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It's Sunday morning and Chibs is spread over the couch watching as River alphabetizes his bookshelves by title. Between getting the boys up and some business around the clubhouse it had been late afternoon the day before by the time he'd gotten them both back to the house. He'd ordered in cheeseburgers, checked her bruised ribs (only a few more days you should be fine, he'd said), and then they'd each gone their own way. She'd disappeared into the bedroom to read and he'd taken care of some outstanding bills. She'd woken him up late and he'd been surprised when she took his hand and pulled him towards the bedroom. He wasn't going to complain about sharing another platonic bed with her. The couch was getting to his back.

He'd woken up an hour or so ago to the smell of something burning and a loud beeping. He'd rushed into the kitchen to find River bent over the coffee maker staring at the buttons with a very confused look on her face, a pan of now crispy canned cinnamon rolls in the oven, the stove top timer blaring away. She'd looked embarrassed when he pulled the baked goods out and set them on the stove to cool but he'd waved her off. Wasn't her fault she couldn't hear the buzzer going. He has a feeling her sudden organizational drive is an attempt at an apology for the burned breakfast. He doesn't know why she's bothering, they'd finished the pan anyways.

He's pulled from his thoughts by a pealing laugh and he looks up just in time for a heavy tome to fall into his stomach with a flop. He huffs out a breath and shoots River a dirty look but she just cuts her eyes at him another laugh falling from her lips. He snatches up the offending book and groans when he realizes she's found the only novel he's ever been embarrassed to own. It was some nonsense about vampires that Kerrianne had been obsessed with and he'd bought a copy in the hopes that it would create a shared interest with his daughter. He'd barely managed to make it past the first 20 pages before he'd abandoned it but he'd held onto the copy just in case his little girl came to visit.

River makes a noise and she's staring at him expectantly, eyebrows raised in question.

"My daughter suggested it. It's complete shite." He tosses the book back towards the shelf and there's a dull thud followed by a swish as a ball of paper hits his temple. He shoots River another glare and smooths out the note she'd aimed at his head.

Your what now?

Little deaf witch can't pick up everything with her superpowers. He turns his head so she can see his lips as he speaks. "My daughter, Kerrianne. She's 16, lives in Belfast with her mother." A few days ago and it would have taken a gun to his head to reveal such a weak spot to the woman sitting in his living room but he feels like they've hit an odd level of trust.

River's eyes widen in understanding, she slides a finger over her heart and he knows she's mimicking the placement of the tattoo over his left pec. He nods, "Aye, my girl." He watches as River picks up the offending book and writes a note across one of the pages before tearing it out and tossing at him.

I figured the tat was for a very skilled Scottish hooker.

"Watch yer mouth." He growls out the words but they've got no bite and he can tell from the teasing smile on River's face it's all in good fun. There's another rip and another ball of paper lands near his hand.

Do you get to see her often?

"Visited last year for a few weeks. Miss her though." River nods along looking thoughtful. Something occurs to him, "Do yeh have any family?" Her eyes slide to the side and he knows she's calculating. He practically sees the wheels turning as she determines how much she can tell him, how much she should tell him. She seems to come a decision and this time the ball of paper hits his forehead. He cuts her a look before smoothing out the page.

I have a massive extended family but I'm an only child.

It's a vague set of information but he'll take it. He decides to take a risk, "What's yer real name?" Her eyebrows go up and he's shocked when she starts to write. Another rip and another ball flies across the room.

What's yours?

He smiles. "You're a cheeky lass. How 'bout this. I'll tell yeh my real first name and yeh tell me yours." She tilts her head to the side and she's considering him closely. She writes and lets the note fly.

Just between us?

"Aye." The word is too easy to say and the club doesn't even cross his mind. She crawls across the floor until she's sitting, her legs under her on the floor right next to the couch. She holds out her pinky to him and the look on her face is so deadly serious he can't help his booming laugh. "Seriously?" She nods, eyes dark. "Okay then, pinky swear." He locks his smallest finger with hers and she tugs at it, meeting his eyes before letting his hand free with a nod. He waits while she scribbles on another page and rips it out. She folds the sheet and then nods to him.

"Filip."

Sofia

He stares at the page then looks back up to find her watching him a thoughtful look on her face. He doesn't know if she's underestimated him or if she knows exactly how much information she's given him but he feels a new piece of her puzzle click into place. It's an Italian name, it explains her dark coloring and the olive undertone to her skin. It also gives some credibility to the temper he'd gotten a glimpse of Friday night. It doesn't explain how she landed in hot water with either of the Cartels but if she's connected to the Cosa Nostra in any way it would go a long way towards explaining her general calm around career criminals.

"It's a pretty name." He takes far too long to speak and he can see the calculation on her face. This was an intentional clue. She shrugs and dips her head to write again.

Better than Bella

He snorts a laugh at the reference to the now torn up novel and the momentary tension fades. She writes again.

No seriously, I knew a Bella in high school who could not keep her legs closed.

His laugh fills the living room. "Come to think of it I knew a Bella once too. She could do this thing with her tong—" He's cut off when she slaps the books down on his chest and he laughs again ignoring her disgusted look. "Yeh were asking for it." She rolls her eyes and leans her head against the arm of the couch.

"So, are yeh going to finish with the books then?" He nods back to the absolute disaster that is now his living room. Every volume he owns strewn across the floor in piles by letter. She shrugs and gives him a wicked look before pulling herself up and moving towards the bedroom. "River! Sofia!" He calls after her but it's no use. He looks over at the now empty shelves and groans. Cheeky fucking woman.

Hope you liked that cute little scene. We're about to get into some really long and really serious parts of the story. I also promise the pace for both Chibs and River and the plot overall are about to pick up.

Reviews are incredible but please just keep reading.