» i am the hell you shall live

It had spread like wildfire–first the question of ‘did you hear that?’ then the confirmation that ignited on everyone’s lips throughout the carnival. Thea had gotten the text from the Rinaldi leader, a copy and paste, for everyone to check-in and report to their stations. Odd, the alarming rate her text had been received just as the word spread. Had the Rinaldi’s done it?

And with that thought in mind, Thea found it in her best interest to check the bomb site. 

Nosey civilians too had decided to the same as her march toward the front of the crowd slowed, blocked by everyone cramming together like sardines. Anything to see a dead body, anyone to be the one to say ‘I saw that in person!’. 

A booming voice parts the sea, and Thea tags along on the end, a distance behind Dante, navigating her way through and stopping short, horrified expression genuine, confusion in place. A Rinaldi pawn first, an undercover FBI agent second. “Hey–” Quick greeting, breath stopping short as Dante began to explain and her memory began committing the conversation and everything she took in. “Have you been in yet to see?” 

“No,” Dante shook his head as he began to walk with Thea towards the site. “and to be honest? I am not looking forward to it.” He nudges her over gently to allow two paramedics to carry a stretcher of a corpse. Oh thank God, he thought. It wasn’t someone who knew. “I served with someone in the Castro--Titan Reyes.” He looks to her. “If you see him before I, inform my immediately of his condition along with his sister’s, Xiomara.” The Rinaldi then shows his badge to the officer before him to be allowed across the tape. “I could give a fucking cares less of the bastard.” 

Behind the tape Dante came to a stop as he saw firefighters beginning to dig into more rubble. His mind was thinking of who it have done this. “I would say this sounds like the Almeida’s but they are allies--then again Roman’s fucking crazy enough to do something like this.” It ached his heart to see this. “My Father wouldn’t do this.” 

He looks over to Thea. “I place money it was those damn redneck Stones.” 

Whenever Dante has the day off to not work, guess what he ends up doing? Working and usually due to something chaotic happening. Seeing the wreckage before him began to make the Rinaldi have flashbacks of what he had seen overseas. The rubble, the thick dust and the smell of fire burning were all too familiar to the sailor. “Excuse me,” he began to navigate through the crowd. Clearly though some civilians didn’t hear him and he places his badge up to show he was annoyed. “Step aside, please!” His voice loud now. 

Listening to his co workers of who all was in there, Dante began to worry about Titan and Xiomara. He began to hope neither of them were in there. He then sees someone who needed to be filled in and walks over to Thea Collins. Dante nods at Keegan as he passes the petite redhead. “Most of the Castros were in there.” he informed her. “We don’t have the full body count nor how many casualties yet.” 

keegan had been looking forward to the carnival to lift her spirits somewhat. she needed to just relax and have a little bit of fun. she’d even put pink in her hair, going all out with the colors. she smiled as she arrived, quickly going to order a cotton candy. 

Wrapping an arm on Keegan’s shoulders he walked the redhead away from the cotton candy booth. “I’m here to steal you and,” he pulls tickets out of pocket. “to ride some of these rides with you.” 

He let’s go off the woman and faces her with a smirk. “You in?” he then quickly adds in, “I’ll buy you cotton candy later.” 

“Deep fried butter sticks?” Valentina asked, the obvious disgust written in her voice, as she mulled her options on the small printed flyer she held, while sitting on the bench near the beer tent. A silent pause, as she looked at the person next to her. “Should I get one?” She whispered.

“Well deep fried butter sticks sound like a great way to spend this afternoon on the toilet.” Dante whispers back to her with a smile on his face. He takes a seat beside his older sister and looked over the flyer as well. “I think I am in love,” the younger Rinaldi says. “they got deep fried bacon here.” It was no secret just how much Dante was in love with bacon. 

He leans back onto the bench and looks around at the carnival. “It has been so long since I’ve been to one of these things.” Dante could almost feel the little kid in him. 

keegan was a little surprised at the curt reply but didn’t say anything. she hadn’t really been too much better. “it’s fine. i get it, trust me,” she replied with a nod. “haven’t exactly been my best ones either.” 

keegan looked down at the sketchbook before handing it over. it wasn’t her personal one. the one that held how she really felt inside most of the time. that one was hidden in andy’s apartment. she gave him a small smile. “thanks. i like both. really it’s the mechanics that i love. and yeah going fast is pretty fun and all and it helps clear my head. but i can’t really choose between them. and driver pays the bills a bit better,” she answered honestly, taking it back. 

she let out a chuckle. “i’d be half surprised if you didn’t ask,” she said lightly. “yeah it’s a hot mess, that’s what it is. depends on your definition of okay. and if you’re looking for the honest answer or the standard one. i always survive though.”

He chuckled at her play on of words in describing what happened to her apartment. “A hot mess? That is a good way to say what happened.” Dante found the irony in that and honestly? He found that hilarious. Clearing his throat and tightening his jaw, “Is there an investigation going to happen? I am the law so,” he glances over at her. “if you need my help just say so Red.” 

Leaning into the park bench, Dante thought of something else. “Where are you staying at? Please tell me you are not homeless.” He would hate it if she were and would offer her a place to stay until she got back up on her feet. 

    “I know wars of several differet types.” He sighs. He looks up at the sky, admiring how the view wasn’t obscured by the looming guard towers or the twisted electrical wires that lined the top of the cement walls. “Too many think life is easy, when really it isn’t. I could all go to shit in a blink of an eye.”

    He finally looks at Dante when he mentions Xio. His shoulders tense and he tries to figure out quickly if this man means harm to his family or not.

    “Yes, I know her. She is my little sister.” He does his best not to make his words sound threatening. “Funny thing is, she didn’t say shit about you.” Don’s jaw sets and he looks Dante over again. He suddenly got a bad feeling about him. “How do you know Xiomara?”

“Little sister?” Dante found that hilarious for he only knew of Titan being Xo’s older sister. The Rinaldi scoffs at the Latino’s next words. He had a feeling this might just end bad and Dante? Oh he was looking forward to it. “Shit, I could say the same damn thing about you.” the man throws back. 

Taking in a mental note of how tensed the man seemed to Dante, he rolls his eyes. “We attended high school together, I was her escort for her Quinces.” he tells the Latino though then he decides to add onto how he knows her. “Oh, and I served on the front lines with your brother Titan, need I explain any fucking more how I know Xo and Titan?” 

Valentina had meant to walk back home, as the heat of the sun poured down on her skin, heating the world around her. She loved it, the endless summer, whereas some might’ve wanted rain, Valentina was a fan of the sun. The bluest skies made her heart sing.

Spotting her brother, as she settled into the seat next to his, peering over. “I guess—“ But Valentina didn’t give much time before posing her next question. “You look upset. What’s wrong?”

Hearing her question Dante bit down on his bottom lip at what to say to his beloved older sister. He at times found it hard to lie to her. Clearing his throat Dante leans back into the bench and puts an arm behind Valentina as his body relaxes into the wood. “I’m fine, V.” He didn’t want to worry Valentina or have her view him differently. 

He looks over to her with a small smile on his face. “I’ve actually been meaning to talk to you about something.” Dante came up with an idea while he isolated himself. 

“This is considered beautiful nowadays?” She furrowed her brows, glancing upwards. Optimism wasn’t her strongest suit but it had seemed like there were more clouds in the sky, even from an optimistic’s point of view. Granted, this was probably the most blue sky she’d seen in a few days, but as mentioned before— she wasn’t an optimist. Navigating her gaze down to her phone, she busied herself with checking the weather before shooting a disappointed look side-long as she spots his knuckles. Politely retracting her gaze, she leaned back against the bench, crossing one leg over the other. “It’s no Barbados, but as far as beautiful days go— it’ll do.”

A low chuckle escapes Dante at her lack of optimism and how it is nothing compared to Barbados. He shrugs as he sits back up with his back against the bench once again. “I’ve never been to Barbados, but I’ve been to Baghdad and I’ve gotta say,” he glances over to the brunette. “this weather it better than the one over there.” Dante takes a sip out of his drink as he watched a family pass by them. 

“You look rather new here,” he spoke bluntly. “I’m Dante Rinaldi, and you are?” the former sailor puts his hand out to shake hers. 

Her book was a prop–glasses worn to shield her face, somehow they caused only swift glances, nothing more. Like wearing a mask, just as she was in her life since coming to Lakewood. Thea knew her assignment, knew her task and role to play in the Rinaldi cartel. A chip on her shoulder and she slept with one eye open. 

What a tragic way to live.

She sat beside Dante Rinaldi, appearing studious and absorbed, a book on Shakespeare for so-called “light reading”. He spoke, and Thea pretended to appear surprised. “Oh–” She let the book close on her thumb, saving her place and glancing up at the sky, allowing the sun to shine down on her. “My favorite kind of beer on a patio weather.”

“If it is that kind of weather, then where the hell is the beer?” the Rinaldi questioned with a light tease and a smirk on his face at the woman. Placing his drink down and looking to her, Dante took in her appearance. “What are you reading?”

Placing his hand out to shake her hand, “I haven’t had the time to introduce myself or anything, but the name’s Dante,” he paused awkwardly. “though you probably knew that.” Of course she probably knew that, he is a Rinaldi after all and she worked for his family cartel. “So it seems not only we are working in the cartel, but at the station as well.” 

    20 years locked up can do a lot to a man. It’s the little things that make life so much better. Being able to do as he pleased, go anywhere he wants without having to tell anyone, take his time eating; anything really, it made him appreciate life so much more. He had remembered how the park use to offer him comfort when he was younger, though he wasn’t expecting it to be renovated when he arrived. Every thing was so new and different. Don didn’t know how to take it but he did feel a sense of ease wash over him.

    He spots a bench and immediately moves towards it to sit down. It wasn’t until he got closer that he realized that someone was already sitting there. The guy looked a little dazed, but Don was sure he wouldn’t mind him sitting on the edge of the bench.

    “It’s lovely.” He says simply, looking towards the sky. “Never take this shit for granted. You never know when you might lose it.” He turns his gaze to the blonde man and smirks.

“When you seen war like I have you never take anything for fucking granted.” Dante spoke truthfully. Though what he didn’t say was he had survivor’s guilt eating at him. At first with that guilt it almost had made Dante sick, but now dealing with it for years? It’s all too familiar to him. He leans back into the park bench as he watched families walk by them enjoying the beautiful weather as well. 

Aurora found joy in taking walks in the town. She loved to see the beautiful sighs and people, reminding herself that the world wasn’t all evil. Even though most of it manifested in the town. She tried to look as simple as possible, not wanting to stand out too much and attract attention. She wanted to enjoy her day and not have to be worried if someone was following her in attempt to rob. It was a terrible thought, but it had happened before. She had grown more cautious of everything. 

Aurora looked along the benches, wanting to find a place to sit and relax her legs. Wearing heels and going on an endless walk wasn’t a great combination, but she wouldn’t be stopped. Her eyes landed on a recognizeable face, spotting that blonde hair, blue and brown eyed man from a mile away. A grin tugged on her face and she walked over before sitting down next to him. “The day is always beautiful,” she answered. “I haven’t seen you since the ball. Come get lunch with me to catch up?”

“Oh you know I am always down for food and to sit with a beautiful woman, Rory.” Dante grinned at the blonde woman before embracing her into a hug. He felt bad he hadn’t put the time in catching up with his little sister, but with her here now Dante wanted to do it. Placing an arm around her as it rested on top of the bench he looks around them. “So where will be getting some grub? The food truck?” He suggested. Oh how he can hear their mother know scowling at Dante for ever suggesting a thing. The military really have changed Dante. He was no longer as high maintenance as he use to be and to be honest? He was completely fine with it. “Or would you rather go to Giuseppe’s?”

Seeing a strand go wild on the side of Aurora’s head Dante brought his hand up and tucked it behind her ear. “I’m sorry I ghosted everyone after the ball. I uh...needed the time to myself.” He knew Aurora probably wouldn’t be mad at him, just worried while their mother on the other hand could be furious with him for ignoring the family. 

While meeting up with Dante at random intervals was convenient, it had always seemed like life was too hectic for the two to take a moment to sit down and have an actual conversation. He’d admired Dante from afar, taking in his appearance. He remembered fighting alongside him. The rush. He could read it plain as day on the other man’s face. He missed the war.

Settling in beside him quietly, he crossed his leg over the other, gazing outward to whatever lied beyond the middle space Dante had been boring into. There was something unspoken between the two of them, but something he’d known for most of his adult life. What did they do now that it was over? A question for the ages.

“Could be better,” he remarked quietly, a humorous tone hanging in the balance. “There’s a couple clouds and there’s no cool breeze. Almost seems like the worst day, actually.” A long beat. “You wanna talk about it?”

“I would say you think I am crazy for what I am thinking but,” Dante paused and glances at Titan before looking forward. “you would understand it.” Now that he thinks of it Titan is part of a small hand of people understanding where he is coming from. “Is...is it bad I miss the chaos?” Dante craved it. He craved to beat someone to a bloody pulp or to put a bullet in them. Like an addict with crack, Dante was one with violence. “Am I monster like my brother, T?” he questioned lowly. His eyes fell onto his scarred knuckles. Becoming like his brother is probably one of Dante’s worst nightmares to be honest. 

Taking a deep breath and pushing down the survivor’s guilt he felt, Dante licks his lips. “Speaking of brothers, I ran into your hermano--Donovan.” Even though Dante never met Donovan before hand, he knew about the oldest Reyes. “It’s kinda surreal how he looks like your ole’ man.” 

Something then came to mind as he felt a dull phantom pain in his jawline. “I’m probably sure you already know this, but I arrested Xo the night of the ball.” He informed Titan. “She better consider herself lucky I’m good friends with you or else I could’ve slapped an assault charge on her since she did punch me.” The Rinaldi motioned to the almost healed bruised on his jaw. Dante won’t lie he loved the thrill of it, but he hated it he had to hold back on the Reyes girl. Oh if she were a man and wasn’t drunk Dante would’ve fought back and guaranteed the man would’ve went to the hospital for something broken in his body. 

keegan had really needed to clear her head. sometimes she looked at the main road out of town and wondered why she didn’t just drive away. somewhere away from all of the things that seemed to be crashing down around her. but she had too much invested in lakewood now. andy, her new friends who actually seemed to care about her. and her dark want to bring a certain cartel president’s world crashing down just as he had hers. 

which is probably why she needed to clear her head. she had grabbed her sketchbook and headed towards the park, hoping to get lost in a sketch or two. she felt a small tug of her lips when she saw dante sitting on one of the benches. 

keegan sat down and looked back over at him. “yeah i suppose it’s not the worst day,” she said playfully. “haven’t seen you around lately.”

“Maybe that’s because I haven’t been in Lakewood lately.” Dante grunted to the woman. Though he instantly regretted biting the woman’s head off and sighs. “I’m..” his voice soft now. “I’m sorry for saying that it’s just been hell for me these last few weeks.” He ran a hand through his blonde hair. 

He looks over at the woman before putting his hand out, “May I?” Dante asks as he motions to looking through her sketch book. When he was given permission he began to look through it and nodded. “You are actually pretty good, why be a driver when you can be an artist?” He questioned her as he handed her back the sketchbook. 

“I don’t mean to change the subject to something darker but uh,” Dante paused. “I heard what happened to you with your apartment--are you okay?” 

Smoking. It was a nasty habit. One his mother berated him about, his sister (lovingly) scolded him for and, now, Camila boldly plucked from his lips and tossed to the ground. Thankfully, none of the women in his life were around as he took a break from his daily duties as Giuseppe’s in need of some fresh air and his toxic vice. 

It was easy to get wrapped up in the restaurant and let time slip by. Especially when the restaurant was as busy as it had been as of late. Lighting up the stick, he took a long drag as he strolled along the park. The smoke filled his lungs and a calmness immediately came over him. Dominic wasn’t walking for long when he spotted a familiar face, noting he hadn’t had the chance to catch up with Dante since his return to Lakewood. “I haven’t seen in you how long and you wanna discuss the weather?” Dominic teased, exhaling smoke out of the side of his mouth before dropping the cigarette to the ground and stubbing it out with his foot. 

“How about instead of discussing the weather I kick your ass for smoking on that cancer stick?” Dante teased at the Lieutenant. Getting up from the bench Dante embraced the older man into a hug--one that was long overdue. Pulling away from Dominic he takes in the man’s appearance he took a mental note how he hasn’t changed much. As for Dante? The youngest male Rinaldi had changed so much physically and mentally when in the military. He was no longer the quiet scrawny boy. “How you been, Dom?” 

Taking a seat back down on the bench with Dominic beside him Dante took a long drink from his slush. Something ran through his mind that he remembered. “I uh..sent that paramedic of yours some flowers from her accident.” Dante knew damn well what happened to Camila was no accident.