cold hands, warm heart

The dark plated SVU that pulled up to the curb wasn’t ominous at all, and not likely something that anyone would miss, but Zephyr was beyond that at this point in time. The lowly screech of tyres permeating the air as he watched David compose himself and apologize for the sidewalk collision. Kicking open the opposite rear door just as the made man he’d brought along with him slipped from the passenger seat to give the man little choice. “Get in.” He ordered, the usual nonchalance within azure hues not nearly as giving as they might have been on any other day. His usually, near laid back nature that all too surely masked every callous, devious thought he ever had gone and replaced with the natural steel of a man pissed and holding all the cards. 

David knew the make and model of that car that pulled up, he’d seem them countless times out on the Syndicate lot. Even driven in one once or twice. He knew exactly who was behind the tinted glass before the door had opened. He felt his heart sink into his stomach. The Delore’s were good at masking fear, David was no different. With his jaw set and hard blue eyes staring back into the car. He didn’t hesitate as he crawled into the back. He’d seen this side of Zephyr once or twice, and it didn’t normally end up all that well for the other party. “Sir,” David greeted, voice steadied as he got comfortable in his seat. If that was even possible. Every inch of him was in fight mode. Ready to deflect and pin his crimes on any other abled person he could think of. Not daring to say anything that would 1. blow his cover. or 2. Piss off Zephyr even more. 

Every professional bone in her body wanted to press him further, dig beneath his skin and pry what he might have known from between every vein she could reach. But this wasn’t her usual, this was her brother; parading about as some criminal and walking himself right into the biggest case that’d hit the desk of every officer in the city, painting himself as heavily involved and earning himself a target even bigger than the one found attached to his own family name. There should have been some relief in knowing he didn’t know — being knocked out could have granted him some sense of silence within it all, but she knew far better than to expect his own criminal higher ups to find reason to trust a man who didn’t see anything, as Milena King was executed feet away from him. The thought made her sick. “Okay..– Okay.” She spoke, through the whirlwind of pressing thoughts. “They’re never going to accept that and you know it.” Lips pursed and she looked beyond him to pinpoint a place on the wall, right beside their brothers graduating certificates. “You’re going to have to come up with something, you give them a name.. Any name, I’ll..– I’ll figure something out.” Anything to take the heat from her own brother. As her name fell from his lips, she shook her head, refusing beyond any better judgement to return her gaze to him as she felt the overwhelming feeling of helplessness swell in her chest at the very thought that she couldn’t control this. “Like hell I can’t. If you think for one second I won’t get your acting chief to pull your ass out of there today, Sydney.. You’re sorely mistaken.” Pointed words formed to cast shadow across the truth of such vulnerability, her refusal to feel or show it. The mottled break in his voice almost unbearable, uncertainty had always paved the path they’d walked, but finding it before them right now felt wrong. “Stop apologizing.” The sharp tone of her voice not lost as she shifted to the window, the ache in her chest rising to sit thickly in her throat as she bit back the heat in her eyes. “Stop apologizing like we didn’t all know exactly what we were getting into – like you didn’t know.” 

David knew his sister worried about him, she always had. And hell, she had every right. Nothing in their lives was cut and dry. They never had that normal worry-free life. They were always fighting a war of their own, and they’ve always been the kind to get right in the middle of it. Sometimes he’d wonder what he’d do if his wife was still alive, if she never gotten into that car crash. How he was so ready to leave Montreal behind with all it’s war torn streets and criminal underground. How he ever thought that leaving his siblings to fight this war alone was a good idea, was beyond him. But he couldn’t pull back now, he was in too deep and he didn’t think he could even if he wanted to. To leave all his hard work behind, to bring in the towel and go back to his old life. Become that shell of a person he had become after his world fell apart. Sav was talking, she was taking a lot. Trying to process her thoughts, get a solid plan together. David just stood there, arms over his chest watching her trying to control the situation as she always did – This wasn’t her burden to bear.

“Savannah, you can’t pull me out of this,” His voice rose, became stable and angry. Lifting himself off of the desk he’d been leaning on to stand in front of her. “Yeah I knew exactly what I was getting into, I’d make the same decision a thousand times again,” he grabbed her arm to make her look at him. Eyes already bloodshot from holding back emotions, “I can’t stop now. I can’t go back to that place,” When Emily died, when he had become a shell of a human and Sav had to pull him out of that hole he dug himself into. Hell, he doubted any of his family could ever stop. Destined to keep striving for more, to keep going forward no matter what. “This is my problem, and I’m going to get through it. Okay? I need you to have a little bit of faith in me, Savannah and let me do what I have to do.” Even if that meant getting killed.

He was perhaps one of the last people the younger of the pair had expected to see wandering the streets at such an ungodly hour. Samuel couldn’t help but return the embrace, still in a state of shock as realization hit of just how long it had been since he’d seen the other – likely prior to his last tour, which felt like a lifetime ago now. So much time had passed and while he had kept in contact with the other over the phone when he could it did little to ease his surprise as to how the other had changed, aged even in the short time. Sam too was the same, his baby face replaced by an unruly beard and haunted gaze. Time was very rarely kind. “Believe it or not, you’re not the easiest person to get a hold of these days.” The younger brother defended. Sure he understood his brother’s situation, and he would never do anything to compromise his position, but it didn’t make it any easier on the family. “I’ve been back a several months now, needed a change of scenery after the last tour.” If taking an honorable discharge over being forcibly discharged on a number of grounds could be classed as such, but the details were irrelevant. “I’m fine, Syd.” He answered easily, two words that had become an accustomed taste upon his tongue, so well practiced and yet they tasted nothing but sour and fake. “I have, kind of impossible these days to hide from them.” He joked, the ghost of a smile dancing upon his lips as he spoke. “But what about you — things haven’t exactly been quiet of late for your buddies.” 

Coming back to Montreal and being unable to see his youngest brother, well it was tough. The Delores were always destined to do the most and it should be no surprise that even the youngest boy would follow in the same steps. So much had changed, David could see that. From the strong scruff growing on his little brother’s face, to the hollowness of his blue eyes. It frightened him but he wasn’t surprised. When he had enlisted, David knew that he wouldn’t be coming back the same Sammy he had known. “I know, I know. I’m trying.” that hesitant smile slipped over his lips. It was a lot – to see his brother like this. How long it had been since he’d last seen him? Since they last laughed together. Sam looked like himself, but he was someone else – it just wasn’t on the surface. David wanted to be there for him, be the big brother that was always around to get him through the day…but that wasn’t possible. Not anymore. I’m fine. David believed him, and let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding, “You’re here to stay now, right?” With all the Delore’s back together, he felt hopeful. Like maybe they’d all make it through this, purge the city from the gangs and finally for the first time in their lives relax. David was brought back to reality when his brother spoke up and he felt that wave of doubt wash over him. “Things aren’t going well,” he managed a half-hearted smile, “I got myself in shit and Sav thinks that I should back out.”

Riley had attempted to replay the events prior to Milena’s death over and over again. It had happened so fast that no valid explanation could be conjured to defend her own life. She’d been blind-sided and knocked out in mere seconds. Perhaps she deserved whatever awaited her with Zephyr. Though it wasn’t her gun placed to the monarch’s temple, and she hadn’t pulled the trigger — she had facilitated the task for whomever had done so. In her mind, she may as well have guided the damn mouth of the gun to Milena’s head herself. “I know we didn’t, but we also didn’t stop it.” She whispered to him rapidly, feeling her chest heave as the mere thought of facing Zephyr was far more frightening than anything she’d gone through prior to today. “I’m trying. — It’s the waiting and anticipation for the next steps that is freaking me out.”

Nevertheless, no matter how selfish of a thought it was, she found herself grateful for David. At least she didn’t have to face this on her own. “I’ll take the blame for what I did and promise to do better,” she said with a nod. While she hadn’t known much about Zephyr — she’d heard enough about his temper to know not to attempt her luck with speaking back. Once more, she began to shake her head even before he ended his sentence. “I can’t let you do that. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if anything happened to you because of me. Just promise me you won’t try to take the brunt of this. Promise me, okay?”

Sydney couldn’t help but put some of the blame for Milena’s death on himself. He didn’t care about the woman, in fact -- his job probably would have been considerably easier if she had been out of the picture sooner. Had he actually cared about the Syndicate, he couldn’t help but think he might have been able to save her; and not put Riley through the ringer with Zephyr. “We’re only human, Riley. Just because we couldn’t save her doesn’t mean that we pulled the trigger,” he sighed, managing a smile. It was rough being in a gang, hell Sydney could hardly take it at times. And Riley -- well she hardly looked the type. It made him wonder how she ended up in a situation like this. 

He pulled her close to give her a gentle hug, “I promise I won’t take all the blame,” he whispered, rubbing her back to comfort her. “We’re going to be just fine,” he looked back at her, another smile stretching over his lips. However not meeting his eyes. (cause he’s a delore and that’s their thing) “We’ll just get yelled at and when it’s all over we’ll laugh about it. Alright?” 

Wandering the streets at night post-hit was dangerous to say the very least and Sera knew as much as she drew the fabric of her jacket tighter around a lithe body, battling the evening air and her own self-loathing as she meandered through Montreal’s streets. Her mind raced without encouragement to stop, the wholly unnerving series of events continued to play throughout her mind like a sick movie reel. The brawl, the chaos, the moments in which Milena had been escorted from the scene. Someone should have known, someone should have been there. Despite her own tumultuous history with the King matriarch, Sera would never wish her death, nor wish for Emilia to be left without a mother. Now the gravity of her situation would come to light before she was truly ready to face it, and the older woman could be of no assistance to help her process.

A passerby on the sidewalk interrupted any thoughts of how her pseudo sister might be fairing, their shoulders colliding rather abruptly with enough force to knock the phone from his hand. “It’s fine, I was just—” Headed nowhere fast. The voice is what alerts her senses, recognition encircling the forefront of her mind like a vice. “David.” One of her own, a made man she had claimed if only because he dripped with a familiarity she could never quite place. Though it would hardly be enough to quell the rising sense of responsibility she held over his actions, or lack thereof. “What the hell happened?”

Things were becoming a lot more complicated than David would care to admit. Forgetting all of his training and everything he’d learned along the way he felt totally lost. Never had he drawn attention to himself, he was just supposed to be a grunt, a passing face in the gang so he could get in and out easily without people paying mind to him. But now with his name tied to Milena’s death -- no doubt some people would think him walking away unscathed was suspicious. In his attempt to leave the hospital grounds, he found himself only drawing more attention to himself, and from someone he knew. Sera, the very woman he took orders from. “Sera.” he greeted, taken back from the own surprise that coated his voice. Of course the news would have spread, it had barely been a full day and the papers and news were already covering the story, there was no way the entire syndicate didn’t know about it, or his involvement. 

“Someone knew we were going to be there,” he tried to gather his thoughts. Trying to make a face of the shadowed man who’d manage to knock him unconscious with a scuffed forehead to boot. “I didn’t kill her, Sera.” hard blue eyes stared back at her. Although sure he would’ve liked to end the woman’s life he wasn’t a total idiot. “It had to have been a Vittori.”

Part of her might have liked to lay claim to some sense of relief settling in against her bones being so near and now entirely aware that he was, physically, okay. For the better part, she knew it lived there somewhere, in the narrow ventricles of a heart that truly only beat so vibrantly for her brothers. However, she’d long since allowed herself to fall victim to being so blinded by such a thing when the depths of reality had drowned her long before. “Who?” She already knew that he had no idea who it was, the multiple statements that’d found their way across her desk had left them with little else to go on beyond the striking obviousness of the hit being taken out by those standing war against the Ivory. “Who was it, Sydney?” She’d cling to it; a life altering pitch between her work and the crossroads her family put themselves on, her panic didn’t serve anyone if she so let herself fall into it.  The pit of her stomach lurched, the woman not at all unaware of what might come from his timely involvement, even if he’d been little more than a bystander. That he’d been there at all, and Milena King was dead, was a sure sign that Sydney had been pitched forth into the blackened depths of lacking time. “You’re done.” Her voice iron like, unwilling to so easily buckle to what she feared most. Though it was no secret that the Delore family could well enough hold their own against the likes of those they set out to rid from their city, Sydney didn’t stand on the premise of their family name — he was someone else entirely, and no amount of fear and respect their family name carried found itself in what he did. Their lived always had an expiry date, nobody that played with fire so effortlessly as they could ever hope to cling to some sense of longevity, but this wasn’t how she’d let her brother meet his end. “Nobody finds out. You’re done, Sydney. This isn’t what you signed up for.” It wasn’t her call to make, but damned if she wouldn’t try to make it anyway. 

David in fact could remember the last time he had felt this scared, Like the time he’d gotten the news in the hospital, the same hospital they were in now that his wife had died. It was that same stiffening fear that tightened his chest and made his throat dry up. His hands trembled as they dropped to his sides, clenched into fists as he tried to hide the fear from his sister, or even convince himself that he was okay. “I don’t know,” he spoke, uncertainty lifting a tremor in his voice, he had absolutely no idea. He was lucky he was spared, the thought shook him. Only repeating the same phrase in a whisper when she asked again, “I don’t know.” Blue eyes lifting to meet his sisters, who only stared confused back at him. All his life he knew his sister to be strong, she was so much stronger than he was, always had been. And she was scared, he could recognize the signs. The clenched jaw, the assertive tone and the way her eyes were locked on him. She was trying to control the situation, but this wasn’t in her control. 

As the big brother he felt like had to try and be stronger for her, to hold it all in. Tell her that everything was going to be fine and he’d figure it out. But staring back into those blue eyes. He felt lost. Words escaped him. There was nothing more he wanted to do than to crawl back to his old home in Norther Quebec and sink into that mental hole he’d dug himself into when his wife died. But that wasn’t possible. Not anymore. The Syndicate had him in their scope and he would have to face them eventually. Either as David or Sydney Delore. “Sav,” he shook his head, finding himself holding back tears, “you can’t make that decision,” he tried to smile, only one corner of his mouth lifting. He wanted to apologize for everything, for putting her through this. For making her and his brothers worry. For not being there. For missing everything. All he could croak out was a small apology, “I’m sorry. I=” he fell short, for a long time, letting the words settle in and try and figure out what to say,  “We’ll get through it. We always do.” 

It wasn’t as if she had much of a choice. The second she’d been told about those found with Milena King’s body, she might have sworn her heart imploded in her chest, turning to ash at the mere mention of David LaFontaine; Ivory Member admitted to hospital.. The rest was.. white noise. Though, it certainly didn’t stop there, much like always, she couldn’t simply just walk into his hospital room, it left her options slim. The two detectives she’d brought with her flanking her brother as he recovered from walking head on into a passerby, Savannah holding dear to the instinct to reach out for him or his phone. “David LaFontaine? We need to ask you some questions about the murder of Milena King, routine, you understand.” The larger detective stating without really allowing for argument as his counterpart gestured towards the hospital entrance he’d seemingly just come from. The less than apologetic look on her own features as she moved past him not unlike one she might have worn with anyone else.  It wasn’t entirely secure, that much she was more than aware of, but for the most part, she’d at least know she could speak a little more freely once they’d reached Simon’s office, the detectives allowing both of them through before they closed the door. “Are you…” She rounded on him, the staggered hitch in her voice resting the precipice of anger and distress. “Out.. of your god damn mind?” And then it was gone and she was reaching for him, “Are you okay? What the hell happened out there?”

When he had been cornered by the two detectives he felt his stomach sink to the floor, and without given much of a choice, he was marched right back to the very place he had been trying to escape.  However, when he caught sight of his younger sister, most of the tension that’d previously been on his shoulders was released however he remained on guard. David took a glance around Simon’s office and returning his gaze to his clearly upset sister once the door had closed behind them. The way she stared at with that look, that damn worried look. He felt awful for putting his family through this shit, but with just that one look and her crack of distress in her voice, that just amplified the feeling by 110%. “Sav I...” he started, trying to find the right words to calm her down and ease her mind. “Everything just became a whole lot more complicated -- one of the Vittori’s killed Milena. I think the Ivory’s are going to tear the city to the ground... “ he was trying to hold it together, keep everything under a tight lock and key, fool himself into thinking that it wasn’t a big deal and everything will blow over in a few days.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen to me, Sav. It might be nothing. But they might...” he trailed off averting his gaze and sliding a hand through his hair, “They might find out about me. Or kill me. I don’t know which is worse.”

Samuel had been on his way home from his office, late as hell as per usual. A common habit given he needed to remain busy to keep his demons at bay. Demons of which he remained in denial about, from his insomnia to the fact he was showing definite signs of PTSD, signs he had seen in reflected in his comrades prior to his dismissal. Nevertheless the streets were quiet amidst the aftermath of the death of their Queen. Something of which only highlighted to Samuel that the gangs weren’t as invincible as they would have everyone believe. For if Milena could be killed, so too could the rest.

Hands shoved deeply into the pockets of his jacket he made his way down the sidewalk, lost in his own thoughts from the day. Completely ignorant to the fact he wasn’t alone, as he suddenly banged shoulders with another he was quick to raise a fist, as the other hand shifted into a position of defense as he inhaled a sharp breath. How he hadn’t heard them coming was beyond him and to add to his confusion, the face of the other was a familiar one, one of which belonged to his older brother. Surprise flooded his features and he very quickly relaxed his stance, hoping the other was all the more ignorant to his reaction. “Sydney?” He echoed, exhaling the breath he had unknowingly been holding. How many years had it been since he had seen the other face to face, too long either way. 

It always seemed as though he ran into his family in the most unsuspecting places, and he certainly hadn’t expected to run into his little brother.  David was almost in a state of shock when familiar features stared back at him. Forgetting all the rules that he was, in fact, undercover and shouldn’t be seen with any of his family, he couldn’t help himself when he embraced his younger brother in a tight hug. David couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen his brother, he couldn’t remember the last time he’d heard Sam say his name out loud it sounded almost foreign. “Sam,” he greeted back when he finally pulled away from the hug. Teary blue eyes looking his brother up and down like someone long lost and brought back to him. Taking in every detail, every bit of him before shaking his head in disbelief, “I didn’t know you were back.” Things had been so hectic within the Syndicate he didn’t even think --

“Jesus Christ, when did you get back? Are you okay?” his mind was racing with so many questions. “Have you seen the others yet?”

Sydney: I'm sorry. I fucked up.

Simon: What are you talking about? Are you okay?

Simon: You can't just say things like that, D. Where are you?

Sydney: I don't know yet.

Sydney: I'll ttyl. Thing's aren't good.

Riley had gone through all the ways the Ivory Syndicate would punish them, or worse, dismember them for their part in the death of Milena King. They’d been given a task far out of their reach, and neither had been smart enough to speak up before entering the crowded park. Now, she was dead and they had been spared to face their own tribunal. “How is this not our faults?” A small and unsteady voice escaped as light hues flicked over his being, ensuring that he was okay. The touch, while light and gentle, served to ground the brunette who felt like her mind was racing a mile a minute. It was only a matter of time before she was beckoned to see the new king, and she sure as fuck had to get her story in line before then. “You’re right, he wouldn’t kill us — probably hang us up on the front fence until we waste away so he makes sure no one else fucks up the way we did.” Okay, perhaps it was a little dramatic. 

Brows furrowed and a visceral moment of panic flashed over her expressions as he spoke. “What? No. You can’t do that, I won’t let you do that. We’ll face this together. Okay? Promise me.”

It was wishful thinking to even consider that Zephyr would have the two of them in the same room while he gutted them out. Through his years of manoeuvring his way through the syndicate, he knew their tricks. He had however seen the gang kill for less, and in their eyes, both he and Riley might have well as put the bullet in Milena’s head. “We didn’t kill her, that how it’s not our fault,” Zephyr, although a friend; was one of the scariest men David had ever met. He was unpredictable and David had absolutely no idea what sort of punishment he would have waiting for them. “I need you to relax, okay Riley?” Of course he was scared and hell she had every right to be scared,

David could very well hold his own against Zephyr at least, he thought he could. If anything would go wrong he could drop out and just go into witness protection, but Riley. They’d hunt her down if she ran, “Just, whatever you do. Do not talk back to him, alright? Just apologize, keep apologizing until he sends you on your way. I don’t mind taking the blame on this, Ri.”

Riley had been discharged with instructions to remain awake as long as possible that night, and to drink water. Simple instructions that would do little to keep her alive in the scope of it all, as she was certain that she would come to meet her demise when she’d be forced to face the new head of the Ivory’s. She’d distracted herself long enough with Emilia before she parted ways in an attempt to give the grieving daughter space. Now, she’d have to find her way home on her own — or some place to lay low for the next few days until she found enough energy to face the consequences for the parts she hadn’t played in the massacre — such as preventing it. 

The collision forced a hiss from the dazed brunette, the apology coiling around her tongue when the male muttered his first. “It’s o——— David.” An azure gaze widened with both shock and relief as the lithe frame collided with his. Perhaps it was out of norm given their relationship, but now she could cling onto him and know that she didn’t have to face the new and even more frightening monarch on her own. “We’re so fucked.”

The shock of seeing Riley alive and well nearly brought an actual smile to his face. “Oh Jesus Christ, Riley,” his gaze wandering over her, checking for injuries from the aftermath of what had happened. It was supposed to just be an easy escort, they had it planned out and prepared for if anything was to go awry during the park festivities. He wasn’t entirely clear on why he and Riley were picked to make sure Milena got into the car safely. All he remembered in the briefing was no one else could do it since they would draw too much attention. So it was him and Riley -- and oh boy what a mistake that was. “Hey no...no we aren’t fucked. It’ll be fine,” he tried to reassure, reaching over and grabbing her arm as though physical contact could help. “Zephyr won’t kill us,” no Zephyr probably wouldn’t. But that didn’t mean he wouldn’t order other people to do it. “This wasn’t our fault. You’ll be fine,” he tried offering a smile, but of course, it didn’t reach his eyes. 

They would have to face Zephyr eventually, “I’ll vouch for you, I’ll take the heat on this one.”

So much for having the night of. Jack had woken up from a nap to find his phone ringing of the hook, his boss looking him back in right now due to an emergency. He was only a porter, it wasn’t like he was actually the one doing anything important for people, but his boss wanted all hands on deck. So Jack had been in a bad mood. He had dropped Lucy of at his Mom and Dads and headed back to work another shift on less than 3 hours kip. He had been unable to get a parking space at the hospital and so, was forced to park his pick up on the sidewalk. Striding up the path, adjusting the name badge on his uniform and zipping up his coat, Jack tucked his hands into his pockets. Half way there, as he glanced down at his shoes, a heavy thump on his shoulder had him spinning ever so slightly to the left. “Hey-” he was ready to snap, head rising to meet the other. He didn’t recognise the man but the lost look on his face, the way his eyes were so wide that the dark iris’ were outlined in white had Jack pausing. “-hey-” he said softer, stepping closer “-you ok buddy?”

A little disorientated, he had absolutely no idea he was face to face with someone who was partnered on the opposite team. Well even then, David wasn’t sure he would even care at that moment. A Vittori killed Milena on his watch and quite frankly, it was all he could think about. Not the guilt but the repercussions. Meeting the other man’s gaze was his first mistake, he may not have recognized David. But David certainly recognized him. With one of David’s brother’s being a doctor he’d seen the man around a few times. Although never officially meeting. Not to mention David took pride in his job as an RCMP and keeping himself alive which meant keeping up to date with who was affiliated with the gangs. Of course, Jack was a Vittori which only meant bad news.

“I -- uh. Yeah oh yeah I’m fine, just a bit. Um.” he looked behind his shoulder back towards the hospital where no doubt the authorities were waiting to ask him questions. “I’m just a bit turned around I guess,” he offered a fake laugh, running his fingers through his hair before resting both hands on his waist, “I need to get out of here.”

David found himself walking in an aimless direction, staring down at his phone, deleting all the messages and wondering if he should try calling someone. Not knowing what kind of the stress the Ivories were under or if he had his name on the blacklist since he’d fucked up. So preoccupied he hadn’t stepped out of the way and banged shoulders with someone else, phone dropping from his hand and cracking against the sidewalk, “Oh jesus -- I’m sorry that...that was my fault.”

A simple shake of his head is not enough to deny the question that Syd has presented, so he’d add just as easily; “Jane is great. She’s used to me disappearing by now. Starting to think she enjoys the silence.” It’d been meant as a joke, though the smile on his lips was gone almost as soon as it’d appeared. Si worked tireless hours a the hospital. Was on committees. Boards. His younger brother had been one of the only other people who knew about his… other indiscretions, and for a moment, he considers how the jest might be considered tasteless in present company. So he moves on… Quickly. The eldest Delore is fast to offer a sort of assuring smile, swinging the door open as he did so, and stepping into the car. The movement allowed him to hide how the expression remained flat, and otherwise feigned. They weren’t kids anymore, and Simon didn’t need to trick Sydney into thinking everything would be okay. “So that was an Ivory building. They wouldn’t confirm or deny affiliation with the press, but I had a feeling.” He slipped the key into the ignition, but didn’t turn it right away. “Months?” The man repeated the word back to him with an incredulous edge. “Fuck. That’s a long time. How will we-” Si pauses, because he’s not sure he wants the answer to the question. How will we know if you’re okay? The answer was simple; Because they’d know if he wasn’t. “You’re an idiot. You really are. You had to go and become some big, tough detective, huh?” Simon finally gives the key a twist and the engine of his vehicle comes to life. “I hope you’re retiring after you finally bring this organization to it’s knees.” He wears sports a softened expression- eyes bright and as wide as the sly grin on his face.

David knew of the complicated intricacies of his brother's marriage, and although he didn’t approve he never scolded him. It wasn’t his place, but he couldn’t help but worry about them. They’d all been through so much, and he couldn’t help but think that all this secrecy was certainly not helping. “Good,” was all he responded with a low nod of his head, before ducking his head down and sliding into the passenger seat. Nodding his head slowly to confirm, “Yeah, I pretty big Ivory Building. That place held pretty much anything illegal you can think of, it was a big hit against them. They obviously not taking it well,” he sighed, not mentioning that if the building hadn’t of burned down he probably could’ve taken them down with what evidence he had of the contents in the warehouse.

David didn’t want to think of what might become of him in a couple of months, just one slip up and he could find himself at the end of someone’s gun with how high the tensions were. He rubbed his face, sliding his fingers through his hair to push it back. “I know...it’s not going to be easy,” he let out a deep sigh, “I’ll try and send messages here and there, I just need you to know that if you don’t hear from me -- it doesn’t mean I’m dead.“

At least hopefully not.

David couldn’t suppress the smile that stretched over his face, “Someone has to do it, and who’s the better choice than a Delore?” he looked up to meet his brothers eyes, the same blue eyes that matched his and Savannahs. “Retire? Man I don’t think I could. I mean -- could you?” The other blonde shook his head, “I can’t imagine doing anything else.”