No. 41 Madison Avenue
29/01/2016 13:45pm

Donnie had been perched in the chair by the window for the past hour now. Their mother had left. She'd been going out more lately, trying to distract herself and find some purpose. She'd joined a sewing club and made a load of new friends. Donnie's eyes lifted to a group of men leaving their father's office.

They were a group of men that belonged to the mexican cartel. They shipped drugs through the borders and acted as inside-men. Donnie eyed them as they left. Diamond seemed to be taking off and the shipments of drugs continued to flow through. Vinnie was unbearable as usual.

Speak of the devil, he stormed from the office and marched over. His anger had not lifted since Don Acerbi's visit and advice. Donnie continued reading, ignoring his brother's glare.

"Well?" Vinnie snapped.

"Well, what?" Donnie sighed, lowering the book to glare at Vinnie.

"You've been noticably cold towards me, little brother." Vinnie snapped.

"Have I now? And why should you, the Don, care what I think?" Donnie shot back.

Vinnie snarled and stormed into the kitchen. Donnie set the book down and followed his brother, who was angrily pouring himself some whiskey. Donnie watched him down one shot, then another, then a third before he interjected, snatching the bottle away.

"Jesus, what the fuck are you doing?" Donnie growled, losing patience.

"It had been a week and a half and I have recieved no congressman's daughter." Vinnie seethed, reaching for the bottle.

"It's a big city, ya know." Donnie stepped back, ignoring the futile grabs his brother made.

"And what if Don Acerbi was telling the truth?" Vinnie said, giving in.

Donnie shook his head, turning and replacing the whiskey. He rounded on his brother and Vinnie glared back, face going red from drinking too much.

"If you're that concerned then call a meeting." Donnie replied, leaving his brother to stew.


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The Two Swans, Hell's Kitchen
29/01/2016 14:30pm
Abbie POV

I had been sitting in my room for most of the day, still thinking everything through. I would have to perform at the club tomorrow and I had really enjoyed it last time, but my feelings of guilt were ruining it for me. I couldn't stop thinking about that man and what had happened to him.

This was getting me nowhere so I left my room, traipsing down the narrow hallways, ignoring the sounds of some couple in one room at the end of the hall. I paused before entering the foyer when I heard a familiar voice.

"Can you tell her I stopped by." Andy.

My brain went into fits of worry, mingled with fear and a little excitement. I pushed open the door, looking a little mad. Kellin was leaning on the desk, chatting to Andy, who looked confused by my behaviour.

"Hey, I thought you were asleep." Kellin smiled.

"Yeah, I was for a bit," I murmured, then looked at Andy. "Hey, how'd you find me?"

"You wrote this place as your address on your contract." Andy said, raising a brow at me.

"O-oh, yeah, I remember." I said, feeling stupid.

Andy nodded and I followed when he walked away. I could feel Kellin watching us, grinning. We walked out into the chill January air and Andy dug in his pocket, pulling out some cigarettes and a lighter. He offered me one, but I shook my head. He shrugged and lit up.

"I just nipped by to see if you were up for performing again tomorrow," He said, then added. "As a regular, ya know."

"Yeah, that'd be great. My fans seemed to demand it." I grinned, and managed a smile.

"Yeah, Annaliese can be like that. She's a great girl." He said, and I felt a little jealousy prickle in my mind, like a thorn.

"So, she's your girlfriend?" I asked.

"No, Annaliese doesn't like me like that. She thinks of me as a little brother." Andy chuckled, and I fought to keep the relief off my face.

Why was I so bothered whether this psycho had a girlfriend? I wasn't and that was it. Except that my brain kept telling me that I cared a whole lot and I liked Andy. Even now as he stood and smoked, watching people go by, I kept staring at his beautiful eyes, immaculate hair and perfect jaw, wishing he'd kiss me.

He finished the cigarette and stubbed it out, locking eyes with me and making me feel like the only girl on the planet. Except, at this point, a million other girls probably felt this way about a guy.

"Why don't we go and get some coffee," Andy said. "My treat."

I was floored. I had left my room, wearing a pair of ripped jeans and a large hoodie and he wanted to take me for coffee. I blinked dumbly and he smiled that adorable smile. I wished he'd smile more often.

"Yeah, I mean, I'm dressed for the occasion." I mumbled, and he chuckled.

"You look fine." He replied, and we started a slow walk to the nearest coffee place, which happened to be Cafe Nero.

We ordered drinks and sat in an awkward silence by the window. I sipped a fruit smoothie and glanced at Andy every so often. He was drumming his fingers on the table.

"So, why'd you come to Manhattan?" He asked.

"I ran away from home." I replied, and he actually smiled again.

"How rebellious," He said. "What made you run away?"

"I wanted people to hear my songs. I didn't want to stay in Rainbow anymore." I replied, sipping my smoothie.

"Wouldn't your parents let you come here if you told them?" Andy asked.

"My parents are strict and, well, it's difficult to explain. What about your parents?" I changed the subject really quickly.

"My parents live in Cincinnati." He said, shifting to sit back in his chair.

"Do they know what you do?"

"They know I run a club."

His tone changed and his features became serious. The scary Andy had come back and I didn't want that Andy. I wanted the one that smiled and was a little awkward. I sighed and he seemed to sense my disappointment. I finished my drink and stood, grabbing my bag. I heard him swear and the chair scraped as he followed me.

"Abbie, come back." He called.

"Andy, I get that you do what you do, I understand," I snapped, whirling round to face him. I had to look up to glare at him. "But I want you to be yourself."

"Be myself. You barely know me." He scowled.

"I know enough to know you hide behind a front." I fired back.

A few people glanced in our general direction. I scowled back at him, muttering out 'whatever' before turning away, but he grabbed my arm. My eyes went wide when he leaned down and kissed me, roughly. It didn't take me long to respond. I kissed back with as much ferocity. Our tongues fought and we only pulled apart when I realised it wasn't right to kiss like this in public.

Andy seemed to realise what he'd done and he glared at me as though I'd planned this. He turned and left me standing there, feeling like a world class moron. What the hell was that? My lower lip shook and I turned and made my way home. I hated him so much, but I really wanted my brain to stop laughing and saying 'I told you so.'


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GreenView Heights
29/01/2016 15:30pm
Kacee POV

"Thanks Mum." I smiled.

"No problem, darling."

Mum and I had been on the phone for about ten minutes. Dad hadn't phoned to apologise for his behaviour, instead he'd gotten Rochelle to do it, much to my annoyance. Mum had appeared shortly after and began chatting to me. She'd promised to talk to Dad about the charity gala. He was still convinced I was going. Someone knocked on my door. I panicked and ambled over, opening it.

"Who' re you talking to?" Paul asked, sitting on the couch.

I removed the phone from my ear and glared at the assassins, "Don't just invite yourselves onto my couch."

"You're not using it, are you?" George asked.

Unbelievable. I lifted the phone and continued talking to Mum. I felt immensely guilty lying to her and the cut on my hand stung like a punishment for that lie.

"Made some friends?" Mum asked, sounding happy.

"Yeah, some real, great friends." I replied, glaring at them.

Ringo was the only one standing and he waved, politely at me. I waved back. John was obviously still at home and probably had no idea they'd escaped.

"Wonderful, dear. I'll speak to you in a couple of days. If I have no luck with your father then you can bring that boy you like." She gushed.

"Yeah, you can bring that boy you like." Paul was right next to me, smirking.

I narrowed my eyes at him and he stepped back as though sensing my discomfort, but that didn't stop him staring, tauntingly at me.

"Anyway, I have to go. See you soon, Mum." I said.

She said her goodbyes and I lowered the phone, turning to glower at them. George was flicking through an old photo album.

"Do you seriously have no personal boundaries." I said, laughing a little.

"Nope, none. Wow, horses." He said, looking at the page.

I walked over and stared at the photo of myself, aged fourteen on a horse. My smile was nervous, slightly hesistant. Dad had insisted I go to his country club and I'd ended up riding a horse. I'd loved looking at them and petting them, but riding them was terrifying.

"That picture doesn't capture the moment when I was thrown off." I said, and he looked up at me.

"They sense when you're scared." He smiled, clearly finding it funny.

"Ringo, would you like a drink?" I asked.

He looked panicked for a moment and nodded. I motioned for him to follow. He seemed like a friendliest, but I wanted to get to know them all since Omerta meant I was stuck with them now.

"I have milkshakes." I said, and he smiled.

"I love milkshake."

"Is it scary doing what you do?" I asked, and he looked taken aback.

"No, not really. Is your Dad scary?" He asked.

"You have no idea." I laughed.

I dug round in the fridge pulling out the cartons of milkshakes. I handed him one and carried two more through. Paul was on the phone when we got back. He looked annoyed and Gerorge was listening in. Whoever was on the phone sounded angry.

"A meeting? Now?" Paul was saying.

Whoever was on the phone obviously became even more enraged and he held the phone away from his ear, pulling a face.

"Yeah, all right then." He agreed, then hung up.

"Do we have to go now?" Ringo asked.

"Yeah, Vinnie's throwing a tantrum." George said, rolling his eyes.

They walked outside and I followed, glancing at the door opposite.

"He's in the shower. Donnie'll text him." Paul said, and to my shock he hugged me. I blinked, dazedly.

He pulled back, smiling at my confused face. George hugged me too and Ringo did the same. I watched them leave and went to John's door. It was open and I snuck in. The appartment was tidy and I saw his phone on the side. The screen had lit up as a text was recieved. I was tempted to delete it, but I didn't want to infringe on his privacy.

"What're you doing?" My eyes shot up and I saw John standing in the doorway.

My mind died when I noticed he wasn't wearing a t-shirt and was just wearing skinnie jeans. I tasted sandpaper and my gaze flicked to his. His hair was still damp and he seemed to sense my sudden panick because he smirked and stalked over.

"I-i was- you have a text." I murmured.

He stopped then glanced at his phone, picking it up and opening the message. His eyebrows knitted together and he sighed. His gaze then went back to me. Setting the phone down, he stepped closer, pausing in front of me. I had to look up to meet his eyes and he smiled.

"You have to go, right?" I whispered.

"Yeah, I do, love." He replied.

"T-that sucks." I said, my mind had turned to sludge.

"Yep." He smirked again.

"I'll just go too then since you won't be here." I said, making every effort not to look in his eyes.

John's hand gripped my wrists and I was stopped. He leaned down and our lips met. Woah, no way. My eyes were wide with shock. My mind then went blank like a sheet of paper. His lips moved against my own and I did the same. I felt his tongue ghost across my lower lip and his grip loosened on my wrists, settling for pulling me closer till I could feel his warm skin against my clothes. My lips shook at the contact and he pulled back.

"See you later." He grinned, brushing his lips against my own, before going to the bedroom.

I left and opened the door to my appartment. A million little lights went off in my mind, like fireworks as I processed that John had kissed me. He'd actually kissed me. I almost laughed then stopped myself. A million little lights went out when I thought about that Vinnie guy.

Notes