the traitor

Work had brought Alp to plenty of places he’d rather avoid, but this, with smoke thick in the air and several different flavors mixing into a sickly-sweet smell that even the whiskey he was sipping couldn’t cut, was near the top of the list.  His mom had always been careful to smoke outside–but even if she hadn’t, he was pretty sure he would have preferred her cigarettes to this.

But it didn’t matter what he thought, only that he’d finally tracked Julian down.  Waiting for the waitress to bring the other man a drink, he finally picked up his own glass and went over.  “I won’t take much of your time,” he said, waiting on an invitation to sit down and not necessarily expecting one, “we just hadn’t seen you in a while.  Wanted to make sure you were all right.”

We, meaning anyone at the bank, and all right, meaning not dead at the Festival.

He’d all but disappeared into thin air since the Faction’s disastrous shipment. Hadn’t they all? The loss interfered with the Zhang’s ever so important business, so many Faction members had sustained injuries or even died. The Lanoixs had almost sacrificed their crystal clear reputation, bullets cutting far too close for comfort. It was only Julian that had gotten out with one hell of a bargain- information traded for protection. And while he’d put on an illusion of damage, it was far from the case. What did everyone call him- lucky bastard.

When Alp Yavuz slide into the booth, Julian couldn’t help but roll his eyes. Of course Seb has sent his henchman to make sure his investments were making money, it was a move Julian would’ve employed as well. “Well you can tell lovely Mr. Astor that I’m doing great, and if he wants to keep tabs on me, he can personally come by and kiss my sweet ass.” He muttered in response, leaning back at he looked over the other man. “You were in the truck... how was that?” 

A Kovali was supposed to be ruthless and cold, but calculated. That was what Emir had been taught growing up. His father had all but beaten it into his brain. A good little soldier was what he was. Leading the family was ingrained in his mind ever since he was old enough to speak. How was he supposed to lead with this much weighing down on him now? It was easy to say he didn’t care, but there was every emotion deep down inside of him slowly creeping its way out of every fiber of his being. It had been his coming home party. They should have known and been prepared for any scenario, but they just had not been. It was easy to say anything, but actions always spoke louder than words. Seeing his father and mother in a coma hadn’t fazed him nearly as much as it should have. Maybe it was because he knew they would wake up sooner or later. He couldn’t quite pinpoint it. They had both woken up now though. One in worse condition than the other. It was…surely the worst experience realizing your own mother didn’t remember who you were.

Emir would do what needed to be done though. It was only a matter of time. The Faction was getting sloppy, but so were they. They had managed to stop one shipment and it had crippled their enemies for a moment. It wouldn’t be long until they picked themselves back up and did what they needed to do. That was what Emir would do, at least. Every time he got knocked down, he would get back up. There was no time to dwell on everything happening with his mother right now. He had to focus on everything else. No, that wasn’t his responsibility. He wasn’t a capo. It was up to the rest of the family to come up with a plan, wasn’t it? Bullshit. He had never stepped down from his role. The only thing different about him now was a title. Respect had to be earned and he was certainly not going to give it away so easily. Especially to people he knew didn’t even hold a candle to his ability to lead.

Looking up at the Board of Trade, he took it all in. The Mayor was sure to rile up the citizens of Chicago and he was very curious to hear what they had to say. Maybe it would be amusing to hear, once again, the messiah of this god forsaken city let their mouth write a check that their ass can’t cash. “Well, this is sure to be entertaining. Maybe I should go get some popcorn to watch the production.”

Wash the filth away- hadn’t the mayor’s campaign been something along those lines? For a while, Julian had been convinced that they wouldn’t be elected. After all, people that went after the underworld usually disappeared... yet they persisted. Crooked politicians were something he’d grown used to, the lone Sigara representative for the Faction paying his own fortune into their pockets. However here they were, criminals facing a plague of righteousness. Not only had they instilled martial law- something that had almost never been done- but they’d managed to rally the public. Mob mentalities were dangerous, and even Julian wasn’t dumb enough to discount the power a messiah had to lost people. It was the sole reason he appeared by the Board of Trade, a cigarette lazily hanging out of his mouth as emerald hues surveyed the scene.

Perhaps the most unlikely member of the Kovali fell into his vision- Emir. The son who’d spent years behind bars, a crown ripped from his head and given to Isek. In Julian’s own case, he’d been in a similar position some time ago... but being a ruthless bastard, he’d put a bullet in his own blood and stole his older brother’s position. Was it a despicable act? Of course. But did it secure him power and control? Absolutely. It’d started the landslide that he was currently caught in the middle of: outside loyalty towards the Faction, while behind closed doors he’d fed information to their oppositions consigliere. Most notable was the hand he hand in the Faction’s latest blow...  Not that anyone knew just how much of a traitor he could be. “Emir.” The name left his lips with disdain, the history between their families still putting up a wall of ice. “Popcorns a bit mundane- a drink, on the other hand, now that would really add to the experience.” With a long drag of his cigarette, he smirked at the other man, smoke filling the space between. “I thought you might be a little more worried about this whole situation... or is that Isek’s job now?” 

It wasn’t wrought in stained surprise, Nic had heard him, time and time again protest against any medical attention that didn’t come from those he trusted within the faction. It didn’t paint a new picture, and neither did it pry her teeth apart as they so surely ground together in slight irritation. A fickle habit that still clung to the very marrow of her bones despite his sentient care for such a thing extending so far as to once leave her for dead. Bittersweet, it burnt bright in the pit of her stomach for every forlorn thought that might have wished to feel something different; to feel the smug; belittlement that might have sought to claim Julian barely scratched the surface of injuries he deserved for so outwardly ruining her. “You know it won’t.” He’d remained unscathed beyond the surface for too long now to so readily have such luck slip from his fingertips, “If it hasn’t already.” Hues dropped to linger on the curling knuckles of her own hand as she tightened her hold on the bed frame, the settling cloud of foolishness still settling high above her to rain weakness at her fingertips knowing whatever relief she felt in the fact that he still held breath in his lungs was tainted wholly by fleeting thought to choke him with her own hands. 

“No.” Stringent, defiant – unwilling to fall so readily into anything he might offer without question. A sickening push and pull that knew Julian Sigara could, and would weave his own web with anything she asked of him, yet it stood to reason that he might very well be one of the only people that would so willingly give anything to her at all. “You’re not.– you’re not paying for this.” She’d figure it out, one way or another; being indebted to the government still less likely to end with a bullet in her head than anything she might garner from Julian and his offhanded concern. The truth was; something about Julian being here now ran far deeper than just shock and awe – it hitched itself to the waking moments she’d spent here months before. The fluorescent that hung above her hospital bed when she’d come to and her first viable thought pleading with her nurses to find Julian, blinding and harsh. But he was here; and whatever comfort he might have ripped from her fingertips then curled a burning warmth as he reached to force her gaze gently upwards. She swallowed thickly, truly not wanting to meet hues she could pinpoint every fleck of light within until something simply… broke.  Whatever you need..— she could loathe him for this; for every ounce of the man that knew what she needed. I’m here.. Lithe fingers lifted to curl into the fabric of his shirt and she drew herself closer. Every fiber of her being itched, screamed at her to find the warmth she knew he held; no matter if it survived as something real or a perfectly woven web of lies. Yet she knew better, and her hand fell away, drawing his with it, Nic no longer able to stomach his hand so near her throat when she knew he’d already been willing to watch her choke. “I just want something to take the edge off, that’s all.” Which..– in their case, likely didn’t amount to anything small. 

“One day it’ll have to.” Luck. It’d somehow kept him from rotting in a jail cell, the blood of his older brother staining far more than just skin and fabric. Despite the mounting evidence, the smoking gun had been lost. And his freedom? Served on a silver platter, with the title of representative falling onto the only living Sigara. Luck had given him a horrible chance- smoke billowing around crushed metal as he made the decision to leave one of the best things in his life for dead. Once more, the authorities couldn’t put the final nail into his coffin. Not if he was nothing more than a ghost to them... and everyone else. Luck was the final driving force that led way to opportunity, bruises and broken bones mimicking the injuries sustained at the pier. Standing in the same hospital room as Monica Pelletier, he was almost high off of it. It was a terrible display of flawless manipulation- anything to make sure that she was right where she belonged. Right where he needed her to be, at his side. After all, this was who they were, irrefutable like gravity. “But since we’re both here, I guess it isn’t today.” A small smile pulled at his lips, emerald hues trained on the woman before him. 

“What other options are there?” While the Sigara household lacked any semblance of warmth, money was never an issue. New cars, a decorated mansion, all things gold- the home had always resembled something of a museum, distant and cold. “It’s no strings attached.”  For a brief moment, the harshness fell away with a touch. Instead, it was replaced with a familiar need. The space dissipated between them and Julian could see a crack in her mask. Behind it was the same girl he’d known since they’d both been in high school. So willing to give him a chance, to look past any of the monstrous things he’d done. With a heart that seemed far too big for her chest- it gave and gave with each beat, trusting him almost completely despite the poison he could spread. Julian Sigara had once more broken through. Even when it had seemed impossible. Just as quickly as it came, her hands fell away, although it didn’t worry him the slightest. “Something to take the edge off...” The words slipped off his tongue, quiet and low. “Close your eyes, relax...” Gentle fingers lifted once more to brush against her jaw, the quiet rhythm of a heartbeat guiding his touch until his lips met hers. I’m here. 

“I don’t recall saying it was ever off the table.” Though her demeanor suggested otherwise, stoic and frosty despite the amicable nature of her words and if she were any semblance of honest with herself, the very notion spurred nausea within her. As if to end any further conversation regarding the individual placed within their ranks, she remained as immovable as stone and refused to bend to the will of a man who did not deserve honesty. He called it playing stupid, she deemed it playing the man. “You have no idea how low I’m willing to sink. I think I might surprise you.” Yet again the mention of this mythical other woman forced distaste to settle within her bones as she managed out, “I have little gratitude for traitors and the spineless.” Him included. Loyalty had always been her most striking characteristic so to witness such little use of it in others inspired only repulsion. “It’s a history that has long since ended. I can assure you. Feel free to take care of it so I don’t have to waste my time.” For the first time in several minutes, she recalls her own drink and nearly coughs mid-sip when he surprises the capo. “What on earth gives you that impression?”

“You know where to find me, mi amor.” A charming smile painted his features. He wasn’t a stranger to the reputation he’d garnered. While the police department had failed to show his hand in his own brother’s murder, the underworld knew he’d pulled the trigger. Julian Sigara. The name was almost synonymous with traitor, wasn’t it? “I’m not so sure about that, very little shocks me these days.”  Eyes fell onto Sera Karan- one the most loyal Kovali servants, no doubt. He’d only heard inklings about her past: a woman who rose from nothing to become a capo. “Traitor is such an ugly word, I think opportunist fits better.” Despite her put together demeanor though, Julian was almost certain that her hands were covered with innocent blood. Things that could make anyone’s skin crawl. Such was the business they were in. She could hold her head up, high and noble, but deep down they’d both committed atrocious acts. Hell, maybe if she was in his position, she might’ve even done the same. “Sure, I bet it’s ended... although...” All he could do was shrug, cutting the sentence short as he watched her reaction. “I’m good at reading people... and I don’t think you and I are all that different, really.” 

Curfew. SWAT monitoring the streets. Was this the kind of anarchy that Julian had been expecting? Somewhat, but it was something he could revel it. Not since the great fire had the city imploded like this, and he hadn’t been alive to watch those fireworks. When he’d approached the Kovali Consigliere, Julian had signed a death warrant. And with the monumental loss and failure the Faction sustained, fingers were waiting to be pointed. The Sigara representative for that very matter was laying low. There was nothing better than a hazy hookah lounge in Noble Square. He’d been frequenting it since the festival, and when the police came to shut everything down, he could slip up the back staircase and to a fourth-floor apartment he owned. Easy as that. He kept his eyes on his watch, another cloud of smoke obscuring his face. “Drinks from the third seat down.” The waitress muttered, setting his new beverage on the table and piping up curiousity. Who the held was bold enough to try and find a man who didn’t want to be found? 

I like you // I love you // You’re one of my only  friends // You’re like family // Youarefamily // I dislike you // I hate you // I’d kill you if I got the chance // I want you to like me // I’m scared of you // I would adopt you // I’d date you // I’d sleep with you // I’d marry you //I’m worried about you // You confuse me // You’re annoying // I pity you // I respect you //I trust you // I feel protective of you // I’d invite you with me to parties // I’d lend you my money // I’d borrow your money // You’re good-looking // I’m suspicious of you // I’m hiding something from you // You’re fun // You’re boring // I’m upset with you // You’re nice // You’re mean // I’m envious of you // You’re smart // You’re stupid // I look up to you // I think you’re a better person than me // I think I’m a better person than you // I want to apologize to you // I wish I’d never met you // I never want to forget you // I want to get to know you better

I like you // I love you // You’re one of my best friends // You’re like family // You are family // I dislike you // I hate you // I’d kill you if I got the chance // I want you to like me // I’m scared of you // I would adopt you // I’d date you // I’d sleep with you // I’d marry you //I’m worried about you // You confuse me // You’re annoying // I pity you // I don’t respect you //I trust you // I feel protective of you // I’d invite you with me to parties // I’d lend you my money // I’d borrow your money // You’re good-looking // I’m suspicious of you // I’m hiding something from you // You’re fun to insult // You’re boring // I’m upset with you // You’re nice // You’re mean // I’m envious of you // You’re smart // You’re stupid // I look up to you // I think you’re a better person than me // I think I’m a better person than you // I really don’t want to apologize to you // I wish I’d never met you // I never want to forget you // I want to get to know you better

I like you // I love you // You’re one of my best friends // You’re like family // You are family // I dislike you // I hate you // I’d kill you if I had to// I want you to like me // I’m scared of you // I would adopt you // I’d date you // I’d sleep with you // I’d marry you //I’m worried about you // You confuse me // You’re annoying // I pity you // I respect you //I trust you // I feel protective of you // I’d invite you with me to parties // I’d lend you my money // I’d borrow your money // You’re good-looking // I’m suspicious of you // I’m hiding something from you // You’re fun to mess with // You’re boring // I’m upset with you // You’re nice // You’re mean // I’m envious of you // You’re smart // You’re stupid // I look up to you // I think you’re a better person than me // I think I’m a better person than you // I want to apologize to you // I wish I’d never met you // I never want to forget you // I want to get to know you better

I like you // I love you // You’re one of my best friends // You’re like family // You are family // I dislike you // I hate you // I’d kill you if I got the chance // I want you to like me // I’m scared of you // I would adopt you // I’d date you // I’d sleep with you // I’d marry you // I’m worried about you // You confuse me // You’re annoying // I pity you // I respect you // I trust you // I feel protective of you // I’d invite you with me to parties // I’d lend you my money // I’d borrow your money // You’re good-looking // I’m suspicious of you // I’m hiding something from you // You’re fun interesting // You’re boring // I’m upset with you // You’re nice // You’re mean // I’m envious of you // You’re smart // You’re stupid // I look up to you // I think you’re a better person than me // I think I’m a better person than you // I want to apologize to you // I wish I’d never met you // I never want to forget you // I want to get to know you better

I like you // I love you // You’re one of my best friends // You’re like family // You are family // I dislike you // I hate you // I’d kill you if I got the chance // I want you to like me // I’m scared of you // I would adopt you // I’d date you // I’d sleep with you // I’d marry you // I’m worried about you // You confuse me // You’re annoying // I pity you // I respect you // I trust you // I feel protective of you // I’d invite you with me to parties // I’d lend you my money // I’d borrow your money // You’re good-looking // I’m suspicious of you // I’m hiding something from you // You’re interesting // You’re boring // I’m upset with you // You’re nice // You’re mean // I’m envious of you // You’re smart // You’re stupid // I look up to you // I think you’re a better person than me // I think I’m a better person than you // I want to apologize to you // I wish I’d never met you // I never want to forget you // I want to get to know you better

I like you // I could love you // You’re one of my best friends // You’re like family // You are family // I dislike you // I hate you // I’d kill you if I got the chance // I want you to like me // I’m scared of you // I would adopt you // I’d date you // I’d sleep with you // I’d marry you // I’m worried about you // You confuse me // You’re annoying // I pity you // I respect you // I trust you // I feel protective of you // I’d invite you with me to parties // I’d lend you my money // I’d borrow your money // You’re good-looking // I’m suspicious of you // I’m hiding something from you // You’re fun// You’re boring // I’m upset with you // You’re nice // You’re mean // I’m envious of you // You’re smart // You’re stupid too trusting// I look up to you // I think you’re a better person than me // I think I’m a better more important person than you // I want to apologize to you // I wish I’d never met you // I never want to forget you // I want to get to know you better

Tired of being pushed around by thugs? Then maybe they should move away from Chicago. Mira reached her hands behind her back, plaiting her thick black curls behind her. When her hair was under control, it was often easier for her to think. She listens to what he wants intently, dark gaze flint sharp. “It seems they’re asking for more pushing, is what I’m hearing.” The solid sound of bill against bill sounds as he continues to give instruction, locking eyes with him, keeping her hands to herself until the stack is offered in her direction. She likes money. No - Mira won’t lie - she fucking loves money. She loves the power, the status, the way it makes her feel when paid up front for a job she’d love to do anyway. “It is. Thank you for thinking of me.” She takes the cash, enjoying the solid feel of it in her hands. “When and where do you need me?”

“People close to power sometimes think that have it... personally, I’m not interested in letting that delusion take root.” Investments in their future, they were the main things that would keep the Faction alive when the Kovali descended. Holding onto the ports secured a steady income, buying off some government officials kept them out in the world... It all mattered. Every little action would add up someday. And while Julian had facilitated quite a bit, he just recently cashed in on his own future. Not that Mira or any of the others would find out. Pulling at the strings of his charade was now the main goal, to show his devotion to the cause. “Happy to have you on my mind.“ Julian replied, a charming smile pulling at his lips. What was business without pleasure? “Ah you see, that’s the fun part: now. The meeting is in ten minutes.” 

The jolt within the pit of her stomach as she watched him stumble towards the beside was wrought with hatred that flared with such toxic concern she could have sworn she’d swallowed poison; the very same that might have sought to tether her to Julian in the first place. “What?” Brow furrowed as she cast a look pitted in uncertainty, he’d come all this way and not thought to seek medical attention for himself before anything else? It seemed wholly unlike the man she’d come to know, every move — every motive overshadowed by some sense of self gain. Not nearly foolish enough, it only left her with more questions than it did answers and doe hues lingered with a branded apprehension that’d found her years prior. Trust was fickle well before he’d wrapped her heart in betrayal. “Julian, you need to see someone.” The bed frame shook slightly beneath his tightened grip and despite the poison hope that bloomed in her chest in the possibility of his own injuries running far deeper than they looked, Nic limped the few steps it took to press her hip into the frame just a few feet shy of where he stood. Not nearly to appease his showing up anymore than it was to offer some sense of weight lifted from the ache in her leg.  Hues traced the defiantly mottled shades of bruising that purpled across his face, I got stuck in the atrium..– “The atrium? You must have been one of the lucky ones then. Story of your life, huh?” Trademark; Julian Sigara, more luck than he ever knew what to do with. It’d been a whirlwind, but she’d heard of some who’d been pulled from the wreckage, it’d been all the nurses had spoken about for the last two hours. It was like fighting the impossible, too tired to so willingly order him out, knowing full well he’d never listened, passing thought didn’t quite reach to the hand that so surely lifted to hover just beyond the line of his jaw before thought turned within her mind to her own state — something that Julian had never seemingly been all too interested in questioning. “It’s..” Hand fell to brush restlessly against the flesh of her own thigh. Mottled bruising scattering once perfect skin, unsure of how even now it still looked a sight better than the scintillation of cuts, marks and burns that marred the rest of her beneath the smudge of ash. “Nothing that won’t heal. I’ve been trying to get out of here for the last hour but I can’t make it past the triage desk without someone full naming me and sending me right back here.” It’d made her restless, defiantly so. “Can you..” no part of her wanted it to sound like the concern that bubbled, yet she knew no matter what she said, he’d take it as such. “You don’t ..–” Tongue drew across the expanse of her teeth and she glanced to the bright linoleum beneath, “You don’t have anything on you, do you?” 

When the world came to its catastrophic end, when judgment day demanded penance, just how damned would Julian Sigara’s soul be? He was a murderer, a liar, someone who consistently only looked out for his own neck. Even now, in an act that seemed selfless, he put yet another mark in his ledger of calculated moves. The hospital laid scene to a heartwrenching arrival- a hero of the story appearing in a worried panic for someone he claimed to love, separated by catastrophe only to find each other. It was poetic. It was fucking twisted. An act put on by judas iscariot to only secure that Monica Pelletier would recoil back into his arms like before because what else was there for Julian to hold onto but history? A semblance of a life before he’d ruined it all in the name of power.  Now wearing the family crown in all its glory, it was time to reclaim what he’d lost in the process. Claws sunk in deeper as he watched her face contorted, a blend of confusion and unwanted concern coloring her features.  “I came to find you.” The words were repeated once again, emerald hues lingering before he shook his head. “No- I don’t need... I don’t need somebody looking me over and telling me what I already feel.” He muttered.

“I’m starting to wonder when it’s going to run out...” The Faction’s most recent failure was a problem for his position. He couldn’t afford mistakes, not when he’d fought so hard to establish the course of his life. Throwing his cards behind Declan Meyer was an act that promised rewards, if they were successful in toppling a monarchy. Now, after coming face to face with death, Julian was beginning to wonder if that possibility was ever going to come true. Gaze once more falling on the woman beside him, Julian took in the full magnitude of her injury. And yet again, the horrible words were repeated: this had to happen. Collateral damage. It had to happen. All in the name of getting what he deserved, in pushing away the creeping fear of the shadows he once clung to. Once that fell into place, so would everything else. They would go back to normal, the push and pull that could challenge the world. “If you want to leave, I’ll pay the bill and we’ll go.” Against the wishes of the doctors, absolutely, but it was a possible lifeline. The next question was one he knew all too well. They were people wrapped around the finger of white powder, a horrible need that made itself known when a few sober hours began to kick in. Time and time again, falling back into the rabbit hole was a means of finding sanity, of feeding the monster that demanded attention. Pushing himself off the railing, he made the tentative towards Nic, a finger gently lifting her chin up. “I do... if it’s going to help, it’s all yours. You just tell me how much you need- whatever you need, I’m here.” The words landed soft, his voice barely above a whisper.

It curled along the notches of her spine, the impending desire to eviscerate him where he sat; simmering like her temper and equally as deadly when it inevitably came to surface. The bartender returned with her drink and she flashed him something akin to a wicked smile, all but confirming his words. “Honey, this is just foreplay. You did say you wanted to hear me beg, right?” She near scoffed at his arrogance, but managed to swallow the notion with a roll of dark hues. “Don’t speak too soon.” Of course they’d surmised that the Kovali had an inside person within the Faction’s ranks, Channing’s position now threatened in light of her assistance in Zephyr and Ismael’s grand escape from their hold. “I wish I knew what you were talking about, conspiracy theories really aren’t my style.” Deny, deny, deny. The mention of another inspires a smirk of her own, countering him with the fate she only wishes could be bestowed upon the other woman. "All we owe her is a bullet to the head… Perhaps you should look into the same treatment. I mean, since you seem to think we planted someone.”

“So that possibility is still on the table then...” Spineless. Guiltless. Julian Sigara was a piece of work, willing to push any boundaries if it meant getting a sense of amusement out of this bleak world. In the current moment, the Kovali capo was proving to be more exciting than he’d thought. Call it luck that she’d made her way to Poseidon’s before all hell broke loose, chaos sponsored by the Sigara representative himself. At her words, he shook his finger, his trademark smirk all but plastered on his features. “Come on, Karan, you’re above playing stupid.” Perhaps the faction had made its fair share of mistakes, but loosening shackles? Giving Zephyr Jackson and Ismael De La Torre an opportunity to escape? No, those reinforcements had been solid. Nearly impossible to break out of without help. Of course, the woman beside him would never dispell such facts. She was too well trained, secrets guaranteed to go to the grave before they were spoken out loud. “Tsk tsk, so ungrateful... I appreciate the advice but our lovely doctor was supervised with each visit. Didn’t want to risk anything knowing some of the previous history with your lot.” Reaching for his drink, Julian turned his gaze on the woman. “You know, it’s a damn shame we aren’t on the same side, I think we could get along in other circumstances.” 

She only quirks an eyebrow in his direction before shrugging it off. There had been many things she had done to join the Kovali and Faction alike, none of them pretty. Her low level status required her to dirty her hands, to render enemies null and void and do whatever is asked like a pitiful dog.  She clothes himself in red frequently but it does not hide the stained fingertips or stained black on her soul. Crescent moons mark her palms and bruises mar her skin but she is happy for it. They are signs of freedom; freedom to cause chaos or peace or whatever it is that she chooses. And that is the crux of it all- choice. Her choice. They may ask or order or force her to do whatever it is they wish but when it comes to it is her choice to obey or not and she has chosen this life for herself to save herself from a less desirable fate. “I’m sure we can all sit around the campfire and trade stories,” she says dryly. “I’ve done enough to know that I can handle it.” 

Isabel merely brushes her fingers along her own neck as though imagining the feel of a cord wrapped around it, forcing the last bit of air from her lungs. She’s dumped enough bodies in the river to know no one would ever find her. “I think I’ve done well enough, all thing’s considered. Though you forget, I’ve had enough lessons in being tasked with removing those who cross the Faction.” She swirled the plastic stick around her martini glass before pulling it out, plucking an olive off of it with her teeth. Oh yes, she’d been told enough about Julian before swapping sides. Everything she needed to know had been laid out in a pretty manila folder all wrapped up in a bow. Instead she just leans in a bit closer, offering him a smile and her full attention. “I’ve heard enough rumors but I’d prefer to hear the story from the man himself.” 

“Don’t take my line of questioning personally- it’s my job to check in on all of our faction... investments.” The Sigara representative played a curious part in the organization. He was the keeper to the ports- key factors in anything regarding guns and drug shipments. Without the open deal with Chicago’s finest, there was no way the Faction could’ve risen to power... or at least that was how Julian saw it. Addiction and violence was a vast opportunity, money pouring out of each corner. Capitalizing on it funded the war they were waiting to bring. As Isabel spoke, Julian smirk grew. Yes, she’d played something of an executioner for many unfortunate souls. Backstabbers, people who hadn’t played their cards right, traitors. How curious that the two of them were meeting on the eve of his deception. 

For those who had been around long enough, the name Michael Sigara meant something. It was powerful, vindictive, dangerous. The eldest brother had been the rightful heir, a golden boy that was supposed to usher in a new age for the family. Yet his candle had been cut short by his own flesh and blood. Fingers tapped on the table absentmindedly as Julian reclined. “He was three years older than me but I don’t think I was closer to anyone. When we were younger we did everything together.” He nodded, taking a brief moment to pause. “Hell, he even tried to help me get clean once everything went to shit.” Emerald hues briefly flickered towards the woman. Julian’s reputation was a bloody one, with very few knowing the man beyond the facade that he so happily put on. “Did the rumors ever mention that...”