The scene before her broke her heart in two.

Kristina sat a seat away from her relative, Sasha sandwiched between them. She held onto the young woman's arm, eyes sparkling with tears as she watched them both mourn.

"I'm sorry…" she choked out.

"Oh God…" Sasha's words were breathless as she sobbed. Gladys held onto her other arm, her face bright red. They sat on the sofas in the main area of the hospital's second floor, nurses and doctors passing them by. They stay huddled together, a mix of grief and shock and unrelenting devastation weighing on their shoulders.

"What happened?"

They turned around to see Sonny standing a foot away from the elevator, concern present on his face.

"Sonny…" Gladys got to her feet, embracing him, "it's awful. It's so, so awful."

"What happened?"

"Brando…Brando's gone."

"Gone?" Sonny's eyebrows shot up, "What do you mean 'gone?'"

"He's…" Gladys hiccupped, "He's dead."

Kristina felt the world freeze for a moment, her father's spine stiffening in her peripheral vision.

"No…" the man's voice was hollow, "that can't be…"

"He's gone, Sonny," Sasha sobbed. Kristina held her tight in response, "Just…taken from us so…so…violently."

"Violently?" Sonny looked down at his daughter. Kristina sighed, letting go of Sasha and standing up, "What happened to him?"

"We…" the young woman gulped, "We found him in the back alley at Charlie's."

"What was he doing there?"

"We heard a noise and he went to check it out. I was still waiting for him to come back when Gladys and Sasha arrived."

"And then you guys went outside?"

"Yeah…" Kristina trailed off as the elevator doors opened. Dante briskly approached them, his blazer flowing behind him.

"I got the call," he began, "I contacted the rest of the family about it."

"He's gone," Sonny's voice was soft.

"Damn," Dante shook his head, hands on his hips. He turned to his younger sister, "And you saw what happened?"

"Well, no," Kristina shook her head, "I just…I saw where he was cut-"

"Where?"

"Across his stomach," Kristina drew a line from left to right with her finger, "It was really red and there was a lot of blood and-"

"Krissy, Krissy," Dante put a hand on her shoulder, "one thing at a time."

"You didn't see anyone else in the alley?" Sonny asked.

"N-No, it was just the four of us."

"Hm…" Dante hummed, his eyes cast towards the tile floor.

"What are you thinking?" Sonny looked the man up and down.

"First Ava is stabbed in the abdomen, and now Brando's dead from the same kind of thing. It's a longshot, but…maybe these attacks are related."

"Maybe…" the elevator dinged again as Michael and Josslyn stepped into the area.

"I heard about what happened," Josslyn hugged Kristina. Michael did the same with Dante, "It's awful that Brando's no longer with us."

"Truly," Michael said as Josslyn joined Sasha on the couch, "Mom's picking Donna up. She'll be here soon," he looked at Kristina, "How are you?"

"Could be better, honestly," Kristina rubbed her face. Her eyes stung slightly, and her tears dried onto her cheeks. She felt like breaking down again, collapsing into a pile of grief and post-traumatic stress. Instead, she stood firm, a hollowness growing within her.

"She called it in," Dante remarked, "Sasha and Gladys were there too."

"I'm sorry you saw that," Michael frowned, "but I'm…I'm glad you're not hurt. I'm glad that Sasha and Gladys aren't hurt either. Losing Brando is bad enough; losing all of you…"

"Yeah," Sonny nodded. Kristina looked between her father's blank expression and Michael's posture, riddled with contempt. She continued to rub her face as she felt a vibration in her back pocket.

"Getting a call?" Michael asked as she looked at her screen. Her eyes sparkled at the notification.

From: Dex (9:54 AM)
I'm alright.
Are you okay?

"Um, yeah, yeah," Kristina began to walk away, "I need to take this, actually. Sorry."

She made her way to the bamboo display across the room, pressing the phone icon on the text thread.

"Hello?" Dex's voice was soft, "Krissy?"

"Hey," her voice was hoarse, "hey. I just…I thought I'd call, y'know? I wanna make sure you're okay."

"I took some ibuprofen, so I'm alright. Are you?"

"No…no, I'm not."

"What happened?"

"It's Brando."

"Brando? Did he do something? Or did something happen to him?"

"He…it…it would be better if I said it in person, but it's…it's just awful," Kristina choked up. The faint sound of footsteps came from behind her, "I know my dad said that we can't see each other, but he doesn't get to police my life and-"

"Are you sure you want to do that?" Dex asked, "I mean, I know you well enough to know that whatever your parents say doesn't matter, but-"

"But you're worried for you. I get it. Credit where it's due - my dad does follow through on his threats."

"...Look, Kristina," he sighed, "I'm not going to be one of the people in your life who thinks they know better than you do. If you want to come over, you can. Just…be careful."

"I will. I'll see you soon, then?"

"See you soon."

"See who soon?"

Kristina hung up the phone and turned to see Josslyn behind her, an eyebrow raised.

"What?" Kristina asked back.

"You were on the phone with someone," Josslyn remarked, "You told them about Brando and that you'd see them soon-"

"Yeah, and?" Kristina raised an eyebrow herself.

"I mean…we're all here supporting one another and you're just going to leave?"

"You know, Joss, I don't listen in on your phone calls."

"You're still leaving, though."

Kristina sighed, clenching her fists. Sonny slowly approached the women, glancing between them.

"What are you two doing over here?"

"Well, I was on the phone and Joss decided to come over and listen in on a private conversation."

"She's choosing to abandon her family," Josslyn glared at the man, "You'd know about that pretty well, wouldn't you?"

"Oh my God, Joss-"

"It's the truth!"

"Who were you on the phone with?"

"A friend."

"Do I know them?"

"Sorry, Dad, but it's none of your business."

"Typical," Josslyn rolled her eyes.

"Hey," Sonny waved a hand, "there's no need for that."

"I really have to go," Kristina walked past them and pressed the elevator button. She turned and scanned the scene behind her before stepping inside. Josslyn's hand stopped the door from closing.

"Seriously?" Kristina asked, disgust in her tone.

"What?" Josslyn shrugged, "If you can leave, so can I."

The women were silent as the elevator brought them to the parking garage. The second the doors opened, Kristina marched to her car. As she drove out of the hospital, she impulsively checked her rear view mirror.

No small white car so far…

Eventually, she made her way to Charles Street, parking in front of a brick apartment complex colored in beige and brown. She slowly got out of the vehicle, scanning her surroundings, before stepping into the lobby. Another elevator ride later and she was in front of the door to Apartment 34.

She launched herself into Dex's arms the moment he opened the door.

"Oof," he huffed. Kristina's arms were tight around his torso. He slowly pulled her into him, getting her into the apartment. His voice was soft as he rubbed her back, "hey."

"Oh God…" Kristina sucked in a breath as she let him go. Her eyes stung with tears.

"What happened?" Dex bent down, his eyes level with hers.

"Brando…he's…h-he's gone…"

His blood ran cold, shock crossing his face. He clammed up for a moment, trying to piece together his words, "...Gone? As in…?"

"Dead, Dex. He's dead."

"Oh…" Dex stiffening his spine, pulling Kristina in for a tight embrace. Her body shook with sobs, her tears beginning to stain his shirt, "I'm so sorry."

"He was a stand-up guy," Kristina leaned back to look him in the face, her arms still around his torso, "He was…gentle a-and…honorable. He loved his family, h-he was a veteran…he was s-such a good man."

"Yeah…" Dex sighed, "We bonded over that, his…military work."

"He…told me about how you guys were-"

"At odds, yeah. I mean, we patched things up enough for a truce, but…um…" Dex took a deep breath, "I'm…sorry. I just…there's a lot going on in my head and-"

"No, it's…it's fine," Kristina wiped her eyes, "You're dealing with a hangover and my dad's wrath-"

"And you're mourning a family member," Dex cut in, "I mean, not that it was a competition, but you kind of win here. You need support. I'm glad…I'm glad you feel safe and comfortable enough to come to me."

Kristina looked Dex over, taking in his display of sympathy. Dex blinked a few times before leading her to the couch, sitting them both down.

"I just…I can't believe he was taken from us like that," Kristina choked out, her head against his shoulder.

"Like what?" he rubbed her arm.

"He…" she sniffed, "He was stabbed to death, one big gash across his torso."

Dex suddenly sat up, flinching as he felt a sharp pain in his head. He turned to Kristina, "What happened?"

"Um," Kristina blinked, "I left here, went to work, and eventually Brando showed up. We talked for a bit before we heard some rustling around in the back alley. He went to check it out. Sasha and Gladys showed up and we went to see what he found…and we found him instead."

"I'm sorry," Dex held her hands in his, "That's just…that's horrible."

"I don't know who could do something like that to him, y'know? He didn't really have any enemies."

"Right."

Kristina took a deep breath, pulling back to run a hand through her hair. Dex stared at her, unsure of what to say. They sat in silence for a beat, processing the events as best they could. Dex glanced at the young woman, a softness in his face. He reached out for her hand; she swiftly took it.

"Tell me what you're feeling," his voice was gentle.

"A lot of things," she avoided his eyes, "Grief, sorrow, bitterness, confusion."

"Want to talk about it?"

"Brando was…he was good. We weren't super close, but we were still on good terms. He cared about his family more than anything: supporting Sasha as she mourned their son, giving Gladys a place to stay, supporting my dad's work whenever it was needed, and just…being a listening ear whenever someone needed it. Losing him…it's such a blow."

"I get that. Was he a good listening ear for you?"

You like him, you want more…I won't say anything, I promise.

Kristina bit her bottom lip, looking down towards the floor. Dex raised an eyebrow, looking her over a few times to figure it out.

"Kristina?"

"Hmm? Oh, yeah, yeah, he was."

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I was just…lost…in thought."

"...Okay," the young man leaned back, propping his feet on the coffee table, crossing them at the ankles.

"Thanks for letting me come over," Kristina leaned back, a small gap of space between their shoulders.

"Of course."

"I'm sorry you're stuck like this."

"Stuck?"

"With my dad and his overzealous Papa Bear routine. Threatening you if he ever sees us together, even though we're not doing anything wrong."

"It was a big risk, you coming over here when you lost a relative on his side-"

"But it's a risk I'm willing to take."

Dex slightly gulped, a sparkle in his blue eyes. Kristina gave him a firm gaze, determination present in every inch of her face.

"My dad doesn't have a say in who I spend my time with," her voice was strict, "I like you, I like talking to you, and I'm going to continue being around you, whether he likes it or not."

"And that's fine," Dex nodded slowly, "You're entitled to that, but I'm not. If he finds out that I've been around you, my life is over."

"...Then he won't find out."

Dex raised an eyebrow, "How?"

"Well, for starters, my dad doesn't know I'm here. I told him I really had to leave and that was it. I didn't say who I was going to see, where I was going to go, nothing. In fact, no one knows I'm here."

"And you want us to just…meet up in secret?"

"Do we have any other choice?"

"Well, no, but I would think you'd prefer being out in public, y'know? I don't think you'd want to hide from your family or friends."

"Hiding our hangouts means my dad doesn't put your body in the pine barrens. To me, your safety matters more."

"...Are you sure about this?"

"Absolutely."

Dex gave Kristina a half-hearted smile, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. She leaned into his side, giving him a bright smile. The pair stared at one another, the world gradually blurring at the edges. The gap between them began to close at a faster pace, their noses brushing against each other before Kristina froze, a hand flat against Dex's chest as she pulled back.

"...I'm sorry," Dex mumbled, frowning.

"It's okay. We just got caught up again. The staring was pretty intense."

"Yeah…"

"You're important to me, Dex," Kristina's brown eyes sparkled, "Your friendship is important to me. I…" she took a deep breath, a small tug at her heart as the words left her mouth, "I don't want to jeopardize it; I don't want to jeopardize you."

"Right…" Dex took a deep breath himself, thinking of words to say as he hid his disappointment. It was like a sucker punch to the gut, "Krissy, um, I-"

Boom!

Dex and Kristina jumped to their feet, the echo from the door startling them. They looked at one another before looking at the door.

"What the hell was that?" Dex asked as Kristina grabbed the doorknob. She looked to her right, catching the swish of familiar long blonde hair turning the corner. A bitterness ran through her at the sight.

Of course… she thought to herself, She just couldn't mind her own business, could she?

"Krissy?"

"I should go," Kristina turned to look at him.

"Who was it, or what was it?"

"It wasn't my dad, that's for sure."

"But?"

She turned away, just as her phone buzzed in her back pocket. She scowled at the text messages that popped up on her lock screen.

From: Joss (11:04 AM)
Abandoning your family for Dex? Bad move.

She gently bit her bottom lip, her voice low as she left Dex's apartment: "We still got a problem on our hands."