It had been years since there was ever an issue within the society the five families lived.

There had been order where peaceful meetings were conducted to strive towards maintaining some form of corporation but unfortunately nothing lasts forever. All it took was a gang whose members each had a snake tattoo on their arm as a sign of allegiance to a man named Lucien Volatelli to distort the very system that had kept the bosses and their members alive.

There were times when issues arose where others had once tried to take more violent measures when they weren't happy with the outcome in those meetings. But before things ever escalated they were killed and turned into a warning to others trying to get too big for their shoes.

Lucien's gang seemed to care less about the rules that existed by going so far as to approach the legitimate businesses that existed and were owned by Sonny's family. Nor was he scared to use any form of manpower he could. No doubt he was dangerous and once it came to light that Marcie had been associating with Lucien's right hand man, Elias it made Nicholas and Joseph both on edge. It would be foolish to think that she happened to bump into him coincidentally. And knowing that it was through him, Marcie had managed to get exposed to the drug that led her to grow suicidal brought this situation above just merely being about business but made everything more personal.

"I had no idea who he was," Marcie murmured avoiding eye contact with both Nicholas and her father who stood in front of her bed watching and scrutinizing her. I was uncomfortable with the fires burning in both their eyes and I knew that in as much as we may just want to forget about all that had happened there was no way we ever could. "He never brought anything up about what he did, you didn't tell him anything, right?" her father asked moving closer towards her. She blew out a harsh breath and looked up at him, "I may be suicidal but I sure as hell wouldn't tell him about our family. We didn't talk about anything personal."

"So you're really telling us that all you'd do was get drugs from him, you didnt talk about anything else?" It was Nicholas who asked that time appearing sceptical that she hadn't revealed any vital information to the enemy. She rolled her eyes before placing them on her cousin, "Weren't you listening? I didn't say anything to him. I know it's hard to believe considering I've been in a shitty place. But the minute he approached me it felt good to get involved with someone who seemed to hold no connection to the life I had," she explained revealing part of what led her to recklessly accept being in Elias' company. I felt bad for her wanting an escape from reality to such an extent. But I could tell Nicholas didn't share the same sentiment and I immediately reached out to place my hand on his arm when he opened his mouth, "Hey," I said catching his attention, "just give her some space. Its already been a crazy couple of hours."

"I don't know why you didn't just sit down and talk to your mother and I, sweetheart," Joseph mumbled taking a seat next to her; she frowned glancing towards her mother who hadn't said a thing. "Because if I mention how much of your life I hate then you'll push me off just like you did, mom," she confessed making her father's face drop to one of sadness as he too turned to look at Aunt Elle. "Marcie..."

"Nothing you say will convince me otherwise. If I wasn't your child those men wouldn't have tried to kill me and m-maybe..." she breathed closing her eyes when they began to shine from the tears accumulating at a fast rate, "maybe Dimitri would still be here. That's why I didn't protest when mom said I should come live with her because of the poison that seems to exist throughout your life, dad. But I know how much you want it so I didn't want to make you have to choose."

"Hey," he said softly reaching out to grab her chin, "this life means nothing in comparison to you. And just because it didn't work out with your mother and I doesn't mean I would turn my back on you."

"Then leave," she countered placing the decision onto his lap for what to do but in as much as it seemed like an easy enough choice from what I gathered from Nicholas it wasn't simple to just walk away. And when her father said, "No," I wasn't surprised but it also felt like a cold reminder of the fact Nicholas had the same fate. Seeing the tears flow down her cheek was enough to push me to leave the room in need of some air. But I couldn't run away from the fact that I had accepted to be in that life with him. I just hoped that if things ever got bad that it wouldn't coerce either of us to leave our relationship.

Joseph Gambiano was raised from the moment he could walk to lead his family after his father passed away to become the Boss of the family in Philadelphia. In his youth he could have easily rebelled and taken on a different path but that wasn't what he wanted for himself and in the midst of officially becoming a made man as he rose up the ranks he met Eleanor when she was going to nursing school. A few months into the relationship the couple got married only to find out in very little time that they were having a child.

As Marcie got older and became more aware of the world around her, Eleanor's need to leave the life once and for all grew especially after experiencing a near death experience. However, for Joseph in as much as he often experienced frustration and pain in that life he couldn't walk away from it and as a result he had to watch the love of his life be the one to walk away.

***

It took some persuasion to leave Marcie's side from Nicholas but I accepted that I would have to get some rest of my own. I hadn't been in the best condition since I saw her in such a state. Even as we talked we had kept the conversation pretty light. It had already been a hectic night and with her parents around I could tell she was hurting.

I remained mute in the car once we left the hospital choosing to focus on the buildings we passed until I felt a hand on my thigh bringing me back to earth. "Everything is going to be alright – she's going to be alright," he reassured keeping his eyes trained on the road. "I know I'm just still coming to terms with everything."

"Yeah our family is uh... something," he sighed and for the first time throughout that time he looked exhausted. The man who looked tense interrogating his cousin was gone only to be replaced with a mere mortal mortified about his family and the upcoming battles, "Hey," I said placing my hand atop his, "everything is going to be alright. And I don't just mean Marcie, I really mean everything," I stressed the last part hoping he understood what I was trying to convey. He nodded his head choosing not to say anything more.

For the rest of the drive we rode in silence until we arrived at my apartment. Just when I was about to disembark I paused when I heard him speak again, "I'll come see you a bit later. I just have to go sort some things out," and it was my turn to simply nod my head. I had already expected him to not be with me for long considering all that had happened.

Moving up the steps once I opened my door I turned to find him still watching me to ensure that I entered my home safely. After giving him one final wave I shut the door already wishing that time would move fast enough so that he'd come back to me.

I was scared about his wellbeing and I came to the conclusion the reason why I didn't ask to know what things he was doing was because I wasn't yet ready to come to terms with the fact that there really were enemies coming for him. There were people out there trying to hurt the man I loved. Plopping onto my couch suddenly powerless at the quiet confession that resonated in my head now that I had said it to myself there was no hiding it. There was simply no denying what was abundantly clear, I loved Nicholas.

For the first real time in my life I began to comprehend that type of love that often leaves you dizzy, dumb and yet feel complete.

With my mind often reflecting on Marcie only to wind up thinking about Nicholas when I noticed an email from one of the publishing companies I had finally summed up the guts to send my manuscript to I didn't feel like opening it at all. Nothing else seemed to matter and in the end I wound up closing my laptop. After spending an hour or so on the couch I eventually scurried off to take a shower in the hopes it would clear my mind and give me a moment of peace.

Discarding my clothes I stepped under the faucet allowing the hot water to cascade along my skin and the tension that existed wilted away. Closing my eyes I appreciated the simple but effective shower that quickly turned therapeutic. In as much as I wanted a break from everything that was happening life once again went on to prove how much it didn't care.

For in the depths of soaking in the steam that filled the room, the spell once cast was quickly broken when the shower door flung open triggering my heart to drop down to my stomach at the hand that appeared yanking me roughly out. I would never forget the immediate sight of his deep brown eyes that held a wildness in them that made me quiver in fear when he placed his hand over my mouth when I tried to scream.

Being yanked about like a rag doll hadn't been on my list of plans but neither was ever thinking I would see that man again after having my initial suspicions confirmed that he was bad news. I can honestly say that was probably the first time I had been so scared to have my life taken the second I felt a gun against my temple. My screams came out muffled against his hand, "Keep screaming all you want. No one's going to hear you!" he spat moving forward. Despite how much I tried to fling my legs and arms it was no use when he moved his hand from my mouth down to my throat to squeeze it to the point I found myself gasping for air.

Tears swelled in my eyes, I was almost convinced that I was going to die at the hands of some stranger who saw my life as nothing but worthless until a knock on my door turned into a sound of hope that maybe my end had yet to arrive. A few seconds passed before another knock came and when Nicholas called my name I could feel the man stiffen at the visitor. "Shit!" he cursed panicking on what to do, I had never wanted to respond so badly in that moment but the feel of the gun kept me silent.

Clearly he hadn't thought far enough on what to do if anyone was to arrive and when Nicholas called again he pushed the gun harder into the side of my head to the point it made me wince in pain. "Tell him to come in," he grumbled and despite not wanting to when you have a weapon being used against you, you don't have much of a choice. Telling him to come in past the crack in my voice when he opened the door he froze; but it didn't last long and his face settled into a look of indifference not giving anything away at seeing me being held against my will.

"Elias for a pet you're quite disobedient," he replied coolly moving forward which Lucien's man didn't like, "Uh, uh, not so fast Nick. I wouldn't be so quick to hurl insults considering I got your girl here." Taking in rapid breaths to try calm myself down it was futile, Nicholas gaze landed on me moving over me with sheer boredom, the look would have wounded me if I wasn't more concerned with still living, "Please, she means nothing to me. In fact," he paused holding up his phone to take a look at it, "you just cut into my two pm session. And she's not even one of the good ones," he scoffed.

"BULLSHIT!" Elias screeched tightening his hold on me, "I saw one of your goons pick her up at school. I know this bitch means something to you. How else would you explain her close link to Marcie."

In all the time Elias spoke Nicholas had looked bemused at best leaning against the wall, "Who am I to control who the fuck my cousin speaks to nor which one of my men this bitch happens to fuck with," he smirked pushing himself off the wall and when his eyes shifted away from Elias to something behind us it was when I heard a glass shatter that I released an ear piercing scream at the loud sound. Elias' arms loosened significantly off my body and I jumped when I heard a thud that came as a result of him collapsing.

Turning I saw Leo's profile standing menacingly above Elias unconscious body and when his eyes moved over me the second he cleared his throat and averted his eyes to the ground I was hit with the fact I was naked. Reaching up to cover myself; Nicholas wasted no time in marching forward to throw his suit jacket over me, "Fuck, that was close," he mumbled pulling me in to engulf me in his arms. And without much prompting I broke down shaking like a leaf in the wind at what had just occurred. Gripping his shirt I didn't care that there was another person in the room hearing me sob, I was relieved but I couldn't overlook the fact I had such a close brush with death. And he proceeded to shush me whispering that I was safe now into my ear. "Leo?" he grumbled tightening his hold on me.

"Yeah?"

"Get that piece of shit out of here," he ordered picking me up to move us out of that room and with my ear against his chest I listened to the sound of his heart trying to drown out the sound of Leo removing the body.

He placed me gently on the bed and kneeled before me; opening my eyes I saw the worry and fear swirling in his orbs as he reached out to place his hand on my cheek rubbing the moisture moving across it. "Baby I am so sorry," he bent his head placing a chaste kiss on my knee and looked up at me, "shit – come on. You can't stay here," he said standing up. He moved around the room opening my drawers and throwing my clothes onto my bed, he found a suitcase situated in my closet and began throwing them in there without taking any care to fold them. I sat numb, unable to move as I processed everything; but when I felt him nudge me gently holding out some clothes for me, I knew the time to process would have to wait at least until we left my place.

Throwing on the clothes he gave me with my suitcase in his hand along with the other essential things I might need he followed close behind. He kept a firm hand planted on my lower back ensuring me that he was there.

Leo stood waiting patiently and moved past me to whisper something in Nicholas' ear who gestured for me to enter the car. Collapsing against the seat I waited as the two men conversed, I didn't even want to know at the time what they would do with the unconscious body and soon entered the vehicle.

No one said a word which I was grateful for, instead he pulled me into his side laying gentle kisses on my temple where a gun once resided not too long ago, his affection cleansing me of its filth. And I had no strength to try act tough at all, when I placed my head against his chest and took whiffs of his cologne to convince my antsy mind that indeed I was safe.

As we drove to his place my mind drew the unfortunate conclusion that the first real sign of rain droplets had begun for the storm about to come.