#th.tori

“who is it?” she called out, raising her voice as the knock echoed through the apartment. tori paused, checking the time on her phone as her body instinctively sank deeper into the couch. it was late. well past midnight and she’d lost track of time, as always. on her third, maybe fourth glass of wine, she sat curled up in a soft silk pajama set, her mess of curls piled high on top of her head as she doom scrolled through tiktok. she wasn’t expecting anyone. not this late.

sometimes her brothers would show up after a night of debauchery, but they usually had the decency to call first. sitting still as another round of knocks sounded through the penthouse, she swore under her breath, already making a mental note to give the doorman the third degree about letting people up without notifying her. pushing herself up, her bare feet padded softly against the wooden floor. yawning as she approached the door, leaning in to peek through the small peephole before pulling it open a second later, her expression a mix of exasperation and mild annoyance. “you have any idea what time it is?”

slipping into the uber, tori kept her eyes on her phone, barely glancing up when the driver greeted her. she offered only the faintest nod, confirming the address. it wasn’t far. her family’s driver made this trip often enough. her oldest brother, junior lived in the penthouse on the top floor. but that wasn’t where she was going tonight.she couldn’t use her father’s driver. too many questions, too much attention. so she chose subtle instead, even if it did nothing to settle the restless edge under her skin. it never did when they met like this.

dragging a hand through her hair, she shifted in the back seat. catching the driver’s eyes flicking to her in the rearview mirror. “problem?” the single word was sharp enough. his gaze snapped forward, and the rest of the ride passed in silence. minutes later, the car pulled up. her heels hit the pavement, the door slamming behind her before he could get out a proper goodbye. the doorman greeted her by name, holding the door as she slipped inside. her body moving straight to the elevator, pressing a lower floor without hesitation.

“say hi… why are you pretending to be shy?” laughing, tori keeps the camcorder trained on xander, watching him through the viewfinder as she relaxes back between his legs. they’d gotten to the resort late the night before. the flight from the city to antigua was short, but they’d both worked a full day before leaving. by the time they made it to their bungalow, she’d barely managed a shower before passing out. now it’s their first real day of vacation and after breakfast, they’re stretched out on an oversized lounger by the water. tori’s head resting against his calf, one of her feet pressing lightly to his chest. the other nudging his cheek just to be annoying. the camcorder she bought with the money he gifted her sitting comfortably in her hand as she zooms in on his face. “tell the camera how much you like my swimsuit.” the trip had been so last minute but thankfully she hadn't need much as far as new outfits. a baby blue bikini that was one of her favorites hugging her frame as she grinned at him. “you are so cute.” she snorts, letting her foot slide into his hair, the anklet with his name catching the sunlight as it glints. “c’mon, one day our kids are gonna see this. the pg parts, obviously. say something sweet.”

“xander, stop.” tori laughs as he pulls her closer, brushing her nose against his. the feel of his hands sliding along her thighs makes her cheeks flush a soft pink. “you’re being bad,” she murmurs, her voice low and warm as they sit tucked into the noise of the club. around them, the music pounds and bodies move, but their booth feels separate. private, just theirs. she’d been the one to drag him out, knowing he’d been in a mood about his brother, wanting to shake him out of it. so they got dressed up for the night. xander looking effortlessly put together, like money without needing to say it. and her in a deep red two-piece that matched him just enough.

continued from here for @dirtyauthority

“more space and one of us would have to leave the city and i’m not moving to jersey.” tori laughs, shaking her head. she feels stupid for even letting the words slip out, but she’s high. they’re out before she can stop them. the two of them sitting on xander’s roof, her gaze fixed anywhere but him. tracing the colors of the sunset instead. trying to ignore the way being back here stirs something up in her, something that makes her stomach ache.

she doesn’t say that, though. just passes the joint back to him and rubs lightly at her eyes. they hadn’t seen each other in weeks. almost two months since the breakup. tori had spent the rest of that night crying until she passed out. then a few days trying to clean up the mess she’d made of her life. and then, in a weak moment, she’d texted him. it had started simple. work. stuff with her family. because despite everything, he still knew her better than anyone. they kept talking after that. just texts. never calls. she couldn’t handle hearing his voice.

eventually they ran into each other at some associate’s parties. no sneaking glances, no tension filled avoidance because it was over. they were over. so they just hugged. talked about everything except them. kept it casual, because that’s what she’d asked for. what she’d insisted on, even. they both had bigger things to fix with themselves. tori had started therapy, too. hadn’t told anyone. not even xander. just somewhere to talk. really talk and it helped. made her want to be better.

but he was still her weak spot. so she’d texted him again, this time from the spa. kept it light. asked what he was doing later. asked if she could come over. just as friends. just to get high on his roof and pretend she didn’t remember what it felt like when he touched her. kissed her that last time. had shown up bearing a bottle of wine in skin tight slacks, blazer, and a top she knew showed up her curves. hair in a messy bun that spilled curls into her eyes and of course heels. usual work attire.

closed starter for @softnspiteful

tori sat with her arms crossed, glare fixed on the two men standing in front of her. one was her father, looking like he was about two seconds from tearing his hair out from stress. the other was a complete stranger. who, as far as she was concerned, already was ruining her life.

“daddy, i don’t understand what any of this has to do with me.” her voice came out sharper than she intended. she’d known what her father did since her 12th birthday, knew he ran the largest organized crime syndicate on the east coast. it had never really touched her before. content to enjoy the perks of the lifestyle without asking questions. until now.

“princess, i told you. your brother messed with the wrong people and now they’re looking to start a war. there could be blowback on you and your mother, which is why he’s here.” his thumb jerked toward the other man. “he’s your security. twenty-four seven, starting now. get him set up in the spare bedroom at your apartment, and i swear, if you argue, you’re moving back home.”

his raised voice makes her flinch. she hates that it does.

closed starter for @sunbecms