huffed out of CJ as she looked down, "As alright as anyone in constant pain can be."
Victor stared, catching the way her eyes darkened with sadness while she bit the inside of her cheek. He thought back on Carmine's request to bring CJ into town, frowning slightly as he thought about Umberto coming around, and briefly he wondered if the young woman was ready or even interested in going back into Gotham.
There was something obviously awkward about the silence that had stretched between them. The two were never really close, but when CJ came back to Gotham for her father's funeral, there was certainly some kind of friendship they were developing. But CJ's recovery and Victor's month-long absence seemed to reset them back to square one, and it felt almost as if they had to learn one another all over again.
"… Wanna go get some Thai food?" Victor finally spoke up, pulling CJ's attention back to him as she narrowed her eyes, though with good nature.
"You know there are other places in Gotham aside from that damn Thai restaurant, right?" The smirk on Victor's lips caused CJ to mirror his expression with a raised brow.
"Yeah, but the Thai restaurant is the only place that's decent." He defended humorously, watching the woman expectantly. CJ stared a moment, finally sighing with a shake of her head.
"The last thing I want is Thai."
"Italian, then?" With his quick response, CJ studied him curiously, somehow sensing that there was something vaguely suspicious in his intentions, "You've been cooped up here for two months, don't tell me you wouldn't like to get out of the house for a while."
"I am out of the house." CJ raised her hands as if pointing to the yard they currently occupied, to which Victor's expression briefly deadpanned. But he looked between her eyes, noting the hesitation hiding in them that caused him to cock his head. And as she realized the assassin could read right through her, CJ's eyes widened just so before she turned her gaze away again, Victor's stare still not leaving her.
"… I know this great food truck that's usually down by the harbor." He tried again, drawing CJ's attention back to him slowly. She stared in question, wondering about Victor's insistence on bringing her outㅡsure, she could believe that Victor's casual nature just wanted to get her back out into the world, yet she suspected maybe there was more to it, "There are hardly any people around there this time of day."
After another moment of eyeing him, CJ sighed, gaze drifting away, "Okay."
As Victor gave a slight smile, she stared out at the forest a second longer before rising to her feet, looking back up at the assassin as he studied her appearance with an unreadable expression.
A light breeze was blowing through Gotham down near the bay, creating a slight mist in the air as it picked up water. From where they sat on the hood of Victor's car, CJ shook from the chill despite her warm jacket, though she tried to keep her shivering hidden from Victor. Despite the temperature being otherwise comfortable, the mist made her muscles stiffen, a pain setting into her ankle and jaw as they tensed, and she knew sooner or later the assassin would notice her discomfort.
For a short while now they'd been sat in companionable silence, quietly snacking on something Victor introduced to her as a "garbage plate" (and with such a poor name, CJ sneered at the idea of eating it, but after having tried the meal, she could certainly see the food be appealing to anyone that was maybe drunk or in need of an odd hangover meal). CJ's eyes were trained on the choppy water, though she could always tell when Victor's gaze would drift back over to her. There was easily a lot either could say to one another, but they had settled on saying nothing nearly the entire time.
CJ's jaw clenched, feeling another jolt of pain due to the cold that finally twisted her expression enough for Victor to take notice. She took a deep breath through her nose as she slowly flexed her lower jaw in hopes to loosen it up at least a little. Victor stared with a mildly concerned look in his eyes, not just for CJ in this moment but also for the conversation Don Falcone and Umberto were having right now as well.
"Come on." He rose to his feet, drawing the woman's gaze back curiously. She stayed seated as he started walking away, causing him to pause and look back, motioning with his head for CJ to follow, "There's an ice cream stall in the park, I'm craving some rocky road."
The corner of CJ's mouth pulled up in a slight fond grin, and she rose up as well, the pair walking side-by-side in companionable silence. For the few minute walk, the two's eyes were anywhere but each other, both caught up in their concerns and curiositiesㅡCJ was still suspect of why they were out, and Victor couldn't help but keep wondering about Umberto.
Once the pair were in the nearby park, CJ's eyes got a little wider unexpectedlyㅡit was by no means crowded, but nonetheless she felt a pang of anxiety at the sight of other people. She hadn't been around this many people at a time since the party, and she was nervous to be around anyone that wasn't a member of the Falcone Manor. Being out in a public place with Victor was also something that stirred up her nerves, and that was something sure to still take a while to get used to. CJ took an unconscious step closer to her companion, drawing his dark eyes over for just a moment.
Soon, they were walking up to the ice cream stand, its exterior painted garishly bright colors that contrasted dramatically with the dull cityscape of Gotham. As the two stepped into the short line, CJ stayed a close step behind Victor, something he sensed immediately and remained conscious of the entire time, and it certainly made him speculate how she was doing. CJ kept her head down, and when she did turn her eyes up, she couldn't see past Victor's shoulder. Neither of them took notice of any wandering stares drifting toward them, people either well aware of the assassin's reputation or simply intrigued by his mildly eccentric appearance alongside CJ's rather plain one.
As the pair stepped up to the kid at the window, Victor held up two fingers toward him, "Two conesㅡone rocky road, one strawberry." CJ pulled a face, and as if sensing it, Victor looked back to her with a quirked brow, "You seem like a strawberry type."
His simple explanation impressed CJ because he was right, strawberry was one of her favorites, though how he got that impression she couldn't guess.
With cones now in hand, they began the walk back to Victor's car, again immersed in silence as they ate their treats (though really CJ was hardly touching the dessert, not quite feeling up to eating anything more today). CJ stared out at the water, still feeling that lingering curiosity as to why she and Victor were out right now; again, she knew she could expect as much of the man, but she had the sense since he found her at Falcone's that there was an ulterior reason for it that she just couldn't shake.
"So… are you going to tell me why Don Falcone wanted me out of the house?" She finally made a guess as she continued to stare at the sidewalk ahead of them. Victor's brow rose as he stared at her, genuinely a little impressed that she figured that much out, though he made no attempt to tell her the assumption was false. CJ turned her gaze to meet his after she received no response, "I'm not stupid, Victor."
The assassin was sure it was a fruitless effort, but nonetheless he tried to counter, "Do I need any reason to get you out of the house other than to try the best garbage plate in town?"
"No." She answered plainly as she stopped in her tracks, though she was nearly tempted to laugh at Victor's typical antics, "But that's not why we're here." CJ sighed deeply through her nose as the assassin paused just a step ahead of her, "Don't assume I'm that easy to fool."
"I don't." His statement was reassuring and firm, but not harsh. The pair stared at one another, searching each other's gaze thoughtfully, "Falcone had a meeting." In the moment he paused, CJ gave an expectant, verging mildly on worried, look, and, surprising to himself, Victor caved, "… Your brother, Umberto."
CJ's following breath came out in an unexpected shudder, her eyes flashing with anxiety. Her stare was unblinking as her expression slowly fell, and for a minute Victor was worried that she may begin to cry. But as her eyes started to water, she looked away quickly, clenching her jaw tightly as her gaze became harder, fighting back her upset.
"Victor, take me home." Her tone was small but nonetheless firm as she tore her gaze away, stepping around him to the nearest trash can to dispose of her barely eaten ice cream with a certain aggression to the way she tossed it. He watched her for a few moments longer, but didn't make an attempt to argue as his expression hardened as well. As he stepped close to also throw out his cone, CJ took an obvious step back before spinning on her heel, walking back in the direction of his car without sparing another glance back at him.
Umberto's steps were clearly weary as a butler led him through the Falcone home, his eyes drifting about as if he expected CJ to pop out of a room at any given moment. Logically, he knew his sister wasn't there, knew that he was nervous because he'd have to see her again eventuallyㅡsince having watched Pino beat her half to death two months ago, Umberto was admittedly too afraid to even consider seeing her, fearful of how much more guilty he'd feel. He was ashamed of himself, of the fact that he let this cruelty happen to his kid sisterㅡhe was so afraid of Pino that he didn't save CJ, and it's something he couldn't possibly forgive himself for. It had taken him two damn months just to work up the courage to speak to Don Falcone, who he should realistically be more afraid of, yet it was his eventual confrontation with CJ that truly had him on edge.
The butler brought Umberto to Don Falcone's office, where the old man was seated at his desk, an expectant look on his serious face as the two met eyes. Wordlessly, the butler left the room, and Umberto took hesitant steps forward as the door closed behind him.
"Don Falcone…" His voice was small, and Umberto mentally reprimanded himself for it as the other man continued to stare, sure that the mobster found his hesitation laughable, "thank you for meeting with me."
Falcone raised a hand to stop Umberto from continuing, "Don't thank meㅡthis is a conversation we should've had weeks ago."
Umberto nodded quickly, heart rate increasing with anxiety, "I know, I'm sorry. I justㅡI just… I was afraid to face it."
The disappointment in Falcone's low 'hmm' was obvious, and Umberto was sure the older man could see his distress much too easily. Falcone leaned back in his seat, eyes boring into the young Maroni.
"Your fear may well be the end of you one day, young man." Umberto diverted his gaze, feeling the harsh sting of those words, "Your fear nearly got your sister killed."
"I know, sir." Umberto's eyes became a little glossy as a frown dared to tug at his lips, "I don't know how she'll ever forgive me."
"She shouldn't." The harshness of those two words stung as well, "But Camila's young and her heart is kindㅡregardless of what I think of your actions, she's sure to forgive you eventually." The words were the slight reassurance that Umberto needed to hear, though he knew not to count on forgiveness any time soon, "So, tell me, why are you here now? Why ask to meet with me in private?"
Umberto took a deep breath, "I want to keep CJ safeㅡI didn't protect her before, but now I have to."
Though his expression was harsh, Don Falcone was interested in what the young man had to say, and so he motioned to the chair across from him with his chin. Umberto quickly sat, wringing his fingers as he continued.
"Pino is… getting worse." He swallowed the lump in his throat, "He doesn't have a clue what he's doing with business; our legitimate businesses are losing traction, Penguin is getting more of our people daily, and Pino's starting to get real angry. His drinking's worse than ever and… I'm able to keep him away from mom for now, butㅡ" He inhaled sharply through his nose, "Pino might already be past the point of no return, sir."
Falcone had on a well practiced poker face as his gaze bore into Umberto, but inside his anger was bubbling. He shouldn't have been surprised that Pino dared to raise a hand to his motherㅡafter all, the old man saw what was done to CJ, and he knew how Sal had been grooming his eldest into quite a copy of himself. But now Umberto was confirming their shared fear was far closer than expected.
The Maroni women were dealt cruel hands; since he had first met a young Josephine, Carmine knew life hadn't been kind to her once she became attached to Sal Maroni. And when she gave birth to CJ, Carmine was also sure growing up in the Maroni household wouldn't be easy for the girl either.
"What are you asking of me?" Don Falcone finally spoke up as he joined his hands in front of his face, knowing there was sure to be a request.
"I don't think it's safe for CJ to come home." That was the strongest Umberto had spoken so far, "Pino could kill her if she goes back."
"Agreed." Falcone said firmly, "You want her to stay here."
"It'd be better for her."
The Don thought for a few long moments, slightly shaking his head.
"No." Umberto's eyes widened, but Falcone elaborated, "I still intend to leave for Miami soonㅡI wouldn't want her here alone. I need her closer to Victor."
"Zsasz?" Umberto's brow rose, still surprised by whatever sort of connection his sister had made with the assassin.
"She trusts him. He can keep her safeㅡhe's proven he can do a better job of it than you." There was a bite to the way Falcone spoke that reminded Umberto just how disappointing his actions from two months ago were.
"So, are you suggesting she move in with him?" Umberto seemed unsure of the idea.
"No." It was subtle, but the old man's tone suggested that the thought was almost laughable, "Victor lives in a nice part of townㅡthere's sure to be a few vacant condos in his building. It would keep him close should Camila ever need him."
"Don Falcone," Umberto's tone was doubtful, "I can't exactly just buy her a condo."
Falcone slightly shook his head, "We'll work that out, your sister's best interest needs to be the priority. And what about your mother?"
Umberto frowned at the question, "She feels obligated to stay; it's like she's turning a blind eye to what Pino's becoming. I don't know how to make her leave."
"You don't." Falcone answered simply, "As much as it pains us, we can't force it. Now that your father's gone, she's sure to come around eventually. But until then, we have to support her in whatever way we can, but that doesn't mean we can try to control her choices."
Umberto nodded solemnly, taking a deep breath as Falcone continued discussing what they could do to help CJ.
As the two men went on, Victor was pulling up to the house, his music the only sound in the car; CJ wasn't at all interested in talking on the drive back, and Victor had no intention of pushing it. When they both spotted Umberto's car, Victor glanced over to catch CJ's reaction, which was a look of both anger and anxiety. She was stiff while staring at her brother's car with wide, dark eyes, lips pulled into a frown; she bit the inside of her cheek as her eyes began to water, but CJ showed no sign of letting those tears fall.
Victor couldn't park fast enough; before he even had the car shut off, CJ opened her door, practically slamming it as she marched up to the house, leaving Victor in the dust. She moved with an unexpected speed as she maneuvered through the house, the assassin briefly rushing to catch up to her. He knew there was no point in holding her back, knew it would only upset her and knew that this confrontation had to happen eventually. So he simply hung back, following close behind without the intent of interrupting CJ's pursuit.
CJ managed to keep a handle on her strength up until her eyes finally settled on Umberto again. She pushed open Falcone's office door and froze, both men turning at the unexpected interruption. CJ's unsettled gaze was locked on Umberto's, meanwhile Carmine looked beyond her to meet Victor's serious eyes. The assassin gave the slightest of shrugs as the two mobsters practically had a conversation with their stare, meanwhile the Maronis, too, seemed to be having one, though it certainly wasn't so pleasant.
"CJ…" Umberto spoke smally as he rose to his feet, which pulled his sister from her daze. She stepped forward into the room, pained eyes locked on Umberto as she unexpectedly approached him and gave his shoulder a solid shove, her strength surprising the three men in the room.
"What are you doing here!?" She choked out with anger, and despite her small stature, she momentarily seemed like the biggest person in the room.
"I wanted toㅡ" Umberto started, so shocked by CJ's anger that he hardly took notice of how unwell she looked.
"Stop!" She interrupted, uninteresting in hearing it; the siblings stared intensely at one another with the same watery hazel eyes. CJ's breath shook as she glared, "You don't get to just show up after two months and act like my brother when you weren't there to help pick up the pieces."
"CJ, please." Umberto took a step forward, to which CJ backed up in a panic until she bumped into Victor's chest. Despite how angry she was at Umberto, she was still nonetheless unsettled by his approach. Umberto let his eyes drift up to meet Victor's startling stare, quickly averting his gaze back to CJ as a wave of panic rolled through him.
CJ was shaking with anxiety, though she tried to hide it, and from behind her Victor allowed his gaze to briefly soften as he looked down at her standing just a couple inches in front of him. Something painful tugged in Umberto's heart when he realized that in this moment, his sister trusted Zsasz far more than she trusted him.
Though Carmine, of course, wanted the siblings to resolve matters on their own, he recognized that CJ was in too vulnerable a position, and Umberto was too anxious about not making her feel worse.
"Camila." Carmine spoke softly yet firmly, and CJ stared a few moments longer at her brother before finally turning her gaze to the Don, "You don't have to have this conversation right now."
Her gaze softened sadly, knowing that Carmine was encouraging her to wait until she was ready. After a long, stiff few moments, CJ gave a small nod as she released a shaky breath, eyes turning down while Carmine met Victor's gaze again seriously. The assassin recognized the silent instruction, turning his fierce eyes onto Umberto, who still stared down at his sister. Victor took a step forward around CJ to drop a commanding, heavy hand onto Umberto's shoulder unexpectedly, causing the younger man to startle and flinch.
"Come on." Victor spoke with a mocking and authoritative edge that caused Umberto's eyes to widen as he nodded abruptly. The assassin dropped his grip on Umberto's shoulder, stepping back to where he stood alongside CJ and briefly set a hand on the small of her back, which was something oddly comforting to the young woman as she practically scurried away to avoid being too close to Umberto as he walked by and followed Victor out of the room.
Umberto couldn't deny the trace of fear he felt while following Zsasz through the house. The air between them felt dangerous and uncomfortable, Umberto on edge as his unblinking gaze avoided the assassin. He knew better than to attempt anything other than simply following the instruction, wanting to just get out of the house with his head still attached.
It wasn't until Victor wrenched open the front door that he made any acknowledgement of Umberto, facing the Maroni with dark eyes and a slight, unsettling grin. He mockingly motioned out the door with both hands, dipping his head slightly.
"See you 'round…" Even his dark tone was taunting, and with wide eyes Umberto sped out, hearing the door swing shut behind him.
Back in Falcone's office, CJ stared at the ground with sad eyes, Carmine watching her closely with concern. It took her a minute to finally look up and meet the older man's gaze, and his expression softened as they stared at one another.
"My intention was not to upset you, Camila." Falcone started as her brows turned down.
"Why didn't you tell me?" CJ's voice was small, though there was still a force to her eyes despite the letdown.
"I didn't want to say anything until after speaking with UmbertoㅡI didn't want to cause any stress over something should the conversation have turned out to be counterproductive."
"And was it?" Tone a little stronger, CJ met Carmine's eyes with a serious stare. For a few moments, Carmine studied her in thought, before he turned away to take a seat behind his desk.
"Umberto and I would like to help you find somewhere new to live." The answer was unexpected to CJ, and so her brows rose in surprise, "Please sit." Carmine motioned to the nearby chair CJ's brother previously sat in, and slowly the young woman settled down into it, "I'll be leaving Gotham soon, and I think it best we find you somewhere new to stayㅡI wouldn't want you staying here all alone."
"Don Falcone, you don't have to." CJ shook her head, "You let me into your home when I needed, and you let me stay for two monthsㅡyou've done more than enough to help me."
"Well, doing one last thing to help certainly couldn't hurt." Carmine's eyes were warm as he smiled, and despite herself, CJ could feel tears of appreciation welling.
"Why have you been so willing to help me?" Her expression was full of disbelief and ache.
Carmine studied her, "You think you don't deserve it?" CJ very nearly answered before realizing the question was rhetorical, "Sincerity surprises youㅡyou're always waiting for the other shoe to drop. It's what you've grown accustomed to. But people, even me," he gave a good natured grin, "can be kind for the sake of being kind every now and again. All I ask is that you accept my help this last time before I go."
CJ gave a slight nod, "I owe you, Don Falcone."
He shook his head, "You owe me nothing." CJ nodded once more, "Now, if it's alright with you, I'd like to invite Victor back in."
There was a vague question to her expression as CJ nodded, and before Carmine could even call for Victor, the assassin walked through the door, suggesting he had been just outside listening. Carmine looked unphased, and CJ was sure he had grown used to this with Victor.
The assassin stood to CJ's right, but Carmine motioned to the chair beside her, a silent indication for Victor to loosen up a little. So, as he looked between the two, Victor settled into the seat.
"Victor, are there any vacancies in your building?"
Victor gave a shrug, "No… but I have a good feeling one will open up today."
CJ looked between the two men initially with confusion before a realization began to set in, and she looked to Victor as if she were about to question them.
"… Hey neighbor." He said with a comedic smirk when CJ said nothing.
As CJ then turned her gaze back to Carmine, he continued, "I think it may be wise to keep Camila close for a whileㅡlook into it." He gave the young woman a paternal look, "But if you disagree…"
She paused in consideration, a small sigh falling from her lips as she came to an understanding with the Don's logic, trying not to linger on what Victor meant when he said a vacancy would be open today, "No, you're right."
"It's only temporary, for as long as you think you need. When you're ready, you can leave, I won't be offended by the decision." Carmine reassured, and CJ couldn't help the sad smile on her lips as she took in the conversation.
Carmine was leaving soon, there was no way around thatㅡCJ would have to get used to him being gone and then get used to the idea of her soon-to-be new home. Once more she had to uproot her life and start things over, which is all she had been doing the last four months. CJ was desperate for any sense of normalcy at this point, yet she knew that was thrown out the window the minute Don Falcone took her in.
If she were honest, CJ never knew normalcy, what with having Don Maroni as a fatherㅡbut god, if that didn't only make her more desperate for a taste of what that could be. Despite her doubt, maybe this next move would lend itself to some version of regularity; maybe things would finally settle down for CJ, at least for a short while. She was desperate for something that would make her feel like an ordinary nineteen year old again, though she was sure Gotham was the last place she'd experience that.
So long as this city was her home, CJ's norm was sure to continue being mobsters and assassins and everything in between.