daddys girl

affiliated with thefaultlinehq

[fracturedlcve]

a mumu blog affiliated with @thefaultlinehq

Brooklyn Pierce || Intro || Soph Cole || Intro || Grayson Wilder || Intro || Tati Santoro || Intro ||

[shatteredsculs]

THERE WAS NOTHING IN this world that salvatore greco would not do for sophia cole and that little boy. there was no pair of stars in the universe that shone brighter. so to think that anyone in the world could have hurt that star -- intentionally and without remorse didn't just make him sick to his stomach, it made him angry. like a desperate animal baring its teeth seconds before striking back. " i know you're strong enough t'fight through anythin'... " he begins, pausing and swallowing before his voice softens. " 'course i do. hell, it's one'a the things i -- " love. i love about you. it scared him how easily the words had sat on his tongue. " but you ain't alone in anythin', i hope y'know that. " not just because he was there and always would be there, but fuck, was he as devoted as a doberman.

" it's alright, zak. " he murmurs, the words almost falling from breathless lips. he's still processing, still pondering not just how to keep himself together -- but how he was going to destroy the person that caused this. who caused that little boy to react to quickly to protect his mother. " you were just protectin' your mama. but i swear to ya -- " he squats down to the little boy, holding out a gentle hand. " i'd sooner take my bike apart than ever hurt your mama. swear on my life. "

eyes soon turn upwards to meet soph's as she gestures for the little boy to go back to bed, his breath audible in his ears as he feels like he's drowning in a state of disbelief. " y'don't need t'apologize for him. " he eventually speaks. " but this conversation ain't over. "

because something had to cause that.

[fracturedlcve]

Soph let out an exhale at his words, but this conversation ain't over. And it was one she was dreading. She moved quietly behind her son, Sal on her heels as she pushed into his room. The boy was half dressed in his PJs, the task they were doing when Sal knocked on her door. "Here Zj," She said as she picked up the shirt and pulled it over his head and fed his arms through the sleeves. "Okay bed time, little man." She said as she picked the boy up and pressed a kiss to his cheek. She setleed the boy under his covers and got him all tucked in. She could feel Sal's gaze on her with each step. "Goodnight my sweet boy." She said softly before pulling his bed room door closed.

Her facial expressions turned a bit harder, she was good at putting on a mask for her kid. He should never have to see her upset, hurting stressed or any other emotion besides happy. Not anymore. Even then, with Charlie, she was good at hiding it. She had everyone fooled, her brothers, her father, Sal. She gave him a pointed look, one that said don't open your mouth just yet. She led him over to her bedroom, a sopace she was positive he had never been before. How did they end up here? But she knew the answer to that. To much whiskey and the drunken boldness to crawl into that mans lap and ask him to fuck her. "She turned on her foot, finally putting her eyes on the man for the first time in several minutes. "Why did you come here, Sal?" she said hoping to skirt right past what just happened. "This is to much. This is to dangerous."

[tunne1vision]

her sister's offer brought something tender to the muscles around romy's eyes. she did remember how soph had a sharpened skill for physical defense; how she could throw a punch and block a hit, while romy had insisted she could disarm a man with only her words. a sharp wit and confident tone, she was now confronting, couldn't protect your vital organs. an actual, physical shield they were not.

soph then answered her question and something swelled in romy's chest. while her heartrate was known to pickup at the mention of drama or gossip, this wasn't the delightful jolt of a nosy desire to know all. it felt like relief, like closeness. like a brick in the wall that'd gone up between them had fallen away. sure, romy had more so meant to angle her question towards club things—how soph was handling the string of violence, how the group had reacted to another death, if it weighed on her—but she'd take what she could get. she'd lean into what she was good for. in a voice even more hushed than before, she prompted with raised brows, "fucked up or just fucked?" with charlie finally, hopefully, out of the picture, it wasn't the most out of pocket question to ask.

[fracturedlcve]

Soph let out an exhale as she moved to the couch and sat down. Z was sat on the floor right infront of the TV, lost in his own little world. "I think you are gonna want to sit for this one." She said with a dry laugh. Soph knew Romy wasn't involved in the MC business, and while she knew she could trust her sister, she didn't want to burden her with those type of problems. They were heavy. "Both." She said with a laugh. "Okay but this goes no where, well I told Jay about the recent bash stuff, but he doesn't know this wasn't the first time... and he doesn't know about.... Sal"

"When I bailed Bash out of jail for his little knife fight, we got into a bit of a fight. And I don't know where we crossed the line from screaming at eachother to then fucking... but that happened... while still screaming at each other." She let out another exhale, "And that was a mistake." There was no if ands or buts about it. "And I mean, we have hooked up several times since breaking up... Not sure I ever shared that because I'm damn right ashamed of that fact. I mean, how pathetic is it to be six months pregnant and fuck your baby daddy who wans nothig to do with the kid? Then there was like... every time Charlie and I broke up... but this time... it was different. I ca't keep going back to that piece of shit."

"God I feel like such a whore." She let out a dry laugh but she honestly felt like that, maybe it sank in after Bash told her she was 47 times while plowing her. "But I've also been sleeping with Bash but... it feels... different. Good different. More than just a fuck and that is bad."

[jasonxmacavoy]

Soph could do no wrong in Jason's eyes. Didn't matter what she did. Or how bad she fucked up. He'd bury the body. He'd take the bullet. She was his baby sister—his blood, the little blonde whirlwind of scraped knees and attitude who used to follow him around the gym. And the only good thing his mother ever gave him. He’d be damned before he let anybody—not even Soph herself—think that she wasn’t good enough.

"Don't say that kinda shit." Jason heard the harsh words she tried to bury under whispers and tears. "And don’t start blamin' yourself either." He went on. There was no pity in his tone, but there was a steadiness to it. "So ya fucked up? Own it, and move the fuck on."

His jaw tightened before he looked away for half a second. Just hearing Miles’ name was enough to piss him off all over again. "That asshole wasn't perfect." Jason told her point blank, shaking his head at the version of Miles he used to believe in. "Trust me on this one, Soph."

He let the words settle, giving his sister some space now to dry her tears as he stepped back. "Ya know where I keep 'em." In the fridge to the left. "Ya feet still work, right?" A couple of seconds passed, long enough for Jason to take out his Nokia and text one of the prospects to give him a call—now. "An' get me one, too."

[fracturedlcve]

Soph rolled her eyes, but there wasn't any hate to it. "Fucking Bash is not something I want to own, Jay. Its more like something I want to forget ever happened." She let out an exhale. "Actually, lets just not talk about that anymore." she was sure, eh would be okay with that. She tiled her head back and looked at the ceiling. "I'm just.... disappointed in my self."

Soph narrowed her eyes at her brother, she knew Jason by now to know there was something there, Something he wasn't saying. "What do you mean?" What did he know that she didn't. "He always seemed fucking perfect, had his shit together, good at handling problems on the fly." She looked up to the man that worked along side her father.

Soph used the sleeve on her sweater to reach up and wipe off her face. "I actually then I broke them both." She retorted back. If she didn't need him to arrange for that pill, she'd probably lean forward and pretend to be broken, go dead weight on him, just to play, but she wasn't in a playful mood, her usually mood.

Soph walked over toe fridge and pulled out two beers, cracking one of them open for herself before handing the second to Jay. She moved to the couch and dropped onto it. "Can we watch a movie. Something cute and sappy. Like Fast & Furious 6"

[burningvalhalla]

Bash: aint nothing to be taken care of Bash: come get me for fuckin what Bash: HES NOT DEAD SOPH! Bash: aint no fuckin way he is he cant be

[fracturedlcve]

Soph: You know what Soph: I don't like you enough to put up with this Soph: When you come to terms with shit, just know it will be taken care of Soph: goodnight

[fracturedlcve]

"I didn't mean to scare you." Brooklyn said softly, "My mom always said I needed a bell or some shit." She laughed softly. She had a way of sneaking up on people; she was light on her feet. If she weren't wearing heels, you probably couldn't hear her coming. Brooklyn was dressed down in her usual outfits. She had on a thin spaghetti strap tank top, no bra, yes, the piercings are showing, and a soft pair of PJ shorts that hugged her ass nicely, with a little bit of cheek falling out. Granted, she didn't think anyone would be here. "That was nice of you. She's been looking a tad rough the past few days." Brooklyn was sure others had noticed. Brooklyn felt her cheeks heat when Angel called her pretty. "It was just getting a little load in there, I was trynna sleep, so I figured I'd take a walk. I'm not in the dancing on tables mood."

[shatteredsculs]

" SCARE ME? NAH. CALL it a pleasant surprise. " angel hums, wiping their hands on their apron -- while they will their eyes not to appear hungry. they could be respectful, even if the thoughts swirling through their mind like a tornado are far from it. they settle with their tongue coming to rest in the crevice of their left cheek as their only reaction for a moment, leaning against their latest project. " it's a good thing in this life, i think. y'can strike when they least expect it. " pretty and deadly, as angel had come to learn in their time, were more than just a lethal combination. as much as they pretended to be all tough, those were the kinds of women that haunted them. left their mark more than any ruby red lipstick ever could. " can y'blame her? she's got lots t'be worried about. we all deserve a break every now 'n then. " besides, as their vice president, she needed to keep her head in the game. but, angel had noticed some interesting glances exchanged between her and their road captain as of late. " oh? somethin' on your mind? " they question. perhaps it was time for them to lock up for real anyway -- considering their actual hours were long over by now. soph wasn't the only one that needed to keep their head on straight. " i've got a good set of ears. or so i've been told -- when i'm choosing to use 'em. "

[fracturedlcve]

Brooklyn looked away at their words, willing the blush to leave her face as fast as it came. Brooklyn had been back six weeks now and every time she entered the same room as Angel, she found it harder to breath. There was something about them that just took her breath away. Maybe it was the mystery or maybe the curiosity. Sure, she had found girls attractive before but she always told herself it was in a platonic type of way. Then there was the matters of her heart, and with each passing day she told herself she had to at least try moving on, even if she did that the past three years and go no where. “Oh for sure. Now I just need to brush up on my fighting skills and maybe I’ll be a real threat.” She said with a shy laugh.

“That and I heard her tearing into Bash the other night in the parking lot. Lots of ‘you’re a pathetic piece of shit’ and all that.” Brooklyn moved to lean against the car opposite of the one Angel was working on. She didn’t bother to adjust her ridiculously short shorts, everyone here has already seen her practically naked numerous times at the club. “No, nothing to concern yourself with. It’s not serious.” Just heavy, “I was just looking to clear my head, find a distraction or maybe tire myself out so I could pass out. I’m thankful I at least found some company.”

[saltandstatic]

Antonio: She is not under my command. I haven't forced anyone to befriend you. Antonio: She is a friend of my family, not a part of the organization. She offered to take you out, and I said it was a good idea. Antonio: Fine, I will not make any more suggestions to those around me to befriend you, nor approve it asked.

[fracturedlcve]

Tatianna: Oh please Tatianna: I don't want to hear it Tatianna: Good. Tatianna: [unsent] We're getting too comfortable. Tatianna: I'm going out drinking with those friends you don't think I have. Don't wait up.

[fracturedlcve]

Grayson Wilder at the Rift Valley Summer Kickoff Festival

Keeping it casual because his date needs all the room to shine, he is attending yet again with the very lovely Leyla Yilmez @xxblackmagicx

[saltandstatic]

Antonio: I see Yasemin has visited you. It's a shame she phrased it poorly. Antonio: I merely mentioned to her that you are new to the area, and looking for friends. Antonio: If I remember correctly, you complained that you didn't know anyone, so I assumed it would be fine.

[fracturedlcve]

Tatianna: You are not phrasing it much better. Tatianna: I don't need you, of all people, to make friends for me Tatianna: I don't care if I complained. I don't need your fucking help, your fucking pity friends Tatianna: She doesn't want to be friends with me or me. She's only doing it out of obligation for you, and that's not a friendship Tatianna: Just stop.

[fracturedlcve]

Tatianna Santoro at Rift Valley Summer Kickoff Festival

Tati leaned more into the summer look for this event, wearing a stunning yellow dress with seashell embellishments. She paired the dress with matching shoes, nails, and a bag. She is seen on the arm of her husband, matching in color like the power couple they pretend to be. @saltandstatic

[fracturedlcve]

Soph Cole at the Rift Valley Summer Kickoff Festival

Soph, being the baddy she is, came in tight leather red shorts and a piece of cloth she is calling a shirt. She finishes her look off with a lazy bun and biker boots. She is seen entering the festival with Val @wrldbrns

[wrldbrns]

it was all so fucked and depressing to think about. thankfully the mixture of liquor, cocaine, and molly was helping him quickly feel numb to it all. ryker’s breath hitched when wilder’s hand dragged up his bare abdomen, the touch sending a slow, heated spark straight through him. the mix of whiskey and mixture of powders was loosening everything. his tongue, his restraint, the tight coil of grief that had been choking him. normally he'd fight away any attention from a guy, he'd shut that part down the moment fransisco walked away and had convinced himself it wasn't there anymore. except this time, he didn’t pull away. instead, he leaned into it, letting those fingers feel the hard lines of muscle and ink under his skin.

his eyes had gone darker, heavier, the usual sharp edge softened by the high and something hungrier underneath. “two depressed fools, huh?” ry repeated, his voice gravelly and low. “maybe that should be the name of our support group.” he caught wilder’s wrist, pressing that wandering hand firmer against his stomach before sliding it higher over his chest. “keep running your mouth about inviting some girl over and i might start to think you don’t enjoy my company.”

ryker let wilder’s hand go, only to grab him by the hips and push him back until his back hit the nearby wall with a solid thud. the move was firm, possessive, bodies pressing close in the hazy heat of the apartment as rain drummed against the windows. his free hand came up, fingers brushing along wilder’s jaw before gripping it lightly, thumb dragging across his lower lip. he leaned in, mouth hovering just over his, voice dropping into a rough growl. "you insult me." his hips pinned wilder there, “you think i can’t think of good ways to use that filthy fucking mouth of yours?”

[fracturedlcve]

Wilder wasn't sure what he was doing, but the haze had set in, and for once, his mind felt lighter and more at ease. He liked the feel of Ryker's hard body under his fingertips, the feel of his muscles pushing back up against his touch. Grayson felt the need to touch more of him, explore his body in ways he hadn't done before. Wilder smirked when Ryker took hold of his wrist and pulled it up to his chest, "Were you getting worried I was heading more south?"

"Maybe I want to watch you shove your cock down some bitches throat." He said with a smile. "Maybe I want to watch you eat her out while I stroke your cock and take her ass." He paused, but his hand was free now, and seconds later, Wilder was pressed up against the wall.

His hands found his hips while Ryker stroked his jaw. He reached down and worked the belt of Ry's pants open and then the button. Wilder pushed his hand in his pants and took hold of his hard member, "I'm sure what you want to do with my mouth involves this." He gave it a squeeze before stroking his hand up and taking his thumb to the top of his head, toying with it. "But you'd have to do a lot to get me on my knees for you. Even if I'm wondering what it feels like to have a dick in my mouth."

[deadlyalibis]

“shut  up,  no.  you’re  staying  here  with  me.”  she  laughed,  shaking  her  head  at  him.  “she’s  going  to  want  to  see  you  when  she  wakes  up.”  it  felt  good  to  actually  laugh  with  him,  allowing  herself  a  moment  of  happiness  that  wasn’t  just  a  distraction.  “a  nap  isn’t  what  i  need  right  now.  i  could  think  of  a  few  things  that  might  help,  but  letting  my  thoughts  run  rampant  isn’t  one  of  them.”  paloma  admitted  softly.  “it  does  make  me  feel  better  knowing  she  won’t  remember  any  of  this  —  i  just  don’t  want  her  growing  up  thinking  it’s  normal  for  her  mama  to  always  be  sad.” “thanks.  i’m  glad  it’s  working,  because  the  whole  mom  title  is  still  something  i’m  getting  used  to.”  paloma  finished  the  last  of  the  dishes  before  joining  him  on  the  couch,  settling  beside  him.  she  smiled  at  his  comment  before  turning  her  head  toward  him.  “damn ...  you’re  really  taking  this  daddy  thing  to  the  next  level,  huh?”  she  teased  lightly,  though  the  humor  faded  the  second  his  words  actually  registered.  her  expression  softened  almost  instantly.  “wait ...  seriously?”  she  asked  softly.  “wow.  how  are  you  handling  that?  are  you  okay?”

[fracturedlcve]

"Okay, okay, if you insist." He said playfully. "But yes, anything for my little girl. I want to see my princess." He really did love that little girl like she was his own, but he knew some day the truth would come out. "Well, hopefully my being here helps." He said softly as he reached over and gave her hand a squeeze. "You won't be sad forever. I know it sucks, but ... it won't be forever. Eventually, you'll learn how to be happy even though she is gone."

"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm a little mad she waited five fricken years to tell me. I feel like I missed out on so much, but I don't have room to be mad. Nova's sick, and I don't want to waste any more time fighting or any of that crap. I just want to be there for her." He said with an exhale. "Shit. I could really use a friecken distraction from everything. I just want to relax."

[aqu4regia]

starter:   jia   &   brooklyn   pierce   [   @fracturedlcve   ] setting:   mid-morning

Miles’   death   had   shaken   everyone   up.   MC   or   not,   the   whole   town   seemed   to   have   been   on   edge   since   it   had   happened.   And   then,   Josephina   Santoro   was   also   found   dead   and   now   everyone   was   running   around   like   headless   chickens,   pointing   fingers   and   each   other   and   whoever   had   killed   both   or   either   of   them,   was   still   out   there   having   fun,   watching   the   world   burn.   Jia   had   heard   about   Brooklyn   being   back.   The   news   of   the   young   Rider’s   return   made   them   both   anxious   and   happy.   Jason   would   really   hate   her   if   he   knew   she’d   helped   Brooklyn   start   over,   so   maybe   it   was   time   to   stop   keeping   secrets. That   morning,   she   stopped   by   Brooklyn’s   place   to   check   in   on   her.   Regardless   of   her   reasons   for   leaving,   she   was   still   a   friend.   Not   only   that,   but   she   was   someone   Jason   cared   deeply   about,   and   those   weren't   many.   So   of   course,   it   meant   that   Jia   cared   about   too. ❝   Have   you   seen   him?   Talked   to   him?   ❞   The   short-haired   brunette   asked,   leaning   against   the   doorframe   as   she   watched   Brooklyn   go   by   her   day   at   her   apartment.   ❝   It   really   is   good   to   see   you,   B.   I   just…   you   know   how   much   he   means   to   me.   I'm   just   looking   out   for   my   little   brother.   ❞   Although   not   blood-related,   Jia   had   been   keeping   an   eye   on   Jason   since   he   was   a   little   reckless   boy.   Toothless,   angry   and   lonely.   ❝   How   have   you   been?   You   good?   ❞

[fracturedlcve]

Brooklyn opened the door and greeted Jiq quickly before the questions started. "Do you mean Jason?" She asked somberly as she wrapped her arms around her. "Uh yeah." She nodded slowly. There was the night at the club, the first time they ran into eachother, the time she shoved him in the chest and shouted fuck you at him before kissing him. Then there was the ball, where they shared a dance. Then there was L.A. "We ran into eachother a few times. He, um, he drove me back to L.A to pick up the last of my belongings, and we had a good talk." She paused, "He doesn't know you helped me." She let out an exhale. "But I don't want to keep it from him. He knows about almost everything now... the stalker. Miles wanted to make sure I got away quietly before telling him. Turns out... Miles played us both."

Brooklyn stepped out of the doorway to let Jia in. "Instead of telling Jason where I was when I finally landed somewhere safe, he told him that I left because of him... that.. that I didn't want to see him or be with him. Meanwhile, I just thought... he was still mad and holding a grudge, and that's why he never came." It was devastating when you put all the details together like this, heartbreaking. "I don't think he'd be mad if we told him, I mean, you helped me escape a stalker, it just... wasn't fair to dump that on him after we had just broken up again." Brooklyn cleared her throat. "I've been fine. Can't say it's easy being back. It's bringing back a lot of unfinsihed business and unresolved feelings, ones I don't... I don't know what I want."

[fracturedlcve]

iMessage: Antonio

Tatianna: Why the fuck are you telling people to hang out with me and that I need friends? Tatianna: First of all, I don't need your fucking help. Ever think I like to be alone? Tatianna: Secondly, I don't want to make connections in this fucking hell hole, it will make it easier when I fucking leave Tatianna: Thirdly, do you know how pathetic and embarrassing that fucking is? What the actual fuck, Antonio?

@saltandstatic

[aqu4regia]

starter:   yasemin   &   tatianna   santoro   [   @fracturedlcve   ] setting:   antonio's   and   tatianna's   house   ;   morning

It   was   still   funny   to   think   about   all   the   people   she   had   met   because   she   had   dated   this   particular   guy   in   college.   Funny   in   a   way   that   made   her   heart   sing   happily,   because   even   though   all   that   time   had   passed   and   everything   she’d   gone   through   in   between,   the   Santoros   seemed   to   still   care   for   her.   It   was   humbling   in   so   many   ways.   Especially   to   Yasemin,   who   had   always   yearned   for   a   family.   This   one   might   not   end   up   being   hers   through   marriage,   but   friendships   and   bonds   had   been   formed.   That   must   mean   something. So,   when   Antonio   told   her   about   his   wife   and   how   the   younger   woman   didn’t   seem   to   have   many   friends   in   town,   of   course   Yasemin   said   yes   to   the   suggestion   of   possibly   taking   Tati   out.   Which   was   her   reason   for   being   at   the   Santoro's   doorsteps   —   well…   one   of   them,   at   least   —   waiting   to   be   let   in.  Once   finally   inside,   she   didn’t   have   to   wait   much   before   a   brunette   came   to   view,   and   Yasemin   smiled,   offering   her   hand. ❝   Mrs.   Santoro,   hi.   I’m   Yasemin   Durmaz.   ❞   It   sounded   like   she   was   applying   for   a   job   at   the   house,   which   she   wasn’t…   Or   maybe,   she’d   been   hired   to   keep   the   younger   woman   company,   and   again…   she   wasn’t.   ❝   Sorry…   that   was   a   little   robotic   of   me,   wasn’t   it?   ❞   Yasemin   chuckled   nervously.   Awkwardly,   even,   as   her   hands   tightened   on   the   sling   of   her   bag.   ❝   I’m   friends   with   Antonio.   ❞   Not   entirely   true,   but   not   exactly   false,   either.   They   were   on   friendly   terms   and   did   know   each   other,   so   it   wasn’t   like   Antonio   wouldn’t   say   anything   in   case   Tatianna   asked.   ❝   He   told   me   you   didn’t   have   many   friends   in   town   and   suggested   I   could   try   and   take   you   out   for   a   bit?   I   didn’t   know   many   people   when   I   first   moved   in,   so   I   understand.   ❞

[fracturedlcve]

Tatianna was skeptical of most people who showed up at her front door. Maybe it had to do with the fact that it really wasn't hers. This place, it was Santoro, and she was fake at best. Sure, she had married into the family and taken residence in this place that was too big for just the two of them, but she also knew people didn't show up here without a purpose. "You think?" She said as she cocked her head to the side to match her popped out hip. "Well, Antonio isn't here right now." If she were looking for her husband, she would have to try something else to track him down. Then the woman continued on, and the words irritated her. Tatianna crossed her arms. "No." She said, no thanks on the end of it or anything. "My husband is wrong." She said simply.

"I have plenty of friends." Lie, "And I don't need him to set me up with moire, honestly, it's pathetic and embarrassing, nor is it needed." She took a step to the side, "I can let him know you came for him right after I chew him out. But unfortunately, I am busy today. I have shopping to do, and I don't have time to put on my fake face and entertain you so you report back to him with a passing report card. Let's just go with we hung out, had a great time, and he'll be happy with that, no need to actually suffer through it."

[saltandstatic]

antonio’s gaze lifted slowly from the paperwork spread across his desk the moment grayson entered the office, dark eyes settling on him with the kind of sharp observation that made most men straighten instinctively beneath it. and frankly, grayson looked terrible. not just tired. hollowed out. there were shadows beneath his eyes, tension sitting wrong in his posture, grief clinging to him in a way antonio recognized immediately because he saw pieces of it in the mirror every morning now. still, recognition did not soften the situation. antonio leaned back slightly in his chair, fingers steepled briefly beneath his chin before he exhaled quietly through his nose. “you look like shit,” he said plainly, voice calm rather than cruel because antonio had never been one to dress hard truths in softer language than necessary. his eyes lingered on grayson for another moment afterward, studying him carefully. he remembered the kid grayson used to be. remembered him running through the santoro house beside vinny and josephina after his father died, too young to understand fully what that loss meant yet old enough to carry it anyway. antonio had looked at him then the same way he looked at most people folded into their family, as something now belonging to his responsibility. and maybe that was part of why this entire situation irritated him more deeply than he cared to admit. because grayson was not just another capo causing problems. he was family in all the complicated, dangerous ways that word existed within the santoros. “and no,” antonio continued evenly after a beat, finally setting the papers in his hand aside fully now. “asking how i am would be stupid. we both know the answer.” a faint silence settled between them then before antonio’s jaw tightened subtly. “what i don’t know,” he said calmly, “is why i’m hearing about you putting your hands on nicky and frightening rosa.” there was no rise in his voice. no dramatic anger. somehow that made it worse. antonio remained composed where other men might have exploded, gaze fixed steadily on grayson in that controlled way that demanded accountability rather than emotion. “before you answer, understand something for me first.” his tone lowered slightly then, quieter and sharper all at once. “i know exactly who nicky is. i know he provokes people because he inherited the unfortunate belief that antagonizing everyone around him somehow makes him untouchable. and accusing you of killing josephina…” a faint pause followed there, something colder settling briefly behind antonio’s eyes. “that was never going to end well.” because antonio himself had nearly put his fist through walls over less these past few weeks. grief had teeth. he understood that intimately now.

“but you are a capo,” he continued steadily. “not one of the younger soldiers looking for excuses to lose control whenever their emotions get difficult to carry.” his gaze flicked briefly toward the window before returning to grayson again. “people are watching all of us right now. looking for instability. weakness. cracks.” another pause. quieter this time. “and whether you like it or not, your behavior reflects on me too.” the words were not said cruelly. if anything, there was something heavier beneath them. disappointment more than fury. because antonio had expected better from him. perhaps unfairly. perhaps because some selfish part of him wanted at least one person around him to remain steady while everything else felt like it was collapsing inward. “you’re grieving,” antonio said finally, voice easing only slightly. “i know that. don’t insult me by pretending otherwise. but if you spiral publicly every time someone says her name, eventually someone far more dangerous than nicky is going to use that against you.” and there it was. the older brother beneath the don for just half a second. concern hidden carefully beneath criticism because antonio did not know how to offer softness without wrapping it inside instruction first. “sit down, grayson,” he said after a moment, nodding once toward the chair across from him. “and explain to me exactly what happened.”

[fracturedlcve]

Wilder let out a dry laugh, "Thanks." But Antonio was right, the man looked like ass. The drugs were starting to take a toll on him, as were his decisions. The last few days weighed heavily on him, and it wasn't just Josephina's death or Nicky's words. Grayson stood there and took in Antonio's gaze as he looked him over, studying Grayson before delivering more words. Wilder had always been at the Santoro house even before his parents died. He was over every day playing with the other kids, video games, sports, and messing around in the backyard. He remembers looking up to Antonio as the cool older brother, wanting to be just like him. "Yeah..." he drew out before adding. "Same." The family was wounded and trying to heal. They all lost a part of themselves with Josie's death. Probably because they are dramatic and like to run their mouths. The words were about to tumble out of his mouth before Anotnio stopped him to continue on. Wilder stood there, like the obedient little soldier, and listened to every word. "Sorry, boss, didn't mean for it to look bad on your part," and he meant that, every damn word. Because he idolized Antonio, even if he didn't act like it sometimes. Maybe his sister was right about him, because standing here with his tail tucked between his legs didn't feel great. He didn't want Antonio to be upset or angry with him. +

"I'm fin-" But Antonio kept going, and it was like he knew what Wilder was going to say. He had a tendency to force everything down, not wanting to show his emotions because those made you weak. He did the same thing eighteen years ago when his father died and again before that when his mother went too. Wilder cleared his throat as he moved to take a seat across from Antonio. He pulled the chair out and sat down, feeling awkward in it. "What is there to explain? You seemingly already know what happened. Nicky accused me of killing Josephina, and I shut him up. There isn't much to it, but maybe he will think again before speaking out against a capo or, better yet, a supposed family member." Wilder sat back in the chair and crossed his arms. "He got what he deserved, but I also hear what you are saying. I need to do better and not lash out. It won't happen again." He let out an exhale. "And Rosa, well... I just didn't take the news of Josie well. I'll apologize and fix the hole I put in her wall."