Mafia Italia

Catarina Russo~ *I know it's long, but this tends to happen when I haven't written in awhile*

I stood unmoving my finger never falling out of sync with the familiar pattern. Long ago I had seen that exact marking of a serpent. Of course the victims then had been Bettina and Antonio Russo instead of a tainted cop. The door opened once again and I heard the familiar voice that had been trying to coax me out of the room for the past ten minutes, except now he wasn't talking to me.

"We can't move her." The cop said,"She's just been staring at the prick's calling card for ten minutes now."

I felt a hand on my shoulder and a voice started that sounded almost bored. "Miss, I'm going to have to ask you to leave, you're really not meant to be here. The others might not want to move a civilian along, but believe me, if you don't, I will take you into custody. You're disrupting a crime scene."

"Like hell you'll move me!"I shook his hand off and whirled on him. He was shocked at my reaction, that much was clear, but what I hadn't been expecting was the deep feeling of recognition. I didn't know him and yet I felt I did. The cops hand locked onto my arm once more.

"Miss,"he said again, this time his voice more hostile,"You must leave the premises."the words were no more than a hiss.

"I told you I'm not moving!"My tone matched his and for a second we stood glaring at each other, his hand gribbing my elbow.

"Okay, that's enough, officer Nico,"Spoke another man I hadn't seen before. His voice was demanding and as soon as my gaze dropped the new officer who had come in with Nico rushed me out the door and it slammed shut behind us with a click. "I think it's better if you leave now." He spoke leading me down the house stairs.

"I'll do as you say Officer...."

"Sam,"he said.

"Sam, but first I need to ask you something,"I easily disengaged from his grip and stood, feet planted on a step.

"Fine,"he sighed,"What?"

"Who is it the cops think is responsible for all this?"

"Well I don't really think that's your business Miss and-"

"I don't think you know what my business is. Now please tell me this one thing and I'm gone,"I said raising my hands in surrender.

Obviously he was frustrated."Um...several of the cops believe the suspect to be of the name Il Serpente. That's all I'm saying." My heart froze. Had he said Il Serpente? There was a cold sweat breaking out all over my body at just that one name.

He motioned for me to continue and I did."Look, Miss, I'm sorry about my partner. He's not the nicest guy. I know it's hard to believe but I don't even think he likes me that much." I listened for the most part, but all I knew was that I needed to get back to that room.

"Officer Sam I have one more question for you..."

"What may that be?"Sam asked turning back to me. I reached my hand out with vicous speed and before he could move my fingers pinched the pressure point at his neck. He dropped to the bottom step. It was amazing no other cops were taking this staircase, but then again he probably took one he knew no one would see him bringing a young girl down. My foosteps were silent as I made my way back up the stair. They didn't really think I'd give up that easily, did they?

Nico de Luca

Nico paced around the victim, making no effort to hide the fact that he was searching for evidence. He knew there wouldn't be any, he had been meticulous in ensuring that nothing was left behind. Nothing except the body of a cop who'd stepped out of line.

"We've already checked, Nico. We've got nothing. Again." The cop at the door said, arms folded. He rubbed his eyes, making Nico realise this guy had probably been first on the scene and present since then. "Let's face it, this guy doesn't make mistakes."

"Nobody's perfect, he has to mess up eventually. Why not now?" Nico replied. He started checking under Santorini's card table, as if he would have actually left something there.

The cop sighed, "Whatever mistakes Il Serpente is making, he's not making them on the job."

Nico stood up, frowning past the cop at the door, "What the hell is Sam doing with that girl, walking her home?"

The cop shrugged, reaching down and pulling the door open, "Hey Sam!" He called down, "What's taking..."

He collapsed suddenly, a hand gripping the back of his neck. What the...? I'm the only one who should be obstructing this investigation, and I don't even need to! This had better not be the old man's work, it'll hinder me more than help me.

The woman from earlier stepped back into the room, looking straight at him, and Nico drew his pistol with lightning speed. His entire body remained steady, all the grace of a killer apparent in him as he aimed his weapon at the woman.

"You're under arrest. Don't move." He said, glowering a little.

"What the hell for?" She said angrily, "You think I did this?" She pointed at Santorini's body.

"Maybe. But either way, you just assaulted two officers, and you're obstructing this scene. I'm taking you down to the precinct." He reached back with one hand to retrieve his cuffs, "Don't argue, it'll only make things worse."

Catarina Russo~

"Wait!"I screamed raising my hands. He didn't move, gun in one hand and cuffs in the other."I didn't come here just to start trouble." I tried to coax,"So please lower the gun..."He didn't.

"Looks like it to me,"he said glancing at the fallen cop behind me. I ignored that.

"From what your partner has told me Officer..... I'm sorry I don't know your name."My voice was apologetic and I kept my face innocent. I would need his name for future reference.

"Nico."He hissed, gun still locked on my every move.

"Sam told me, Officer Nico, that your lead in this case is a man known as 'Il Serpente'."

"I don't have time for this! Tell me why the hell your here before I run out of patience,"Nico took a step forward and I darted to the bookcase on the other side of the room. From the look on his face, I was full of surprises.

"Please just hear me out. Il Serpente was involved in another murder and-"

"Il Serpente has been involved in a lot of murders,"Nico corrected me.

"Yes, and one of them included people I know! Because of Il Serpente they're dead!"I screamed the words at him but came to a whisper at the last word.

I didn't like to think of the 'dead' when it described my family. Tears welled up in my eyes and I grabbed a book from the shelf next to me and threw it down on the dead police's desk. My hands were shaking as I opened the book to a random page and pretended to focus. The pain was too real and I could remember the day all over again. Tears fell onto the pages. My tears. I hadn't realized I was crying. I collapsed into the fancy armchair, that was a bit ruined from a giant blood stain. Somewhere in this room there had to be evidence. Anywhere.

"What are you looking at?"I growled but my voice shook as I glanced at Nico. He lowered his gun and gave me the worst look possible. It was of pity. Never before had I been this vulnerable in front of anyone, in the Russo family it meant death. But this is a cop, right? He wouldn't use this against me...it's not like he was a De Luca. I laughed inwardly. What a stupid thought.

Nico de Luca

For once in his life, the look on his face wasn't one of apathy or mild irritation. Instead, he seemed to be genuinely concerned. Because, for once in his life, he was being shown the full consequences of what he did.

Before now, killing had been clean and simple. Someone would cross him or the family, and he'd deal with them in whatever way his father deemed necessary. Outside of that, life was still simple. No one knew Nico de Luca even existed except for his family and their closest confidants, the people who would be killed if they tried to leave the family. He could always retreat into the shell of his double life, completely suppress his emotions, his feelings of jealousy and inadequacy that Lucio was so much better than him. His anger and sadness at his father's failure to see him as anything more than a weapon.

But this woman, he'd killed someone close to her. He couldn't even think of who it might have been, he'd killed so many times in his career that he had no idea which one she could be connected to. My god...Is this really what I do to people, to families? He shook his head. It wasn't possible, he couldn't remember a time when he'd left a vengeful family behind. It would have been against his nature.

And yet, this woman. She was so committed to destroying his other side. He sighed, holstering his regulation pistol. "Look miss," he said, "Whether or not you were trying to cause trouble when you incapacitated those two, it's assault. I have to take you to the station, although given the situation between you and our suspect, we may be able to overlook it this time."

I need to get this woman out of here before the spooks come back. I have to stay in control of this. He thought, If I take her statement and everything, I can suppress it. Maybe even use it to uncover a false me, turn in someone else as Il Serpente.

Her look of half-serious hostility remained, and he spoke again, "You can remain anonymous, if you're so concerned. But please, just come with me and I'll see if there's anything we can do to help you. We're going to catch this guy."

*Billy, can Cat go to the police station? That's how I was gonna bring Angel's character back in. I'm asking because I wasn't sure before*

Catarina Russo~

I nodded and Nico cautiously walked toward me. His hands were rough as he clapped me in hand cuffs. I needed to go to the police station, I wouldn't mind that, but if my father found out....there'd be hell to pay.

"By the way, my name's Catarina,"I sniffled. Nico led me out of the room in silence and down the same stairs Sam had taken me.

"Poor Sam,"He smirked stepping over his fallen partner.

"You know, he doesn't think you like him...."I said stepping over his partner as he had.

"Really, and why would he think that,"He answered, voice dripping with sarcasm. I couldn't help but grin.

There wasn't much talking after that. Not even when Nico loaded me into his police car, locked the door, then disappeared. He came back moments later with Sam slung over his shoulder and plopped him into the passenger seat before taking his own.

"So what made you wanna become a cop?"I asked trying for conversation.

"Nobody knows..."was all he said as he started the car. We drove a few blocks and then the station came into view. Nico started out of his car and opened my door mumbling some court nonscense.
He left Sam in the car, which made me want to laugh. At least he wasn't pretending not to like him...
"Can I use the phone?"I asked. He just shrugged. I trudged over to the payphone right next to the bathroom. I needed to call Sal and tell him to pick me up.

*Angel that's where you come in*

Salvatore Russo

Traffic was brutal. Sal hated Chicago especially during the afternoon and the evening. There was always someone going somewhere, keeping him from his destination. He had been stuck for over ten minutes and he had half a mind to get out and walk. Taking a deep breath, he felt around in his pocket for his cell when it started vibrating. Thinking it was Joah, he quickly flipped it open and held it to his face.
"Hey, hon?" he said, softly.
"Uh...Sal?" It was Cat. Her voice was filled with innocence and impatience but it made Sal feel somewhat mad, disappointed, and embarrassed.
"Look, Cat, I don't have time for your sh..."
"Sal, I'm in jail."
"What the hell, Cat! How'd you...well what do you think I'm supposed to do? I thought you was Daddy's little girl and you could handle everything, right?"
There was silence and then Sal looked at his watch. Jo would be expecting him but Cat was his family and they were together in this mission.
"Damn," he muttered.
"Alright, Sal, I see how you are. I'll just call..."
"Ok, ok, I'll come and get you but I'm stuck in traffic."
"Well can't you leave the car there?"
Sal wanted to scream a million profanities at her. This was his car. His baby. And she wanted him to leave it there. Psssh.
"Cat, I swear I hate you sometimes but I'll come to pick you up."
"Ok, whatever."
Her voice was tainted with annoyance and then she hung up which made Sal chuckle. He liked being a nuisance.

Nico

Rather than putting her in a cell, Nico led the girl by the arm to one of the interrogation rooms, undoing her handcuffs before sitting her down at the table, taking a seat at the other end.

"You made your call?" He asked.

She nodded, and he leaned back a little in his chair. He'd recovered mostly from his inward ordeal at the murder scene now, and was ready when the chief knocked on the door and called him out.

"What've we got here, Nico?" He said with a broad grin, elbowing Nico in the ribs.

Nico pushed him away, giving him a serious look, "Nothing like you think. She took down two officers at the scene, for no reason other than she wanted to look at the bodies and see if she could work out who did it. Some connection to one of his other murders."

The chief sobered up a little, "I see. And Sam was where in this?"

"He was one of her victims. He's unconscious in the patrol car at the moment, you can send someone out to get him if you want." He looked through the two-way mirror at Catarina, "What're we going to do with her? She's no danger to us..."

"You're joking, right? Knocked out two cops and she's not dangerous?" The Chief waved his hand, "But, since you say she's connected to a previous one, maybe just let her off with a fine and a warning." He wagged a finger in Nico's face. If he wasn't in uniform, Nico would've cut it off for that. "But you keep an eye on her, alright? If she steps out of line again, I want her brought in. Properly."

"Sounds fair." Nico mused.

He went back in to the interrogation room. Catarina raised an eyebrow at him, as if to ask what had been decided for her. "You're going to have to pay a fine, and give a statement to someone here before you go. Record keeping and all that." He said, "But that's all for now, as long as you don't do it again." Now, I've got to keep an eye on her...how can I handle this? How would, he grimaced inwardly, How would Lucio handle this?

Nico glanced across the table at her, "D'you want to grab lunch or dinner or something later? Tomorrow, if you can't do today. I mean," he said, "Just to keep you posted on what's going on, since you've got a pretty big interest in this, I'm sure."

Catarina Russo~

"Just to keep me posted,"I smirked."Of course." After all this yelling at me and hauling me down to the station, he asked me if I'm good for dinner or lunch- to keep me "posted" as he said. The nerve of some men, yet I wasn't mad.

He cleared his throat,"Later on today then? That's-"

"Actually tomorrow's better. I have some business to take care of today."Nico's eyes grew suspicious as I smiled at him."So I guess that's it,"I continued,"I can go home? My ride should be here any second."
Sudden fear panged me. Nico couldn't see Salvatore at all. I had to make sure of that or everything leading up to this point will have been for nothing.

"You'll just have to wait here until-"There was a knock on the door and a scruffy, plump, man entered.

"A man here says he's come for a Catarina R-"

"Tell him I'm here!"I shouted, standing up from the table, my chair scratching against the floor. That was a close one.

"I'll bring her out,"Nico said gently reaching for my arm.

"I can bring myself out!" I pulled my arm away. This was going to be harder than I thought.

Sienna Russo

Sienna’s stomach was thrown around inside of her as her emotions got the best of her. Rage, disappointment and sorrow swirled around her as she paced back and forth in her bedroom. Startling Sienna was her phone ringing inside her Louis Vuitton purse.
You’re pushing and pulling me down to you. Now when I caught myself I had to stop myself from saying something, I should have never thought of you, of you.
Her Paramore ring tone called to her.

“Hey,” Sienna was strong enough not to cry in front of anybody else - not even over the phone.

“Hey girl! You coming out tonight? Anthony Hill is having a party at his father’s mansion; it won’t be a party without you!” Sienna’s friend Charlotte sounded more ecstatic than normal.

“Yeah, I can make it. Meet you there at 9?” She was happy to get out of this house and away from her father but at the same time she knew she wouldn’t be allowed to go out. There was school tomorrow.

“Yeah, perfect and hey, listen,” Charlotte’s voice lowered into a whisper, “I hear Anthony has the hots for you, I just thought you should know,” she giggled.

“I noticed, I’ll see ya later.” Sienna hung up and went to shower.

***I was thinking Moonlight you should post from her fathers POV, since we don’t know where he went after he told Sienna what was going on.***

Adamo Russo~

He sat staring at nothingness while the clock to his right obnoxiously ticked away the time. He thought after explaining to Sienna that he had failed would free him in a way. Relieve the guilt so to speak, but instead she had showed him a different side of her. Anger and disappointment all at once and the look she had given him could only be described as pity. He was alone in his office with the windows open behind him. Moonlight leaked through. The clock read 8:40.

Where is Catarina and Salvatore, they should be back by now? Adam's fingers tapped an anxious tune. What surprised him was the fact alone that he was anxious. He hadn't been anxious in forever it felt like.

He sighed,"Might as well go see how Sienna's doing..."Adamo rose from his seat and practically jogged to the door, swinging it open with a jerk of his hand. All day he'd had meetings with dealers, his lawyer, and so many other thugs and business begging for his allegiance. He rubbed his temples as he made his way up the stairs and stopped at Sienna's, knocking sternly.

There was no reply so he turned the knobbed and opened the door.....

*I wasn't sure if you'd already be gone Telina. Like you used that old trick with bed sheets tied in a rope and draped out the window, I was going to do that, but againI wasn't fully sure you'd be gone already or if that's what you wanted.*