Love, in Progress

Mamá, he's not a threat

Ricky was feeling pretty pleased with himself- and everybody he passed on the street could see that. Ricky, after some.. ah.. questionable methods, had made sure the rest of Dectective CC Tinsley's cases were closed- making sure he had the detective all to himself. Ricky was planning to stick around to see the look on the tall Detective's face when he realised what Ricky had done, but he didn't want to be caught snooping around by Tinsley's receptionist friend. Ricky wasn't quite sure what to think of Miss Holly Horsely, he understood that the two were pretty close but he hoped for her sake that that was the extent of their relationship.

Ricky walked up the hill to the front gates of the Goldsworth estate. He would've taken his Rolls Royce, but he didn't want to draw much attention to himself- well, any more than normal. Being a Goldsworth, he was naturally perfect in every aspect: well-dressed, well-liked, a great conversation partner, and the ability to charm just about anyone. He was greeted at the door by the Mayor, who was in fact, the family's Butler. He was practically family at this point, as he had been with the Goldsworths for quite some time.

"I take it you've had a pleasant day Master Ricky?" the butler inquired, taking Ricky's coat from him.
"Again Mayor, please just call me Ricky." he said with a smile. "And, yes, it's been incredibly productive- has my brother arrived from Chicago yet?"
"Yes I do believe he has"
"Good, I'll know to avoid him then" Ricky finished with a cheeky smile, and despite his quip, headed for his brother's room.

Ricky and Miguel had always been rather close as far as brothers go, but that always comes with the notion of major crime families. Miguel was a couple of years younger than Ricky, but had already moved out of the house, set up a 'business' in Chicago with his 'business' partner (insert mob and mobster where appropriate), and was significantly more stacked than him- which annoyed Ricky to no end. When Miguel moved out, Ricky had joked about turning his brother's old room into a cheap nightclub, which his mother shot down immediately, instead choosing to keep the room the same.

"Miguel! How's my bitch-ass baby brother doing!?" Ricky called as he swaggered into the room. "I see you've found your room again- and look, we didn't even turn it into a club!" 
"Oh, hey Ricky, still only 5"9 I see?" Miguel returned with a sly smile, as Miguel was in fact, 5"10.
"I'm 5"9 and three quarters so you can shut the hell up." Ricky retorted.

"What do you want dork?" Miguel said with a sigh.
"Can't I just come to say hi to my baby brother without a reason?"
"Spit it out Ricky."
"I guess I came to say...", he paused for a second, "Dios mío this is gonna physically hurt me to say, but, thank you for helping me with that thing. Some of those 'higher ups' weren't gonna hand themselves in just because I asked nicely." Ricky recounted with a sigh.

"Can I ask why you wanted those people behind bars?", Miguel started, "They weren't exactly threatening any of our positions, and it wasn't to do with business- did you have something personal against them? Because I have made this hard to trace back to us, but the possibility still stands- so I hope you know what you're doing Cabrón." Miguel finished with a smirk.

"I do know what I'm doing! And if anything you are the Cabrón, movin' out the house with a tall strange man from Chicago-"
"And I've heard that you've got your own share of tall strange men from Chicago, Ricky: a rather scraggly, gangly, badly dressed-"
"Okay I think I get the picture-" Ricky interrupted.
"Sheesh, and I thought you had some taste in your fellas- if you can even call what you're goggling over a 'fella', he's more rat-like than anything."

Suddenly the room was graced with the presence of Lucy Goldsworth. "Miguel that's enough, stop teasing your brother." she smiled as she glided in.
"Sorry Mamá." Miguel responded sheepishly.
"And Ricky?" she said shifting her attention.
"Yes Mamá?"
"I think we need to have a word in my office."
"But Mamá it's-"
"Ricardo."

As head of the Goldsworth family, her word was final- and most people like her too much (or feared her too much) to argue against her. Lucy swiftly exited the room, Ricky trailing behind her.

"Ooooh she full-named you." Miguel whispered into Ricky's ear as he walked past. Ricky quickly swatted at his brother before he felt a hand grab his arm and drag him along. Lucy was not about to take nonsense from anyone, and walked with the same purpose in her everyday life. Despite being only 5"3, she exuded an undeniable influence over everyone- her presence in a room never going unnoticed. They continued down the corridor, rounded a corner, and entered Lucy's office.

The office was reasonably sized, tastefully decorated (as most of the house was), and featured a large window looking out onto the town. Lucy eased herself into the chair at her desk and leant forward onto her hands.

"Mijo, I think we both knew that this conversation was going to happen eventually."
"Yes Mamá." Ricky replied, staring down at his shoes.
"I'm just worried for you, my job is to worry about you and your brother, and this man can't mean anything good Ricky, his intentions might not be all that honorable- he's a Detective for crying out loud!"

Ricky's head snapped up. "But he's- he's not like any of the other guys Mamá! I offered him money, I offered him cars, houses-", Ricky rattled on, "-but he just wouldn't accept anything! You should've seen how he talked to me Mamá! He just doesn't have any regard for his own safety- Mamá he's not a threat to us."

"Mijo, I'll say this once and once only. You either invite him over to dinner, or you cut him off and we'll never speak of him again. If you're so sure of this... Detective, that he's the one- then I would like him to be formally introduced to the family." Lucy concluded.

Ricky grinned in surprise, "I can't promise he'll say yes but I'll sure as hell ask! Thank you  Mamá!"

"Just stay safe, that's all I ever ask Mijo."