Inspiration struck me out of nowhere and I was able to finish up the small arc of 'She's a Keeper' - Enjoy!
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"Not to be rude or… anything. But I'm going to need to use the ladies room." Antonia swept her eyes over the people sitting tensely at the table. She could almost hear Kate's internal monologue losing it the longer the silence dragged on between everyone, "Um Kate? Would you mind showing me where it is?"
Kate nodded silently and softly pushed her chair back to stand up from the table. She was thankful for the excuse to leave the room. Whatever had been said between Niko and Kenny had either been settled or they were waiting to hash things out. Niko had that look about him that pulled memories from Derrick's funeral to the forefront of her mind. And while she had nothing to go off of for Kenny, the warning she received from Antonia was enough to make her very weary of him. 'Just be careful Niko…'
"Great. Be back in a few!" Antonia casually stood up from the table and immediately linked her arm through Kate's. Something had felt off the second the other male had entered the room. In an instant she knew who he was and felt excited when Kenny confirmed Niko's identity. He was rugged, handsome, and… looked exhausted and drained. Had she been less aware of the inner workings of things and how Kate was dating him, she would've missed the way the redhead openly stared in horror at the blood on his hand.
The female trembled on her arm, and she gently squeezed the oversized suit jacket sleeve to calm her down. Together they exited the dining room into the living room, Antonia pulling along Kate quickly to keep her from reaching out to touch Niko. If things needed to be said between the heads of the powers that be in Liberty, it needed to be done without distractions. And she knew Kate would only give Niko a reason to hesitate to do the right thing.
"Ma'am? Did you need an escort?" One of Kenny's men stood at attention from the front hall as they approached, shifting his submachine gun to his side.
"I have one. And I prefer to use the bathroom alone." In a rather sarcastic tone Antonia tugged Kate toward the staircase, waving off the other two men that looked ready to follow them. "I mean honestly. Do men really think I'm not capable of wiping my own ass?" She grumbled under her breath taking the first step up toward the second story.
"At this point I almost expect to be followed around in my old home…" Kate wanted to laugh at the offhanded comment, but she was feeling so low and out of it. Niko had taken the shot of alcohol. Did that mean he was joining back up with her brothers? Or with the crazy looking men that sat at the dining table? Or was his silence his answer? So many questions kept swirling around in her head.
"Well if trouble is brewing in the city again, be prepared to have absolutely no personal time. Take it from me. It can ruin any and all fantasies." Antonia rolled her eyes and halted at the top of the stairs, "My dad's number one security guy would tail me at school. Pretty much ran off every boy that dared to glance my way."
"That I understand. Gerry isn't exactly easy to bring a guy around." Kate tucked some of her hair behind her ears, "Not that there were many worth bringing around."
"I'd drink to that." The smile curved her lips, "So. Now that we aren't surrounded by suffocating men's business. Which room is yours?" Carefully the Italian woman removed a flask from her blazer's inside pocket. She would give Roy and Kenny some time to remember just who's house they were visiting, and maybe get Kate in higher spirits before she was destined to leave Liberty once and for all.
"It's this one… But I thought?" The confusion built on her face as Kate glanced down the hall to her bedroom door and back to the staircase. 'Did she just want out of there as much as I did?'
"Oh please. I could tell you needed out of there and I really don't care what happens to the families and all that. So? Drink? Or do you need to go back down and listen to your brother air out all the family secrets?" She folded her arms across her chest and waited for her friend of the night to decide. She was perfectly capable to tune out business arrangements and figure out a way to contact her mom before arriving in Los Santos.
"What's in the flask?"
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"Niko my friend, it was a pleasure meeting your woman tonight. I believe my goddaughter has taken quite the shine to her." Roy lifted his glass to his lips and took a long sip of the fine cognac. He had seen the easy way Antonia just whisked Kate away from the table to give the men time to talk privately. He was also irked some by how easily they were dismissed. The interactions between Niko and Gerry's sister were very telling and he wanted to see what all was known and unknown between them.
"Kate has that effect on people." Niko deftly let the glass tumbler slip from his fingers to rest back down on the dining room table, never letting his eyes leave Kenny's cheshire grin.
"And I do believe we can all see why her rescue from the hands of Natalya was so important- as well as your cousins." Kenny nodded once and turned to look down the table towards Gerry, "A rather fitting arrangement to keep those we need close by. If it is agreeable with everyone, I'd like to share some of the information that has miraculously fallen into my possession before I take my leave for the airport. My pilot is not the most patient man. Especially since private jet planes have a tendency to blow up shortly after takeoff."
"No one misses that slimeball." Roy scoffed and leaned back in his chair getting comfortable, "Good riddance I say."
"Well, those who used to report to Bulgarin are rather… how do you put it? Hungry? Like the Albanian nuisance that has yet to die off, they are wanting their shot at the top. They won't get far. But unfortunately, their reach is vast. There is new leadership forming here and back in Los Santos." Kenny rested his elbows on the table and crossed his arms.
"So your trip out west isn't just for Antonia?" Gerry shifted in his seat hoping that more information about the Albanians would come to light. He was beyond ready to settle the score for the ambush on Derrick's funeral. He carried too much guilt for having his family placed in danger while he sulked behind bars. He should've been there to help protect his Ma and sister.
"I multitask. Yes." He nodded at Gerry's assumption.
"But the real question is how often you multitask and if you are true to your word." Niko tapped his fingers on the edge of the table, "How are we to trust that you aren't here to play your hand and refresh the deck? Your ledger is black, you might want to keep it that way."
"Boy. I know what you think of me. But the next time you call into question my loyalty to my partners, I will not be so lenient. Roy has an empire of front companies to clean dirty money and store product. In return I provide legal tax documents and insurance. As well as security. Jacob supplies us with weapons and ammunition and in return we pay them handsomely and give clearance to get the weapons stateside. Gerald over here has the only territory that covers the northeastern shores of Dukes. He gives my shipments clear entrance; he gets a cut of the profits and protection from those that wish to retaliate for the misgivings done in the past. Each of us has a need for the other and have common enemies." Kenny pointed to each of the other men at the table and explained the situation out to Niko in hopes that his word would be clearer.
"And since we have joined forces, we plan to overthrow what's left of Dimitri's and Bulgarin's old territory. Truly lock down Bohan and Broker with the help of Yardies." Gerry crossed his arms, "And we will need to do it quickly- while they are weakened with their leadership gone and their organization in shambles."
"It sounds as if you have all the players in place then." Niko ran through the list of people he had run into during the past year. He knew those that were left in Hove Beach would not be so easy to unearth and remove from their territory. The southern region was entrenched in crime and back alley business. Comrade's bar was literally a front used to conduct business for the now defunct Faustin mafia.
"Not all. My contacts and heads of power in Los Santos have told me you have been gaining notice. Technology is rapidly advancing and the need for cyber security is growing. An associate of mine has informed me that intel is worth a pretty penny when it comes to European gangs. And you have been mentioned in passing more times than is comfortable." Kenny shifted his attention back to Niko. It had been a growing concern of his that people in the motherland were asking about a certain Serbian.
"It's why I am retired." Niko shrugged and leaned back in his chair, "I have no need to continue down the path I was on. I got what I came to Liberty for. I accomplished what I had set out to do and no longer wish to start something new."
"Then you have exacted your revenge? Jon was grateful to you for the tasks you completed for him and was more than happy to work with his contact to get that special someone stateside." Roy held his glass up as Ally walked into the dining room from the kitchen with the glass decanter of liquor, pouring another healthy shot. He nodded his thanks with the refill and smiled as she turned on her heel and left the room again.
"Yes." A partial white lie. That chapter was officially closed in Niko's life. Darko may not be resting at the bottom of a random ditch in a field, but he was satisfied… for now. He wasn't sure how he would react seeing him again. Not with the way Kate responded to them talking about him. He wasn't completely sure Darko hadn't crossed any lines or done something wrong toward Kate.
"Explains why you got so defensive earlier…" Gerry looked down at his finished plate of food. If Niko was truly done and out of the game, then maybe it wasn't the best idea to place such a hefty wager on him in order to marry his sister. Kenny and Roy would be more than willing to assist with finding Derrick's killer. There was really no need to drag Niko back into the fold.
Niko coldly looked down the table to Gerry before turning his attention back to Roy. He would talk later to Gerry in private about the matter of Derrick's killer. He would have to find some way to get out of his task… Especially since he was the killer.
"Congratulations then. On your victory." Kenny downed the rest of his vodka after raising his glass to Niko. He was somewhat confused about Niko's answer- Wasn't Darko part of Natalya's gang? He had found out after the fact but had no concrete answer on if he was dead and gone. He had suspicions about who was taking over for Natalya's absences or possibly the new leader of the Albanian's. But here was Niko confirming that his revenge had been met. And that meant only one thing. Darko was dead.
"Yes. It is always a good feeling when revenge is met and finished." Roy saluted the man at the head of the table and gulped down a decent amount of liquor. He had his own revenge to gain and was looking forward to squashing the remaining loyalists to Jimmy.
Niko looked to Jacob as he shifted uncomfortably at the table. They both knew differently, but he prayed that the knowledge wouldn't be brought to light. Little Jacob had been a great friend and confidant. They had each other's backs and would jump to the other's defense without a second thought. He owed much to him and would make sure to repay him however he could. Jacob had been there throughout the final fight without a single question. Even Packie was willing to risk his life to help Niko, even if he had more than one reason to be there fighting.
"Before I forget!" Roy glanced toward the living room and snapped his fingers at one of his bodyguards, "It was on Jon's deathbed that he gave me orders to stay in everyone's good graces and give you all his parting gift." A tall, well-dressed man moved into the dining room carrying a couple of small boxes, "The Commission has a tradition of handing out gifts when mutually beneficial partnerships are formed. It is a way to show loyalty and form strong family bonds."
"Roy, you know I do not like accepting gifts! Especially when I have nothing to return the favor." Kenny leaned away from the table when a thin, narrow box was placed down next to his empty dinner plate.
"Our partnership is the gift I have received. This is my way of saying thank you. And I have a feeling you will like what it is Jon and I have picked out." Roy smiled across the table as he finished off his glass of cognac, "Go on. Everyone open their boxes!"
Kenny didn't waste any time and nearly jerked the lid off the box. Inside rested a thick gold, linked bracelet. Inside each link was a perfectly round cut diamond. Carefully Kenny lifted the delicate piece of jewelry out of the velvet box and inspected the level of detail, "And just where, might I ask, did you find such clarity diamonds? Hm?"
Gerry opened his box to find a silver pocket watch. Quickly he pressed the clasp open to see the face of the clock, tiny diamonds glittered up at him from under the softly ticking second hand as it moved in measured time around the dials. It was nicer than anything he had ever received in his life, and he was awestruck by the beauty of it. The chain was lightweight silver, but each coil was welded firmly, and strongly to keep the palm sized watch safe.
Jacob lifted the closed cigar holder out of his box and twisted the closure open to see what was inside. A cursive J. H. was outlined in small diamonds on the inside lid of the cigar case. He trailed his fingers over his initials and looked up toward Roy to see why he had been given such a fancy cigar holder as he didn't really smoke tobacco.
"I have some of the highest quality cigar paper to give you as well. It will give God's given gift to mankind a better taste when smoked." Roy could guess at why he was getting a pensive look from the second in command of the Yardies. He figured there would be a need to have some place to store the higher grade marijuana blunts, and he highly doubted Jacob had a proper cigar humidifier laying around.
"Much appreciated Star." Jacob nodded as he went back to inspecting the silver plated case.
"And to answer your question Kenny, Bulgarin didn't have just one stash of diamonds laying around. Just so happened to find these in a safe deposit box in the Bank of Liberty. About a week before it was robbed blind." Roy knowingly smirked at Gerry, watching as the leader of the Irish mob threaded the t-bar through the loop on his suit vest, gently tucking the watch into the pocket.
Kenny let out a surprised chuckle, "I had wondered what happened to the other half of those blasted diamonds. Such a mess that whole ordeal was. Fitting they now get to rest on my wrist." He lopped the heavy chain around his right wrist and worked the clasp closed. He inspected the bracelet with admiration before lowering his hands back down to the table, "As much as I would love to stay the rest of the evening and bore you all with long winded stories, I do believe I have a flight to catch."
As one everyone stood up from the table.
"I will have my men collect the spy from upstairs. He will be dealt with accordingly." Kenny held his hand out toward Gerry as he moved around the table to lead everyone out of the dining room back to the front room.
"Thanks for the… um. Late heads up." Gerry shook Kenny's hand. He had a phone call with the leader of the Russian mob shortly after he got off the phone with Niko. He had hoped that Bobby would've kept cool and not blown his cover so spectacularly. They could have used him as a double agent, worked the angles better, but alas- Bobby had reverted back into his lovesick childhood days of wanting to be around his sister.
"I did warn you." Kenny lifted his eyebrow at the slight jab.
"Yeah, yeah. I know." Gerry released Kenny's hand and motioned toward the living room, "Gentlemen."
"You warned him and not the person who the spy was after?" Niko roughly shoved his chair back toward the table and glared at Kenny.
"Who said he was after you?" Kenny shook his head and turned away from Niko, not liking the way he was being looked at, "Roy it is always a pleasure. I'll call once we land in Los Santos."
"Ah yes. I'll send someone up to get the ladies. They must've gotten bored with the conversation." Roy shook Gerry's hand and then Kenny's before moving toward Little Jacob to introduce himself properly.
"I will go get them." Niko volunteered and was on his way into the living room before Kenny's hand landed on his shoulder, halting him in place.
"A word outside, if you will." Kenny's stern expression kept Niko from shaking off his hand.
Niko glanced around at everyone- Gerry, Roy, and Jacob all seemed to dive into their own conversation, giving them the space they needed. He wasn't sure if this was planned or if Kenny had asked that he be given a chance to talk one on one with him. Either way it felt too out of place to ignore, and he shrugged his shoulder to get Kenny to let go of him, "Lead the way."
Armed men moved out of their way as they crossed the warm living room and headed toward the front door. Each one bowed their heads in respect and tilted their weapons away and out of view, as if they wanted to pose no threat to either of them. Another man snapped to attention and opened the front door completely, keeping it open for them to pass through. Two other men on the top step of the entryway stairs turned their backs to them and scanned the surroundings for threats, making sure it was safe for their boss to exit the building.
Kenny paused just inside the house waiting for his men to give the all clear. He took a moment to glance to the man at his side, noticing the way Niko did his own sweep of the street from his vantage point, "It never goes away, does it?"
"No." Niko watched as people in normal jackets signaled toward them and moved on to a secondary place to keep watch.
"If it keeps you alive, it is a good habit to keep." Kenny walked outside the home and down the few steps to lean into the high end SUV that was parked right outside the door. Quickly he pulled a cigarette holder from his heavy coat pocket and pulled out one, offering Niko one as he approached him.
"No. I don't smoke." Niko wished he had grabbed his heavier coat before coming outside. The air was freezing now that the sun had completely set for the night.
"A nasty habitual urge I get from a certain mutual friend of ours. He smokes like no tomorrow." Kenny spoke in Russian as he lit his cigarette, taking a long drag off of it.
"I've noticed." Niko didn't like the way Bernard always reeked of smoke, and was always itching to leave the man's office at ULP due to the slight secondhand buzz he would get being in the small, enclosed space.
"I will get to the point. The spy, from my sources, was meant to get close to Kate, in order to get closer to Packie and Gerald. He was to inform his associates out west that Gerry was indeed back in power, not presumed dead, and give them the connections the Irish have built up." Kenny crossed his arms and leaned his head back into the black SUV.
"Anyone who goes after Kate will have to answer to me." Niko shifted his weight from foot to foot trying to stay warm.
"He wasn't meant to attack her or do anything menacing. How would he gain the McReary trust if he crossed lines? Doesn't add up. No, I think he just lost it being back and was a lousy spy. Amateurs." Kenny scoffed and took another puff off his cigarette.
"Still. He crossed the line." Niko shivered as the frigid wind whipped down the nearly empty street.
"That why you are sporting a bullet hole in your suit?" Kenny gestured to the frayed cloth along Niko's side with his cig.
"Partially. Who does he work for?" Niko jerked his jacket closer around his body to shield the bullet hole from view. He had momentarily forgot it was there and didn't like Kenny noticing it.
"Some new radical group out of Russia. At least that's my thoughts. Computer geeks are hard to pin down to one single group. They are freelance and tend to just want money. No loyalty whatsoever. Makes me sick. Some tech work guy in Vinewood Hills reached out to me giving me a heads up on a potential threat to my assets. I have The Lost working on establishing their network in Blaine County and let me tell you, the hicks in the area are such a bother. But a Robert Welsh popped up on the radar as seeking information on underground networks in LC." Kenny looked at his men on the stone steps of the McReary household. He was thankful that he still had loyal people in his network. Had he not been warned, the new alliances could have been shaken before they even formed.
"So he is a one off? In no way connected to the Rascalov clan?" Niko squinted his eyes as the sting of the wind grew unbearable.
"I am not aware of any connection there. But I can look into it?" Kenny dropped his finished cig and twisted the toe of his dress shoe over it to make sure it was put out.
"No. LCPD can handle it." The words felt hollow in his mouth, and he knew it. If he truly wanted answers on who attacked him and Ron, it would need to come from sources outside of the law enforcement arena.
"Just like they handle everything else?" Kenny smirked with his words and waved down his men from the front of the brownstone, "Take my word for it. LCPD is not so solid and good. Plenty of corrupt people in other interested party's pockets. I will miss having Mitt in control."
"I'm sure." Niko's stomach grew cold with the knowledge that Mitt had possibly been involved with Kenny. Which would mean it was only a matter of time before Francis was cornered by Kenny and new deals were made. He would need to warn Kate's brother soon about it. Francis would be too easy to break and bend to Kenny's will and that meant dark, dangerous secrets would be exposed.
"But I do believe there is a change coming to Liberty City. And this year shall be telling on how things play out for the future. If you should ever need help or wish to come out of retirement, you know where to find me." Kenny moved off of the SUV as his men climbed inside of it, opening the back door for him to enter. He paused as he went to climb into the back seat, fingers drumming along the metal doorframe.
"Niko?" Kenny looked over his shoulder to the man he longed to have as his number two- the one dealing out death and orders. The man who stood on his own ground and defiant in the face of power and tyranny. 'One hell of a prize to have…'
"Petrovic?" Niko fisted his hands in his pants pockets as he waited for whatever weird goodbye he would get from the most powerful man in all of Liberty. 'Just hurry it up. Fucking cold out here.'
"Retirement gets old. Ghosts will haunt you at night, and when you reach the edge of the world, who will you have to turn to? Our demons are not very helpful when faced with certain outcomes. When you stand before the darkness, I hope you have something… or someone, to fall back to." With that Kenny hauled himself into the SUV to wait for Antonia to emerge from the home so they could make their way to Francis International Airport. The door closed with a heavy click and took Niko from his view.
Niko let out a long, slow breath before turning on his heel to enter back into the house. He had much to think on, and even more to figure out now. Kenny with all of his knowledge and power would be of no help. Not without taking his place at the table officially. Not without jeopardizing everything he was building on in his life. Not without giving up Kate. He paused at the bottom of the steps to look over his shoulder and the running SUV. Just what was the game here? What was there to gain by jumping back into the mix?
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"You've lived in this very bedroom all of your life?" Antonia turned a small circle taking in the décor of the bedroom. There wasn't much artwork on the walls, or photos for that matter. A plain dresser with a large lighted mirror, wooden bed frame, nightstand, bookcase, and armchair filled the space. Silently she moved toward the bookcase to see what all was stored on the somewhat bowed shelfs.
"For the most part. I don't live here anymore. But yeah, this was it for twenty eight years." Kate closed the door and followed the female as she neared the filled bookcase.
"You must have felt safe. No changes to scenery. No moving in the middle of the night. Must have been nice to have the consistency." Antonia trialed her eyes over the steamy titles of the romance novels before turning to sit down on the slender windowsill.
"There were moments. But now this room doesn't feel very welcoming or safe." Slowly Kate lowered down into the armchair next to the woman that exuded power and confidence. Something she wished she could project. There were times before that fateful night that she could play the part, but it was only an act, and not something she truly believed herself to be.
"How about that drink now?" She unscrewed the flask cap and held it out for Kate to take the first sip, "Only the most expensive brandy money can't buy. I drank almost the entire bottle when my dad called. Didn't want to waste the only known bottle in all of Liberty. I managed to control myself enough to siphon off some for my travels. I feel like I'm going to need it being stuck on a private plane with Kenny."
"What? Is it like the fancy looking bottle that high scale restaurants keep on the top shelf with the mirrors and lights?" Kate took the metal flask from her and lightly sniffed the liquor inside. It didn't smell like alcohol at all. It wafted out of the opening and made her mouth water.
"Those are all lower end versions. This is the real deal. Straight from France. But you wouldn't catch my father dead saying that. Proud Italian that he is." A small smile lifted her lips before disappearing completely.
"I can understand the national tragedy that would encompass." Kate could understand the meaning, her own Pa wouldn't be caught near an Italian restaurant or run business. Something about cultural conflicts or something. It had never bothered her in the least bit that she went to a school of people from all walks of life. She blamed her parents upbringing on the skewed views and racial tendencies her father would carry on.
"So, join me for a moment of complete sin?" Antonia laughed dryly and leaned into the chilly glass panes of the window.
"A moment won't hurt." Kate lifted the flask to her lips and took a hesitant sip, not sure if it would be nasty or good. The warmth and taste took over her senses and she greedily took a lager sip, "If that's sin, it can't be that bad."
"Wait till you're a few shots in and try to walk." She took the flask back and downed her own healthy gulp.
"You haven't been to an Irish wake or welcome home party then." Kate ran the tip of her tongue over her lips and tried to hold on to the flavor of the brandy. It clung to her, enveloped her, and forced a yearning for more to surface under her skin.
"Ah yes. The Irish do know how to throw one hell of a party. I was always jealous of the crazy parties thrown down at Lucky Winkles. I wasn't allowed near that bar, but my friends at school would rave about the utter hysterics that took place." Antonia took another large gulp and passed it back to the redhead seated on the cushioned armchair.
"Steinway is the same. Plenty of nights I would end up back home with no recollection of how I got in bed." Kate took another sip and snuggled back into the chair, getting comfortable for once that night. The tightness started to loosen all over her body, and she readily kicked her heels off in order to tuck her legs underneath her.
"Those were the days. You know? We probably would've hit it off had we met when we were younger." She tugged on her dress before kicking off her own heels. The alcohol always made her flush and feel hot and if she wasn't careful, they would be intoxicated quickly and giggling madly about random things. 'But fuck it. I deserve this.'
"I could see that. I didn't have very many friends growing up. I think people knew more about my life than I did. And is why I was left relatively alone." She glanced up toward the woman that was winning her over quickly.
"Comes with the life our families led. The only guy I really wanted to be with- to make it to the end with- he wasn't part of this life. It was normal. Safe. He wasn't trying to get to my dad or others within the organization. He just wanted me and my time." A thoughtful expression crossed her face and she reached out to take another sip from the flask.
"Sounds wonderful." Kate handed her back the now lighter flask and watched as Antonia took another sip.
"He was. But like every good thing, it came to an end. Someone put a hit on me and my mom to get back at the Gambetti's. I was out at the theater in Star Junction with him, and this random man opened fire on us. He was hit eight times. Bled out before I even had the chance to call for help. I pretty much didn't date after that. He had no connection to the criminal world. Just an innocent man out on a date with his girlfriend." She sighed heavily and took another drink off the flask.
Kate held her hand out for the flask, taking it from Antonia and placing it down on her lap, before grabbing the outstretched hand, "I'm so sorry for your loss."
"Not your fault. It's really no one's fault except the man that missed his intended target. I don't blame my family. I don't blame myself. Took years to get to this point. But what happened was out of my hands and there was nothing I could have done differently. Maybe not date him? Sure. Maybe keep myself holed up in the mansion, alone, miserable, and just waiting for the end to come? Nah. I wanted to live. And I did. I probably should have told him the side of me that was dangerous, but I was selfish and wanted to just be normal for once." She squeezed Kate's hand before letting go. Carefully she stood up and paced back and forth in the small bedroom.
"I can completely relate. I myself have kept isolated from the world for so long. Niko was the first chance I took at life. I guess. I promised myself to not get attached. The boys are always bringing new guys around and every new face is just another person ready to die. But there was something different about Niko. We didn't date. Not at first. But somewhere along the way I fell for him and wished I had given him the chance to actually date me. Instead, things got out of hand and now here we are." Kate tugged on Gordon's jacket trying to alleviate the sudden onset of heat that crept along her body.
"We've both made mistakes. Good and bad ones." Antonia removed her blazer and tossed it on the bed, shaking out her arms.
"Very much so." Kate took another sip from the flask, "At least you didn't almost shoot your boyfriend."
"Wait what now?" Antonia paused in lifting her hair off her neck to turn and stare at the woman sitting on the chair under the window.
"Yep. Before you got here, I was trying to defend myself from some, some asshat. And when Niko tried to take the gun from me, I pulled the trigger." Kate was slowly slipping into the fuzz that sat on the outskirts of her mind. Her body was relaxed, warm, comfortable, and there was an easiness to talking to the Italian woman that was messing with her thick brown hair.
"How'd he take it? I assume he's fine since he came down to dinner like nothing was wrong. Well. Something was wrong. His hands were covered in blood." Antonia swayed somewhat as she moved back toward Kate and took the flask in order to take another sip.
"I-I don't know about the blood. He wasn't bleeding when he… when he," Kate hiccupped slightly and felt her cheeks warm up in her embarrassment, "He left the room afterwards. I guess he took his frustrations out on Mr. Asshat." She nodded at her assumption and lifted her hand to Antonia.
"Mr. Asshat huh?" Antonia laughed and hauled Kate up out of the chair, "What did the asshole do?"
"He came int-into my room and didn't tell me it was him. I was getting dressed. Stupid zipper got stuck and I thought it was Niko coming up to check on me. Bobby took liberties and helped me get dressed. Touched me without permission." Kate scrunched up her face, "Had I not noticed the boney shoulder things might have taken a worse turn. He is very handsy and I don't handle physical touch very well. Things happened. Bad things."
"Even if things hadn't happened, it still doesn't give him the right to touch you or let you believe something else." Antonia nodded her head and fanned herself slightly with one of her hands.
"It is kind of warm in here." Kate could feel herself slowly starting to sweat and she rubbed at her hairline to make sure nothing was visible.
"That's the alcohol sugar. And damn. Look at the time…" Antonia glanced at the alarm clock resting on the nightstand and knew that Kenny was probably waiting on her downstairs to get going. They had a strict flight time and even though she longed to stay and keep talking to Kate, she had a life to leave and a new one to start.
"Could you maybe give me some advice before you leave?" Kate ran her fingers through her hair to check for any tangles or dampness from the sweat she felt on her neck. Last thing she wanted was to head back downstairs looking like a mess.
"Sure hon. What did you want to know?" Antonia took another gulp and passed the flask off to Kate. 'Might as well let her enjoy this as much as I am. Who knew the Princess of the Irish mob would be so interesting to talk to and get to know…'
"Is it… Do you think?" Kate sighed and nearly collapsed down on the edge of her bed, heavily taking a swig from the flask, "I am trying to fight for me and Niko to be together. So much is trying to pull us apart. Or it at least feels that way."
"So you want to know if it's worth it?" Antonia sat down next to her and grabbed the flask, finishing off the last of the expensive liquid.
"Yes." Kate worriedly looked to the woman next to her and prayed she would have the answers for her.
"You are looking for the answers in all the wrong places love. The only one who can answer that is you. And Niko. Tell me. Do you know why he is with you? Do you know if he wants what you want out of life? Do your goals in life line up? Is it a family, white picket fence, and big house what you want? Or is it power, safety, and the ability to stay untouchable? If you can't figure out why the most dangerous, skilled, and sought after man in Liberty wants to be by your side, then maybe it's time you had a serious conversation with him." Antonia placed her arm around Kate as the tears built up along her eyelashes.
"I do not say all this to scare you off. The heart wants what it wants. We don't always choose who we fall for. Sometimes love blooms in the darkest of places, other times it comes from a friendly face over many years of trust and comfort. If he makes you happy. If he keeps you safe- provides for you, loves you, and doesn't bring you harm… Then what is holding you back? His past? Yours? We don't live in the past, we live in the now, and it's what we do now that matters. Can't build a future if you stand idly by."
Kate leaned into the woman's arm and let her shoulders relax. Things her mother used to say to her every night when she was a young girl resurfaced and the tears slipped down her cheeks. Her Ma used to tell her to be patient and kind when it came to matters of the heart. Things would always work themselves out, and it wasn't always how she wanted it to play out. And here was someone else explaining to her that if she wanted something, she needed to make a stand and actively make it work. Or let it go.
"Thank you. I wish you didn't have to leave." Kate swiped at a couple of tears that glided down her cheeks and leaned her head further into her new friend's shoulder.
"You're welcome. I wish I didn't have to leave too. But my life is going on a new path." She returned the side hug and placed a kiss to the crown of Kate's head. Silently they broke apart and stood up. The flask clattered to the floor, and she quickly bent down to pick it up and close the empty container, "You know what?"
"Hm?" Kate watched as the young woman stood up and slipped the flask into the inside blazer pocket that rested on her bed, before tossing the jacket around her shoulders.
"Why don't I give you my burner cell number? I don't use it to call anyone and that way if you ever find yourself out west, we could maybe meet up for a drink?" Antonia shoved her arms into the blazer sleeves and walked over to her shoes, quickly stepping into them, before heading to the dresser across the room. She noticed a couple pieces of notebook paper haphazardly placed on the surface, along with a jar of pens, and scribbled down her phone number in the margin of a blank page.
"I will definitely call you if I do end up in Los Santos." Kate nearly shouted at her to not write on the letter from her brother, but when she saw her flip through the pages to a blank one, she bit her cheek to hold in her retort.
"Take care of yourself." Antonia placed the pen back down in the jar and smiled at Kate through the large mirror.
"You too. Be safe out there." Kate returned the smile and sat back down on her bed when Antonia reached the bedroom door.
"And Kate?" She paused holding the doorknob and turned to look at the woman that was somewhat hunched in on herself.
"Yes?" Kate looked up from the floor to see what Antonia wanted before walking out of her bedroom for the last time.
"Everyone has a happy ending. If you're not happy, it's not the end." With that Antonia left Kate's room and pulled the door closed behind her. She nearly jumped out of her skin when she spotted a man sitting down on the floor just outside of the bedroom door.
"Sorry. Didn't mean to scare you." Gordon uncovered his eyes with his hand and glanced up to Antonia.
"What are you…? You know what? Never mind. Just keep an eye out for this asshole that spooked her. Have a good night." She nodded to the man that looked beyond pale and tired. Why he was seated on the floor outside of Kate's room she couldn't really guess. He didn't look like one of Kenny's or Roy's men, so maybe he was someone associated with Gerald? It wasn't for her to figure out and she quickly moved to the staircase where she could hear Roy's laughter from downstairs. Grabbing the handrail, she made her way down the steps and plastered the fake smile back on her face to deal with pesky mobsters and armed bodyguards.
"Ah there she is! My dear where is your friend?" Roy turned to smile at Antonia when she stepped off the last step into the foyer. Gently placing his hands on her shoulders to kiss both of her cheeks in greeting.
"She is in her room for now. There is someone guarding the door. Is Kenny outside?" Antonia returned the gesture by placing air kisses to his cheeks and smiled at Gerald who looked worriedly at the staircase.
"Yes, he is ready to go. I will miss you sweetheart. Be careful." Roy released her shoulders and stepped to the side to let her exit the home.
"Miss you already. Make my father proud and honor Mr. Gravelli's wishes." Antonia nodded to everyone and hastily made her way out into the blistering cold, nighttime air. She collided into a solid frame as she took the steps rapidly, not bothering to look up from her feet as she practically fled the brownstone.
"Shit. Sorry." Niko grabbed her elbows to keep her from tumbling over and hitting the sidewalk. He carefully hauled her upright and made sure her feet were under her, keeping his hands on her arms for balance.
Antonia blinked several times as she looked up into the face of the man that her own father held respect for, "It's my fault. I apologize. It was very rude of me." She stretched out her fingers along the soft fabric of his suit jacket, completely at a loss for what to say.
"It's alright. Be careful around Kenny." Niko went to release her and stiffened when she pulled him close.
"I will. And take care of Kate." She kissed both of his cheeks and tried to hide her movements from the windows of the SUV, tucking a small pouch into Niko's front suit jacket, "A small show of appreciation from me and Jon. I didn't think Roy would give you the gift owed to you. So I made sure to bring it along. Take care." She smiled sadly up into soft, confused eyes, and patted his suit pocket before pulling away completely and moving toward the SUV. A guard opened the back door and held his hand out to help her inside.
"Take care." Niko watched her disappear into the SUV over his shoulder and felt for what she had slipped into his pocket. A small bundle of cloth and something sharp greeted his fingers and he dropped his hand away. She clearly didn't want people to know she had given it to him, and he wouldn't bring attention to it. The door closed with a slam and the guard walked up to the front passenger side door and climbed in before the SUV dashed away down the street.
"I do believe I will take my leave. Was a lovely meal, Gerald." Roy's voice drifted down to him from the open front door and Niko turned back around to face the emerging men from the McReary household.
"It was. I'll be in touch. Have a nice evening." He couldn't see Gerry, but knew he was standing just out of view of the front door.
Niko nodded to Roy as they passed each other on the stairs, it was all the acknowledgement he wanted to give him. And it seemed the feeling was mutual as Roy returned the nod before climbing into the vehicle that pulled up along the curb. He didn't waste any more time and entered back inside the brownstone, and out of the cold night air.
"Why didn't Patrick come back down?" Gerry grilled him the second he made it inside and the door was closed behind him.
"Your so called friend upstairs said some fucked up things about your father." Niko responded, heading for the stairs to check on Kate. He didn't want to talk anymore. He had been drained of every last drop of patience he had, and right now his concern was on his girlfriend.
"He won't be speaking for much longer." Gerry called up to Niko as he ascended the steps.
"Figures." Niko reached the landing quickly and paused at the sight of Gordon slouched over against the wall outside of Kate's room. There was something off about the way he kept rubbing at his eyes and forehead. Cautiously he approached him and glanced to the door to see that it was firmly closed. "Is everything okay man?"
"Huh? Oh! Yeah. Just… Um." Gordon tripped over his words and felt scared sitting on the floor outside of Kate's bedroom. He had felt sick listening to the muffled screaming coming from inside Derrick's old room and he had left his post in order to not get physically ill. He felt guilty, but there was plenty of capable people inside the room and he would just be down a floor incase Bobby tried to make a break for it. But he couldn't handle it any longer.
"It's okay. I understand." Niko could easily read the shaking hands, cold sweat, and unfocused gaze on Gordon. It didn't take much to get that he needed a break from being around whatever was happening up on the third story.
"Thanks…" Gordon wiped at his face one more time and turned to stare ahead of himself again.
"If you need to talk-" Niko started.
"I'm good man. Kate's inside. She sounds like she is moving around a lot." Gordon didn't look back toward Niko and only shifted his hold on the pistol he held in his hand.
Niko felt bad now. Some people just weren't mean to see the darker sides of this life. Gordon had clearly been kept away from it, and only seen bits and pieces. He glanced down the hall to another door that was firmly shut and had a light shining through the crack at the bottom. He figured Packie had just gone into his own room to fume and work through things. Part of him wanted to check in on him. Make sure he hadn't taken one too many lines…
"Packie is cool. He came out a minute ago to use the bathroom before going back inside his room." Gordon spoke up from his place on the floor and quieted some of Niko's fears.
"Thanks."
"Do you think Bobby did anything bad to Kate? I don't like, or want, to think bad about my friend. He hung out with us all. He was super close to everyone. I don't know why he would go and do something stupid like this…" He shifted around on the floor to get more comfortable, but the cold hardwoods were making him feel numb.
"If Kate tried to shoot him, I don't think it was something to be taken lightly." Niko walked over to the door and lowered his voice so it wouldn't carry down the hall or back down the stairs.
"No, you're right. She wouldn't have done something so drastic. He clearly crossed a line." Gordon nodded a few times and thumped his head back into the wall, "Some look out I make."
"Don't blame yourself. I didn't even see him come up here." Niko's eyebrows lowered somewhat as he tried to recall the moments that led up to them charging up the steps.
"I did. But figured he was just using the bathroom. Hadn't seen him in years and here he is breaking into Kate's room and doing who knows what. It's fucked up man." Gordon shakily scrubbed over his face, "Just what is going on anymore? I was fine with the shootouts and robbing people. But this is a whole new level of fucked up. Now we have freakin' Kenny and Roy sniffing around and makin' moves."
"I don't know. But if you are wanting out, I would do it soon. Before Gerry puts you on an assignment you don't want." Niko rested his forehead on Kate's door and let out a long sigh. He had no business telling people in Gerry's organization to quit or do anything. He wasn't in charge, but he got along with Gordon and didn't want him to end up in a bad situation wishing he had done things differently. The door gave way and Niko nearly stumbled forward before grabbing the edges of the doorframe to stay upright.
"I can hear you two out here talking. Might as well come inside." Kate jumped slightly at being so close to Niko all of a sudden but relaxed the longer she stared at him. A goofy smile spread across her lips as she spun on her heel to head back toward her bed. Piles of random clothes were stacked neatly around a larger suitcase and the closet door was still open, showing she had pulled several articles of clothing out to stuff into the suitcase.
Niko silently moved into her bedroom and eyed the open luggage. He knew she wanted to bring more stuff over to his place, but he wasn't sure if the bulky suitcase was going to fit in the small storage compartment of the Infernus.
"Gordon! I know you are out there. Get your butt in here and sit down on something more comfortable than the floor." Kate called out when she realized he had yet to enter the room.
"Okay, okay…" Gordon poked his head around the corner and darted his eyes to the floor as he entered her bedroom, awkwardly closing the door behind him.
"Now go sit on the chair by the window and quit your moping. You are not at fault for anything. Bobby did what he did. Not you. And not Niko." Kate shoved a couple of sweaters into the large compartment of the suitcase and busied herself with looking for the matching jeans she had somewhere on the bed.
"But I'm allowed to feel bad." Gordon grumbled as he dropped down into the armchair and kept his eyes glued to the floor.
"And I'm allowed to feel like the world's worst girlfriend for shooting my boyfriend." Kate fisted her hands on the zippered edge of the suitcase and let out a huff.
"Kate…" Niko watched the tension build along her spine, leaning back against her dresser. He wanted to pull her away from her bed and into his arms, but her body language was so far off from what he was expecting. She looked tightly wound, on edge, and… 'Is she drunk?!'
"Bobby came in here and touched me. Caused my body to react… I went for the gun. I pointed it at him. And he mocked me for even holding the thing. I wasn't sure where Niko was in the house. If he was on his way up, had heard me yell out for him when Bobby took a step toward me. I fired the gun to stop him. I didn't even aim right. How you people shoot at others is just beyond me." Kate looked up to the ceiling, shaking out her hair. God she was feeling beyond hot and on edge now. So many different emotions and feelings were trying to take control and it was confusing on where she would land.
"It's not easy." Gordon offered looking up to see Niko with a matching expression. Just where was she going with this?
"It most certainly isn't. But for a split second- just for a moment in time, it was easy. I wanted him dead. For that space of time, he was no better than the men who broke into this very house and tried to…" She waved her hand at the bed and turned away from the images that wanted to overlay her clothes and luggage.
"Kate. You were defending yourself." Niko softly added as she turned around to face him. His eyes dragged over her body to try and figure out what was going on with her. She was wearing Gordon's suit jacket by the looks of it. But she was constantly opening and closing her hands, rubbing at random places on her body, and rolling her neck as if trying to relieve pressure.
"Was I?" She rubbed at her temples and tried to focus her spinning vision. 'Antonia was right… Stuff goes right to your head…'
"I think so." Gordon answered her before he felt a vibrate in his pocket. He removed his cell phone and read the message from Gerry quickly, "I don't want to rush out of here, but the boss wants me downstairs."
"Take your jacket. Thank you for letting me borrow it." Kate shimmed her arms out of the jacket and removed Niko's pistol from the inside pocket. The cooler air felt heavenly on her exposed arms, and she shivered with the way it felt. Her bare feet tingled against the harsh wooden floors, and she leaned up on her toes to get the blood flow moving again, before dropping back down to her heels.
"Any time. Glad it helped." Gordon stood up from the chair and walked over to grab his suit jacket back. He took it from her outstretched hand and silently slipped it back on.
"Don't let Gerry beat you up over it. Tell him I asked for it." Kate swayed back into the edge of the mattress and crossed her arms trying to cover up the intoxication that was taking over her body.
Gordon had made to grab her arm before she caught herself against the bed. He had seen her drunk plenty of times, but it was mostly her fighting with her brothers and random guys in the bar. Never this swaying and vast pendulum of emotions. He gave her a questioning look and got a shake of her head in response. It was her way of telling him she was alright, and it was okay for him to leave her alone with Niko. 'Since when did we get so good at reading each other?'
"I will." Gordon nodded to her and made his way to the bedroom door. He felt weird now being around just Niko and Kate. He wasn't sure what was going to happen once he left them alone and he didn't want to think too much on it. With one last glance over his shoulder, he looked between Niko and Kate before opening the door and heading out into the hall, closing the door behind him.
"If I jump you, will you get mad at me?" Kate placed his pistol down next to the open suitcase and stared across her room at her boyfriend. Her body felt itchy, flushed, and her insides squeezed something fierce. He had that intimidating look about him and it weakened her knees to where she had to lock them to stay standing. All she wanted to do was run her hands over him to make sure he really wasn't injured. To know for a fact that he wasn't hiding some injury from her and that she had missed when she pulled the trigger. The vest needed to come off so she could feel his toned body once more.
"You will just have to come here to find out." His accent deepened his voice, and he raked his eyes over her. If she wanted him, or needed him, he wasn't about to shove her away. Just the sight of her slightly disheveled- hair uncontrollably frizzing and curling more, the bare feet, her dress wrinkled and bunched where her hands rubbed over her sides- she was nearly screaming at him to jerk the zipper down her dress and touch her.
Kate shoved up off the bed and rushed forward, her bare feet padding against the bare floors. Niko stood up from leaning against her dresser and grabbed her the second she was close enough to him. He fisted his hands into the sides of her dress and crashed his lips to hers as her hands pulled his face down to her. She was rough and frenzied and couldn't make up her mind on where she wanted to touch him. Her tongue brushed along his bottom lip seeking entrance, and he greedily complied.
Her hand yanked his tie and pulled him further down to her, pressing her overheated body to him. She continued to kiss him hungrily, building herself up and shutting off her mind. The moan pressed against her lungs, and she broke off just long enough for air before kissing his cheek and working her way to his neck. She felt her body quake with the way his hands drifted from her sides to her butt, and she lightly sucked his flesh into her mouth over the thundering heartbeat in his neck.
"Kate…" Niko softly moaned her name and grabbed her ass harder. She was on him, almost desperately with the way she held on and refused to let space come between them. He moved his hands further down, bending his knees slightly, and grabbed her thighs before pulling her up toward him. Her legs immediately opened and wrapped around him as he picked her up off the floor.
"Niko!" Kate sighed his name against his cheek as she adjusted herself in his hold and went back to kissing his mouth. She ran her hands over his shoulders and dipped her fingers into the suit jacket, immediately whining at the feel of his bullet proof vest.
"Shh. We don't want anyone to hear." Niko whispered to her and maneuvered his hands under the hem of her dress. He roughly held her flesh as he felt himself twitch in his pants.
"Nooo… Definitely don't want to be interrupted…" The words were barely above a whisper, and she shivered when the tips of his fingers played along the edge of her thong.
"Can you stay quiet for me?" Niko murmured the words against her neck as he kissed his way to her spot, wanting to hear his name roll off of her tongue.
"Can you?" Kate worked her hand between them and thumbed the suit and vest buttons loose as she worked her way to his belt buckle.
"I'll just have to bury my mouth some place to stay quiet." He turned them and dropped her to the top of her dresser, shoving her dress up her legs. His hands bunched her dress up over her hips to her waist, dipping down in the thin band of her underwear. The move caused her legs to thump loudly against the dresser drawers and they stilled for half a second with the noise before ignoring the rest of the world.
Kate tugged his tie knot loose and used the free ends to yank him forward when his thumb dragged down over her opening, crashing her lips back to his, stifling the moan that nearly ripped from her throat. Her entire body shook when he repeated the action with the pad of his thumb, and she bit his lower lip to spur him on. She scooted forward once more making a loud bang against the old, creaking dresser.
"Careful beautiful. Don't want someone to come knocking." Niko whispered the words in Serbian against her lips, lifting his hands to cup her cheeks, brushing her wild curls from her face. He tucked her hair behind her ears before once more dropping down to tease her by sliding the hem of her thong lower on her hips.
"Don't slow down. Please." Kate softly leaned forward on the top of her dresser and reached down between them, flipping the end of his belt free from the metal clasp.
"Hey Kate? I just wanted-" Packie rapidly opened the bedroom door and froze at the sight of them.
They all stared at one another not sure what to do or say. Packie opened his mouth and closed it a few times completely at a loss. Niko's hands were caught in his sister's underwear. Kate's hands weren't visible, but he could take a very educated guess at where they were.
"I uh. I'm just gonna- Um. I'll just leave you two to it." Packie did the awkward finger gun salute and pulled the door closed.
"Oh my God!" Kate groaned before dropping her face into Niko's shoulder, "I will never hear the end of it."
"I think we should probably head out soon. Get back to the apartment… Maybe pick this up where we left off?" Niko readjusted the straps to her thong and lowered her dress back down. He had just been caught red handed with Kate in her bedroom. And had Packie opened the door a moment or two later, things might not have been so covered.
"Yeah… And maybe we should talk?" Kate smoothed over his tie and turned her face down in order to see where the edges of his vest were to be able to rebutton it.
"Sure."
"Just sure? No 'about what' or 'if that's what you want'?" Kate leaned back to see his face, wanting to make sure his answer wasn't a bad sure, and only his way of wanting to get them moving and out the door.
"We should probably talk about you almost shooting me." Niko took over for Kate and did the buttons up on his vest, "And before you freak out. No. I am not mad at you for it. It was an accident, yes?" He looked up from the vest to get her response.
"Of course! I would never…" She tugged her bottom lip in her mouth and chewed it uncertainly. Her hands trembled as she moved them to the frayed opening on his side, "After watching you get shot… The last thing I want to do is do that to you. You're my…" The words caught around the lump in her throat, and she brushed the tips of her fingers over the threads that broke free as the bullet ripped across them.
"I'm sorry you were alone in here with him." He placed his hand over hers against his side and let her feel the undamaged bullet proof vest below his clothes, "I had my layer of protection on. Was it not you that insisted on coming prepared?"
"Yes. But not because of me. Because I didn't trust those men down there not to shoot you or who knows what." The palm of her hand could feel every fiber of his clothing that had torn, but the solid, undisturbed, thick vest proved that he hadn't been hit.
"I will teach you how to handle a gun properly. I will teach you how to protect yourself. But it doesn't mean I am happy about it. I fear that Natalya was just the start of it all. I didn't get much out of Kenny on who attacked me this morning. And I don't trust LCPD very much. I honestly don't know who to trust right now. The unknowns are everywhere and all I care about is keeping them from hurting you." Niko let out a heavy sigh and rested his forehead to hers. There was too much going on in his life and he couldn't determine where he was meant to go now.
Kate pulled her hand free from under his and cupped his face, "If you are worried about who to trust, you don't ever have to doubt your trust in me." She closed her eyes and pulled every worry and fear to the surface and mirrored his sigh, "I know things aren't going to be easy for a while. I was foolish to think we could just walk off into the sunset. My family is destined to walk this life, with or without me, and you have been part of it. I may not know everything, and maybe you can fill me in, but I know you will do the right thing to keep us safe."
"I don't deserve your blind trust." Niko smoothed her dress over her sides trying to give his mind a chance to catch up to him and form the right words to say to her.
"And I don't deserve your patience and protection. I know why you kept things from me. And I really did appreciate the bliss of not knowing gave me, but I also think it hurt me in the end. I should've asked my brothers more questions as I got older. Been more aware of things. But that's all in the past." She brushed her nose against his and kissed his cheek.
"We can't escape the past Kate." He knew better than anyone how past mistakes could chase someone. His had ran him out of Europe and to the shores of Liberty, and once he thought he had outrun it all, things started to seep through the cracks again.
"No. But we can focus on building a better future."
"You mean that?" Niko's hands stilled on her sides, and he leaned back to be able to look into her eyes.
"It doesn't have to be perfect or normal. That's not us. And I know it might take time to get started on our future-"
"I will do whatever I have to in order to get us working toward that future." He could see the slight narrowing of her eyes and waited for her to finish her thoughts.
"We have to put an end to our pasts in order to work on us. I know what I want out of life. And I'm scared to ask that of you. That you won't want the same things. That maybe my dreams are not in line with yours. I am almost willing to give everything up just to have you. And that terrifies me." Kate caressed his cheeks before dropping her hands down to his undone tie. Could she really give up the dreams and images her heart wanted to build just so she could be with him?
"I don't want you to not live your life, Kate. If that means we can't be together, I would rather not continue to hurt you." His insides curled and twisted painfully inside him, and he dropped his hands to rest on top of the dresser next to her. The room felt extremely hot and stuffy suddenly and he squinted his eyes against the stabbing sensation in his lungs and chest.
"Niko don't say that!" Kate threw her arms around his neck and pulled him into her body, "Don't say such things. All I am saying is I want you in my future. I want to want what Roman and Mal have. Marriage, kids, a home to grow in to, a place and existence to grow old together. If that's here in Liberty or Los Santos or Vice City- wherever. Doesn't even have to be here in America." The sob pressed against her ribcage, and she sucked in a shaky breath when Niko didn't return the hug.
"You'd…? You'd want all that with me?" His voice was so quiet and small. His hands trembled with the weight of her words. How was he even close to deserving something so pure and wholesome? Maybe when he was a kid, he had short-lived glimpses of moving away, finding someone, and settling down. Raising kids differently than how he was treated. A way to show his own father things could be done differently and better. That not everything had to be awful and violent.
'But what about Derrick's death and you being the reason he's buried in Steinway? Gerry wants revenge…'
"If that's okay? I know it's super early to even bring something up like this. But I need to know Niko. That you'd even consider a future like that with me." Kate tightened her hold on him and desperately tried to breath through the panic that tugged on her body. It was absolutely terrifying and soul shattering to air out her own wants for life. The more and more she kept replaying her words, the more she realized she had yet to ever vocalize them to someone before.
"I don't know what to say…" He was utterly and completely floored. Had he really given no thought about where their relationship might head toward? Did he really assume that they would just be content to let things play out however and cross the bridges as they came across them? Niko should've known better that Kate would've wanted to broach the subject at some point. The thought of bringing kids into the world was an uncomfortable one. He barely kept Kate from being killed, how was he supposed to keep a baby safe? His own child safe?
"I'm not asking for any of that right this second. But I need to know if you'd consider it. I can work with that for now. But if… If I'm not the one you'd want till the end of time…" Her heart was surely about to beat right out of her chest and leave her. Leave her like Niko was bound to now that she had placed everything out in the open for him. Her arms felt extremely heavy as she released her hold on him. The fuzzy comforting feeling from earlier striped off her body leaving behind a hollow and wretched feeling in its wake. Carefully she shimmied her dress back down over her body feeling exposed and more vulnerable than she ever felt in front of him before.
"I used to dream of a different life. I'd talk to Florian late into the early mornings on guard watch during the war of being home and finding my own piece of happiness. But so many years kept me fighting and killing. I was slowly being broken of everything I once wanted. I didn't realize it. Couldn't afford to dwell on it. The ambush did eventually kill me. Or the part of me worth saving. After the war I just did what I knew how to do, and that's what I did when I got here. You are not meant to love this version of me." Niko stood upright from the dresser and took a couple of steps back.
"But I do. I love the man that didn't hesitate to shoot everyone at the church trying to kill us at Derrick's funeral. I love the man that shoved open my bedroom door and killed the man on top of me. I love the man that, when beaten and injured so grievously, left the hospital in search of me and Roman. I am in love with the person who fought against the deranged woman that wanted me dead. And I wholly, completely, and unbreakably adore and love the man standing before me now." Kate shifted her legs together and shakily slid off the top of her dresser, fixing her clothes over her body to feel less helpless.
"And I love the Niko that is trying to break my heart by pushing me away because he feels unworthy of such things." Her eyes watered and she dropped her gaze to the bare wooden floorboards. How they had ended up here, in this position confused her. One minute they are trying to get each other's clothes off and now they stood apart on the verge of ending it all.
"Kate…" Niko wanted to take back everything immediately. Go back to how they were before Packie interrupted them. But if he really wanted to retire and move on with his life, wasn't it meant to be with her?
"Gerry wants me to find Derrick's killer in order to get his blessing."
The words tumbled forth on their own and Niko snapped his jaw closed the second they filled the room. 'Fuck.'
"He…" Kate's knees shook, and she reached out behind her to find the edge of the dresser to stay upright, "Why? Derrick is at peace. It's in the past now… I-" Kate looked over her shoulder to the scattered pages of Derrick's letter.
"I think he blames me. Things were getting out of control with the Albanian's and the job he gave me didn't go exactly to plan. It's the reason the funeral was attacked. Retaliation for the attempt to shake the Ancelotti's and Albanian's alliance." 'And I killed your brother in cold blood and the only one who knew where both Francis and Derrick would be… And the only one with the cold heart in order to carry out a hit without a second thought…'
"Wait. So… You asked for Gerry's blessing?" Her brain caught up to her and finally had Niko's words click into place. She shifted her gaze off the sloppy, slanted handwriting of Derrick to stare at Niko. 'Does that mean…?'
"I have Packie's and Francis' approval. Maybe not completely from Francis. But they gave it to me at the hospital when I woke up." Niko matched her stare and tried to stay neutral and pensive. He had been shocked that they so readily agreed to him being with their sister for the long haul. Was he not the single reason Kate had nearly been killed?
"And you are worried about Gerry?" Kate's body felt about ready to just crumble where she stood. Here was her answer. It wasn't that Niko didn't want a future with her, he was worried over getting everyone's blessing. 'But why does it matter? If we want this, then screw Gerry!'
"Yes." Another small white lie. Before long all these lies were going to catch up to him. With the largest of them being the end all.
"I can handle Gerry. If this is what you actually want. But honestly Niko. We don't need to decide now. I just want to make sure that there is a possibility of a happily ever after for us. Whatever that looks like for right now. Okay?" Kate fidgeted under his penetrating gaze.
"Okay. But one day at a time, okay? There is too much going on and I want to do the right thing. I need to make sure my past stays there so I can look to the future; our future." Niko held his hand out to her. He really needed to catch a break and get things back in order. But first things first, he wanted to make sure he and Kate were okay. Their conversation had thrown him off and he had nearly broken their fragile foundation.
"Волим те (Volim te). I know I have been back and forth today. One minute I am confident on having you here by my side. Maybe I do need you to remind me daily that I am worthy. But I have this feeling I can't shake. I ignored the feeling last time and it nearly got you and everyone else killed. I can't ignore the warning signs Kate. I won't."
Kate hesitated before taking his outstretched hand, "Then don't ignore them. I will be here waiting. For you."
aaaaaa
The rest of October is about to be super busy and crazy for me. So it might be after Halloween before I get the next chapter out. I am hoping to push the story forward a touch and get the plot moving again. I had a Flufftober story written and edited, but after rereading it, I've lost confidence in it. It doesn't hold up to the quality I put into this story and my other ones. I might change my mind if I'm able to fix it up and get in the right mindset. But either way, thank you to everyone who has recently stumbled upon this story and went out of their way to show their appreciation and commented/reviewed. It really keeps me going and drives me to work on this story (that has literally taken on a life of it own).
If I don't get the Flufftober story out before Halloween, Happy Halloween everyone!
One Love.