T O B I A S E V A N S: T h i s I s W a r
Monday, April 10, 2017 - 22:37 PM | Little Italy
"You're an asshole, you know that?"
"It was a green light! How was I supposed to know he was just gonna step out into the road?"
"Isn't that what you're supposed to be looking for as a driver?!"
Tobias was sat in a car with Veronica De Vitis, his Boss' daughter, who he'd been tasked with protecting from the Del Fierro Family. After meeting with Caiman, leader of the Harbor Kings, and a representative of the Third Street Roughnecks, Tobias had headed straight back to Little Italy in order to pick up his VIP. It was a job that he wasn't too happy about, truth be told. Sure, Raul was right when he'd said that Tobias was the best at keeping a low-profile, but that skill never actually extended beyond himself. And even then, he'd only need to stay hidden in order to keep himself from getting pinched by the cops or to position himself for an assassination. His Black Lotus training hadn't been meant to be used for protecting others, that was definitely not his calling.
"Well, I've got more important things on my mind right now. Like babysitting you." Tobias replied to her question with a hint of annoyance. He wasn't happy with the way things had played out at the meeting; Salvatore had nearly gained the upper-hand over him with Raul and part of him felt that maybe the De Vitis Boss wanted him to. It was no secret that Raul hadn't been happy with Tobias' sudden appearance but he'd figured that had died down months ago. It was then that he thought back to the police raid two nights back. That van full of livestock couldn't have been at the warehouse for more than an hour or two before Lucio had notified him of the raid. He'd thought it was fishy then, but the way Raul was acting practically could've confirmed it. Tobias shook the thought from his mind, this was merely conjecture. And his head needed to be elsewhere right now.
"Babysitting?!" Veronica exclaimed. "If that's how you feel about this then you might as well drop me off now." She said, an air of sass about her. She obviously wasn't used to being told what to do or caring about how others might feel. Typical of a Mob Boss' daughter.
"You know I can't do that, Veronica. Now just shut up and let me think."
"Aww, trying to play the adult now Tobias? That's cute. But you're barely older than I am." She teased. Tobias wasn't surprised by her change of tone. She was often temperamental towards her father's men. "Where are you taking me anyway?"
"La Petite Mort." He replied, curtly. "I'm...familiar with the owner. She can help me to keep you out of sight."
"And by familiar you mean you're fucking, right?" Tobias didn't answer. "Well that's new, a guy who doesn't brag about his conquests. Maybe you're ashamed?"
"Or maybe you should just leave it alone. It's...complicated." Tobias replied, his mind threw up images of Sasha. Maybe involving her in this was a bad idea?
"When is anything not complicated for you guys?" She laughed. "Honestly, it's a wonder how any woman gets married these days." Tobias turned his view from the road to give her a look. "But alright, I'll drop it. My father would kill you if he knew you were taking me to a strip club though, right?"
"Then let's hope he doesn't find out."
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Monday, April 10, 2017 - 23:01 PM | La Petite Mort - Lonely Hearts Club
"So you brought her here?!"
Sasha yelled, launching her half-filled glass of wine against the wall of her office. She wasn't exactly excited to be harboring the daughter of Raul De Vitis, especially after the Fierro's had placed a hit on her.
"What part of 'Nowhere-Else-To-Go' confuses you, Sasha?! Please inform me, because I can walk you through it if you'd like?!" Came Tobias' retort, laced with cynicism.
"This isn't the time to be an asshole, Tobias! She's not safe here, the whole damn city will know where she is before midnight!" The look on her face right now wasn't just anger, but fear. She was scared. Though Tobias suspected it was more than just for her own life and that of her staff.
"Being called an asshole twice in one night, and by two different women. Nice going." Chimed Veronica. She'd made herself comfortable on one of Sasha's silk-covered couches, her legs draped over one of the arms.
"Shut it, we haven't got time for your shit." Tobias growled.
"Don't speak to her like that!" Sasha yelled again.
"Yeah, don't speak to me like that." Veronica followed.
Tobias was growing more and more agitated. "ALRIGHT!" He roared. The pair of them grew silent at that. It wasn't often that Tobias ever shouted, so when he did it obviously meant he was serious. Sasha let out a sigh and walked over to him. Tobias, however, had turned away from both of them and was currently staring out of the office window. Sirens blared off in the distance and most of the borough was still covered in darkness from the blackout. Only the larger buildings had back-up generators, usually placed on the roof, that ran on gasoline. Sasha's club was one of the fortunate ones.
"Look, I'm sorry. But she can't stay here." Sasha stated, coming to stand in front of Tobias and snaking her arms around his neck. She gazed into his eyes, searching for a single speck of emotion.
"I know." He said, finally, looking down to meet her gaze. "I didn't want to involve you in this, but there was no one else I could trust."
Sasha changed her expression, as if a light bulb had just switch on in her mind. "Maybe you don't need to?" Tobias fixed her with a confused look. "Trust anyone else, I mean." He still couldn't make out what she was getting at. "Tobias, your apartment?!" She explained. Tobias' reaction was instant, pulling himself away.
"What?! No. No way in hell." He protested.
"Yeah, I am not comfortable with that." Came Veronica's voice.
"Just shut up and listen to me, both of you." Sasha ordered. "Tobias, you needed a place that no one would think of. Your apartment is perfect for that because you're never there." She stepped towards him, grabbing his hand. "You even said yourself that no one knows about it. Not even I've been there." She squeezed his hand now, imploring him to listen. After a few moments, Tobias gave in.
"Fine." He breathed. Sasha's face lit up and she pulled herself towards him, planting an passionate kiss on his lips.
"Ugh. Get a room." Veronica sighed, clearly unhappy with the decision.
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Monday, April 10, 2017 - 23:22 PM | La Petite Mort - Lonely Hearts Club
Tobias exited the club with Veronica in tow. After a brief change of attire, the De Vitis heiress was now wearing one of Sasha's outfits and a large fur coat. He struggled not to look too much.
"I look like a hooker." Veronica complained.
"You don't look like a hooker. Now stop moaning and get in the damn car." He said.
"Remind me why I had to dress up in this ridiculous outfit again?" She asked as they ran across the road to where Tobias had parked.
"Because no one would expect you to be dressed like a hooker!" He replied. Thumbing the button on his keys and wrenching open the driver-side door, as Veronica clip-clopped around to the passenger-side in her heels.
"But you just said-"
"I know what I said. Now get-" Thud. The world was already spinning by the time his mind registered the object that had struck the back of his head. As his legs gave out and he crumpled to the wet asphalt, Tobias thought he could hear screams. He hit the floor in seconds, unable to respond quick enough but managing to roll onto his back.
Stood above him, a pistol pointed down at his chest, was a young man. His face twisted into a demented grin, with a single, bloody gash on his cheek. “Salvatore sends his regards.” He laughed.
BLAM!