Snappin' Necks & Cashin' Checks

“Whatever you want,” she muttered, preparing herself for the glass that was going to be plucked out of her body. “I’m not hungry though, don’t waste your money”

“I wasn’t talking about food for you. I eat real food. Y’know, like veggie burgers and fries? Pizza, beer, salads. Ice cream?” Sliding in behind her with a pair of tweezers that seemed to appear out of thin air, he began picking pieces out one at a time as he set the shards in one of the hotel’s glasses. “I brought you food. He’s right there. I even made a joke about it,” he added with a slight cock of his head towards the body, slightly offended. “Oh yeah, forgot to mention. I have an apartment here in New York, so we’ll stay there tonight. Don’t worry, there’s more than one bedroom so you have your pick of the litter. We’ll head back in the morning.”

She jumped slightly at the body being dumped on the ground as if it was a piece of garbage. Looking over at him for a moment, she sat down on the bed and removed her shirt, a small hiss as her shirt touched the rather large shards that were still embedded in her back. “What are we doing?” she asked, unable to look back at him

“Well, I’m gonna use my nimble fingers to take these out,” he gestured to her back. “Then we’re going for a proper breakfast. A little shopping since you stained your clothes, then we’re going to get you fitted for a ring somewhere a little Northeast of Midtown. They got a bunch of jewellers in this little area.”

“Depends, does it end with me being thrown into a mirror?” she asked, “because I really can’t deal with anymore violence from you. I really can’t, Romanio” she sighed, pressing her head against the door as she shut her eyes. Thinking for a moment, she slowly opened the door to let him in. “There was some glass I couldn’t get out, could you please help me?” she quietly asked, looking away from him

“Just shut up and open the door,” he sighed, watching as it was opened before he quirked an eyebrow. Nodding, he walked in before throwing the corpse he held to the ground, his neck was placed at an awkward angle. “Eat up. We’ll go get actual food after I’m done removing the shards.” Holding out a coffee for her, he cocked his head towards the bed. “Sit down. Take off your shirt.”

Being tossed outside, she caught the attention of staff and she reassured them she was okay. Finally getting a room, she had a night of sleep she hadn’t had in days since her engagement to him. How dare he say she could view him as a decent person and then throw her against the mirror. But as morning came, she realized there was no way out of the situation and it made her sick to her stomach. Sighing, she heard a knock on her door and went to look through the key hole. “What is it?” She asked, Seeing Roman.

“A peace offering,” he called through the door as he held the bellhop by his neck just out of sight. In his other hand, he held a two coffees situated in a holder. “How’s ninety-eight point six and two sugar sound?”

She gasped as she hit the mirror, eyes widened with fear as she looked him over. “How am I supposed to view you as a decent person when you throw me against mirrors?” She asked, pushing him off of her. “I’m getting my own hotel room, I’ll let you know what room but I refuse to sleep with you” she said, taking a piece of glass out of her shoulder with a small hiss.

“Yeah, well, I’m not a decent fucking person,” he added nonchalantly, dusting off his hands. Scoffing out a laugh, he grabbed her by her hair before throwing the bathroom door open. “Keep me updated on where you are,” he spat, practically throwing her against the opposite wall of the hallway outside his door. Slamming it behind her, he closed his eyes, letting out a small breath.

When he let go she wasted no time in pushing herself off of him, “really? Because all you have done is ridicule me, call me pathetic, treat me like I am less of a person. You’ve fed on my fear, I feel exactly like I did when I was human” she said, “I already feel less of a person from what I dealt with from Nolan because of you and I don’t need you reminding me of how horrible of a person I am. So no, you can’t redeem yourself, and I’m not under your protection, because no matter what happens you’re going to continue this mental abuse. I’ve lived through it before, it never ends. So unless you fucking change I’m getting a witch to hide Nolan and I’m leaving. Do not test me, Roman. I’ve played nice but I’m done. I will not live in fear again. I have fought in countless wars, killed hundreds of men, and I have served for my country, I don’t deserve this level of disrespect, especially from you”

“It’s what I do, don’t take it so personally,” he scoffed. As she went on, he rolled his eyes. “Saw right through me, didn’t you? Even after all these years and in times of crisis, you still have your wits about you.” Straightening out his shirt, he smirked. If she didn’t want his help, she would get twice the amount of pain he delivered. “Don’t test you? Disrespect you? That’s rich. I have more wealth than a fucking deity and that is fucking rich. Do you not know who I am? What I’m capable of?” He grabbed her by the throat, forcibly slamming her head into the mirror as it broke beneath the sheer force. “You hide that fucker from me and I’ll make sure you know the repercussions for that little stunt, bella. You are marrying me and I’m going to rip every last part of you to shreds once I get what I want. Feel free to run. I’ll have Nolan painting that town red the first step you take.”

“rispondami, dannazione” she screamed, trying to pull away from his grip. But as she found herself unable to pull away, she moved to violence. Punching on his chest, she tried to get him off of her but she found herself completely devoid of fighting anymore. “You have given me hell for centuries what gives you the right to attempt at ruining my life and then pretend you care?” she finally asked at a moment of silence. “You never cared when we were together, never. You’re only using me until you’re bored”

“Catalina,” he retorted sternly as she continued to hit him in the chest. Listening to her, he sighed softly, refusing to let her go. For a moment, he let them stand in silence before his lips parted and he loosened his grip the slightest. “My youngest brother had a panic disorder. So did Phillip and Joey, and now my youngest daughter Rosie has it,” he explained softly. “I’ve seen anxiety and depression in their strongest, most disastrous stages. I’m not pretending to care, Catalina.” Pulling back enough to look her in eyes, he shook his head. “I won’t lie to you. What I’m doing— yes— it’s completely out of boredom, but that doesn’t mean I don’t intend to look after you while I do it. You and Nolan may not realise it, but you’re under my protection now. I’m not gonna let anything or anyone hurt you. You comply, you’ll see I’m not as heartless as you think I am. Now breathe.”

“Get off me,” she cried, trying to push him off her, “is this what you wanted? To see me completely broken? To see me like how I was when I was human?” she yelled, “Because congratulations, Romanio, you win. Do you want a picture of this moment so that you can celebrate it?” she asked, tears starting to dry on her cheeks. “I realize how fucking pathetic I am, I get it. But if it was someone you cared for that was being used against you you would be doing the exact same thing as me.” She went quiet for a moment as she slowly stood up and cleaned her face. “I will go out in public, dry my eyes and pretend that we are happily in love and you can have all the power in the world. Is that what you want, Romanio?” she asked quietly before turning around and glaring at him. “I’m tired, Roman, so just decide what you want of me and get it over with”

“No, I’d stiffen up my upper lip and deal with it. I don’t form attachments because I don’t want to deal with--- whatever this is,” he gestured vaguely. His voice was level, even as she screamed and yelled into his face. As her deciding question came, he bit the inside of his cheek to avoid saying anything that might upset her more. Reaching forward, he pulled her into an embrace. He’d let her take out her aggression on him if she needed to. You couldn’t inflict pain on someone who purposefully blocked it out, but you could sure as Hell try. He held her regardless. “That’s enough,” he said sternly, but no raise in his voice. “Right now, I want you to take deep breaths and quiet your mind. Breathe with me. In,” he inhaled slowly. “And out,” he exhaled just as calmly. “Don’t think. Just do.”

She couldn’t sleep, everytime she closed her eyes, thoughts of her human life that she had buried deep inside ran through her mind. Looking over at him, he was asleep and defenseless, she could easily grab a sharp object and stake him. And once she did that she would never have to deal with him again. But that’s what he would want, for her to try something on him to give him an excuse to hurt the people she loved. Backing into the bathroom, she closed the door as she struggled to catch her breath, the voices of her father and mother berating her for ruining the De Santis name ran through her mind. And then the voice of Nolan, telling her how pathetic she was, and with her wall completely shattered she let all of her emotions out. But when she heard Roman’s voice, she assumed it to be one of the many voices plaguing her mind and reminding her of all her faults. “Go away!” she cried, unable to even stand at that point. “For god sake, what else can you take from me? Just go!”

There’s a well known fact about Roman Guerra and that would be his unflinching ability to walk away from certain situations. Sentimentality had never been his way of life. It was too much emotion over logic. Nothing good ever came from being attached to someone else. As the sounds of Catalina’s anger stood muffled against the door, he scoffed audibly. Opening the door, ready to tear her a new one, he gently closed it behind him before making his way over to her, crouching to eye-level with her.

“Hey,” he spoke softly, reaching out a hand to brush her hair out of her face. “Come ‘ere,” he attempted to coax. “You can keep the tough girl act and not speak to me, or you can come here and let me comfort you. I’m not gonna hurt you.”