𝔩𝔬𝔫𝔢 𝔴𝔬𝔩𝔣

Daniel nodded, “I know baby and it’s not selfish.” He said adjusting to sit a little straighter, lengthening himself. He hadn’t slept that night. He couldn’t because he was too worried about Elsie. “You deserved to be selfish and I would have given anything to be there with you.” His eyes growing watery. “I just had to do what they said then. I didn’t want to. They never… they never even told me what happened until after I got in Oklahoma.” He smiled at her, “But you did good for yourself ya know? Alex cares about you a lot. Hell, he threatened to kill me if anything happened to you.” He laughed trying to make her laugh. “You would get shot the night he tells me that too. So if he does kill me remember you did it.” He laughed again smiling because he didn’t want to cry right now. “I’m just happy you’re not as bad as Philip up there.” 

·  ·  ·   elsie turned away, not ready to see his eyes. the memory of it all still stung. despite elsie appearing to be all there, she wasn’t. she had time to deal about her past but it was always too much to bare. deacon had been the love of her life. they were starting a family. she craved the normalcy that all brought. but she was a kane. full born irish. her family had been deeply rooted into the mafia. how could she break the bond now. 

it wasn’t hard for her to turn to them when she was alone. however her uncle was a different story. he’d been a problem since her parents death. but in reality what he had warned elsie had been true. she wasn’t born to lead a normal life.

turning to daniel, she moved to cup his cheek. her fingers grazing his short whiskers. that’s what she had called them all that time ago. she’d miss his touch so much. it was hard to sleep at night so instead she’d opt out of sleep most nights. the house became cold and unbearable. which led her to sell it and pack up it’s things. she’d move into her uncles estate and live in one room. but when the loneliness became to much even then. she’d stay in the headquarters. 

elsie looked up, a small giggle leaving her lips. she hadn’t much laughed since deacons death but now that daniel was here, she’d had to stop herself a few times. he was still just as funny as the first day she’d met him.

Daniel had done what Elsie requested. He didn’t really know why she wanted to be brought to this house but there was a friend there at least. Philip was there so it had to be safe right? His fingers gently ran through her hair as she laid on the couch and he sat on the floor, holding her hand. His fingers grazing her scalp. Thank god she was okay. That ricocheted bullet could have done worse, probably should have done worse than what he did. 

As the morning like beamed in to the colorful living room they were put up in he smiled looking over her. “You know I always liked waking up before you.” He chuckled, “You always looked amazing in the morning light that came in our window, you know that?” He smiled, “you scared the shit out of me, ya know? I damn sure never thought I would be here when we first got married.” // @blocdwlf

·  ·  ·   elsie had decided to rest after the events that conspired last night. it brought some ease that daniel had been safe and ended up with her. however her mind kept drifting to the others; hoping no one was hurt. as secluded as elsie had kept herself, it didn’t mean she didn’t care about the others. it was just how she liked things. she had too much baggage to bring onto others. she hoped nothing had happened to alexander. tricking her mind into thinking raymond had been with him at the end so he was safe.

she had recalled philip taking one to the side, and herself getting grazed by one that was probably meant for him. she couldn’t tell at that point. she was just glad for katherine giving them a hideout. plus she knew the giant wanted to be here out of all places. it wasn’t until daniel had spoke did she open her eyes and turn to him.

Daniel sighed knowing she was right, she didn’t need him watching her. “Just a pep talk is all.” He said tapping the bar with his index finger and trying not to look at her. “He knows about us ya know? I owe him big time for taking me in just so I could be close to you.” He said sitting up straighter and clearing his throat. His brows furrowing a bit as he finally turned to face her. “I put you through hell and I know that, but I put my life at risk coming back to you. I’m sorry I expected you to be waiting for me. I never should have… but nothing’s ever changed for me, Elsie. I doubt it ever will.” He said shaking his head slightly before starting to walk away. “Good luck tonight, alright?” 

·  ·  ·   she tried not to dwell to much on the fact that daniel was the one to walk away from her this time. instead she tried her best to just throw it under the rug; even he had stated she had a job to do, so why was she dwelling over it. she couldn’t let him distract her from the job alex had given her. so instead of sulking over the matter, she picked herself up and sought out one of the fellow nypd detectives. 

it wasn’t until after her little talk did she try and search out daniel or alexander; daniel was more for her sake but barrett was so she could relay anything; which she wasn’t entirely sure she had anything. however she’d let him decide if the information was useful. she did have one other detective who she could potentially pick their brain.

however her thoughts were cut short at the sound of shots being fired and screaming coming from the other side of the hotel. elsie moved to take out her knife, she wasn’t entirely sure where or who it was that broke code but elsie knew she had to find Barrett and Daniel even more. she stuck to the sidelines of the crowds that gathered to quickly escape, but from the looks of things no one was getting out or in. 

it wasn’t until she spotted daniel’s familiar face did she relax, but only slightly. there was still barrett. she quickly moved to him, grabbing his shoulder to spin him to face her.

 ❝ hey, are you okay? you’re not hurt right?  ❞

“Word has it a lot of the NYPD are out tonight in full force,” Alex answered simply, glancing past where Elsie stood to the lit-up interior of the Garden Hotel. Silhouettes moved past the curtains, and Alex narrowed his eyes slightly, trying to discern if he noticed anyone among the crowd. 

“Most particularly, some of the detectives are out in full force tonight; I’ve heard the Organized Crime Unit’s biggest pains in the asses, Cordova and Bennet, even arrived for the occasion,” Alex explained, settling his gaze on Elsie again. “See what you can find out about their movements; see if they know something we don’t.”

·  ·  ·   it was a task that elsie could do and she wouldn’t deny him this. after all, there was a huge possibility it would bring them closer to the diamonds. that was the goal for tonight. granted it was always a goal, tonight it was just a prominent one. she turned her eyes to alex again. offering a nod in confirmation.

 ❝ not a problem chief. i’ll be sure to relay anything i find out back to you.  ❞

Izidora was conflicted. Which was actually nothing new. She was in a room full of New York City’s elites, leaders, and mobsters and yet she couldn’t actually talk to anyone without blowing her cover. Worst than that, she was actually bored. There was so much security that Damien didn’t really need her. But she was something of his Girl Friday so she didn’t have much of a choice. She sat down at the bar and ordered a whiskey and went to grab it, only to realize that she had picked up someone else’s drink. “Oh, sorry,” she said, the glass halfway to her lips before she put it down. “My bad. I’m clearly not paying attention.” 

·  ·  ·   elsie wasn’t much for expressions these days and her humor was sort of dried out. however since daniel’s coming back, it had peaked it’s head back up from the crypts. despite this, she still didn’t do much of human interactions. at least not for entertainment. the most she socialized was some of her crew members and those she’d been hired to kill. even then it wasn’t much of a good social interaction.

so when the lady had accidentally picked up the glass of whiskey, elsie didn’t seem angered by the mishap. however she didn’t reach to retrieve the glass. she didn’t know the woman nor did she know if the action was really accidental or if it was intentional.

  ❝ no need to apologize. easy to get disorganized in such a crowded place. ❞

While Javier had his siblings talking nonstop to socialites and strangers alike, he found himself alone, unfazed by the the need to make formalities with anyone. Approaching the bar, he waved at the bartender for some bourbon on the rocks. As he waited, he noticed a plate and a knife left behind the counter. Looking behind as if no one was looking, Javier took the knife and wiped it on a tissue before playing around with it. He toyed with the knife swiftly in his hands as if he can manipulate its every move. Doing tricks he had so expertly done so in the past. After a few moments, he felt a pair of eyes staring at him for quite sometime. Javier caught the knife midair and turned to look. “Lo siento, Do I bother you?” He said, turning to the woman beside him. 

·  ·  ·   elsie didn’t pay the male who had sat in the vacant seat no mind. instead, she opted to look into the crowd, watching the guests enjoying life. or at least that’s what it seemed. she had quickly downed the shot, instead opting for a whiskey coke, deciding on nursing the drink for a bit. however, once the bartender walked away, she noticed him reach over, grabbing the knife.

she watched as he twirled & tossed the knife around, probably bored out of his mind but elsie couldn’t really say. it wasn’t until she glanced away, not really bothered by his actions, did he say something.

  ❝ no. you don’t. should i be bothered? ❞

It was at the sound of Elsie’s voice that Alex allowed himself to drag his eyes from his phone and his mind from the troubling thoughts he harbored. He clicked the phone shut and slid it into his pocket, turning to face Elsie as she slipped out onto the balcony behind him. He leaned against the stone railing behind him, folding his arms across his chest and giving a slight inclination of his head towards the younger woman.

“Kane,” he answered, an idea blossoming in the back of his head. “How do you feel about a bit of acting tonight? Think I’ve got a job for you.”

·  ·  ·   elsie checked the doorway before moving further onto the balcony. she took in the scenery before setting her eyes on barrett. they were alone, that much she was sure of. she noticed his phone in his hand but couldn’t really bring herself to care on the matter. his business was his unless he willingly shared it or brought it to her attention. she wasn’t deaf on the matter of the gossip spreading amongst the irish, she just chose to not entertain it. 

giving him a simple nod, elsie waited for this idea he had blossoming in his head.

Daniel shrugged, taking a long drink from the glass that was placed in front of him. “I’m fine, El.” He said looking at her, “been fine all night. I’m staying out of your way and I’m just here incase something goes wrong.” He shrugged, “I’m fine.” He shrugged picking his glass up, “I just wanted you to know that you look beautiful tonight. I know you got a job to do, so I’m not bothering you.” 

·  ·  ·   elsie rolled her eyes at his response. she knew he wasn’t fine but who in the hell was these days. she wasn’t, that much was true. she recalled the night he had shown his face to her. she believed him to be a ghost. a fragment of her imagination. the following months after his death, she had sworn a few times she’d seen his face in a crowd. each time bringing her closer to madness. so why was this time any different. however when she threw a pillow at him it had hit his solid frame. it came in flashbacks. the things she went through just to be where she was today. the home they shared wasn’t home to her. so she’d pack up her things and stored his away in the attic of her uncles estate. which now belonged to her. she’d sold the place and never look back. but his presence changed that.

shaking the memories from her head, elsie looked at daniel. taking in the little things that had changed since she last seen him. like the fact that he had permanent wrinkles on his forehead, or the fact that he had frown lines in place. she wasn’t much better but elsie had always been better at hiding things. including her feelings.

  ❝ i don’t need you watching me. what did barrett have to say?  ❞

Daniel saw her at the other end of the bar and slid down next to her. He didn’t want to bother her too much. He knew she had a job to do more than likely, but that wasn’t going to keep him from talking to her. “You look gorgeous in that dress, El.” He smiled, “didn’t think I’d ever see you all dolled up again.” He said finishing his drink before ordering another one. 

·  ·  ·   elsie stopped the sigh from passing her lips. deciding against it. she wasn’t at all surprised he had taken the seat next to her. she knew his eyes had been on her the whole night. she didn’t have to look to know that. it was just a given. however she was her for work and with her boss in the same building, elsie wasn’t going to mess this up, or let daniel mess it up for them. she spared him a glance, noticing him order another drink. she’d lie if someone asked if she hadn’t been sparing glances at him however she wasn’t obvious. not like he was. she had noticed barrett talking to him. felt their eyes glance her way which could only mean her name was brought up. she was sure barrett had told him she’d be fine tonight and it wasn’t a lie.

however she was worried about him. worried about how much he had to drink. she wanted him to be sharp tonight. despite her cold demeanor towards him, she still cared. she didn’t want to lose him a second time.

  ❝ that better be a virgin lincoln. ❞

funny how she had to deal with one now. from what she could gather from one christian bennet, he had been through just as much shit as she had been through. filled with the idea of a loved one still out there somewhere. 

grabbing a glass of champaign from a nearby waiter, elsie made her way to the male, gauging his every move before moving in. she accidentally bumped into the detective, making it oblivious to the other the move was in fact on purpose.

       ❝ i am so sorry. i’m such a klutz. i’m afraid i’ve had a bit too much champaign. ❞

( &&. OPEN )

They were somewhere here. They had to be. Alex hadn’t come all this fucking way to spend his night celebrating some spoiled brat’s nineteenth birthday to walk away empty-handed. Currently, Alexander found himself posed at one of the tables scattered around the grand banquet hall, his phone before him on the table alongside a half-eaten plate of filet mignon and herb-roasted veggies.

Pushing away his plate of food, Alex stood up and slipped through the crowd, making his way around the ballroom where guests young and old danced; some among friends, some among more intimate romantic partners, as he slipped onto one of the vast balconies that scattered the hotel property, unlocking his phone and searching for a specific contact in his phone.

“Balcony’s occupied,” he said without glancing up from his phone at the first sound of the balcony doors snicking open. “Find somewhere else to be.”

·  ·  ·   elsie had entered the festivities, taking in the amount of people that had attended and what was offered as entertainment. she wasn’t at all surprised that the golightly’s had pulled this extravagance of a party. however elsie wasn’t easily distracted by these things. meaning she had all night to play a different person if need be. it all depended on what it was barrett wanted from her. catching a glimpse of her captain, elsie followed him out onto the balcony, not at all worried someone would spot her. it was easy for her to move and be hidden.

❝ you can relax chief, just kane. reporting for duty. ❞ she replied sarcastically though it was mild.

                 ✝ - ̗̀ 𝔞 𝔩𝔦𝔱𝔱𝔩𝔢 𝔴𝔦𝔠𝔨𝔢𝔡   ̖́-          𝔱𝔡𝔯𝔢𝔳𝔢𝔫𝔱 𝔬𝔫𝔢 –– ɢᴏʟɪɢʜᴛʟʏ ɢᴀʟᴀ